College Advocacy Board Chair; Professional Teaching Standards Board Executive Director
College Advocacy Board Former Chair; State Board of Education Coordinator
Dr. Diana Clapp is a longtime educator in Wyoming and is currently serving as the Coordinator for the Wyoming State Board of Education. Her teaching experience spans from the elementary to high school classroom. She is an educational leader who has served as an elementary principal, curriculum director, and 17 years as a district superintendent. Diana Clapp earned her doctorate degree from the University of Wyoming and is a 2011 graduate of Leadership Wyoming. Diana was also named the 2011 Wyoming Superintendent of the Year and is the recipient of the Myron Basom Excellence in Leadership Award.
College Advocacy Board Member; Principal Consultant, Dafoe Strategies
Jessie Dafoe is a proud Wyoming native specializing in organizational strategy. Dafoe guides organizations of varying sizes and growth stages through strategic planning, development, and implementation of operational plans. Additionally, Dafoe focuses on governmental affairs work and crafting thoughtful policy solutions for Wyomingites. Dafoe, who was raised on her family’s ranch, graduated from the University of Wyoming, where she received a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Business and a Master of Business Administration. Dafoe is a 2014 graduate of Leadership Wyoming.
College Advocacy Board Member; Principal, Stocktrail Elementary School
When Bertine Bahige became principal of Rawhide Elementary School five years ago, it was failing to meet achievement goals. Through data-driven instruction, Bahige transformed it into a school that has met expectations for two years. His commitment to teaching practices, professional development, and a dual Spanish-English immersion program for ESL students led to improved scores and a vibrant community. Bahige also created a “mercantile” pantry for students’ essential needs. A refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bahige is a doctoral candidate at the University of Wyoming.
College Advocacy Board Member; Chief Academic and Student Services Officer, Wyoming
Community College Commission
Dr. Laurel Ballard is Chief Academic and Student Services Officer for the Wyoming Community College Commission, and was formerly the Innovations Officer at the Wyoming Department of Education. She specializes in teacher and leader quality and leads statewide initiatives, contributing to evidence-based education reform. Laurel also served for eight years as the State Director of Digital Learning and Innovation. Dr. Ballard, an honors graduate in Economics, holds a Ph.D. from the University of Wyoming, where she earned recognition for her teaching contributions.
College Advocacy Board Member; Educational Leadership Consultant, Cognia
Jill Bramlet holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from the University of Wyoming and a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Special Education from Black Hills State University. She serves as an Educational Leadership Consultant at Cognia and a Lead Evaluator at AdvancED. Her past roles include Executive Coach and Project Coordinator at the Wyoming Center for Educational Leadership, and Executive Director of the WY P-16 Education Council. Jill has also held leadership positions in Wyoming school districts, including Elementary Principal and Director of Special Education.
College Advocacy Board Member; Deputy Policy Officer, Office of the Governor
Lachelle Brant serves as the Deputy Policy Director for the Wyoming Governor's Office,
a role she assumed in April 2024. With over two decades of experience in education
and public service, Lachelle has held key positions, including Senior Policy Advisor
for the Governor's Office and Unclaimed Property Director for the Wyoming State Treasurer's
Office. She began her career as an elementary school teacher and holds a Bachelor
of Science in Elementary Education from Montana State University.
College Advocacy Board Member; Former Wyoming State Superintendent of Public Education
Judy Catchpole, a former Wyoming State Superintendent of Public Instruction, significantly
shaped education in Wyoming from 1995-2003 with reforms in assessments, standards,
and technology. A UW alumna with a bachelor's degree in elementary education, Catchpole
continues to impact education through her leadership on various boards, including
the College of Education Advocacy Board. Her ongoing dedication to education and community
service underscores her commitment to advancing educational excellence and supporting
student success in Wyoming. She has also been recognized with the UW College of Education’s
Distinguished Alumni Award.
College Advocacy Board Member; Former Associate Director of Student Life, University
of Wyoming
Charlotte Hearne Davis dedicated 34 years to mentoring students at the University
of Wyoming, serving as associate director of student life until her retirement in
2000. Her impact was deeply felt, with students celebrating her significant contributions
to their lives and the university. Davis advised numerous student groups and was an
academic advisor for Delta Delta Delta for over 40 years. Her career earned her multiple
awards, including the 2023 UW Alumni Association Medallion Service Award. She is also
a College of Education distinguished alumna.
College Advocacy Board Member; WY State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Megan Degenfelder was elected Wyoming’s State Superintendent of Public Instruction in 2022, becoming one of the youngest statewide officials in Wyoming's history. With a background in the coal and oil and gas sectors, she advocates for conservative values, parental rights, workforce preparation, and patriotism in education. Megan holds bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Political Science from the University of Wyoming and a master’s degree in Economics from the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, China. Her professional experience is complemented by active volunteer work and non-profit board memberships.
College Advocacy Board Member; President and Chair, John P. Ellbogen Foundation
College Advocacy Board Member; Former Maintenance Director, PacifiCorps
College Advocacy Board Member; Asst. Superintentendent, Lincoln County School District
#2
Jason Horsley, assistant superintendent of Lincoln County School District 2, grew up in Wamsutter and earned his bachelor’s in secondary math education and master’s in education leadership from the University of Wyoming. Passionate about education, he works with teachers, administrators, and policymakers to develop programs that prepare students for future challenges. Jason enjoys refereeing college basketball and values the professional connections and solid education he received at UW. He and his wife Staci, a board-certified behavior analyst, are committed to raising their family in Wyoming, enjoying its outdoor opportunities and unique experiences.
College Advocacy Board Member; CEO and Founder, Only Co.
College Advocacy Board Member; Vice Chair, WY State Board of Education
Dr. Mark Mathern has 32 years of educational experience as a teacher, principal, and associate superintendent in Natrona County School District. He established dual language immersion programs for Mandarin and Spanish and expanded college and career readiness through the Pathways Innovation Center. He holds degrees in classical languages, educational administration, and an Ed.D. from Seton Hall University. Since 2015, Mathern has been an accreditation evaluator and staff development presenter for schools and systems in multiple countries and U.S. states, including Wyoming.
College Advocacy Board Member; Professor of Engineering and Mathematics, Northwest
College
Dr. Astrid Northrup is a Professor of Engineering and Mathematics at Northwest College, where she also serves as STEM division chair. She holds BS and MS degrees in Petroleum Engineering from Montana Technological University and a Ph.D. from the University of Wyoming in Science Education (C&I) with a minor in quantitative research methods. Additionally, she holds two skills certificates: Land surveying and K-12 Computer Science. She is a licensed professional engineer in WY and CO. Dr. Northrup is also on the Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board and the Wyoming Space Grant Board.
College Advocacy Board Member; Former Superintendent and Special Education Director
Bill Pettus, a Rawlins native, dedicated over 30 years to public education, including roles as a teacher, counselor, and administrator. With a BA and MEd from the University of Wyoming, and additional training from California State University and UC Riverside, Bill was named Outstanding School Psychologist of the Year for his work in special education. He served as Director of Special Education and superintendent of Mariposa County School District. Bill, along with his wife Nancy, established the Bill and Nancy Pettus Special Education Scholarship to support students in need.
College Advocacy Board Member; Author
Lea (Cavalli) Schoenewald was born and raised in Thermopolis, Wyoming. She was graduated from Casper College in Casper, Wyoming, and the University of Wyoming in Laramie, Wyoming. She did graduate work at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. After a 35-year public school teaching career in Douglas, Rock Springs, Thermopolis, and Shoshone, Wyoming, Lea retired in June of 2010. Lea also writes about Wyoming historical non-fiction. Her second book, Hot Springs State Park, was co-written with her husband, T.J., and her third book on coal mining in early Big Horn and Hot Springs County was recently published. She and her husband live in Thermopolis.
College Advocacy Board Member; Geologic Consultant/Entrepreneur
JoAnn Skeim-True lives in Casper and has a BS degree in Geology and an MBA, both from the University of Wyoming. She has 20+ years in the oil and gas industry as a petroleum geologist, having worked throughout the Rocky Mountain West. She has transitioned out of industry work full-time and is currently a part-time geologic consultant. She also serves as a partner at Wyld Gear and American Rotomolding. She and her husband, Shane, are proud parents to six amazing children. JoAnn is passionate about serving her community and our great state, and she sits on several boards, local and statewide. She is also a member of the Leadership Wyoming Class of 2018.
College Advocacy Board Member; Executive Director, Wold Foundation
Glenda has over 30 years of experience building connections in Casper. As Executive Director of the Wold Foundation, she oversees grant selection and donations for the Wold family. She recently led the fundraising and construction management for the $30M Casper YMCA Phase I and II projects. With a background in chemical engineering, Glenda has worked in the trona and uranium mining industries. She now focuses on fundraising and donor relations for the WYO Sports Ranch project. A Casper native, she returned to the area to raise her family after earning her BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Wyoming.
College Advocacy Board Member; Superintendent, Fremont County School District #24
Mr. Thoren has been involved in education for over 35 years. He began his classroom experience in Flagstaff, AZ, as a CTE teacher. Over the years, he has been a classroom teacher, Technology Director, High School Principal, and Superintendent. Mr. Thoren was recently named the Wyoming Superintendent of the Year for 2024. Mr. Thoren is a commissioner for the Schools Facility Commission, he sits on numerous Wyoming Department of Education Committees and Boards, and he is looking forward to the work on the College of Education Board.
College Advocacy Board Member
