Director
Fr. Juan José Hernández, L.C. | (919) 684-1882
Fr. Juan José Hernández, L.C. became Director of the Duke Catholic Center on July 1, 2022 as appointed by Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Raleigh, NC. Previously, he spent 8 years as Head Chaplain at Holy Spirit Preparatory School in Atlanta, GA. Fr. Juan José has been a priest for 10 years with his community, the Legionaries of Christ. Before the priesthood, he studied engineering at Georgia Tech when he encountered Christ and his own vocation. His experience is one that provides him with insight into students’ dreams of success, as well as a perspective on what truly matters.
Director of Development
Michelle Sutton ’12, CFRE | (919) 668-1472
Michelle graduated from Duke in December 2011 with a degree in Political Science. During her time at Duke, she was a Resident Assistant and successfully founded an international debate society, The Alexander Hamilton Society. She was also very involved in the Duke Catholic Center as a Student Director where she oversaw the freshman outreach program and weekly Eucharistic Adoration.
Associate Director
Lucy Honner | 770-500-7952
Originally from Adelaide, South Australia, her adventurous spirit and passion for Jesus led her to dedicate a year of service to the Catholic Church. Through this missionary work, she felt a more profound call to dedicate her life to serving Christ and others as a consecrated woman with the Regnum Christi community. By profession, she has a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture, but has dedicated the last 25 years to full-time ministry as a Spiritual Director, speaker, and retreat director. Lucy was the was the founding director & co-creator of the RCSpirituality Center. More recently, she has become a certified Wholeness Coach with The Woman’s School and a certified facilitator of The 6-types of Working Genius.
Director of Music
Andrew Witchger, P’15 | (919) 323-6902
Andrew has been a Liturgist and Music Director in parishes for over 20 years and is excited to bring his experience and enthusiasm for Liturgy to Duke. Andrew also spent 10 years touring the world as a musician with his wife and four children and hopes to bring concert outreach to the Duke.
Business Manager
Ruth Anne Kennedy | (919) 684-3354
Ruth Anne Kennedy joined the Duke Catholic Center in December 2011. She relocated to Durham from Stillwater, Oklahoma. Ruth Anne was previously the Executive Vice-President for the Stillwater Board of REALTORS, a local non-profit trade association and has several years experience in administrative roles and has served in public office. She and her husband have two sons and three grandchildren. Ruth Anne stated “I look forward everyday to working with the students at Duke as we all nurture our faith. As a convert to the church, I am as young in my faith as the students are and know we will all be able to continue to grow and nourish our faith together.”
Associate Director of Development
Emma Carpenter ’11 | (704) 267-3439
Emma has served at the DCC since her graduation from Duke in 2011. First entering the team as Peer Ministry Coordinator (PMC), Emma quickly found herself drawn to the critical, mission-centered nature of a career in the Church. After 5 years in her position as PMC, Emma became the DCC's Director of Communication. Another 5 years later, Emma pivoted to her new & current position with the DCC development team. Emma is excited to help grow development communication initiatives, cultivate young alumni engagement, and invite Duke Catholic stakeholders to partner with the DCC in her mission.
Director of Faith Formation
Sister Marcia Ternes, FSE | (203) 600-8934
Sr. Marcia is a Franciscan Sister of the Eucharist. Throughout her career, she has been a teacher and a licensed clinical social worker. She founded, with her community, Franciscan Home Care and the FSE mission in Jamaica. Sr. Marcia seeks to bring the love of Christ to others, and is honored to be working with Duke students.
Director of Retreats & Pilgrimages
Sister Frances Zajac, FSE | (203) 317-7788
Sister Frances is a Franciscan Sister of the Eucharist, based in Meriden, CT, and was living at the Motherhouse there for the past several years. Sister Frances Zajac, F.S.E. was inducted in to her high school athletic hall of fame in 2008. As an undergrad, she played D1 varsity volleyball and softball at the University of Dayton. To put it mildly, she is an avid sports fan. Sister Frances served as a Science Education Volunteer in the Peace Corps for three years in Cameroon, Africa and upon her return began a 25-year high school teaching career in her hometown of Meriden, Connecticut. As a Franciscan Sister of the Eucharist, she has fifteen years of experience as a Ropes Course Retreat facilitator, has led five World Youth Day pilgrimages, and has worked side-by-side with young people on environmental and service projects. Sister Frances also serves her community as a licensed funeral director and embalmer, assisting in caring for her Sisters in death. It is with joyful anticipation that she begins her mission at the Duke Catholic Center.
Director of Small Groups
Keegan Drummond | (808) 589-7675
Keegan was raised in an Evangelical-Protestant community in Honolulu, Hawaii where he was involved in youth and young adult ministry for over 10 years. Upon completing his undergraduate studies at Pacific Rim Christian University, he attended Duke Divinity School where he pursued a Master of Divinity in the hope of becoming an evangelical pastor. While studying at Duke, he felt led to begin his journey in RCIA and was received into the Catholic Church during the third and final year of his M.Div program. Keegan is passionate about seeing young people on fire for Christ and helping them to learn more about Sacred Scripture. When he isn’t walking through Duke Gardens or watching reality TV with his wife Tehya, Keegan is at the gym training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Assistant Director of Development
George Brunner | (919) 684-8959
George Brunner serves as the Assistant Director of Development for the Duke Catholic Center. George graduated from Mount Saint Mary’s University in 2009 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. Since his graduation, George has worked in Full-Time Ministry as a CRE in Frederick, MD, Campus Minister at UNCG, and Youth Minister in VA. He has over 8 years experience working in ministry with the Church. He was married in 2011 and has three children. George is a member of the Youth Apostles community. George enjoys rock climbing, hiking, and anything outdoors. George is a lacrosse coach and looks forward to attending many Duke lacrosse games. George is excited to be part of the Duke Catholic Center family. “Go Duke” begins with GOD!
Director of Social Justice & Outreach
MyLan Metzger | (714) 813-2062
MyLan Metzger has been working at the Duke Catholic Center since 2019. She has a bachelors degree in theology from Georgetown University, and is currently pursing her Masters in Theological Studies at the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University. Originally from Rockville, Maryland, MyLan enjoys reading, knitting, and winning board games.
Marriage Preparation Coordinator
Liz Riegel ’89 | (919) 625-0722
Liz is thrilled to be a part of the Duke Catholic Center staff, as the DCC was formative in Liz’s own time as an undergrad. She went on to earn a MA in Pastoral Ministry from Boston College, and has since worked in college campus ministry, parish youth ministry, with people experiencing housing loss, and as an interfaith hospital chaplain. She and her husband, Mike, have three children. Liz believes marriage is one of God’s best inventions and certainly God’s greatest gift in her own life. It is a joy to accompany couples as they prepare for marriage and a lifetime of love together.
Work Study & Summer Internships
Join the team. Serve the Lord. Build your resume.
Work Study
- Marketing and Communications Intern
- Social Media Intern
- Small Groups Administrative Assistant
- Development Communications Intern
- Development Administrative Assistant
- Funding Coordinator
If you qualify for Duke or Federal work study, then these positions will offer great experience in ministry and the non-profit world!
Summer Internships
- Development
- Music
- Evangelization (Communications & Small Groups)
- Ministry
If you are interested in learning more about any of these positions or applying, let us know. You can email your resume and this completed job application to the link below.
Student Directors
Undergraduate and graduate students also serve as Student Directors and Coordinators in the Duke Catholic Center. They are an essential part of every aspect of ministry at Duke. They are responsible for assisting in the development of programs and coordinating student engagement in liturgy, justice and service, intellectual and spiritual formation, and community building. Through serving in their respective ministries, these Student Directors live out the baptismal call, sharing personal gifts and talents within the Duke Catholic community with an eye toward lifelong service to the Church and the world.