Staff
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Jon Schneider
Director
Jon Schneider received a bachelor’s degree in English from Florida State University and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Virginia. He has over nine years of teaching and program and curriculum development experience in higher education. Jon has been managing the Bachelor of Applied Science since 2013 and is committed to continuing to improve and develop the program into a career-relevant, supportive and life-enriching interdisciplinary degree-completion option.
Jon Schneider received a bachelor’s degree in English from Florida State University and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Virginia. He has over nine years of teaching and program and curriculum development experience in higher education. Jon has been managing the Bachelor of Applied Science since 2013 and is committed to continuing to improve and develop the program into a career-relevant, supportive and life-enriching interdisciplinary degree-completion option.
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Alexis Kenyon
Associate Director
Alexis Kenyon earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music, Vocal Performance Emphasis from the College of Idaho and her Master of Health Science, Health Promotion Emphasis from Boise State University. Alexis has a background in college admissions, academic advising, teaching and curriculum development and is committed to helping students persist to graduation. When not behind her desk, you can find her hiking the beautiful Boise foothills with her dog, skiing at Bogus Basin or leading a rocking water aerobics class in a local pool.
Alexis Kenyon earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music, Vocal Performance Emphasis from the College of Idaho and her Master of Health Science, Health Promotion Emphasis from Boise State University. Alexis has a background in college admissions, academic advising, teaching and curriculum development and is committed to helping students persist to graduation. When not behind her desk, you can find her hiking the beautiful Boise foothills with her dog, skiing at Bogus Basin or leading a rocking water aerobics class in a local pool.
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Heather Ropelato
Assistant Director, Undergraduate Recruitment
I earned a degree in interdisciplinary studies and am currently working towards a masters degree. As a student with many work and personal commitments, I understand that going back to school can seem like an overwhelming pursuit. I love working with prospective students and discovering together that achieving a quality online degree is doable. Pursuing an education is an important goal and I feel very lucky to work with students to determine if Boise State is the right fit.
I earned a degree in interdisciplinary studies and am currently working towards a masters degree. As a student with many work and personal commitments, I understand that going back to school can seem like an overwhelming pursuit. I love working with prospective students and discovering together that achieving a quality online degree is doable. Pursuing an education is an important goal and I feel very lucky to work with students to determine if Boise State is the right fit.
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Larissa Samson
Assistant Director, Advising
I earned two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Montana and a Master of Science in International and European Politics from the University of Edinburgh. Since graduating, I have worked in admissions at the University of Montana and as a self-reliance specialist for the State of Idaho. I believe in the value of a college education and I look forward to collaborating with you so that you can reach your educational goals. When not behind my desk, you will find me drinking far too much coffee, hiking with my dogs and hitting the gym.Â
I earned two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Montana and a Master of Science in International and European Politics from the University of Edinburgh. Since graduating, I have worked in admissions at the University of Montana and as a self-reliance specialist for the State of Idaho. I believe in the value of a college education and I look forward to collaborating with you so that you can reach your educational goals. When not behind my desk, you will find me drinking far too much coffee, hiking with my dogs and hitting the gym.Â
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Dan Brock
Senior Student Success Advisor
Welcome to Boise State! I grew up in a small Michigan farm town. I went to Saginaw Valley State University where I was able to obtain my Bachelor’s Degree in Communication with a minor in Music Performance. The start of my college career was a bit rocky but I had a staff member there coach me in the right direction. I ended up becoming a Resident Assistant and took interest in Student Affairs/Higher Education. I followed that path and ended up getting my Masters’s degree from Eastern Michigan University. I am an amputee and play for the National Standing Amputee Hockey team. I have two cats named Zelda and Tybalt. My wife and I like to take our son out for hikes in the mountains when we get free time.
Welcome to Boise State! I grew up in a small Michigan farm town. I went to Saginaw Valley State University where I was able to obtain my Bachelor’s Degree in Communication with a minor in Music Performance. The start of my college career was a bit rocky but I had a staff member there coach me in the right direction. I ended up becoming a Resident Assistant and took interest in Student Affairs/Higher Education. I followed that path and ended up getting my Masters’s degree from Eastern Michigan University. I am an amputee and play for the National Standing Amputee Hockey team. I have two cats named Zelda and Tybalt. My wife and I like to take our son out for hikes in the mountains when we get free time.
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Sarah Maier
Student Success Advisor
Hello Bronco! I grew up in Carson City and attended the University of Nevada, where I earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs and a Bachelor of Science in International Business. I’ve had the chance to work with students all over the country and globe during my career in higher education, and I love helping students and seeing them succeed. When I’m not at my desk, I enjoy spending time with my family, watching movies and traveling. I look forward to getting to know you and working with you to achieve your goals!
Mail Stop: MS 1121Hello Bronco! I grew up in Carson City and attended the University of Nevada, where I earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs and a Bachelor of Science in International Business. I’ve had the chance to work with students all over the country and globe during my career in higher education, and I love helping students and seeing them succeed. When I’m not at my desk, I enjoy spending time with my family, watching movies and traveling. I look forward to getting to know you and working with you to achieve your goals!
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Faye Montoya
Senior Student Success Advisor
As your advisor, my goal is to support you as you pursue your degree and help you access the many resources and supports the University has to ensure your success. I enjoy seeing students grow and change as they journey through their education. I completed two degrees as a full-time working parent, and I understand the balance it takes to juggle work, school, family and life. When I am not working, I enjoy hiking, nature and spending time with my family and my dogs.
Mail Stop: MS 1121As your advisor, my goal is to support you as you pursue your degree and help you access the many resources and supports the University has to ensure your success. I enjoy seeing students grow and change as they journey through their education. I completed two degrees as a full-time working parent, and I understand the balance it takes to juggle work, school, family and life. When I am not working, I enjoy hiking, nature and spending time with my family and my dogs.
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Kooper Sheeley
Student Success Advisor
Welcome to Boise State! I am originally from small-town Connecticut before moving to Pittsburgh where I earned my bachelor’s degree in arts management and master’s in higher education management. I began working in student affairs/higher education as a resident assistant before transitioning into retention and student success. My favorite part of working with students is seeing them and their work grow throughout their experiences in and outside of the classroom. When not at work, I can be found rock climbing, hiking, traveling and searching for the best iced coffee Idaho has to offer! I look forward to working with you and helping you achieve your goals!
Mail Stops: MS 1121Welcome to Boise State! I am originally from small-town Connecticut before moving to Pittsburgh where I earned my bachelor’s degree in arts management and master’s in higher education management. I began working in student affairs/higher education as a resident assistant before transitioning into retention and student success. My favorite part of working with students is seeing them and their work grow throughout their experiences in and outside of the classroom. When not at work, I can be found rock climbing, hiking, traveling and searching for the best iced coffee Idaho has to offer! I look forward to working with you and helping you achieve your goals!
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Scott Erickson
Student Success Coach
It took me five years and time spent at three different colleges across Idaho and Montana to finish my degree. I love my job because I get to connect amazing people from all over the country with robust, valuable programs that are accessible from anywhere. I can’t wait to hear your story and share how an online degree can help you reach your goals.
It took me five years and time spent at three different colleges across Idaho and Montana to finish my degree. I love my job because I get to connect amazing people from all over the country with robust, valuable programs that are accessible from anywhere. I can’t wait to hear your story and share how an online degree can help you reach your goals.
Faculty
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Michelle Bennett, Ph.D.
Clinical Associate Professor
Michelle Bennett’s students often describe her as encouraging. Bennett teaches undergraduate courses in integrative thinking for the applied science and interdisciplinary professional studies programs as well as communication and public relations courses for the Department of Communication and Media Arts. Bennett specializes in public speaking and directed the national championship speech and debate team at the College of Western Idaho. As a fifth-generation Idahoan, Bennett is invested in assisting young people find their voice through public speaking and interviewing coaching and volunteers with several Idaho organizations in this pursuit.
Bennett has over 20 years of experience in corporate communication and marketing in a variety of western locations. Bennett earned a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Communication at Boise State University and a doctorate in educational leadership at the University of Idaho.
Michelle Bennett’s students often describe her as encouraging. Bennett teaches undergraduate courses in integrative thinking for the applied science and interdisciplinary professional studies programs as well as communication and public relations courses for the Department of Communication and Media Arts. Bennett specializes in public speaking and directed the national championship speech and debate team at the College of Western Idaho. As a fifth-generation Idahoan, Bennett is invested in assisting young people find their voice through public speaking and interviewing coaching and volunteers with several Idaho organizations in this pursuit.
Bennett has over 20 years of experience in corporate communication and marketing in a variety of western locations. Bennett earned a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Communication at Boise State University and a doctorate in educational leadership at the University of Idaho.
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Margaret Sass, J.D., Ed.S., Ph.D.
Lecturer
Margaret Sass began her academic career earning a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in communication from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. After graduating, Sass moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in marketing and public relations in the nonprofit sector. Sass returned to academia in 2004 by entering and graduating from a Southern California law school. After she completed her J.D., she moved to Boise to complete her educational specialist degree and her doctorate in education, curriculum and instruction.
She began her teaching career in California in 2004 and has continually taught courses in wills and trusts, hospitality law, business law, communication and multidisciplinary studies. Her main interest is implementing and researching service-learning in higher education curriculum.
Margaret Sass began her academic career earning a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in communication from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. After graduating, Sass moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in marketing and public relations in the nonprofit sector. Sass returned to academia in 2004 by entering and graduating from a Southern California law school. After she completed her J.D., she moved to Boise to complete her educational specialist degree and her doctorate in education, curriculum and instruction.
She began her teaching career in California in 2004 and has continually taught courses in wills and trusts, hospitality law, business law, communication and multidisciplinary studies. Her main interest is implementing and researching service-learning in higher education curriculum.
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Baker Lawley
Clinical Instructor of Experiential Learning Opportunities
Baker Lawley has been teaching in higher education for two decades, with a passion for helping students tell their stories and share their work with the world. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in English from Millsaps College and his Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Alabama. Prior to joining Boise State, he taught at Gustavus Adolphus College for thirteen years as associate professor of English, where he also served as department co-chair, directed the writing center, and oversaw internships and two student-run literary magazines.
In the applied science and interdisciplinary professional studies programs, Lawley focuses on experiential learning opportunities, helping students integrate real-world experience with their degree, and translating their experiences into academic credit for specific courses. Experience — past or present — matters, and helping students integrate those experiences with their overall educational life at Boise State will help them better tell their stories and design their futures.
Baker Lawley has been teaching in higher education for two decades, with a passion for helping students tell their stories and share their work with the world. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in English from Millsaps College and his Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Alabama. Prior to joining Boise State, he taught at Gustavus Adolphus College for thirteen years as associate professor of English, where he also served as department co-chair, directed the writing center, and oversaw internships and two student-run literary magazines.
In the applied science and interdisciplinary professional studies programs, Lawley focuses on experiential learning opportunities, helping students integrate real-world experience with their degree, and translating their experiences into academic credit for specific courses. Experience — past or present — matters, and helping students integrate those experiences with their overall educational life at Boise State will help them better tell their stories and design their futures.
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Reginald Jayne, Ph.D.
Clinical Associate Professor
Reggie Jayne’s academic journey was non-traditional. After failing out of public high school, graduating from the Marine Military Academy with his diploma, and working for several years, Reggie completed his Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts at Montgomery College and then transferred to the Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of Houston-Downtown. Seeking to make a career in higher education, he then completed a Master of Arts in History from Sam Houston State University which enabled him to secure a job as founding faculty at the College of Western Idaho (CWI).
Jayne was recognized multiple times for his teaching and leadership as a distinguished faculty member at CWI. After thirteen years at CWI, he was promoted to one of their first full professors. In 2021, Jayne was awarded a doctorate in humanities and history from Faulkner University. At Boise State University, Jayne teaches in the applied science and interdisciplinary professional studies programs, where he leads courses on integrative and creative thinking. What he most loves about working in the program is the wide variety of non-traditional students.
Reggie Jayne’s academic journey was non-traditional. After failing out of public high school, graduating from the Marine Military Academy with his diploma, and working for several years, Reggie completed his Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts at Montgomery College and then transferred to the Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of Houston-Downtown. Seeking to make a career in higher education, he then completed a Master of Arts in History from Sam Houston State University which enabled him to secure a job as founding faculty at the College of Western Idaho (CWI).
Jayne was recognized multiple times for his teaching and leadership as a distinguished faculty member at CWI. After thirteen years at CWI, he was promoted to one of their first full professors. In 2021, Jayne was awarded a doctorate in humanities and history from Faulkner University. At Boise State University, Jayne teaches in the applied science and interdisciplinary professional studies programs, where he leads courses on integrative and creative thinking. What he most loves about working in the program is the wide variety of non-traditional students.