LIFE Program Staff
Meet the support staff of Coastal Carolina University's LIFE Program:
The Staff are here to facilitate education, provide support, and assist LIFE Students with developing independent living skills, personal growth, and build meaningful connections accross Coastal Carolina University's campus.
-318x477.jpg)
Dr. Cheryl Morgan, Director
Coastal Carolina University
Prince Building 201C
843-349-2665
Cheryl 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. Dr. Morgan became the Director of the Coastal Carolina LIFE Program in 2015. She is using her experience and expertise to continue the development of the LIFE Program.
"Change is not merely necessary to life, it is life." Alvin Toffler
Brian Keys, Assistant Director
Coastal Carolina University
Prince Building 201B
843-349-2034
Brian earned his B.A. in Psychology and M.Ed. in Special Education from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration at Coastal Carolina University. He worked for 15 years as a middle school and high school special education teacher in Pennsylvania, where he was involved in the development of his districts transition curriculum. In 2018, Brian joined the staff of the Coastal Carolina University LIFE Program as the Employment Coordinator, and then moved into the newly created position of Assistant Director for Career Development and Employment. In his roles with the LIFE Program, he has directed initiatives which have greatly improved the employment outcomes for the students in the LIFE Program.
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller
Hali Brown, Instructor
Coastal Carolina University
Prince Building 123F
843-349-2102
Hali joined the Spadoni College of Education and Social Sciences in 2022 as the LIFE Instructor for the LIFE Program at Coastal Carolina University (CCU). Hali is originally from Myrtle Beach, SC and received her undergraduate degree from The University of South Carolina (Go Gamecocks!) and her graduate degree from The College of Charleston. As the LIFE Instructor, Hali’s responsibilities include advising a cohort of LIFE students and instructing LIFE student courses. Hali loves being outside, playing with her dog, spending time with family and friends, cheering on the Gamecocks (and now Chanticleers), celebrating the holidays, and learning new things.
“You’ve always had the power my dear, you just had to learn it for yourself.” – The Wizard of Oz
Julie Clardy, Independent Living Skills Coordinator
Coastal Carolina University
Prince Building 123C
843-349-4184
Julie joined the Coastal Carolina LIFE Program in 2022 as the Independent Living Skills Coordinator. A native of Horry County and alumna of Coastal Carolina University, Julie worked for 15 years as an Early Interventionist and Case Manager for individuals with complex medical needs and developmental disabilities prior to her role at CCU. As the Independent Living Skills Coordinator, her responsibilities consist of developing and coordinating curriculum and experiential learning opportunities for students of the LIFE Program, teaching LIFE courses, and she also coordinates and develops training opportunities for Residential Support mentors. She truly enjoys watching students develop their independence and gain self-confidence and self-advocacy skills.
"I am what I am because of who we all are." - Ubuntu
Melinda Hayes-Ramsey, Internship Instructor at CMC
Coastal Carolina University
Prince Building 123G
843-349-2682
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. All of these jobs have prepared her for her greatest job yet...working with the interns from Coastal Carolina University and Horry County Public Schools.
Melinda is lucky enough to be married to the love of her life, Allen, and lives 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 cheering on the Hokies and Chanticleers.
Jacklyn Masiello, Training and Development Coordinator
Coastal Carolina University
Prince Building 123E
843-349-2673
Jacklyn is the Training and Development Coordinator for the LIFE Program at Coastal Carolina University (CCU). She is originally from Kansas City, MO (Go, Chiefs!). Before joining the LIFE team, Jacklyn was an Early Interventionist with the Horry County Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN). Jacklyn is a CCU Alumna with a BA and MA in Liberal Studies. As the Training and Developmental Coordinator, her responsibilities range from tutor hiring, training, and scheduling, while managing Treasure, our therapy dog's schedule.
"If a child can't learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn."- Dr. Lovvas
Linda Scales, Skills Trainer
Coastal Carolina University
Prince Building 123
Linda joined the LIFE Program as a Skills Trainer in 2022 and is working with LIFE Interns at Conway Medical Center. She was a lifelong resident of Connecticut. Linda received her BS in Special Education from Southern Connecticut State University. Prior to relocating to South Carolina, she worked as a Program Counselor in a post-secondary program for young adults with disabilities for over 23 years. During her first few years in South Carolina, Linda served as a case manager assisting people with special needs to obtain state funded services.
Dana Sullivan, Skills Trainer
Coastal Carolina University
Prince Building 123
Lifelong New Yorker, Dana is happy to be down south and a part of the team at Coastal Carolina University. Born in Yonkers, NY, Dana spent her life in Dutchess County before relocating to South Carolina. She is a proud alumna of Marist College where she received her bachelor's degree in Behavioral Studies and Leadership. Before joining CCU as a skills trainer, Dana worked as a Special Education paraprofessional for Arlington Central School District at Traver Road Primary School where she also served as the union building representative.
Treasure, Certified Therapy Dog
Coastal Carolina University
Prince Building 121
Office Hours:
Monday: 9am-10am; Tuesday: 10am-11am; Wednesday: 11am-12pm; Thursday: 12pm-1pm
For an appointment, email jamasiell@coastal.edu
Treasure is excited to be a part of the LIFE program as their Certified Therapy Dog. She is a 3-year-old mixed-breed female rescued from Horry County Animal Care Center. Treasure has had extensive training in obedience and is recognized as an American Kennel Canine-Good Citizen Dog under the guidance of K9 Training and is certified through Therapy Dog International. Treasure is very affectionate and loves to be petted, and enjoys when students come to see her. Her favorite part of the day is when she walks around outside, meeting new friends. Her favorite things are car rides with the window rolled down, her comfy bed, and deer antlers. When Treasure is not at CCU, she lives with Ms. Masiello and her two children, Isabella and Michael. Treasure loves to jump on the trampoline and sunbathe on her days off.
"Dogs do speak, but only to those who know how to listen." - Orhan Pamuk
-250x375.jpg)
Jenni Harrelson, Administrative Specialist
Coastal Carolina University
Prince Building 123A
Jenni is the administrative specialist for the LIFE Program in the Spadoni College of Education and Social Sciences at Coastal Carolina University. She has extensive experience working in the administrative field over the past 35 years. Jenni has a diverse background, having spent time in the medical field, SCHEC, SCDOT, Horry County Government, and also owned her own bakery. She is originally from Lake View, SC but has been in Horry County for 30 years. Jenni has four children and five grandchildren. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, CCU football, baking, sewing, and reading.
“It is never too late to be who you might have been.” – George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans)
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
