Our Staff
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Ryan and Jenny Penley
Ryan and Jenny are the Cru directors at Maryland. They both graduated from Virginia Tech and have been on staff with Cru for 16 years, the first two of which were spent in Melbourne, Australia. They are the parents of the four kids you’re likely to see running around at Cru: Caleb, Eliana, Asher and Rowan. Our entire family loves working with college students. We also love family dance parties and traveling as much as possible. Jenny recently started her own blog, so if you're looking for some of her latest recipes or insights, visit littlemissfinicky.com |
Caela "Caz" Carlson
Caela was involved with UMD Cru throughout college until she graduated in '11. She has traveled the globe in her time with Cru, including her most recent trip to Kazakhstan. Caz has been on staff with Cru since 2012. She loves: reading books and working on puzzles. She loves her job with Cru because she gets to work with so many Terps who bring passion and excitement to the world!
Caela was involved with UMD Cru throughout college until she graduated in '11. She has traveled the globe in her time with Cru, including her most recent trip to Kazakhstan. Caz has been on staff with Cru since 2012. She loves: reading books and working on puzzles. She loves her job with Cru because she gets to work with so many Terps who bring passion and excitement to the world!
Jeff Simpson
Originally from Damascus, MD, Jeff graduated from UMD in 2012 with a degree in communication. After interning with Maryland Cru for two years, he attended Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, where he received a Master of Divinity (MDiv) in 2017. Jeff loves reading good books, doing CrossFit, and continuously re-watching The Office and The West Wing.
Originally from Damascus, MD, Jeff graduated from UMD in 2012 with a degree in communication. After interning with Maryland Cru for two years, he attended Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, where he received a Master of Divinity (MDiv) in 2017. Jeff loves reading good books, doing CrossFit, and continuously re-watching The Office and The West Wing.
Heidi Smith
Heidi was involved with UMD Cru throughout college until she graduated in '09. She traveled with The JESUS Film Project for two years before returning to Terp territory as Cru staff in January '13. She loves: singing, dancing it out w/ the ladies and prank wars. She is married to Geo, a stud she met in UMD Cru. She loves her job with Cru because God's Word and people will last for eternity, and she gets to spend her time building God's Word into people.
Heidi was involved with UMD Cru throughout college until she graduated in '09. She traveled with The JESUS Film Project for two years before returning to Terp territory as Cru staff in January '13. She loves: singing, dancing it out w/ the ladies and prank wars. She is married to Geo, a stud she met in UMD Cru. She loves her job with Cru because God's Word and people will last for eternity, and she gets to spend her time building God's Word into people.
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Brandon Edwards
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y. and raised in New Jersey; Brandon graduated from The University of Maryland with a degree in Economics and a minor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. During his time at Maryland, he was an R.A. and in the Gospel Choir. He loves music, wrestling, Caribbean food, comedic reliefs, and dancing. He is excited to be back at Maryland to help advance the ethnic culture within Cru and develop purpose driven leaders who are in love with Jesus Christ. |
Brian Hearn
Brian is a 2011 graduate of the University of Maryland and is excited to work with Cru at his alma-mater. Brian loves the University of Maryland, sports (Go Ravens and O's!), and people.
Brian is a 2011 graduate of the University of Maryland and is excited to work with Cru at his alma-mater. Brian loves the University of Maryland, sports (Go Ravens and O's!), and people.
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Andre and Dana
(Bridges International) Andre and Dana bring wisdom and bring the fun. They have four kids, including one Terp. They give leadership to Bridges which is a Cru ministry to help connect International students on campus. Andre and Dana enjoy skiing and the outdoor life. |
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