Meet the Team

Sandi Allen, Visit Coordinator

Email: sandi.allen@culver.org

Phone: (574) 842-7100

Sandi joined Culver Academies in August 2013 and worked several years as a Fitness and Nutrition Consultant for faculty, staff, and students but in August of 2023, she took on a new role as Visit Coordinator. Her primary responsibility is to schedule and coordinate incredible campus visit experiences for prospective families. 

Sandi earned her B.S. in Exercise Science at Ball State and minored in Pre-Med. Prior to her time at Culver, she had roles as a Fitness Director, Aquatics Director, Marketing Executive, and a Physical Therapy Aid at Memorial Hospital.

In her spare time, Sandi is an assistant coach for the Plymouth Sharks swim team, a triathlon coach, a true crime podcaster (Twisted Travel and True Crime) and taxi driver for her children. 

Sandi lives in Plymouth with her husband Don, four children, three dogs, cat, chickens, and quails. That list may grow.

Hometown: Plymouth, IN

Favorite Thing About Working at Culver: I absolutely love the people. My co-workers and the students are friendly, amazing, and diverse which makes the environment here fun and exciting. 

Favorite Place on Campus: The fitness center and the end of the naval pier. The sound of the water and the rigging is music to my ears.

Favorite Culver Event or Tradition: I have always enjoyed Spirit Day and the Lake Max Triathlon which takes place on campus. The excitement, enthusiasm, and the competition are always fun to be a part of.

Favorite Local Restaurant: I must admit, I don't eat out much, but when I do, it's usually at the Lakehouse Grille.

Ask Me About: Campus visits, fitness, swimming, living on a boat, podcasting, and surviving life with four wonderful kids.

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

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.

Meagan Maes, Assistant Director of Admissions

Email: meagan.maes@culver.org
Phone: (574) 842-8204

Meagan returned to Culver after working for seven years as an Assistant Director of Admission at The Peddie School, a boarding school in Hightstown, NJ. Prior to working at Peddie, Meagan worked in the Marketing and Communications Department at Culver for two years, but her Culver career began as a camp counselor at Woodcraft Camp, where she has spent 14 summers working with kids. In 2011, Meagan earned her bachelor's degree in Mass Communications from St. Joseph's College and is currently working towards her master's in Leadership from Indiana Wesleyan University.

Hometown: Culver, IN

Favorite Thing About Working at Culver: Everything. Culver truly is my favorite place. Walking across a campus with stunning Collegiate Gothic architecture housed on the shore of the second largest natural lake in Indiana? It doesn't get much better.

Favorite Place on Campus: Woodcraft Camp.

Favorite Culver Event or Tradition: There are so many wonderful events and traditions at Culver, but my favorite must be Reunion Weekend. The number of alums who come back to reconnect with teachers and friends and relive their best Culver memories is amazing. I love hearing their stories, especially from the Old Guard.

Favorite Local Restaurant: The Culver Coffee Company. My birth stone is a coffee bean.

Ask Me About: Outside of Culver and Admissions, you can ask me about being on the Today Show, auditioning for American Idol, my Etsy shop, or when I entered a hot dog eating contest.

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.

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, traveling in Europe and Jordan.

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

Nathan Phillips, 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!

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.