BIO
Dr. Amanda Dempsey (she/her/hers) is the founding team member of the Young Scholars Academy, beginning with our first cohort in August 2020. Amanda is an award-winning educator who has been recognized by the Northern Kentucky Education Council and Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce for her commitments to teaching and educational leadership. Amanda earned her Bachelor of Arts in English with secondary education certification from Georgetown College before moving to Northern Kentucky. She is a proud Norse alum, earning a Master of Arts in English and Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from NKU. Her teaching career has spanned the traditional high school classroom, career and technical education classroom, and college classroom prior to her current role with YSA. Amanda is a proud first-generation college graduate who believes firsthand in the power of educational access for all students.
Amanda deeply values authenticity, connection, and transparency, and brings those values to her work with students, families, and educational partners. She is particularly interested in the impact that educational mentors can have on the development of student agency inside and outside the classroom, and how early college access can support the development of those relationships.
Amanda is married to her best friend since high school, Geoff. They share two sons, Ian and Crosby, and two disobedient but loveable labrador retrievers. She is an excelled coffee drinker, amateur marathon runner, and recent but very enthusiastic FC Cincinnati fan.
BIO
Alyssa Morgan (she/her/hers) has been with the Young Scholars Academy team since July 2022. She’s a proud NKU graduate who earned both her Bachelor of Arts in English with secondary education certification and her Master of Arts in Education here at NKU. She’s worked in public education for over a decade in the local community within both traditional classrooms as well as career and technical classrooms. She’s served as an award-winning leader within several schools as the department chair, while teaching remedial, advanced placement, and dual credit coursework along the way.
Alyssa’s passion for supporting students as they explore and discover their interests drives her work within the Young Scholars Academy. Her work includes developing scaffolded techniques to help scholars adjust to the rigors of the college classroom and supporting their growth academically and organizationally in the process. She firmly believes in creating holistic supports for scholars as they embrace challenging experiences to help them grow as learners, but more importantly as people.
Originally from the Cincinnati suburbs, Alyssa has called Northern Kentucky her home since she attended NKU. Her husband, Tommy, is also a two-time NKU graduate, and they share a love for soccer, including both international and domestic leagues. She also enjoys spending time with her sisters and extended family, including two adorable nephews.
BIO
Elisha (Eli) Redman (he/him/his) joined the Young Scholars Academy in September of 2025. A proud NKU graduate, Eli earned his Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences, combining his curiosity for science with a passion for mentorship and education.
Eli’s academic journey has always followed a non-traditional path. He began high school at the Kenton County Academies and later transferred to the Ignite Institute, where he pursued innovative education in the Biomedical Sciences. In his junior year, he became part of the first cohort of Young Scholars at NKU, an experience that influenced his educational philosophy and career direction.
As an undergraduate, Eli was actively involved in biology research, earning multiple grants and presenting his work to various academic audiences. His time as a teaching assistant for one of his faculty mentors sparked a love for teaching and sharing knowledge that continues to drive his work today.
Eli began mentoring students in 2022 as a Color Guard instructor at Hamilton High School and currently serves as the Color Guard Director at Oak Hills High School. Under his leadership, the Oak Hills Winter Guard program earned first place in their nationally competitive class, which is a historic achievement for the schools’ color guard program. Through this work, he developed a passion for helping high school students navigate the transition out of High School.
Eli brings energy, empathy, and a student-centered approach to his work with YSA scholars. He believes deeply in helping students find confidence in their own voice, path, and potential – especially when that path looks a little different than expected.
Outside YSA, Eli enjoys time with his dog Kobe and cat Boots. He competed with a world-class Winter Guard for four years, earning a bronze medal with Onyx in 2022. When not mentoring or directing, he can often be found boating, exploring nature, or enjoying a good cup of coffee.
BIO
Dan Ginn (he/him/his) joined the Young Scholars Academy team in August 2022. His journey to YSA started with his own experience as an undergraduate at NKU where he was inspired to pursue a career in higher education. After earning his Master’s in Student Affairs and Higher Education while working at Miami University, Dan returned to his alma mater and served as an Academic Advisor in the College of Informatics before beginning his tenure as a YSA Co-Director.
His experience spans the higher education spectrum and his passion lies in postsecondary access making the Young Scholars Academy community a perfect fit. With core values of authenticity and growth, Dan is grateful for the opportunity to support students as they learn about themselves and dream up their futures throughout the program.
As an avid lifelong learner himself, Dan has continued his educational pursuits at NKU – earning a Master of Arts in Communication, as well as graduate certificates in Nonprofit Management and Communication Teaching. Outside of YSA, Dan teaches part time in NKU’s School of Media and Communication and serves the community through advising NKU’s Presidential Ambassadors.
Truly an NKU family, Dan’s wife Cayley is a fellow NKU alumni and staff member, serving the Adult and Transfer Center. When life isn’t revolving around Norse Nation, Dan enjoys time with his pup, Atlas, as well as traveling to experience new sites and cultures.
BIO
Melissa Beale (she/her/hers) joined the Young Scholars Academy in July of 2022. With a background in the social services, Melissa’s experience comes from both the classroom and the community. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Arts in Teaching (both from NKU!) and spent almost a decade teaching high school English. Melissa continues to be focused on how to grow healthy and happy communities of people as she aims to make the NKU YSA experience a great one for all students. Named one of NKU’s “31 Wise Women” in 2023, Melissa is always looking to bring scholars together around shared goals, interests, or even needs. Outside of YSA, Melissa is raising good humans alongside her husband.
