Meet the New Faculty and Staff for Wayland’s 2026-2027 School Year

Take a moment to get to know some of the newest members of the Wayland community.

Ms. Lydia Frazier, Admission and Advancement Coordinator

Wayland Academy welcomes Lydia Frazier as its new Admission and Advancement Coordinator. Originally from Wisconsin, Ms. Frazier grew up in Searcy, Arkansas, and began her career as a high school English teacher after earning both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Harding University.

Ms. Frazier earned a B.S. in Psychology and English in 2017 and an M.A. in Teaching in 2019. Over the past five years, she has taught in Illinois and Wisconsin, teaching courses including Advanced English, English 10, English 11, Contemporary Literature and Composition, and Mystery Literature. Her time in the classroom helped her develop a passion for building meaningful relationships with students and families and fostering welcoming, supportive communities.

In her new role at Wayland, Ms. Frazier will help welcome prospective families, support students and alumni, and share the experiences and opportunities that make Wayland unique. Her transition from the classroom to admissions and advancement will allow her to continue building relationships and making a positive impact within a school community.

Outside of Wayland, Ms. Frazier enjoys reading, traveling, cheering on the Green Bay Packers, and spending time with her partner, Martell, their one-year-old son, Cassius, and family and friends. She is also pursuing additional education in clinical mental health counseling.

Mrs. Hannah Grassnickle, Director of College Counseling

We are excited to welcome Hannah Grassnickle as our new Director of College Counseling. Mrs. Grassnickle brings nearly a decade of experience in college admissions at small, private liberal arts colleges, where she worked with first-year, transfer, and international students throughout the college search and application process.

In her new role at Wayland, Mrs. Grassnickle will guide students through each stage of their college search, helping them identify colleges that align with their individual interests, goals, and aspirations. Her experience working closely with students and families throughout the admissions process will be a valuable addition to Wayland’s college counseling program.

Mrs. Grassnickle earned a bachelor’s degree in Politics and Government from Ripon College in 2014 and a master’s degree in Higher Education Student Affairs Leadership from Cardinal Stritch University in 2019. She is a member of the Wisconsin Association of College Admission Counselors and currently serves as the organization’s secretary. She has also served on the Board of Directors for Wisconsin Leadership Seminars since 2016.

Mrs. Grassnickle and her husband, Adam, live on campus with their long-haired dachshund, Milo. Outside of her work with students, she enjoys reading, baking, visiting local farmers’ markets, volunteering, and watching Jeopardy!.

Mrs. Amy Johnson, Facilities Coordinator

Wayland Academy welcomes Amy Johnson as its new Facilities Coordinator. A Wisconsin native, Mrs. Johnson brings years of administrative experience along with a strong talent for organization, coordination, and creating systems that help an organization run smoothly.

In her role at Wayland, Mrs. Johnson will support the day-to-day operations of the Academy and help ensure the campus community has the resources and support it needs. She enjoys finding ways to make processes more efficient and looks forward to contributing to the Wayland community.

Outside of work, Mrs. Johnson enjoys gardening, reading, cooking, and learning new things. She also loves spending time with her family and friends and with her two dogs. 

John Miller `05, Director of Institutional Engagement

Wayland is excited to welcome back John Miller `05 as our Director of Institutional Engagement. A proud Wayland alumnus, Mr. Miller brings more than 20 years of professional experience in leadership, relationship development, and financial services to his new role.

Throughout his career with Ameriprise, Thrivent, and Russell Investments, Mr. Miller has built and coached high-performing teams, guided advisors through complex market environments, and developed partnerships that supported organizational growth. His leadership is grounded in trust, clarity, and a commitment to helping others succeed.

Mr. Miller has also remained closely connected to Wayland for more than a decade through governance and alumni leadership, including service as a Trustee and President of the Alumni Association Board. He has applied his industry expertise to steward key financial transitions and has remained a steady advocate for Wayland’s mission and community

A former nine-season varsity athlete and Wiseheart Cup recipient, Mr. Miller is excited to return to Wayland in a new capacity and build relationships with the school’s constituents through his work in enrollment and advancement.

Mr. Dubin Nam, Math Faculty

Wayland Academy welcomes Dubin Nam to its mathematics faculty. Originally from Seoul, South Korea, Mr. Nam has lived in Los Angeles and Portland, Oregon, and brings a varied academic and professional background to his teaching.

Mr. Nam earned a B.A. in Mathematics from Reed College and also studied illustration and motion graphics at ArtCenter College of Design. Before entering education, he worked as a military interpreter with Combined Forces Command in Seoul.

Prior to joining Wayland, Mr. Nam taught at a private school near Denver, Colorado, where he taught Algebra II, Geometry, Pre-Calculus, and AP Calculus AB and served as a daily advisor. At Wayland, he looks forward to getting to know his students and helping them build confidence and curiosity in mathematics. Outside of school, Mr. Nam is an avid bass player, which he describes as his biggest passion. 

Mr. Rob Nill, Athletic Director

Wayland is happy to have Rob Nill as our new Athletic Director. Born and raised in South Dakota, Mr. Nill grew up playing a variety of sports before focusing on soccer and track in high school. He continued both sports at York University in Nebraska, where he competed for four years and met his wife, Bethany. The couple moved to Bethany’s hometown of Beaver Dam in 2007.

Mr. Nill has spent the past 19 years working in education and coaching. He began his career in the Beaver Dam Unified School District, where he taught and coached soccer and football and had the opportunity to work closely with student-athletes as they learned both on and off the field. In 2023, he moved into athletic administration as the activities director for Randolph School District, an experience that strengthened his passion for developing successful athletic programs and creating positive experiences for students, coaches, and families.

Mr. Nill looks forward to bringing that experience to Wayland and building meaningful relationships with students, staff, coaches, and families while supporting the continued growth of the Academy’s athletic programs.

Mr. Nill lives in Beaver Dam with his wife, Bethany, their four children—Owen, Henry, Milo, and Jude—and their two dogs, Rogue and Storm.

Mr. Kaelib Whitley, Assistant Director of Athletics and Activities

Wayland Academy welcomes Kaelib Whitley as our new Assistant Director of Athletics and Activities. A Wisconsin native, Mr. Whitley grew up attending a small school where he participated in nearly every sport offered, developing a particular passion for football and basketball.

After high school, Mr. Whitley attended Lakeland University, where he continued his athletic career as a wide receiver on the football team. While pursuing his graduate degree, he also coached basketball, combining his passion for athletics with his interest in helping student-athletes grow and develop.

Basketball has been a constant throughout Mr. Whitley’s life, beginning with his father, who coached him growing up. He looks forward to bringing that experience to Wayland and supporting students both on and off the court.

Mr. Whitley is excited to meet the Wayland community, share his knowledge and experience with student-athletes, and help them pursue their goals both in athletics and beyond.

Our Facilities Team

We’re also excited to welcome our facilities team in-house this year. Mr. Scott Laufenberg returns as Facilities and Grounds Lead, alongside Mr. Chuck Maas and Mr. Brad Waddell. Together, they help keep our campus running smoothly and looking its best.