Kyle O’Dell, Ph.D.
Senior Director of Student Engagement and Director of Undergraduate Leadership Education
kodell@jcu.edu
Kyle joined the staff at John Carroll in 2004 and provides oversight for new student and transfer orientation and leadership development, education, and training, while also supervising the staff who work with campus programming, student government, student organizations, recreation and intramurals, fraternity and sorority life, liturgical music and musical arts, and commuter outreach initiatives. He received his bachelors and masters degrees from Bowling Green State University and completed his doctoral work at the University of Toledo. Outside of work, Kyle likes to spend time with his wife Emily and their two children, hike, cook, travel, and watch movies.
Mary Ann Hanicak, M.A.
Manager of Student Life Programs
mhanicak@jcu.edu
Mary Ann serves John Carroll University as the Manager of Student Life Programs in the Office of Student Engagement. Previously she was the Assistant to the Vice President for Student Affairs from 2006-2020. She has been at JCU since May 1999 where she worked in the Office of Residence Life as an Area Coordinator from 1999-2001 and as the Director of Student Activities and Orientation from 2001-2006. In 1993, she received a B.A. in psychology from Bowling Green State University. In 1995, Mary Ann returned to Bowling Green and graduated in 1997 with an M.A. in college student personnel. Previous to working at John Carroll University, Mary Ann worked at The University of Findlay in student activities and fraternity and sorority life and at Saint Louis University in residence life.
Cynthia A. Caporella, Ph.D.
Director Of Liturgical Music and Musical Arts
ccaporella@jcu.edu
Cynthia Anne Caporella, Ph.D., began her service to John Carroll University in August of 1994. In her current position as Director of Liturgical Music and Musical Arts she is responsible for music at all major liturgical functions and prayer services, directs the choral organizations at JCU, serves as advisor to the JCU Dance Ensemble, and supervises the JCU Band program. Cynthia holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in Musicology/Ethnomusicology, and Master of Music degrees in Vocal Coaching and Accompanying as well as Piano Performance. She regularly performs as a choral director, chamber musician and vocal accompanist in the Greater Cleveland area. Cynthia’s article, entitled Jesuita non cantat: Evidence from the Inaugural Year of the Roman Church of the Gesù was published in the GIA Quarterly: a Liturgical Music Journal, in the Fall 2006 issue, volume 18, number 1. Her article “Heart to Heart: Music on the Jesuit Campus” is published in the journal Conversations and concerns music ministry in the context of college life. Cynthia can be reached in her office, Room #24 in the D.J. Lombardo Student Center at (216) 397-4721 or by e-mail at ccaporella@jcu.edu.
Katie Jansen
Assistant Director of Student Engagement
kjansen@jcu.edu
Katie is in her 5th year at John Carroll, overseeing campus programming and Student Government. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Walsh University and is a John Carroll alum of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling masters program. Outside of work, Katie enjoys reading, checking out new restaurants, and quality time with her pup Griffin.
Cindy Ditzel
Administrative Assistant
cditzel@jcu.edu
Cindy joined the staff at John Carroll in 2021 provides assistance and support for the New Student Orientation program as well as other seasonal programming including Homecoming and Christmas Carroll Eve. She has a bachelor's degree with a double major in Studio Art and Communications from Cleveland State University and received her MLIS degree from San Jose State University. Outside of work, Cindy likes to spend time with her husband Jason and their two children. She enjoys painting, drawing, reading, swimming and walking her dog Chloe.
Melissa Canetti-Lamb
Graduate Assistant, Campus Programming
mcanettilamb24@jcu.edu
Melissa provides support and advising to the Student Union Programming Board. Melissa joined the Office of Student Engagement in August 2022 after earning her undergraduate degree in Psychology with a concentration in Child Psychology and a minor in Non-Profit Studies from Kent State University. At Kent State University she was involved in the Office of Student Success Programs as Student Success Leader, Peer Leadership Trainer, and Student Success Program Intern. Melissa was also a collegiate member of Phi Mu where she grew in leadership and philanthropic efforts. AT JCU, she will be pursuing her masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a Substance Abuse concentration. In her free time, Melissa loves to hike, ice skate, read, listen to music, and spend time with her fiancè, friends, and family.
Samantha Radel
Graduate Assistant, Organizational Support
sradel22@jcu.edu
Sam provides administrative support and advisement to all recognized student organizations. Sam joined the Office of Student Engagement in August 2020. She earned her undergraduate degree in journalism from Ohio University and her masters in nonprofit organizations from Case Western Reserve University (CWRU). She spent six years working in donor relations for the CWRU School of Medicine before deciding to pursue her masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling here at John Carroll. In her free time, Sam loves to cook, read, wander the metroparks, listen to podcasts, and spend time with her husband, family, friends, and three cats.
Jasmine McCallum
Graduate Assistant, Commuter Services and Leadership
jmccallum22@jcu.edu
Jasmine provides support to commuter students and students engaged in leadership development activities. Jasmine joined the Office of Student Engagement in May 2022. She earned her undergraduate degree in psychology from John Carroll University and will continue on to pursue a degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling here at JCU. In her free time, Jasmine loves to explore new places, try new food suggestions, and get creative with fun makeup looks.
Ziad Roufael
Graduate Assistant, Fraternity & Sorority Life
zroufael23@jcu.edu
Ziad provides support and advising to the Fraternity & Sorority Life community at JCU. He joined the Office of Student Engagement in August of 2021 after earning his undergraduate degree in Biology with a Concentration in Medicine from Kent State University (KSU). Ziad worked as a Nursing Assistant and research assistant while at Kent State before deciding to pursue his masters in Business Administration at JCU. In his free time, Ziad loves to run with his dog Pluto, play video games, and loves trying new places to eat in the area.