LIFE Program Staff

Meet the support staff of Coastal Carolina's LIFE Program:

The Staff are here to facilitate education, provide support, and assist LIFE Students wiith developing independant living skills, personal growth, and build meaningful connections accross Coastal Carolina's campus. 

Contact Dr. Cheryl Morgan

cmorgan@coastal.edu

LIFE Program
Coastal Carolina University
Prince Building 121

Cheryl Morgan earned her Ph.D. in Special Education from the University of Florida. She also received her Master’s and Specialist’s degrees in Special Education from the University of Florida. Dr. Morgan helped to pilot an inclusive postsecondary education program for young adults with intellectual disabilities while in her doctoral program at the University of Florida and was the Director of On Campus Transition at the University of North Florida.  Her scholarship is in the area of implementation of inclusive postsecondary education programs for young adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities. Cheryl became the Director of the Coastal Carolina LIFE Program in November of 2015. She is using her experience and expertise to continue the development of the LIFE Program.

Contact Dr. Karen Diegelmann

kdiegelma@coastal.edu

LIFE Program
Coastal Carolina University
Prince Building 123E

Dr. Karen Diegelmann is the Assistant Director of Curriculum and Instruction for the Coastal Carolina University LIFE Program, a postsecondary education program for students with IDD. Karen earned her Ph.D. and MAT in special education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. In addition, she is a board-certified Life Coach. Karen has taught special education courses to graduate and undergraduate students at several universities and has 10 published articles in peer-reviewed journals. Self-determination and self-advocacy are Karen’s research interests as well as the focus of the courses she teaches at Coastal Carolina University.

Contact Brian Keys

bkeys@coastal.edu

LIFE Program
Coastal Carolina University
Prince Building 123C

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller

Brian earned his B.A. in Psychology and M.Ed. in Special Education from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania. Prior to coming to CCU, he worked as a middle school and high school teacher in Pennsylvania.

Contact Melinda Hayes-Ramsey

mhayesra@coastal.edu

LIFE Program
Coastal Carolina University
Prince Building 123

Melinda is a recent transplant from the much colder and more mountainous area of Southwest Virginia. Melinda was born and raised in Roanoke, Virginia and received her undergraduate degree from the University of Lynchburg (Go Hornets!) and her graduate degree from Virginia Tech (Go Hokies!). Melinda has held several jobs in the past such as special education teacher, skills trainer, and vocational rehabilitation counselor. Melinda most recently came from another Project SEARCH program at the Carilion New River Valley Medical Center in Christiansburg, Virginia. All these jobs have prepared her for my greatest job yet….working with the in-terns from Coastal Carolina University and Horry County Public Schools.

Melinda is lucky enough to be married to the Love of her Life, Allen, and just bought a fixer upper in Little River. Melinda loves to decorate!! Her other hobbies include trying new recipes in her Air Fryer, learning and teaching classes on wine, watching and buying items on QVC, walking the beach, trying new restaurants, meeting new friends, and cheer-ing on the Hokies and Chanticleers.

Contact Jacklyn Masiello

jamasiell@coastal.edu

LIFE Program
Coastal Carolina University
Prince Building 123F

Jacklyn Masiello is the Instructional Support Coordinator for the LIFE Program at Coastal Carolina University (CCU). Masiello is originally from Kansas City, MO and is a CCU alumni. During her time at CCU, Masiello studied child and adolescent psychology and is currently seeking a Dance Movement Therapist (DMT) certification, while finishing her Masters in Liberal Studies. As the Instructional Support Coordinator, Masiello’s responsibilities range from mentorship training, scheduling, advising a cohort of LIFE students, and instructing LIFE student courses. Before joining the CCU LIFE program, Masiello taught in seven different states throughout her career before making South Carolina home. She was a co/curriculum teacher in Horry County schools and enjoyed working in the elementary setting. She enjoyed Applied Behavior Analyst therapy (ABA) and working as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) with a non-profit facility. She has had the privilege to work with Horry County Disability and Special Needs Board as an Early Interventionist. In that position, Masiello was able to assist families in navigating early signs of developmental delays and disabilities. Through a multi-disciplinary approach, Masiello was able to aid in-home interventions and collaborate with other providers to significantly impact the child's ability to learn new skills and overcome challenges. 

Masiello believes in work/life balance. She loves spending time at the beach and quality time with her two little ones.  

"If a child can't learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn."-  Dr. Lovvas

Contact Christopher Moore

cmoore1@coastal.edu

LIFE Program
Coastal Carolina University
Prince Building 123G

Christopher 'Chris' Moore is the Residential Support Coordinator of the LIFE Program at Coastal Carolina University. Chris received his Bachelor’s degree in English (‘12) as well as his Master’s degree in English Literature (‘14) from Salisbury University. Continuing his academic pursuits, Chris began a MLiS Program at the University of Maryland, College Park. Chris focused his research on information literacy for incoming students, as well as assistive technology. After graduation ('16), Chris was able to serve as a Learning Specialist for the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. In this position Chris worked with Olympic Sport athletes with diagnosed learning disabilities on time management, study skills, and academic goals. This position led Chris to Coastal Carolina University, where he served as the Assistant Director to Accessibility and Disability Services. In early 2021, Chris began working with the LIFE Program as the Resident Success Coordinator, where he provides education and support for LIFE students as they develop lifelong living skills as they continue to learn and develop independent living skills. 

Back to LIFE Program Front Page

LIFE Program
Coastal Carolina University
Prince Building 123
100 Tom Trout Drive
P.O. Box 261954
Conway, SC 29528-6054

Phone: 843-349-2665