e.duplessis.smca@gmail.com

Pastor Ernest Duplessis grew up in the inner city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and subsequently graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in neighboring Willingboro, New Jersey.  Upon graduation, Pastor Ernest enlisted in the United States Navy and served honorably for twenty-one years, retiring at the rank of Navy Commander. 

Upon departing the military in 2004, Pastor Ernest relocated to Chicago, Illinois to pursue a career in corporate America working as an executive for several Chicago-based companies including:  W.W. Grainger, Kraft Foods, and Mondelez International.  In 2014 while serving as Senior Vice President of Corporate and Government Affairs for Mondelez, he transitioned into a full-time professors role at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.  Currently, Pastor Ernest is recognized as the Theodore R. and Annie Sills Professor of Integrated Marketing Communications at NU where he teaches at the Medill School of Integrated Marketing Communications.

Pastor Ernest and his wife of 37 years, Gwendolyn Duplessis, have served together in ministry for 35 years.  They were ordained in 2009, and answered the call to shepherd in 2014 when he and his wife founded S.T.U.D.Y.S. Ministries, LLC.

Pastor Ernest holds the following academic credentials: BS Mathematics, MS Integrated Marketing Communications, MBA, MA Divinity.  He is also a Pastoral Ministry doctoral candidate.

m.washington.smca@gmail.com

Melanie has a passion for teaching young people and being able to pour into their lives.

Melanie holds a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Trinity International University, She is Special Education Certified. She holds a Master’s in Legal Studies from Trinity Law School and MBA in School Management from Concordia University in Chicago.

Melanie believes that for as long as we live, there is more to learn and we should encourage our students to be lifelong learners as well. Her experience, philosophy, and passion for advancing the knowledge of our youth, positions Melanie as a visionary principal for SMCA.

j.styles.smca@gmail.com

s.sherrill.smca@gmail.com

Stephanie Sherrill has been with SMCA since 2020 and serves in various roles, including Learning Center Supervisor, Human Resources, Website/Social Media, and Title IX Coordinator. Before SMCA, she was a Human Resources Assistant Director and Adjunct Professor at Trinity International University. Stephanie holds a MA in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Adler University and a BS in Psychology/minor Sociology from Trinity International University.

She is a proud member of the National Psychology and Communications honor society.

Stephanie enjoys spending time with family and friends, listening to music, reading, and traveling. Stephanie is passionate about nurturing children in their academic and spiritual growth, along with her love for Christ and belief in SMCA'S mission.

a.jackson.smca@gmail.com

K.C. Brown is a Christian, wife, mother, and teacher. She earned her Bachelor of Science and teaching credential from California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo in 2000 and her Masters in Agriculture in 2007. She began teaching in 2000, and over the next decade she became a Christian, married Aaron Brown and had two children. Her students were re Her family moved to Illinois in 2010 for her husband’s job at Baxter and the opportunity to stay home while her kids were young. One more child joined the family in 2012. In 2018 K.C. began substitute teaching in the Consolidated High School District 117 and at Emmons School.

In her spare time K.C. likes to go hiking with her dog in the local forest preserves, and sometime the kids join her to go geocaching. She would rather work in her garden than clean the house and read a book rather than cook. K.C. loves to go horseback riding, skiing, scuba diving and snorkeling, but those tend to be reserved for vacations.  She attends NorthBridge Church and is very active in the Children’s Ministry, Small Group Bible Study and Milestone moments.  Currently she is the Classroom supervisor for 7^th – 10^th grade and the Agriculture specialist.

k.brown.smca@gmail.com