Contact us! EMAIL: kdp@wgu.edu PHONE: 385-428-2049 (Sydney), 385-428-7012 (Dagmara)
ALIZABETH MORLOCK - CHAPTER PRESIDENT
Alizabeth is the sitting President of Alpha Epsilon Sigma chapter for the second term. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in elementary education and will pursue her master’s degree as well with WGU. Alizabeth has been an active member of KDP for 5 years. She assisted in organizing our nationwide book drive as well as designing the first AES chapter merchandise in honor of our ten year anniversary. She is active in the AES chapter and is always looking to improve our outreach and growth as educators.
Currently, Alizabeth is a preschool teacher in central Illinois and has been in the field for almost 14 years. Alizabeth also has a background in the behavioral health field as a Mental Health Tech assisting youth. This is a focus for her as the importance of mental health in education is the foundation for many aspects of learning. Alizabeth also enjoys spending time with her niece and nephew, traveling, and photography when time allows.
ROSE SALIGER - CHAPTER VICE PRESIDENT
Rose graduated from Western Governors University in 2018 with an undergraduate degree in Interdisciplinary Studies (K-8). She also completed an M.A. in Science Education (Secondary Earth Science) in 2022. Rose has been a member of Kappa Delta Pi since 2018. She has worked in both the Celebration of Teaching committee and the Professional Development Committee.
Rose is currently working as a substitute teacher and lives in Texas. she enjoys reading novels from a variety of different genres.
ALEXIS FOSTER - CHAPTER SECRETARY
Alexis graduated from WGU in 2022 with a Bachelor's in Elementary Education and Special Education. While Alexis was finishing her degree, she was a Teaching Assistant in an 8:1:1 classroom. Currently, Alexis is working as a Special Education teacher in a 6:1:3 classroom. Alexis' future goal is to come back to WGU and complete her Master's degree in Educational Leadership.
Alexis lives in New York with her fiancé, three stepchildren, two dogs, one cat and, of course, she can't forget the turtle. In her free time, she loves to coach softball, watch her children play softball, baseball, and soccer. She also loves to take walks in the woods with her dogs.
ALEX TAVES - MEMBERSHIP CHAIR
Alex has been attending WGU since 2020, and has been an active member of KDP since 2021. Having worked in education as an advisor, tutor, and after-school teacher for 6 years, he is currently a Program Manager at an Educational Non-Profit in the Bay Area, and will be making his way back into the classroom as a multiple subject teacher in the coming months for pre-clinical experiences and clinical hours. Alex is passionate about closing the achievement gap, as well as access to quality education for students from all backgrounds.
In the very little free time he has, Alex enjoys relaxing with his wife and their 2 cats + 1 dog, reading comic books, watching soccer, and enjoying the company of friends and family.
ASHLEY DEGROATE - CHAPTER HISTORIAN
I have been a member of KDP since January 2018. I am pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education through WGU. While going to school, I also work full time at a day care in Urbana, IL. I am the head teacher in the 3 year old room. When I’m not working or working on school, I also take care of my daughter, Izzy and my dog, Minnie. We currently live in Savoy, IL. In my free time, I love to binge watch Netflix and enjoy going to concerts.
JESSICA MARTZ - SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Jess received her Bachelor's degree in secondary education from Penn State in 2009, a Master's in teaching ESL from WGU in 2016, and a Master's in Curriculum and Instruction from WGU in 2021. She has been a member of KDP since 2016 and has enjoyed serving on the executive board in several different capacities during most of those years.
Jess currently lives in central Pennsylvania and is working as an 8th grade English Language Arts teacher in a small, rural school district. She loves animals and currently has a Chihuahua and a saltwater fishtank. In her spare time, Jess enjoys spending time with her friends and family, traveling, reading, photography, and running a small business.
RACHAEL GRILLO - CHAPTER TREASURER
Rachael received her BA in Secondary Education (Chemistry) from WGU in 2009 and her MA in Secondary Education (Physics) from WGU in 2014. She is set to receive her EdS from Kennesaw State University in Secondary Education this summer (summer 2020) and plans to continue through to her EdD and is currently beginning work on her dissertation. Since graduating, she has worked in a Title I district in Metro Atlanta teaching a number of high school subjects including chemistry, physical science, physics, environmental science, AP Environmental science, forensic science, and earth systems. Rachael grew up in Ohio before spending 10 years living in New York City (GO METS). She currently resides outside of Atlanta with her husband, Stephen, and their cat, Boo. A favorite hobby is stamp collecting.
SYDNEY ROMBOLA - FACULTY CO-COUNSELOR
Sydney has been a faculty counselor for Alpha Epsilon Sigma chapter since 2013. She was the recipient of the 2016-2017 Community College/Online Region Chapter Counselor Award. Sydney has worked at WGU since 2003, first as the Coordinator of Field Experiences and for the last 16 years as a Program Mentor in Elementary Education.
Sydney has a Ph.D. in Education, with an emphasis in Higher Education, from Walden University. Her dissertation investigated methods of fostering epistemological development and transformative learning in adult students in an online higher education environment. Another area of interest is generational theory and intergenerational communication. Sydney also received a Master of Organizational Behavior and an M. A. in International and Area Studies, with an emphasis in International Development, both from Brigham Young University. Her thesis work was done in Romania, analyzing the organizational dynamics of an outpatient adolescent mental health facility.
Sydney and her husband live just outside of Philadelphia, PA, and enjoy exploring all of the historic and cultural elements of that great city. They also love road trips and enjoy visiting family in various parts of the country. Sydney's other interests include reading, music, and volunteering in the youth organizations at her church.
DAGMARA OCHAL - FACULTY CO-COUNSELOR
Dagmara’s educational background includes a BA in Psychology from Rutgers University and an MA in Curriculum Instruction and Development from University of Phoenix. She has been in higher education since 2005, working in a variety of settings including administration, mentoring, and teaching.
Dagmara has been mentoring in Teachers College at WGU since 2014 and has close to 300 graduate students in Educational Leadership. Her passion lays in helping others become successful and fulfilled. Her heart, mind, and habits serve others in recognizing their own leadership potential and becoming an effective people leader. She motivates others to go places they would never otherwise go. Dagmara is a lifelong learner, who believes education is a gift no one can take away. She embraces diversity and inclusion not only in life, but in the classroom and workplace.
Dagmara is fluent in Polish and English. She currently resides in Arizona, where she spends her free time with family and friends, and her dog. Dagmara cherishes the outdoors, especially hiking/backpacking the great Grand Canyon, and the tallest peaks in Colorado and Arizona. Volunteering within the Polish Community in Arizona, Arizona Parks and Recreation, and National Ski Patrol allows Dagmara to connect to her community and pay it forward for blessings in her life. She serves as AZ Women’s Ski Patrol Program Advisor, Alpine Ski Patroller, and Assistant Patrol Representative at Sunrise Ski Resort, where she not only collaboratively saves lives, but trains and mentors future patrollers. Dagmara believes that together we can do so much more. We can make a difference by practicing mindfulness and using our talents to connect needs with resources.
Dagmara’s educational background includes a BA in Psychology from Rutgers University and an MA in Curriculum Instruction and Development from University of Phoenix. She has been in higher education since 2005, working in a variety of settings including administration, mentoring, and teaching.
Dagmara has been mentoring in Teachers College at WGU since 2014 and has close to 300 graduate students in Educational Leadership. Her passion lays in helping others become successful and fulfilled. Her heart, mind, and habits serve others in recognizing their own leadership potential and becoming an effective people leader. She motivates others to go places they would never otherwise go. Dagmara is a lifelong learner, who believes education is a gift no one can take away. She embraces diversity and inclusion not only in life, but in the classroom and workplace.
Dagmara is fluent in Polish and English. She currently resides in Arizona, where she spends her free time with family and friends, and her dog. Dagmara cherishes the outdoors, especially hiking/backpacking the great Grand Canyon, and the tallest peaks in Colorado and Arizona. Volunteering within the Polish Community in Arizona, Arizona Parks and Recreation, and National Ski Patrol allows Dagmara to connect to her community and pay it forward for blessings in her life. She serves as AZ Women’s Ski Patrol Program Advisor, Alpine Ski Patroller, and Assistant Patrol Representative at Sunrise Ski Resort, where she not only collaboratively saves lives, but trains and mentors future patrollers. Dagmara believes that together we can do so much more. We can make a difference by practicing mindfulness and using our talents to connect needs with resources.