AMDG Ambassador Directory

Associate Director, Office of First Year Experience
Email: razek@bc.edu

Matt Razek works in the Office of First Year Experience at Boston College, previously holding roles in the Office of Student Involvement and Office of Residential Life. He enjoys running, exploring new cities, and any time he can get near a body of water. Matt is originally from Cleveland, OH and holds a B.S. from Loyola University Chicago, a M.S. from Indiana University, and a M.B.A. from Boston College.

Associate Professor
Email: MaxEngel@Creighton.edu

Max Engel, Ph.D., teaches courses in the Education and Theology Departments at Creighton University, including the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, and Sport and Spirituality; he researches and presents in areas of religious formation and instruction and the intersection of sports and Catholic faith.

Assistant Director of Campus Ministry
Email: ssmyth@jcu.edu

Shelby Smyth is a graduate of Spring Hill College and John Carroll University. Currently, she is the Assistant Director of Campus Ministry at John Carroll University, mainly focusing on the Immersion Program, social justice initiatives, and working with students discerning a year of post-graduate service.

Dean, Purcell School of Professional Studies
Email: wellsmm@lemoyne.edu

Meega Wells is the Dean of the professional programs at Le Moyne College and served as nursing faculty for many years. She completed the Ignatian Colleagues Program and hopes to share much of what she learned with the AMDG participants.

Senior Program Director, Fellowships
Email: vsarma@scu.edu

Valerie Sarma is dedicated to supporting students explore their own spirituality, and realize their vocation, through immersive experiences. An alum of Loyola University Chicago she has spent the last two decades at Santa Clara University. She enjoys running, yoga and hiking with her family.

Communications Director
Email: saberle@stxchurch.org

Sam Aberle is the Communications Director for Bellarmine Chapel and St. Xavier Church in Cincinnati, overseeing the parish strategic communications and digital platforms. He earned a bachelor’s in political science from Xavier University in 2019 and is currently pursuing an MBA to expand his expertise in business strategy and leadership.

Coordinator of Youth Ministries
Email: zach.zazick@sfxphx.org

Zach Zazick was born and raised in Arizona and serves as the Coordinator of Youth Ministries at St. Francis Xavier parish in Phoenix. Zach has degrees in evangelization and theology and enjoys all things nerdy in his spare time. He is happily married to his wife Kaitlyn, and they are expecting their first child.

Pastoral Associate for Youth Ministry 
Email: ChristinJBothe@gmail.com

Christin Bothe is the Pastoral Associate for Youth Ministry at St. Raphael Catholic Church in Raleigh, NC. After earning an M.T.S. from Duke Divinity School, she worked at a non-profit serving adults with and without developmental disabilities, and more recently taught high school Theology. She enjoys fostering community, baking, and hiking!

Fourth Grade Teacher
Email: akrize@morecommunity.org

Ava Krize is a fourth grade teacher who is passionate about sharing the joy and adventure of life with Christ. She is ecstatic about the opportunity to grow in faith alongside her fellow AMDG participants and share the gift of Ignatian spirituality with her broader community.

Theology Teacher
Email: sschelble@arrupemail.org

Sam Schelble graduated from Boston College in 2021 with a degree in Accounting and made his way back to BC a year later to pursue a Masters in Theology and Ministry. He and his wife Emily (also a BC alum) got married in July 2024 and moved out to Denver, CO, where Sam is now serving as a theology teacher at Arrupe Jesuit High School. Outside the classroom, he loves running and skiing, and is passionate about prison ministry.

Campus Ministry Assistant Director/Theology Faculty
Email: sauvaged@bellarmineprep.org

Debra Sauvage serves at Bellarmine Prep as Theology Faculty/Campus Minister. She is honored to accompany students on their faith journey. She served as the Adult Formation Director and directed faculty and staff in the Exercises. She is deeply grateful to be a companion in our Jesuit mission and tradition.

Theology Teacher
Email: ttulp@fairfieldprep.org

Tom Tulp is a graduate of St. Peter's Prep and Marquette University serving as a theology teacher at Fairfield College Preparatory School. As a teacher at Fairfield Prep and Adjunct Professor at Sacred Heart University, he uses his near decade of experience in the classroom to connect the rigor of academic study with the intentional formation of young men to become “men for others” by developing their competence, conscience, and compassion.

Campus Ministry Director
Email: kfrankovic@gprep.com

Krista Frankovic is in her second year as Campus Ministry Director at her alma mater. She studied at three Jesuit universities, served with Jesuit Volunteer Corps, and taught at two Jesuit high schools before returning to Spokane. She enjoys hiking, paddleboarding, and mentoring high schoolers in leadership and faith.

Theology Teacher & Campus Ministry
Email: kgan@jesuitcp.org

Before moving to the US in 2019, Kenneth grew up in the Philippines. From 1st grade to his college formation, Kenneth has been shaped and formed by Jesuit schools. He returned to teach at his high school for 11 years. After teaching in China for two years, Kenneth currently serves as Theology teacher and Campus Ministry at Jesuit Dallas.

Teacher
PCHattyJr@gmail.com

Paul Hatty has been a teacher for 15 years, and has been at Jesuit NOLA for the last 7. During his career he's taught predominately social studies, but also has experience teaching English, Health, and Physical Education. He is currently a wresting and track coach and has previously coached varsity football. He is also the moderator of the Ice Cream Social Club. Paul lives in Gretna, Louisiana with his wife of 13 years, Courtney, and his sons, Paul III and Rex.

Director of Ignatian Mission & Identity
Email: lcharest@loyolablakefield.org

Lou Charest is a proud graduate of St. Joseph’s Preparatory School, class of 1998, he embodies Ignatian spirituality and Jesuit ideals. His career in Catholic social teaching spans international volunteerism, University Mission & Ministry, Notre Dame Mission Volunteers and fifteen years at Catholic Relief Services, driven by a commitment to service, justice, and the enduring power of God's love. He is a proud husband and a proud father of five children.

Director of Service and Justice
Email: ababer@mcquaid.org

Adam Baber has spent 20 years in Jesuit secondary education, currently serving as director of service and justice at McQuaid Jesuit in Rochester NY, where he previously served as principal for eight years. He has also worked at his alma mater, Canisius High School in Buffalo. In addition to his work as an educator, Adam is co-founder of the Camino Institute, a retreat center in the Dominican Republic.

Theology & PE Teacher
Email: ccole@regisjesuit.com

Catherine Cole has spent nearly 20 years in Jesuit education and teaches theology and mind & body classes at Regis Jesuit High School in Aurora, Colorado. Currently training as a spiritual director in the Ignatian tradition, Catherine finds joy in accompanying students on their faith journey and helping them discover God in all things. Catherine loves working with high school students as their questions fill her with hope for the future. Outside of the classroom she finds God most in her husband and four sons who teach her how to love, find joy in the small things and keep her laughing.

Director of Pastoral Ministry
Email: mnickson@rockhursths.edu

Matt Nickson has served Rockhurst High School in several capacities over 20 years, including his most recent role as its Director of Pastoral Ministry. Matt enjoys organizing and participating in student-centered retreats and faith formative experiences.

Assistant Principal
Email: elizabeth.carney@ignatius.org

Beth Carney is an Assistant Principal at Saint Ignatius College Prep where she oversees student service departments and student life related programming. As a product of Jesuit education, she was shaped by transformative experiences grounded in service and social justice. Beth holds a B.A. from Boston College, a M.A. in Social Justice from Loyola University Chicago, and a M.Ed in Educational Leadership from DePaul University.

Theology Department Chair
Email: jbetz@ignatius.edu

Joseph Betz is the Theology Department chair at St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland. He attended Weston Jesuit School of Theology (MTS) & the Lynch School (M.Ed). He is a dad of three, an FJV, and has accompanied students on service/immersion/educational trips from Camden to Dar Es Salaam.

Dean of Faculty & Math Teacher
Email: bernsteine@xavierhs.org

Evan Bernstein is the Dean of Faculty and a Math teacher at Xavier High School. As a graduate and long tenured member of the Xavier community, Evan continues to be inspired by the work of Jesuit schools and institutions that seek to foster the growth of our youth into young men and women who are grounded by their faith and committed to creating a more just world.