Melissa Chastain, PhD
Dean, Enrollment Management & Strategic Initiatives
mchastain@spalding.edu
Dr. Melissa Chastain joined Spalding University in 2004. Her higher education experience includes academic leadership, enrollment management, recruitment, new program and partnership development.
At Spalding, she is a tenured faculty member in the School of Communication, has served as Chair for the School of Communication, Associate Dean for the College of Social Sciences & Humanities and is currently the Dean of Enrollment Management and Strategic Initiatives with responsibility for Admissions, Financial Aid and Marketing & Communications.
Chastain is Chairman of the Kentucky Authority for Educational Television (KET) and the Kentucky Educational Television Foundation. She is currently Past President of the Kentucky Communication Association and has served as President for National Association Women’s Business Owners KY Foundation and the Association of Communication Administration. She is a journal reviewer for the Kentucky Communication Journal and the Journal for Communication Administration.
Additional accomplishments include Business First’s 20 People to Know in Education & Workforce Development, the Lumina Foundation’s Learning Outcomes Project and keynote address on Edith Stein and the Rhetoric of Responsibility.
Chastain holds a PhD in Communication, Duquesne University; MA in English Literature & Theory, Duquesne University; and BA in English Literature, Westminster College.
Jill Gaines, MSBC
Director of Admissions, Community Partnership Development
jgaines01@spalding.edu
Jill earned her BS in Business Administration and Accounting at Spalding University and went on to earn her MS in Business Communication with a concentration in Non-Profit Management. In addition, she completed all of her degrees as a non-traditional adult learner. She is a proponent of lifelong learning and has the privilege of working with professional adults in both undergraduate and graduate programs at Spalding University. Jill prides herself in promoting and empowering women both professionally and personally. She is on the Associate Board of Maryhurst and hopes to make a difference in meeting the needs for the kiddos at Maryhurst. Jill is graduate and active member of the Leadership Louisville community. She also serves on the Alumna Association Board at Assumption High School in Louisville, Ky.Joyce Lee
Associate Director of Admissions
jlee01@spalding.edu
Joyce has been working in higher education since she graduated from college. She is a lifelong learner and advocate for others pursing their dreams of attending college and obtaining their undergraduate degree. She loves working with incoming students and their families, helping them find the school that is their perfect fit. She enjoys helping others in any way possible to make the college enrollment process smooth. She does not believe there is any such thing as a dumb question and encourages families to think through every aspect of their college decision.
Josh Cato
Admissions Counselor
jcato01@spalding.edu
Josh earned his degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management. He has a passion for helping others and education. He is new to working in higher education, but he is very eager to grow in the position. His goal is to help students reach their highest potential and graduate with the degree that they ultimately desire.Jeff Dickson
Online Enrollment Navigator
jdickson01@spalding.edu
Jeff has worked in higher education since 2018 and is experienced in both admissions and academic advising. Jeff works primarily with online and transfer students which is a natural fit as he completed his undergraduate degree as a transfer student and his graduate degree as an online, non-traditional student while working full time. Jeff believes strongly in Spalding’s mission and is passionate about helping his students earn their degrees and achieve their goals.Madi Jaggers
Admissions Counselor
mjaggers@spalding.edu
Madi Jaggers earned her Bachelor's of Arts in Communication Studies at Spalding University. She has been a part of the admissions team since her first year of undergrad as a Work student and Student Ambassador. Madi has found a passion for sharing her Spalding experience with perspective students and making a difference in the world with compassion and generosity. Her goal as an Admissions Counselor is to revamp the Student Ambassador program, as well as to be an asset to her team by helping her students have an easy successful transition into becoming a Golden Eagle.Samantha Key
Senior Admissions Counselor
skey@spalding.edu
Sammy graduated college in 2021 with a degree in Psychology and has a passion for education. She is eager to begin her career in higher education. Her goal is to help students graduate and earn their degree so they can pursue their aspirations and live life to the fullest.Mary Ann Seger
Transfer Admissions Counselor
mseger@spalding.edu
Mary Ann's numerous years experience in enrollment service departments within the Spalding Community affords her the opportunity to effectively guide lifelong learners as they prepare their return to school. Her experience as a transfer student to Spalding from Jefferson Community and Technical College, paired with over 14 years customer service, benefits those she serves. As a proud member of Team Admissions, Mary Ann knows the challenges adult students face as they strive to balance their education, work and home life. She stands ready to assist and advocate for all whom she encounters as they continue educational journey at Spalding University.Elizabeth Simmons
Data Processing Specialist
simmons02@spalding.edu
Elizabeth has worked in the field of higher education for over 17 years, 15 of those have been with Spalding University. Her attention to detail and orderly manner is what keeps the day to day process of gathering and maintaining the student’s information seamless, during their application process. She prides herself on accuracy and swiftness, as she knows the process of applying to college can be an anxious time for anyone.
Elizabeth is proud to be an Admissions team member and all that she has helped them achieve during her time with them, and looks forward to many more.