Naomi Francois graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School in Brooklyn, New York. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Africana Studies from Williams College and will graduate in May with a Master of Arts in Religion from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts. Naomi has a strong background in writing, performing, and directing plays and is currently serving as director of the youth and children’s choirs at Calvary Baptist Church in Haverhill, Massachusetts. Adrienne Christian, a former Wesleyan Spanish teacher, attends seminary with Naomi and encouraged her to apply to the Faculty Fellows Program. 

Abby Hooper is a graduate of Brookwood High School in Snellville and is completing her Bachelor of Arts in Art Education at the University of Georgia. Abby completed the first half of her student teaching experience at Madison County High School and will finish the semester student teaching at Dove Creek Elementary School. In addition to her studies and student teaching, Abby is an intern at Grace Fellowship Church in Athens where she runs the social media accounts. This work provides her the opportunity to use her passion for creativity to encourage the community of believers.

Will Kimberlin is from Birmingham, Alabama, where he graduated from Mountain Brook High School. He will graduate this May from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and a minor in sport management. Will has worked as a camp counselor at a boys summer camp and has been a Young Life leader. This past winter, he coached the ninth grade boys basketball team and assisted with the JV and Varsity basketball teams at Oconee High School. Will attends Watkinsville Baptist Church in Watkinsville, Georgia. Marc Khedouri has been a mentor to Will and encouraged him to consider the Faculty Fellows Program.

Catherine Penland is from Duluth and is familiar with Wesleyan from her years at Perimeter School. A graduate of Legacy Community Academy, Catherine is now completing her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education at the University of North Georgia. She has student taught at three different schools in three counties and has special education experience as well. When she is not teaching, she enjoys babysitting. Catherine played club volleyball for six years and loves to run. She attends Perimeter Church.

Chet Popelka is a graduate of Collins Hill High School in Lawrenceville and Georgia State University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Film, and he is pursuing a master’s degree in theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. Chet is currently teaching at the Christian Learning Center in Snellville. After participating in the apprenticeship program at Grace Midtown Church in Atlanta, Chet served as a resident at Grace Fellowship Church in Snellville. Chet attends Northlake Church of Christ in Tucker. Garrett Adams, a former faculty fellow, encouraged Chet to apply to the Faculty Fellows Program.