Meet the Leadership

Board of Directors

Ryan Mehlem

President & Co-Founder

Ryan Mehlem is a current biochemistry major and undergraduate researcher at Clemson University. He was inspired to found the non-profit by his own educational experiences that exposed him to molecular biology at a young age, influencing him to pursue a career in medicine and research.

Elizabeth Crapps

Vice President, Secretary, & Co-Founder

Elizabeth Crapps is a current biology major and undergraduate researcher at Clemson. Elizabeth based her ARCS-ED ideas on SciGirls, a program in which she participated during middle school that inspired her to pursue STEM.

Dr. Courtney Sheriff

Treasurer

Dr. Courtney Sheriff is a 4th Grade Teacher 4th Grade Teacher at School District Of Oconee County and an Adjunct Professor at Anderson University. With an EdD in Educational Leadership, she has developed a cutting-edge STEM program for Title 1 students, incorporating robotics, 3D printing, drones, and more to make science accessible for all learners.

Anna Baldwin

Assistant Secretary

Anna is a Google Certified Trainer with a master's degree in secondary mathematics education and a certification in secondary administration with over 30 years of experience in education. She has experience training pre-service and in-service teachers in technology integration strategies. Currently, she is the Executive Director of eLearning and Integration with Anderson School District Five.

Donna Buss

Assistant Secretary

Donna is the Program Coordinator for the Clemson University Science Outreach Center. She began at Clemson University Summer Scholars in 2020 and has been dedicated to fostering scientific engagement for youth ever since. A graduate of Clemson's master's program in Youth Development Leadership, she brings a wealth of experience to the role.

Natalia Nortz

Board Member

Natalia is a current biology major at Clemson University on the pre-PA track. A Dixon Global Policy Scholar, she assisted with conceptualizing ARCS-Ed when drafting the original policy for the Pay It Forward Challenge.

Mangers

Ariana Bachini

Chief Executive Officer

Ariana Bachini is a current biochemistry major and undergraduate researcher at Clemson University with aspirations to become a physician-scientist. Having experienced the benefits of early access to hands-on scientific learning, she joined ARCS-Ed to provide similar opportunities to young students and encourage interest in STEM.

Reagan Moore

Chief Financial Officer

Reagan is a biochemistry and psychology major at Clemson University. She participates in undergraduate research with plans to obtain a PhD in Neuroscience. Realizing the benefits of experiencing mentorship and inclusive scientific spaces throughout her education, she joined ARCS-Ed to extend this support to younger students.

Elizabeth Polatty

Chief Outreach Officer

Elizabeth Polatty is a biochemistry major and undergraduate researcher at Clemson University. She joined ARCS-ED to give back to students who share similar backgrounds and may lack early exposure to STEM opportunities. Her passion for science education was strengthened through her experience at the Greenwood Genetic Center, which operates the “Gene Machine,” a mobile outreach program that introduces middle school students to hands-on laboratory experiments.

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