Ball State University’s Voting System Technical Oversight Program (VSTOP) celebrated the graduation of the seventh cohort of its nationally recognized Certificate in Election Administration, Technology, and Security (CEATS) Program during a ceremony on May 29, 2026. VSTOP is recognizing 19 graduates who have completed the innovative program this year.
Since its launch in 2018, the CEATS Program has become a premier professional development opportunity for Indiana’s election administrators, equipping state and local officials with advanced knowledge in election administration, technology, and security. Designed to strengthen election integrity and foster leadership, the year-long program provides comprehensive education on essential topics, including election law, cybersecurity, information technology, and operational best practices.
The Cohort 7 graduation ceremony featured distinguished speakers, including Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales, Election Assistance Commissioner Christy A. McCormick, and Ball State University Dean of the College of Sciences and Humanities, Maureen McCarthy.
Over the years, CEATS graduates have continued to demonstrate a meaningful and lasting impact on election administration across Indiana. With 88 graduates to date, the program has built a strong network of trained professionals who are actively contributing to the advancement of election practices at the local and state levels.
Several CEATS alumni have also received national recognition from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) through its Clearinghouse Awards, which highlight innovation and best practices in election administration nationwide. These distinguished recipients include Cohort 5 graduates Michelle Fajman, LeAnn Angerman, David Shelton, Amy Rolfes, and Trisha Carrico, as well as Cohort 6 graduates Leather Chavis, Nasya Noble, and Jennifer Herman.
VSTOP and the CEATS Program are especially proud of these individuals for their dedication, leadership, and continued contributions to the field. Most recently, as the EAC commemorates 10 years of the Clearinghouse Awards, Cohort 5 graduates Michelle Fajman and LeAnn Angerman received special national recognition spotlighting their award-winning “Poll Worker Quick Guide” from 2023. Further underscoring the impact CEATS graduates continue to have on improving election administration practices both in Indiana and across the country.
The tradition of CEATS graduates earning national recognition continues with members of Cohort 7. In the 2025 U.S. Election Assistance Commission Clearinghouse Awards, two graduating cohort members received Honorable Mention distinctions for their innovative contributions to election administration. Kelley DePirro of Lake County was recognized for her “Proactive Absentee Ballot Error Prevention Initiative,” a project focused on reducing absentee ballot errors and improving voter success throughout the absentee voting process. Kimberly Riskovitch of St. Joseph County received Honorable Mention for “Let’s Make it Clear, Travel Board,” an initiative designed to enhance voter understanding and accessibility of travel board services. Their recognition reflects the creativity, dedication, and commitment to continuous improvement that CEATS participants bring to election administration across Indiana.
As the program celebrates these accomplishments, attention now turns to the CEATS Cohort 7 graduates, who join this growing legacy of excellence and service in election administration. Their successful completion of the program reflects the continued commitment of election professionals to strengthening their skills, sharing knowledge, and advancing the integrity of elections throughout Indiana and beyond. Through their leadership and dedication, these graduates are helping shape the future of election administration while building on the strong foundation established by the CEATS alumni who came before them.
Congratulations Cohort 7!
- Cherry Aung – Allen County, Election Board Manager
- Jessica Bailey – Porter County, Clerk
- Kristina Bickel – Huntington County, Chief Deputy Clerk
- Melissa Blazier – Hamilton County, Voter Deputy Registrar
- Bryan Chatfield – Marion County, Chief Deputy
- Kelley DePirro – Lake County, Election Clerk
- Blake Farias – Hamilton County, Voter Deputy Registrar
- Tara Graf – Porter County, Assistant Director of Elections
- Jennifer Harwood – Montgomery County, Election Coordinator
- Amy Lee – Vigo County, Bookkeeping Assistant Supervisor
- Lisa Lofgreen – Hancock County, Clerk
- Lori O’Dea – Lake County, Election Clerk & Campaign Finance Specialist
- Michelle Reisert – Washington County, Criminal and Traffic Deputy
- Kimberly Riskovitch – St. Joseph County, Election Clerk
- Yvette Runkle – Huntington County, Voter Registration Deputy
- Shelley Septer – Huntington County, Clerk
- Michelle Shelton – Scott County, Clerk
- Sondra Sixberry – Montgomery County, Clerk
- Joannie Wert – Hamilton County, Election Deputy-Assistant Supervisor
###
The Voting System Technical Oversight Program (VSTOP) was founded by the Indiana Legislature in 2007. Hosted at Ball State University, VSTOP is overseen by the Indiana Secretary of State (SOS) and assists the SOS and Indiana Election Division (IED) with a variety of critical election administration functions.
Learn more about how VSTOP works to ensure election security