As we prepare for the 2025-26 school year, we’d like to officially welcome the talented new faculty and staff who have joined Team NCSSM, in both Durham and Morganton, since May 2025.

You may find contact information for NCSSM faculty and staff in our employee directory.  

Welcome to:

Nadiyah Aamer, Instructor of Spanish, Academic Programs
Nadiyah Aamer joined NCSSM in fall 2025 as an Instructor of Spanish for the Durham campus. She began her career teaching Spanish at the undergraduate level in 2016, designing and delivering such courses as Advanced Spanish Grammar, Interpreting Literary and Cultural Texts in Spanish, Cultures of Spain, and Medieval and Early Modern Peninsular Topics. During her Ph.D. research in Literary, Cultural and Linguistic Studies at the University of Miami, she earned an additional Certificate in Caribbean Studies. Nadiyah also holds both a bachelor’s degree in Spanish with a concentration in translation and international business and a master’s degree in Spanish with a concentration in translation and cultural studies from Georgia State University.

Annaleigh Powell Benton, Instructor of Biology, Academic Programs
Annaleigh Powell Benton joined NCSSM in August 2025 as an Instructor of Biology for our Durham campus. A native of Matthews, NC, she earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2018 and completed her Ph.D. at Purdue University in 2024. She then returned to UNC-Chapel Hill as a postdoctoral research fellow. During her academic journey, she developed a strong passion for mentoring students in the lab and teaching in the classroom. Her research focused primarily on cancer biology, with an emphasis on RNA regulation and the role of the immune system in cancer progression. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, and playing video games, as well as spending time with her husband and their two cats.

Will Blakely, Community Coordinator, Student Life
Will Blakely joined NCSSM in July 2025 as a Community Coordinator for our Durham campus. He graduated from Appalachian State University with a bachelor’s degree in computer science, and previously served as programming coordinator at Appalachian State University’s Residence Hall Association. Will has also worked as an assistant manager in the construction industry. Outside of work, he enjoys reading books and playing games at the local game stores. As a community coordinator, Will strives to make people’s experience with residential life as pleasant and enjoyable as possible.

Janet Bullock, Housekeeper, Finance & Operations
Janet Bullock joined NCSSM in June 2025 as a Housekeeper for our Durham campus. She is originally from Creedmoor and moved to Durham during her teen years. Janet has one daughter and two granddaughters and enjoys spending time with her family frequently. Often the activity of choice is bowling or a cookout or just being together.

Nolan Concannon, Instructor of Chemistry, Academic Programs
Nolan Concannon joined NCSSM in 2025 as an Instructor of Chemistry on our Durham campus. He has been teaching high school chemistry since 2023 and has also spent summers teaching high school math and various science camp activities around Durham and Chapel Hill. Before teaching in North Carolina, he earned his bachelor’s in chemical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and received his Ph.D. in chemical engineering at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities for his research on organic semiconductor energy transfer. While in Minnesota, he taught and assisted with college courses in chemical engineering and materials science, in addition to leading a STEM outreach program for middle school students in the Twin Cities. As an undergraduate at MIT, he researched electrocatalytic nanocrystals and spent summers refining semiconductor chip manufacturing processes in Texas. He lives in Chapel Hill with his wife Hannah, and enjoys crocheting toys for his cat Meelo.

Daniele Dickerson, Digital Communications Specialist, Public Affairs & NCSSM-Morganton
Daniele Dickerson joined the NCSSM Communications team in June 2025, bringing with her more than a decade of experience in communications, non-profit administration, and student affairs. As NCSSM’s Digital Communication Specialist, she showcases and cultivates the impressive and accomplished NCSSM community on NCSSM institutional and campus-specific social media accounts. Outside of work, Daniele enjoys long road trips with her family, hiking and exploring the natural world, appreciating art in all of its forms (especially music), and reading/writing. She graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with a bachelor’s degree in English literature and from Otis College of Art & Design with a master’s of fine arts in writing.

Kazi Farzana Firoz, Instructor of Engineering, Academic Programs
Kazi Farzana Firoz joined NCSSM in July 2025 as an Instructor of Engineering on the Morganton campus. She earned her Ph.D. in 2024at North Carolina A&T University, with a research focus on human-machine interaction. Kazi’s research area encompasses neuroscience, machine learning, and autonomous robotic systems. Her research interest aims to find out the ways to connect technology with biological and natural resources. Her research and works have been recognized with different awards, and have been published on different platforms, such as IEEE. Kazi taught at Carolina University during the 2024-2025 academic year. She also served in different engineering sectors in industry from 2012 to 2018.

Logan Hill, Textbook Manager/Evening Library Assistant, Academic Programs

Hannah Isley, Partnership & Student Support Specialist, Extended Learning
Hannah Isley (she/her) joined NCSSM in July 2025 as the Partnership and Student Support Specialist with the NCSSM Connect program, bringing experience across K-12, higher education, and nonprofit sectors, with a focus on college access, student support, and education policy. Hannah has previously worked with organizations including the Carolina College Advising Corps, The Hunt Institute, and the UNC System Office, where she conducted policy research and data analysis on P-20 student outcomes. A proud first-generation college graduate, she earned her bachelor’s in linguistics at UNC-Chapel HIll, and her master’s of public administration from North Carolina State University. Hannah is passionate about dismantling barriers to educational opportunity. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, cooking vegetarian meals, and spending time with her two cats.

Danielle Kaspar, Office Manager, Development/NCSSM Foundation
Danielle Kaspar joined NCSSM in July 2025 as Office Manager for the NCSSM Foundation. She has extensive experience in program administration, stakeholder engagement, and nonprofit service. Before joining NCSSM, she was the Director of Programs & Commercial Vehicle Aftermarket at MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers, where she led member councils and supported strategic initiatives. Danielle also held leadership roles at the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club and JB Duke Hotel, managing their Executive Club membership program, social media, and community relations. Her experience also includes designing and executing over 100 events annually at the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce, and positions with Discover Durham and The Herald-Sun. Danielle holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from North Carolina State University and the IOM designation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Organization Management. She is an active member of the Durham community, serving on the board of Durham CrimeStoppers and as a member of the Rotary Club of Durham and Corvettes International.

Myer Krah, Campus Safety Officer, Student Life
Myer Krah joined NCSSM in June 2025 as a Campus Safety Officer for our Durham campus. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, he has worked with various high-profile clients during his career, including Allied Universal Security and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as shift supervisor. Myer earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from North Carolina Central University, and is currently the chair of an organization working to found a new Democratic School in Liberia, West Africa. In his free time, he enjoys watching sports (especially soccer, basketball, football), and exploring new places with his children.

Dasni Lakpriya, Wellness Counselor, Student Life
Dasni Lakpriya serves as a Wellness Counselor on the Durham campus and has served as Case Manager on the Durham campus since 2022. She earned her bachelor’s in international studies from Denison University in 2020 and her master’s degree in social work from The Ohio State University in 2023. Dasni has previously worked in nonprofit organizations and has experience providing mental health services for youth ages 5 to 18.

Jason Lunsford, Assistant Director of Campus Safety and Protection of Minors Coordinator, Student Life
Jason Lunsford joined the NCSSM team in the summer of 2025 as Assistant Director of Campus Safety and Protection of Minors Coordinator on our Durham campus. With over two decades of law enforcement experience, including 15 years in supervisory roles and a decade dedicated to counterterrorism operations, Jason is an accomplished former Lieutenant with the New York City Police Department. During his tenure with the NYPD, he held key leadership positions within the Counterterrorism Bureau and the World Trade Center Command, where he oversaw complex interagency operations, high-threat event planning, and critical infrastructure security. His extensive training in counterterrorism and emergency and crisis management, combined with a solid academic foundation in psychology from Hofstra University, underscore his commitment to safety, preparedness, and operational excellence. Outside of work, Jason enjoys spending time with his wife, two daughters, and their mini dachshund.

Laura Martinez, Assistant Director of STEM Access and Outreach Programs, Extended Learning
Laura Martinez joined NCSSM in June 2025 as Assistant Director of STEM Access and Outreach Programs. In this role, she develops summer and year-round STEM enrichment programming for high school students across North Carolina. Prior to NCSSM, Laura earned her master’s in environmental management from Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment, where she also served as a Community Engagement Fellow. In that role, she expanded environmental education programming for Durham Public Schools students and community partners. Laura also holds a master’s in education and previously worked as a high school special education teacher in Providence Public Schools. Originally from Los Angeles, she studied environmental science at UCLA. She is deeply committed to conservation, educational equity, inclusive curriculum design, and environmental justice.

Emily Ragland, Special Assistant, External Relations
Emily Ragland joined NCSSM in January 2025 as Special Assistant, Division of External Relations. Emily is a career-long family and child advocate focused on bringing resources to families around the power of community, engagement, and lifelong learning. She has built her career with the goal to be an active member of policy and procedures that are inclusive of all and built on a foundation of diversity and equity. She enjoys working with teams looking to solve problems that arise in the day to day as well as the bigger picture, impacting communities throughout North Carolina, and nationwide. She believes that there is a place for all voices at the table and is actively doing her best to open up those modes of communication for all. Emily uses her leadership skills and expertise in parent engagement and community resource sharing to further the mission of NCSSM and the External Relations team. She has a son who loves anything with wheels, especially emergency vehicles, and a husband who she has known since college and who teaches at Chapel Hill High and coaches multiple sports.

Tia Saunders, Senior HR Consultant, Finance & Operations
Tia Saunders joined NCSSM in July 2025 as Senior HR Consultant for our Morganton campus, bringing over 15 years of experience in HR. She is skilled in employment law, benefits administration, employee relations, leave of absence programs, and HRIS management. Prior to NCSSM, Tia served as the East Coast HR Manager for a notable manufacturing company. Tia is described as “a lifelong learner” who earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration at William Peace University, and her master’s degree and post-master’s teaching certificate from Gardner-Webb University. In her time outside of work, she is a devoted mother and sports enthusiast. Tia played collegiate basketball for William Peace University, and the school retired her jersey and inducted her into the Athletic Hall of Fame.

Suzanne Sikes, Instructor of Biology-NCSSM Connect, Extended Learning

Mira Zeort, Residential Education Instructor, Student Life
Mira Zeort joined NCSSM in July 2025 as a Residential Education Instructor on the Durham campus. She earned her bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Colorado Boulder and has worked as an educator since graduating. Mira is passionate about supporting students’ academic growth, personal development, and social-emotional well-being. In her free time, she enjoys taking walks, playing pool, and spending time outdoors.