As we prepare for the 2026-27 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 2026.

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

Welcome to:

Arthur Baum, Instructor of Physics, Academic Programs
Arthur Baum joined NCSSM in August 2026 as an Instructor of Physics for our Durham campus. Prior to joining NCSSM, he taught AP, IB, and honors physics for 14 years at Myers Park High School and developed curriculum resources for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. In addition to teaching, Arthur works as an AP reader and an IB examiner, grading AP and IB physics exams. He also serves as high school representative on the board of the North Carolina Section of the American Association of Physics Teachers. Arthur earned his bachelor’s degree in physics and mathematics from Harvard University and a master’s degree in film and television production from the University of Southern California. Prior to teaching physics, he worked as a film sound mixer and designer in Los Angeles and taught at the USC School of Cinematic Arts. He also taught math, astronomy, and cryptography for 13 summers with Duke University’s Talent Identification Program. Outside of school, Arthur enjoys running, cooking, playing piano, and Scottish country dancing, which he teaches in his spare time.

Allison Danell, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Programs, Academic Programs
Allison Danell serves as Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Programs at NCSSM, where she supports faculty leadership, academic strategy, and student success. Her professional background includes extensive experience as a faculty member, researcher, and academic administrator, with deep expertise in teaching and learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, strategic planning, and people-centered leadership. Prior to joining NCSSM, “Dr. D” spent many years at East Carolina University (ECU), where she taught undergraduate and graduate courses in chemistry, led a sustained and collaborative research program, and worked closely with colleagues in science and medicine on translational research initiatives. From 2020-2026, she served as dean of ECU’s Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences, overseeing the largest and most diverse college on campus, advancing efforts in access, innovation, and community engagement. Allison earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry at Truman State University, earned her doctorate in chemistry at UNC-Chapel Hill, and was a postdoctoral scholar at Rowland Institute at Harvard University. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling with her spouse and children, hiking, CrossFit, cooking, and watching movies.

Will Davis, Instructor of Mathematics, Academic Programs
Will Davis joined NCSSM in August 2026 as an Instructor of Mathematics for our Durham campus. Born and raised in Oklahoma, Will began his undergraduate career at Oklahoma State University as an engineering major, but slowly realized that this choice was just an excuse to take more math classes. While touring graduate programs, he fell in love with North Carolina and the Triangle area and earned his PhD from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2024. During his time at UNC, Will volunteered with Chapel Hill Math Circle, received the oSTEM Inclusive Teaching Award, and spent time doing research at the Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in Bonn, Germany. Inside the classroom, Will hopes to build an inclusive and welcoming environment where students can take an active role in their education. Outside the classroom, he loves playing trivia, trying new recipes, traveling, and practicing yoga.

River Gallegos, Instructor of Spanish, Academic Programs
River Gallegos joined NCSSM in August 2026 as an Instructor of Spanish for our Durham campus. She holds a master’s degree in Spanish from the University of North Carolina Wilmington, where she concentrated in Hispanic linguistics and second-language acquisition. She also holds a certificate in medical interpreting. Before joining NCSSM, she taught Spanish at the University of North Carolina Greensboro, where she specialized in communicative language instruction, created the Spanish for Health Care curriculum, and directed Faculty Led Study Abroad programs to Peru and Costa Rica. Outside of teaching, she enjoys running marathons, traveling around Latin America, and spending time with her family, husband, and two dogs.

Annabelle Goldsmith ’21, Community Coordinator, Student Life
Annabelle Goldsmith ’21 joined NCSSM in August 2026 as a Community Coordinator for our Morganton campus. Originally from Hendersonville, she graduated from North Carolina State University 2025 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and will be continuing her education in clinical mental health counseling. Prior to NCSSM, she worked as an escape room game master for Breakout Asheville, and is always keen on searching for new escape room experiences. In her free time, Annabelle enjoys playing boardgames and video games, watching anime, and making music. She plays the guitar, the bass, and has played the violin for over a decade. She hopes to use her experience as a former student of this school to support and encourage students through their own journeys at NCSSM.

Aida Guo, Community Coordinator, Student Life
Aida Guo joined NCSSM as a Community Coordinator on the Durham campus in July 2026. She was born and raised in North Carolina, on unceded Tuscarora and Lumbee land. She studied International Comparative Studies, Asian American Studies, and Visual Media Studies at Duke University. Aida has worked in various nonprofits, public school systems, and local organizations, with a focus on youth programming in political and arts education for K-12 students. Whether it be at summer camp at Transplanting Traditions Community Farms in NC humidity or in Durham Public School classrooms at 7 a.m., she is deeply grateful for the knowledge and love that youth have shared with her and with each other. Some things that make her happy include wandering the aisles of grocery stores with a good playlist, eating sumo oranges whilst consuming YouTube videos, and dancing poorly with her friends.

Nandi Hedgepeth, Community Coordinator, Student Life
Nandi Hedgepeth joined NCSSM as a Community Coordinator for our Morganton campus in August 2026. In her work, she supports students’ personal growth, well-being, and residential experience. She is passionate about fostering an inclusive, welcoming community where students feel supported, challenged, and empowered to succeed both academically and personally. Prior to NCSSM, Nandi worked as a Graduate Resident Assistant at Fayetteville State University, where she mentored college students, developed educational and community building programs, and responded to student needs in a residential setting. She also has experience in early childhood education and behavioral health, which strengthened her skills in communication, leadership, and student support. Nandi earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology at Fayetteville State University, and is currently pursuing a master’s degree, also in psychology. She is passionate about mental health, student development, and advocacy. In her free time, she enjoys community service, exploring hidden gems around the city, playing Roblox, cooking, reading, spending time with family and friends, and discovering new places across North Carolina.

Lura Jones, Public Communications Specialist, Extended Learning
Lura Jones joined NCSSM as the Public Communications Specialist for Extended Learning in July 2026 after working at the school as a contractor from 2022 to 2026. She brings a diverse background in K–12 education, strategic communications, and marketing, with experience across a variety of organizations. At NCSSM, Lura’s focus is on developing communications and marketing efforts that help recruit and engage students from across North Carolina for Step Up to STEM and other Extended Learning programs. She is passionate about expanding access to high-quality educational opportunities and believes every student deserves the opportunity to discover and develop their potential through STEM education. Lura earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and communication studies from Clemson University. Outside of work, she enjoys playing golf with her husband, traveling, and creating watercolor paintings and black-and-white sketches.

Brandon Lopez, Instructor of Computer Science, Academic Programs
Brandon Lopez serves as an Instructor of Computer Science on our Morganton campus. He completed his master’s in computer science at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering and his bachelor’s in computer engineering from Florida International University. Before joining NCSSM, Brandon taught computer science at Augusta Preparatory Day School and the Brunswick School in Connecticut. He has worked with the MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute on their Quantum Software course and previously served as a senior research technician at FIU’s Neural Dynamics of Control Laboratory, where he developed software tools for processing neuropsychological survey data. His research interests include computer science education, machine learning, immersive technology, and quantum computing.

Mallory Matson ’14, Instructor of Music (Orchestra), Academic Programs
Mallory Matson ’14 joined NCSSM in August 2026 as Instructor of Music-Orchestra for our Durham campus. She also teaches music courses such as Classical Piano and Guitar and Solo Repertoire and Performance. Since her graduation from NCSSM-Durham in 2014, Mallory has pursued her undergraduate studies at Emory University and her graduate studies at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music. Prior to NCSSM, she served as the string orchestra teacher at Saint Vincent Pallotti High School in Laurel, Maryland, where she also acted as a substitute violist with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and York Symphony Orchestra (York, PA). Outside of her teaching, research, and performing careers, Mallory enjoys spending time with her family and her pet bunny, watching Harry Potter movies, and traveling.

Damon Toone, School Counselor, Student Life
Damon Toone joined NCSSM as a school counselor for our Durham campus, in August 2026, after serving as a full-time temporary counselor since 2023. Damon’s journey with NCSSM actually began in fall 2021 as a school and wellness counseling intern from North Carolina Central University’s Department of Counseling and Higher Education. Alongside his background in corporate America and teaching, Damon brings a valuable higher education perspective from his time recruiting and evaluating prospective students for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the Morehead-Cain Foundation. Deeply passionate about mental health and the transformative nature of higher education, Damon is guided by Howard Thurman’s words: “Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

Akilah Williams, Residential Education Instructor, Student Life
Akilah Williams joined NCSSM in July 2026 as a Residential Education Instructor for our Durham campus, where she is passionate about creating inclusive and diverse opportunities for students. Her work focuses on fostering supportive residential communities that encourage academic success, leadership development, personal growth, and meaningful student engagement. She is committed to helping students build strong interpersonal connections while navigating the academic and social experiences of residential life. Prior to joining NCSSM, Akilah worked in secondary education with a focus on English language arts instruction and student-centered learning. Her professional interests include African-American literature, Black intellectual traditions, culturally responsive teaching, and the role of education in social advancement and empowerment. Akilah earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Saint Augustine’s University. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys reading, traveling, writing, golfing, exploring different cultures, and spending time with her family and her dog.

Shuya Yu, Instructor of Mathematics, Academic Programs
Shuya Yu is an Instructor of Mathematics at NCSSM-Morganton. Before joining NCSSM, he taught all levels of mathematics courses at the University of Delaware and Texas A&M University. He earned his PhD in mathematics from the University of Delaware, where his research focused on high-dimensional probability, convex geometry, information theory, and random matrix theory. He has a particular interest in teaching advanced mathematics and enjoys supporting students as they develop the confidence and independence needed to pursue their own research questions. In the classroom, Shuya values careful reasoning, conceptual understanding, and strong computational skills, and he hopes to help students see mathematics as both a rigorous discipline and a creative form of inquiry. Outside of mathematics, he enjoys reading, traveling, collecting books, spending time with his two cats, and appreciating the occasional well-placed mathematical joke.