Meet the Team

Mark Galloway, Assistant Director of Admissions & Head Coach, Boys Basketball

Email: mark.galloway2@culver.org
Phone: 574-842-8203

Mark Galloway joined the Culver Academies Admissions Department in 2010.  He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Education (K-12) from Bethel College (Mishawaka, IN).  Prior to Culver, Mark spent fourteen years as a classroom teacher.  He taught PE and Health in the Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation (Mishawaka, IN) and Carmel Clay Schools (Carmel, IN).  Mark lives in Culver with his wife Dawn and their two sons, Zachary and Trey '20. 

Hometown: Plainfield, Indiana 

Favorite Thing About Working at Culver: Our mission.  “Culver educates its students for Leadership and Responsible Citizenship in Society by developing and nurturing the whole individual – Mind, Spirit and Body – through integrated programs that emphasize the cultivation of Character.” 

Favorite Place on Campus: Fleet Gym, come on, that’s easy!  But a close second would be the view from the second floor of Huffington Library overlooking Lake Max!

Favorite Culver Event or Tradition: The Faculty/Staff Handshake during Grad Weekend.

Favorite Local Restaurant: Café Max

Ask Me About: Admissions, CMA Basketball/Indiana Basketball, Fishing in Lake Max, or being a past Culver parent. My son, Trey, was a cadet in Battery B and graduated in 2020. 

Delma Gibson, Enrollment Support Specialist

Kristi Tomczyk, Visit Coordinator

Julie Seddelmeyer, Admissions Project Manager

Email: julie.seddelmeyer@culver.org
Phone: (574) 842-8196

Julie joined the Culver Academies team in 2018 and transitioned to her current role in 2021. Her primary responsibility is to collect and analyze data to help direct various outreach efforts.

Julie's past experiences include various roles in accounting and work with the public. She holds a B.S. in Accounting from Shawnee State University and a B.S. in Psychology from Ohio Wesleyan University. Julie and her husband, Andy, reside in Culver along with their four children, Drew '21, Kamm '24, and twins Wade '25 and Reid '25.

Hometown: Waverly, Ohio 

Favorite Thing About Working at Culver: It’s said over and over, but the people are my favorite thing.  I love the environment Culver provides!  An atmosphere where everyone is willing to help, all the while pushing you to achieve your best. The diversity of cultures, religions, race, etc. allows us to learn from one another while becoming our best self.

Favorite Place on Campus: I began my Culver journey a million years ago as a Woodcrafter.  This was the first time I fell in love with Culver! Woodcraft camp and everything associated with it are my very favorite places on campus.

Favorite Culver Event or Tradition: There are so many amazing traditions. If I had to choose one, I’d say Commencement Weekend. I love everything that goes along with it.  The ceremony, Final Ball, the ringing ceremony, the sprint to Beason, all of it!

Favorite Local Restaurant: Café Max for Sinful French Toast

Ask Me About: Culver! This is my happy place, I’ve been a camper, summer camp employee, mom of campers, winter school employee, and winter school mom. I currently have three children attending Culver: Kamm and Wade in Battery A and Reid in Harbor. 
 

Savannah Kranich, Assistant Director of Admissions

Savannah is a 2005 graduate of the Culver Girls Academy. She joined the Culver Academies Admissions team in 2009 after graduating from Purdue University's Krannert School of Management. She is responsible for student recruitment and admissions, as well as the re-admit process for students who are interested in returning to Culver. Additionally, Savannah is the Head Equestriennes Coach and the Head Girls Polo Coach.

Hometown: Crete, Illinois 

Favorite Thing About Working at Culver: The opportunity to share Culver with prospective students and their families. Coaching – helping young people challenge themselves and grow their passions for new experiences.

Favorite Place on Campus: Huffington Library and the Vaughn Equestrian Center.

Favorite Culver Event or Tradition: Ringing Ceremony and Veteran’s Day Ceremony.

Favorite Local Restaurant: Lucrezia in Culver and Corndance in Mishawaka.

Ask Me About: Admissions, anything related to the Horsemanship Program, unique Culver traditions, or being a Culver grad.

Ann Norton, Assistant Director of Admissions

Email: ann.norton@culver.org
Phone: (574) 842-8460

Ann began her work at the Academies as the Director of Student Activities in 2004. She transitioned to the Admissions team in 2009, assisting with student recruitment, admissions and enrollment at Culver. Ann also serves as a member of the Athletic Support Team as an official for cross country and track competitions and supervises hockey study hall.

Ann's past experiences include the development and leadership in several community, corporate, and university programs. She holds a B.S. in Education and M.A. in Health & Fitness Promotion, both from Miami University. Ann resides in Culver. 

Hometown: Bay Village, Ohio 

Favorite Thing About Working at Culver: There are several things. Getting to share the amazing aspects of Culver Academies with prospective students and families. The opportunity to be a lifelong learner: learning and growing from the students, families and faculty/staff whom I have the privilege to meet and work with. The rich relationships developed with students, families and faculty/staff over the years.

Favorite Place on Campus: The Admissions Office: especially on those days when we are hosting a house full of visitors! The excitement and energy is contagious.

Favorite Culver Event or Tradition: Move In/Registration Day. It is like Christmas! It is exciting to re-connect with our returning students and their families and to share the start of new students’ Culver Academies experience with them and their families. It is a mix of anticipation and enthusiasm.

Favorite Local Restaurant:  Breakfast (especially the Sinful French Toast) at Café Max in Culver

Ask Me About: How Culver has continued to be an important part of my son and daughter’s lives, even years after they have graduated. Other boarding schools: I have visited 26 other boarding schools spanning 13 states! Doing so has given me an understanding of their differences and the importance of each student finding the school community that is the right fit for them.

Emily Ryman, Assistant Director of Admissions

Emily Ryman joined the Culver Academies’ team in the fall of 1980.  From 1980 to 1985, she served as a CGA Counselor. She served as the Director of the Academic Skills Center for the school-year 1985-86 and then returned to the CGA Counseling staff until the fall of 1989, when she joined the year-round staff of the Culver Summer Schools and Camps Admissions Office, serving as the Assistant Director of the Upper Camps during the summer sessions at Culver. In June of 2015, Emily joined the Culver Academies Admissions Office as an Assistant Director for Boarding School Admissions.  Emily also serves as a Faculty Officer in Charge.

Emily earned a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and has done subsequent coursework at Indiana University South Bend and the University of Notre Dame. Prior to arriving at Culver Academies, Emily was a teacher in the Head Start/Home Start program.  Past community service activities include serving on the Steering Committee of Leadership Marshall County and as the secretary of the national Association of Independent Camps. Emily is also a member of LIFT, a philanthropic committee dedicated to helping women in Culver. 

Among the wonderful opportunities afforded her while working at Culver, Emily has participated in numerous Global Pathways Spring Break trips as a chaperone, to Mexico, Washington, D.C and South Africa. She represents the fourth generation of her family to work at Culver and is honored to have her name engraved on the faculty 25-year service bench on campus along with her Grandfather and Great-Grandfather.  Emily is a graduate of the Culver Summer School for Girls, class of 1970. 

Emily’s favorite thing about Culver is the chance to work with and get to know so many students, campers and their families.  It is a true privilege.

Nathan Philips, Assistant Director of Admissions

Email: nathan.phillips@culver.org
Phone: (574) 842-8077

Nathan returned to Culver Academies in the Fall of 2022 after working on the coaching staff for Bowling Green State University’s NCAA hockey team from 2019-2022. Prior to Bowling Green, Nathan served as a humanities instructor and hockey coach at Culver for three years.

In 2016 Nathan earned a bachelor’s in English along with a minor in Journalism at Michigan State University. During his time at Bowling Green State University, he completed his master’s degree in Sports Administration.

In addition to his role in Admissions, Nathan coaches in the hockey program and is active in the Culver community supporting students and colleagues.

Hometown: Jackson, MI

Favorite Thing About Working at Culver: The best part about Culver is the people. There is a passion to work together to make this campus special. The energy and support that everyone has here encourages growth and lifelong memories.

Favorite Place on Campus: The Henderson Ice Arena of course! Another favorite is the second floor of the Huffington Library where I frequently visit to enjoy a cup of coffee while taking in the breath-taking view of Lake Maxinkuckee.

Favorite Culver Event or Tradition: The Veteran’s Day ceremony and Gold Star Ceremony on Memorial Day are both incredible traditions. The commitment from our students to honor the sacrifices of Culver alumni is special.

Favorite Local Restaurant: Café Max continues to be my favorite. I enjoy the Max Special for breakfast and learning something new from the walls full of Culver artifacts.

Ask Me About: Admissions, Culver Hockey, where to get a great cup of coffee, and anything community related. I love sharing my passion for Culver!

David O'Brien, Assistant Director of Admissions

Email: david.obrien@culver.org
Phone: (574) 842-8202

David O’Brien joined the Culver Academies Admissions Department in July 2022. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Master of Education in Agency Counseling from the University of Toledo (Ohio). He earned his Master of Business Administration from Webster University (Leiden, NL)). David spent fifteen years as a Middle School Counselor at the American School of Madrid, as well as serving as an Upper School Counselor for a six-month period at the International Academy of Amman. Prior to his counseling career, David was the Director of Admissions at Webster University (Leiden, NL) for seven years and worked as the Associate Director of Admissions at Bucknell University (PA) for one year. David lives in Culver with his wife Kim who is serving as Dean of Advising at Culver Academies. Together they have six children ages 18-29, two sons who live and work in The Hague (NL), a son who is currently a senior at American University in DC, a daughter who is a junior at Berklee School of Music (MA), a daughter who is a junior at the American University of Paris, and a son who is an incoming freshman at George Washington University (D.C)

Hometown: Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Favorite Thing About Working at Culver: My colleagues, the Admissions Team. I enjoy coming into the admissions building every day and feeling the camaraderie, the shared purpose and commitment towards making Culver Academies an exceptional experience for our students (holistic education like no other) and their families.

Favorite Place on Campus: Sitting outside at the Shack overlooking Lake Max.

Favorite Culver Event or Tradition: Standing in front of the star for a moment of silence before entering Legion Memorial. I appreciate the way in which Culver Academies remembers, acknowledges and honors those who have given the ultimate sacrifice to their country.

Favorite Local Restaurant: Café Max for breakfast and Papa’s for dinner.

Ask Me About: Admissions / Living, hiking, travelling in Europe and Jordan.

Ask me about these hikes: (Camino de Santiago de Compostela (SP), The Kerry Way (IRE), and the Dingle Way (IRE).