Program for the Exceptionally Gifted Staff

Carla Van Devander has been teaching in the MBU College of Education since 2012, including offering coursework on instructional differentiation and exceptionalities. Prior to her full-time role at MBU, Carla served as a differentiation specialist for Staunton City Schools, with her recent experience there focused on gifted and academically motivated adolescents. Active in the community, she is the co-creator and coordinator of Opportunity is Knocking, an award-winning event that brings together local colleges, industry, and the school system to provide families with important college, skilled trade, and career information.

Carla holds a BA degree in history from George Mason University, her teaching credential from Mary Baldwin, and the MEd in Curriculum and Instruction and Instructional Strategies from Eastern Mennonite University.

In addition to serving as director of PEG, Carla is a faculty member in the College of Education and coordinator for the Education Leaders Living Learning Community.

Christy Baker graduated from James Madison University with a BA in speech communication and minors in Spanish and English. She began working with PEG in 2000 as a Residence Life Coordinator, transitioning to Director of PEG Student Life in 2008. Christy is a member of the Administrative Processes Improvement Team at Mary Baldwin University. She also represents PEG and Mary Baldwin on the Boarding Schools Social Activities Committee. One of Christy’s favorite aspects of working with PEG is collaborating with students and staff to create a varied and exciting activities calendar each month. In her spare time, Christy enjoys shopping, reading, and spending time with her husband, Mike, and their two children.

Heidi Bustos received her BA in Anthropology and Latin American Studies from Davidson College in Davidson, NC. She is originally from Chicago, IL and has worked with Northwestern’s Center for Talent Development (CTD), a program catered for gifted students (K-12), specifically on the Equinox team before her arrival at PEG in 2019. Heidi is the primary contact and support in the evenings and weekends for the PEG students and staff. She oversees the residential staff, organizes study hours and community service opportunities, and coordinates programming and special events in PEG. Heidi serves as the Primary On-Call for Mary Baldwin University’s Emergency Response Team. She is also the Interim Title IX Coordinator, Advisor for two student activity organizations: Baldwin Program Board and Residence Hall Association, and represents PEG and Mary Baldwin on the Boarding Schools Social Activities Committee. Heidi is currently pursuing her Master’s in Higher Education from Mary Baldwin University. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and serves in the Sigma Gamma Omega Chapter located in Harrisonburg,VA. In her spare time, Heidi enjoys traveling, watching docu-series, and going to the gym.