Extension + Distance Education Staff

Emanuel Naydenov

Emanuel D. Naydenov is Director of Extension and Affiliated Education at Trinity International University. His responsibilities include oversight of the MAR program offered through Extension and the fostering of partnerships with significant parachurch organizations in the area of higher education.

Naydenov holds an MDiv from Bethel Seminary and is currently a PhD candidate at Marquette University, where he is pursuing studies in Systematic Theology. He comes to Trinity after being involved in launching the first accredited seminary in the country of Bulgaria after the fall of Communism. He is a regular contributor to the Bulgarian Journal of Theology and other indigenous theological projects. In addition to his scholarly pursuits, his ministry experience includes serving on numerous boards, itinerant preaching, and teaching in churches throughout the U.S. and Bulgaria.

He was ordained to ministry at Crystal Evangelical Free Church, where he served for two years as Global Ministries Intern. With his wife, Nellie, and their two children, Martin and Christine, he currently resides in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, where the family attends Elmbrook church.

Gayle Hannan

Coordinator of Extension Administration

Gayle Hannan has worked with Trinity for over ten years, starting off part-time with The Division of Open Studies to her present full-time position with the Extension Office helping to maintain and coordinate the operations of our various extension sites and affiliates.

She takes pride in having the distinct honor and pleasure of working with the absolute best co-workers one could ask for as well as some amazing coordinators and extension students. She looks forward to continuing to serve you as you pursue God’s calling.

Mary Anne Grzelak

Assistant Coordinator of Extension Administration

My name is Mary Anne Grzelak. I am the most recent addition to the Extension, Distance Education team. My main responsibilities include assisting Gayle and Emanuel as we process all information necessary to provide classes in our Extension sites around the Midwest and Affiliated classes which are held all around the country. I hope I will be able to assist you as you pursue your educational journey.

Jason Hryshkanych (Rish)

Database Developer for Extension and Distance Education

Name: Jason "THE RISH" Hryshkanych
Position: Database Developer for Extension and Distance Education
Height: 6'7"
Weight: Growing
Years Experience: 2.5 years as work study, 1+ years as part time, 1+ years as full time as of July 07

Rish is in charge of being the nerd of the office. He is in charge of overseeing and improving the TriNet system. He also does tech support and research/purchasing of technological equipment for the department. He is learning new programs and adapting to his role in course development. Rish is also the subject for many of the office jokes which keep him humble and the office fun.

Rish received his BA in Youth Ministry from Trinity in 2005. He spent 4 years doing computer programming at Northern Michigan University. Yes, that does add up to 6.5 years of school and not even a doctorate. Rish now lives with his sister in Waukegan, IL and attends Immanuel Baptist Church in Gurnee. In his spare time he enjoys all sports, coaching youth basketball camps, enjoying the great outdoors, long walks on the beach (obviously single), and battling Sam for athletic supremacy (thus his title as the Yeiter Defeater).

Jason M Miller

Distance Education Coordinator

Jason coordinates Trinity Evangelical Divinity School’s Distance Education office. Under the guidance of the Office of Extension and Affiliated Education, Distance Education has progressed from a closet effort to an important strategic area for the divinity school. Extending Trinity’s mission worldwide, Distance Education aims to bring together tradition and innovation for excellence in education.

Jason earned an MA in Faith and Culture from Trinity in 2001. He is particularly interested in building up the Church worldwide through theological education, mission and discipleship that takes seriously the context of each local church and follower of Christ. He is also a freelance web designer and poet. Married to Danielle, they have one child, Brennen Kristján. Jason blogs at Northern Vertical.

Sam Yeiter

Assistant Coordinator

Sam Yeiter I am, and I am here to help you. So, who is this fellow waiting to help?

I am currently addicted to Arrested Development re-runs. I love golf (I’m pretty bad, but plan to make a pair of old-school knickers…I’m sure that will help), and enjoy battling Rish for athletic supremacy in tennis. I also enjoy cards, parasailing (though I’ve never been), and fast cars. I love spending time with my family (I’m hoping my daughter will beat me at golf by the time she’s 12), and am a contributing author at Theoblogian.org.

I hold an MDiv from Northwest Baptist Seminary and am the pastor of a small church in Lake Villa, Illinois. I am also planning to pursue a PhD here at TEDS. Just in case it isn't obvious, I believe that educational preparation for ministry is critical, and I hope to help you as you begin or continue in that phase of preparation for whatever ministry to which God is calling you.

Katie Spencer

Office Assistant

Katie is finishing her fourth year studying psychology at Trinity College. She has been working for the Distance and Extension offices since her sophomore year. After graduating she plans to pursue getting a Masters in Social Work. Also, she loves football, particularly the Missouri Tigers.

Liz Morgan

Office Assistant

I am currently a junior at Trinity and am studying Biology/Pre-medicine. I also hope to start working on my Masters in Bioethics within the next semester. This is my first year working at DE/Extension; I am enjoying being everyone in the office’s assistant (although it’s often just Sam’s).

I am from Nebraska and am a big Husker football fan. I recently started rock climbing and I also like to disc golf. I really enjoy drinking good coffee and speaking Spanish.

Joseph Thomson

Assistant Format Editor

Joe is responsible for maintaining the aesthetic excellence of our courses. Few official documents escape the abuse of his red pen, which inspires fear in professors and administrators alike.