Meet Our Administration & Staff
Administration
Nikki Daniels, M.B.A.
Head of School
EDUCATION: B.A. Political Science, M.A. Business Administration
FAMILY: Married to Ryan; Mom of three MVC Mustangs
FUN: Hiking, camping, labrador retrievers
I empower learners to achieve their highest potential by:
Inviting those who love our school to invest in what God is doing here.
Susie Swing, M.A.
Assistant Head of School
EDUCATION: B.A. English, M.A. Education
FAMILY: Married to Dave, 3 daughters including 2 MVC alumnae
FUN: Travel, time with my family, a day at the beach
I empower learners to achieve their highest potential by:
Reminding them they are uniquely created, capable, and "worth it!"
Gretchen Cortes (Alumna, Class of '98)
Chief Advancement Officer
FAMILY: Married to Armando for 24 years; Mom to Angelina ('20), Marissa ('22), and Sophia ('25).
FUN: Reading on the beach, all things basketball, and hosting gatherings with family/friends
I empower learners to achieve their highest potential through:
Building relationships, hospitality, communication, fundraising, and strategic planning initiatives.
Scott Leggett
Chief Operating Officer
FAMILY: Married to his best friend, Jenny, for nearly 30 years and has three children.
FUN: Travel, golf, cook, and play music while enjoying the fun and laughter of friends and family
EDUCATION: B.A. Biblical and Theological Studies, M.A. Education
FAMILY: Married to best friend, Kendra
FUN: Hiking, mountain biking, traveling, and skiing
I empower learners to achieve their highest potential by:
Getting to know each student and help them learn how they have each been uniquely gifted by Jesus.
Carissa Medina, M.A.
Middle School & Lower Grades Principal
EDUCATION: B.A. American Lit., M.A. Educational Leadership
FAMILY: Married to Rudy, one son and one daughter (both MVC alumni)
FUN: Traveling, cycling, reading, spending time with family and friends
I empower learners to achieve their highest potential by:
Valuing each student for who God has made them to be.
FAMILY: Married to Stephen Bigger, and mom to 2 Australian Shepherds
FUN: Doing anything outdoors, nature, jogging, birdwatching, gazing at sunrises and sunsets
I empower learners to achieve their highest potential by:
Rejoicing always no matter what, praying continuously, and giving thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thess. 5:16-18
Business Office Manager
EDUCATION: B.S. Journalism
FAMILY: Married to Ryan, mom to Taye
FUN: Board games, reading, hiking, hammocking
I empower learners to achieve their highest potential by:
Performing key administrative functions that effectively and efficiently help faculty and staff achieve and sustain operational and Christ-centered excellence.
Kim Dawes
Director of Admissions, Boarding Program
EDUCATION: B.S. Management/Marketing
FAMILY: Married to high school sweetheart - 3 kids, all graduates of MVC
FUN: Fun-in-the-sun with family & friends (houseboating especially)
I empower learners to achieve their highest potential by:
Supporting students and their families from around the world in their search for a perfect fit.
Jeff Herring
Assistant Dean of Students
EDUCATION: B.A. Liberal Studies, California Teaching Credential, M.A. Special Education & Elementary Education (in progress)
FAMILY: Married for 30 Years to Kelly, and proud father of three daughters - Kourtney (27), Maggi (25), and Jacklyn (17)
FUN: Avid reader and sports fan (especially NCAA sports), love to hang out with family, play games, and learn
I empower learners to achieve their highest potential by:
Constantly reminding them of their core identity - we are children of God - and knowing individual students' strengths and challenges as a means to differentiate to promote representation, engagement, and expression.
Laramie Holtzclaw
DP Coordinator
EDUCATION: B.A. Literature, M.A. Humanities
FAMILY: One wife, four children, one cat, one hamster, and a stupid little dog.
FUN: Hiking, fishing, sitting at the beach, falling asleep while listening to baseball games
I empower learners to achieve their highest potential by:
Holding them accountable for the little things, and then pointing them to the eternal things.
Steve Kiebus
Director of IT
EDUCATION: A+, Network+, MCPS, MCSA, MCTS, MCITP, SA, MCITP EA
FUN: Long walks on the beach, Patriots fan
I empower learners to achieve their highest potential by:
Providing them a technological framework in which to thrive while here at MVC.
EDUCATION: M.A. Theology; B.S. Legal Studies; California Teaching Credential (3 subjects); ACSI Professional
FAMILY: Married to Rachael; Dad of two, including one current Mustang.
FUN: Creating (podcast host, author, chef, woodworker)
I empower learners to achieve their highest potential by:
Crafting indelible curriculum that impacts the learner well beyond the classroom.
EDUCATION: B.S. Counseling and Psychology
FAMILY: My parents live in Greenfield where I grew up, and I also have three younger brothers. I love being close in proximity and relationship with my family. We always look for a reason to get together. I also have a dog named Buccs, who is 3 years old and full of energy.
FUN: I enjoy being active. I try to start most days with a 5 a.m. workout which helps keep me happy. I also am a huge coffee nerd and have every coffee brewing apparatus known to man. Having downtime to go on a hike or watch football is fun for me.
I empower learners to achieve their highest potential by:
Giving them opportunities to lead. In those opportunities, there will come success that we will celebrate and failure that will lead to growth.
Dustin Mones
Director of Athletics
FAMILY: Married to Kylie
FUN: Surfing, cooking, and driving to the nearest ice hockey rink.
I empower learners to achieve their highest potential by:
Matt Rader, M.A.
Dean of Students
EDUCATION: B.A. Youth Ministry, M.A. Christian Ministry Leadership
FAMILY: Married to Kim, 2 daughters (MVC alumnae) and a son (MVC student)
FUN: Family, hiking, camping, fishing, cooking
I empower learners to achieve their highest potential by:
Encouraging them to contribute to creating a culture of valuing and loving others.
Victoria Rios
Director of Enrollment Management
EDUCATION: B.S. in Career and Technical Education Leadership (CTEL) & Criminal Justice
FAMILY: Proud mom of one (MVC student)
FUN: Biking, hiking, skiing,and cooking delicious food
I empower learners to achieve their highest potential by:
Building relationships with prospective students and families, and fostering a collaborative environment that supports student success.
Director of Marketing & Communications
EDUCATION: B.A. Communications & Business
FAMILY: Married to Matthew, 4 fun kids (three MVC students)
FUN: Spending time with my people, chasing sunsets, and love bringing people together.
I empower learners to achieve their highest potential by:
Collaborating with staff and faculty so that we can serve students and families in our given roles and gifting, while strategically communicating with external and internal communities about the impact and value of MVC.
Dean of Curriculum Development / MYP Coordinator
EDUCATION: B.A. Literature, M.A. Teaching
FAMILY: Married to Jesse with two current MVC students and many furry babies
FUN: I love to see community thrive and spend time building it, usually sitting around campfires, dinner tables, and church altars.
I empower learners to achieve their highest potential by:
Co-laboring with teachers as we strive together to love and inspire our students
EDUCATION: A.D. Psychology, B.S Social Science, Biblical training at Western Seminary
FAMILY: Married to Amber West, Monte Vista’s very own Dean of Curriculum, and raising two incredible kiddos, Addison and Judah. We also care for Amber's mom, Judy.
FUN: I’m a creative at heart who enjoys art, music, theology, and philosophy—preferably with a good cup of coffee in some off-the-beaten-path destination. I also love backyard BBQs with friends and family, swapping stories about the waves we almost caught last week. I love growing in faith through Jesus and His Church.
I empower learners to achieve their highest potential by:
by inspiring them to ask thoughtful questions rather than settle for easy answers and to pursue perspectives that challenge their own.
Director of Student Services
EDUCATION: B.A. Family and Human Services, M.A. Social Work
FAMILY: Proud mom of two.
FUN: Cheesy Christmas movies, chocolate tasting, and time with family
I empower learners to achieve their highest potential by:
Supporting them along their High School journey and helping create a plan to continue reaching their potential into their future.
Administrative Support
Amy Coleman
Administrative Assistant to Leadership
Nicole Hermosillo
A/P & Operations Assistant
Enrollment Associate
Melissa Morales
Administrative Assistant to Leadership
Marjorie Schmidt (Alumna, Class of '97)
Administrative Assistant to Leadership / Executive Assistant to Head of School
Athletics
Dustin Mones
Director of Athletics
CJ Cecil
Associate Director of Athletics
Carly Allen
Athletic Trainer
Athletics Administrative Assistant
Care Team
Jordan Christian
Middle School Guidance Counselor
Jeff Herring
Assistant Dean of Students
Matt Rader
Dean of Students
Erin Torr
Mental Health Counselor
