New Cadet Programs Team Member

I am very grateful for the opportunity to take on the role of Program Manager for Cadet Leadership Camps on the National Cadet Team. This new position leads the CAP cadet community (10,000 cadets at 90 camps per year) in elevating the performance of existing encampment and leadership schools, while also scaling-up nascent programming and aligning it with the overall cadet leadership and character curriculum.  

My professional career includes a variety of areas in youth development at the college level including residential life, diversity and inclusion, student activities, leadership programs, new student orientation, and staff training and development. I most recently served as the Director of Student Engagement at the Thomas Jefferson University East Falls Campus. In my time at Jefferson I managed all on boarding of new students which involved collaboration with every department and division on campus and managing multi-day overnight programs for students and their guests.  

Camps and leadership programs have been a passion area of mine since I was very young. I spent a lot of time at camp with the Girl Scouts before joining CAP and getting involved with Encampment. I also sought out leadership camp experiences including attending the National Youth Leadership Forum and the Hugh O’Brien Youth (HOBY) World Leadership Congress. I have over 30 years of Encampment staff experience including serving as the Cadet Commander, Director of Training, Commandant, Deputy Commander, and Commander. I have also served in various roles with Region Cadet Leadership School including Commander/Director and Hawk Mountain Ranger School including Squadron Executive Officer and Certifications Officer. I helped to establish the Pennsylvania Wing STEM Academy and directed that program for four years.   

In addition to Encampment, I have focused my experiences in CAP on Command and Cadet Programs. I have served as Squadron Commander, Group Chief of Staff, Group Deputy Commander, and Group Commander. In Cadet Programs I have been the Wing and Region CAC Advisor, Wing Director of Cadet Programs, Region Deputy Chief of Staff for Cadet Programs (and many years as Assistant), and I served most recently on the National Cadet Team as the DCP Development Coordinator. As a cadet I earned the Eaker Award (#6) and I have my Level V/Gill Robb Wilson Award (#3981).

I have a Bachelor of Science in Applied Science with concentration in political science and a minor in Air Force aerospace studies from the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago and a Master of Public Administration with a specialization in higher education, law, and leadership from the University of Delaware. I reside in Lansdale, Pennsylvania with my husband Joe and our three cats. We both are involved with martial arts and production for our church.  We also like to travel, garden, and spend time with our families. 

Civil Air Patrol has been a part of my life since I was 12 years old and the reason I am who I am today. It is truly an honor to get to work with this amazing team to continue the traditions yet help to improve the program for generations to come. I really look forward to working with everyone. I will be visiting several Encampments this summer and I can’t wait to get to meet you and see all of the amazing things that you are doing with your programs.