Front Row, L-R: Matt Perry, Deja Azeltine, Jasmine Lichtl, Sasha von Spakovsky; Back Row: Christian Cudnik, Kyle McEnery, Paolo Taffaro, SJ, Scott McKillip, SJ, Jon Schumer, Nick Johnson ’03

Ten new faculty/staff members have joined Rockhurst as new educators ahead of the 2026-27 academic year and will serve a variety of departments.

Deja Azeltine is a School Counselor. She comes to Rockhurst from IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL where she worked closely with student-athletes. Deja earned a Bachelor of Liberal Arts from the University of Kansas, a Master’s in Sports Administration from Belmont University, and an Ed.S. in School Counseling from Lipscomb University. She recently moved back to Kansas City with her husband and their son, Rhodes. 

Christian Cudnik is Rockhurst’s Manager of Audiovisual Services. He brings over 30 years of experience in radio, television, and theater production in St. Louis, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Sarasota. Originally from Baltimore, Christian is a two-time Emmy Award winner in production and broadcasting. He and his wife Jennifer are parents to Elsa and Mira. 

Nick Johnson ’03 returns to his alma mater as the Digital Media Specialist, bringing his expertise in photography and videography. He has spent nearly 20 years in education and is excited to showcase the many great things happening here at The Rock. After graduating from Rockhurst, Nick went on to the University of Central Missouri for his Bachelor’s and then earned Master’s degrees in both Organizational Development: Executive Leadership and Nonprofit Fundraising and Leadership Development from Avila University. He is the father of two sons, Tristian ’28 and Kaiden. 

Jasmine Lichtl will serve as the school’s Social Worker. Hailing from Long Island, NY, Kansas City has been her home for the last four years. She graduated from St. Bonaventure University and earned her Master’s of Social Work from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Jasmine is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in both Missouri and Kansas, specialized in crisis intervention and behavioral health services. She is married to Jake and they are enjoying becoming even more rooted in the KC community. 

Kyle McEnery is the newest member of the Math department, teaching Algebra I and Geometry/Algebra II. He is a product of Jesuit education, having attended St. Louis University High and Rockhurst University, graduating with a degree in Mathematics and Secondary Education. Kyle taught at St. Thomas Aquinas High School for two years before coming to The Rock, where he will also serve as a Spirit Club moderator and help coach Rockhurst’s Esports team. 

Scott McKillip, SJ, is a Jesuit Scholastic now in his second stint at Rockhurst, after spending six weeks at RHS in the fall of 2022 during his novitiate. He joins the Theology Department and will be an assistant in the Ignatian Service Program. He graduated from Truman State University with a degree in Finance and worked in the corporate world before following a call to a year of service that led him to Jesuit education. He worked at Arrupe Jesuit High School in Colorado before joining the Society of Jesus in 2021. Earlier this year he earned his Master’s in Philosophy and Theology for Ministry from St. Louis University. 

Matt Perry is a lifelong educator and coach who now joins the Rockhurst community. He graduated from Benedictine College with a Social Science Education degree. Across the different high schools throughout his career, Matt was named the High School Educator of the Year at both Clinton High and Lyons High,  and was the West Central High School Counselor of the Year and ISD High School Counselor of the Year. He’s been a football coach for 33 years, including head coach at four schools. He will join Rock Football as a freshman coach. Matt is married to Cindy and they have three children and three grandchildren. 

Jon Schumer joins the Social Studies department. Most recently, he spent four years as a History teacher and baseball coach at Jackson High School in Jackson, MO. Prior to that, he spent time at Scott City High School teaching and coaching. Jon earned his Bachelor of Science in Education from Southeast Missouri State and then his Master’s in Education from William Woods University. Jon and his wife Madison moved to KC this summer with their dog, Bogey, and have enjoyed getting settled in the area. 

Paolo Taffaro, SJ, is a Jesuit regent who will teach English and assist the Office of Pastoral Ministry. He recently completed his Master of Arts in English at Fordham University. His three years in the Bronx also afforded him the opportunity to work in youth and young adult formation in the local Catholic community. Before entering the Society of Jesus in 2021, Paolo taught Theology at Jesuit High School in New Orleans following the completion of his Bachelor’s of Arts in Philosophy. 

Sasha von Spakovsky will work in the Spanish department. He just completed his Master’s in French at Kansas State University while serving as a GTA/instructor of record for undergraduate French I & II. Previously, he received his Bachelor’s in French and Spanish from Benedictine College. Sasha’s other linguistic pursuits include some study of Latin as well as a smattering of Greek, Italian, and Korean. He also spent time as an English TA at an all-boys Catholic school in Madrid, Spain.

Welcome, new Hawklet educators, and thank you for all that you will do for the young men of Rockhurst High School! AMDG