Board of Directors

Karrie M. Jean is the Assistant Director of the Indiana University South Bend Honors Program. She also holds two bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and philosophy with honors from IU South Bend. Karrie has worked full-time in higher education since September of 2017 and is currently finishing up her thesis to receive her Master’s in Applied Mathematics. Her thesis is focused on improving retention in higher education using operations research methods. Karrie decided to serve as the Mid-East Honors Association President because of her passion for the honors education experience and the ways in which the Mid-East Honors Association enhances that experience for students, faculty, and staff. She is looking forward to hosting the 2026 MEHA Conference at IU South Bend and giving her honors students who may have been unable to participate in past conferences due to the travel requirement the opportunity to participate in the enriching experience that is the MEHA Conference. As an honors alumni, honors programs/colleges and those who participate in them hold a special place in Karrie’s heart. Additionally, she has held president positions in the past with 2 local chapters of a national women’s organizations, Theta Phi Alpha and Daughters of Penelope, so she felt she had skills that would be valuable to the Mid-East Honors Association President position.

Dr. Nina Rytwinski is a licensed Psychologist who began working at Walsh University in August of 2015 as an Assistant Professor of Psychology. In July 2021, she was appointed as a Co-Director of the Honors Program. She frequently teaches Human Development, Abnormal Psychology, Health Psychology, and the Behavioral and Social Sciences Internship seminar. Prior to arriving at Walsh University, she received her B.Sc. at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Then, she earned her M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Kent State University. As part of her graduate training, she completed a 12-month internship at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia. Following graduate school, Dr. Rytwinski worked as a postdoctoral fellow at Case Western Reserve University.  Her research focuses on depression, anxiety, and student adjustment. She was recently awarded a book contract for a workbook entitled, “Learning to Learn: A Workbook for New College Students.”

Dr. Victor Piercey is the Director of the Honors Program and a Professor of Mathematics at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan. He holds a Ph.D. in Mathematics, a J.D. with a certificate in International and Comparative Law, and a B.A. in Humanities. Passionate about interdisciplinary learning, Dr. Piercey enjoys engaging with honors students and exploring their work across a wide range of academic fields. At Ferris, he teaches courses in Quantitative Reasoning and Actuarial Science, and his research interests include data science applications for genocide prevention, ethics in mathematics, and the scholarship of teaching and learning. His service includes a position on the Board of Directors for the Mathematical Association of America, a position on the Board of Directors for the Malta Conferences Foundation, and since 2016, he has served as Treasurer for Our Brothers Keeper, a homeless shelter in Big Rapids. He views treasurer work as a meaningful opportunity to apply his expertise in financial mathematics—alongside his working knowledge of financial accounting—to support organizations that serve his communities.

Amy Scrima is the Chair of Social Sciences, Humanities and Education at Lake Michigan College. She is also Psychology faculty and Director of the Honors Program. Amy attended Western Michigan University where she earned a Ph.D. in Behavioral Science and did her undergraduate work at Purdue University in both Psychology and English. She has worked in training and system development, instructional design and organizational management but found her greatest source of motivation in teaching and has been committed to improving her student’s educational opportunities at LMC for over 15 years. Amy is on several civic engagement boards and actively volunteers in her community of Southwest Michigan where she lives.

Dr. Laci Fiala, an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice and Sociology at Hiram College, teaches a variety of courses in Criminal Justice and Sociology majors, such as Introduction to Sociology, Research Methods, Law & Society, Criminology, Senior Capstone, and a variety of electives and special topics. She also has expertise with special topics ranging from victimology, school violence, and substance use and crime to social inequality, childhood and family.

Dr. Fiala is also a self-professed “numbers nerd” and quantitative researcher who specializes in survey research methodology and content analysis. Her research emphasizes youth, young adult, and family issues. She has published and presented on topics ranging from school violence to young adult financial management to new parent experiences.

Prior to Hiram, Dr. Fiala was a professor of sociology at Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio. There she taught over 20 different courses in sociology and criminal justice as well as specialty courses in the Honors Program and Global Scholars Program on topics such as cross-cultural issues in education, victimization and gender inequalities. She also served as chair of the faculty for three years and was the co-director of the Honors Program. Dr. Fiala currently serves on a number of committees at Hiram, including Assessment and Academic Program Review, and is the current director of the college’s Honors Program.

Tayjaun Banner is a passionate and determined individual who strives each day to become the best version of himself. Originally from Jamaica, he now resides in the United States, where he is pursuing his second degree. Inspired by his mother’s constant encouragement to excel, Tayjaun has developed a deep passion for education, service, and community building.

He is the founder of T.B. Inspires, a nonprofit organization dedicated to youth empowerment and giving back to the community. In addition, he serves as the CEO and President of two of Jamaica’s most prestigious youth organizations, MMCJ and MMU, where his leadership continues to positively impact the lives of young people. At the age of 18, his drive and accomplishments earned him a nomination for the Governor General’s Youth Award of Excellence, one of Jamaica’s highest recognitions for young leaders.

Tayjaun is known not only as an academic stalwart but also as someone who consistently goes above and beyond for others. Whether through mentorship, advocacy, or service projects, he is committed to uplifting those around him and creating opportunities for success. His reputation as a phenomenal human being is matched by his ability to inspire others to unlock their potential and pursue their own paths of excellence.

Jade Crabtree is the Honors Student Intern for IU South Bend. She is a sophomore pursuing a BFA in Painting and Drawing with a minor in East Asian Studies. Passionate about the ways art connects people and cultures, Jade loves exploring how creativity can bridge different perspectives and spark understanding. She is also deeply involved in the Honors Program, where she values the community’s curiosity, collaboration, and commitment to growth. Through her work—both in the studio and in honors—she hopes to inspire others to see art as a shared language that celebrates who we are and how we connect with the world around us.

Jordan Keeley is a senior Nursing major at Indiana University South Bend, where she will graduate in December 2025 with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Passionate about providing compassionate care, she aspires to become a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) nurse after graduation.

During her time at IU South Bend, Jordan has been an active member of the Honors Program for four years, serving in leadership roles including President, Vice President, and Social Media Executive. Through these positions, she has helped create meaningful opportunities for student engagement, academic growth, and community connection. Jordan was honored to serve as a student representative for the Mid-East Honors Association Conference last year, where she enjoyed collaborating with other honors students, sharing ideas, and representing her university on a regional level.

Beyond her academic and leadership involvement, Jordan is dedicated to service—volunteering weekly at her church, where she mentors young adults, assists with children’s programs, and supports elderly community members. She is also passionate about giving back through various outreach efforts, including volunteering with organizations such as Pet Refuge Animal Shelter, the Titans Feeding Titans Food Pantry, and Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Jordan hopes to bring the same empathy, leadership, and dedication she has cultivated through her honors and service experiences into her future career as a NICU nurse, making a lasting impact on the lives of her patients and their families.

Gabriel Mott is an undergraduate student at Ohio Northern University studying Statistics and Political Science, with minors in Public Policy and Data Analytics. He serves as the Professional Development Chair of his university’s Honors Student Advisory Board. He has presented twice at MEHA before and looks forward to the opportunity to support this year’s MEHA as a student representative.