Executive Director

Dr. Kavars teaches the Solar System Astronomy and Galactic Astronomy classes at the Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities. He received his B.S. degree in 2001 from the University of Iowa with honors in Physics and Astronomy. He completed his Ph.D. degree in Astrophysics from the University of Minnesota in 2006. Prior to arriving at the Indiana Academy in the fall of 2006, he taught astronomy classes at the University of Minnesota and Inver Hills Community College near Minneapolis, MN. As a graduate student, his research focused on radio astronomy where he used one of the world’s largest radio telescopes, the Green Bank Telescope in Green Bank, WV.

In the fall of 2015 Dr. Kavars became the Associate Director of Academic Affairs at the Indiana Academy. His primary duties include working with parents and students to create and implement 504 and IEP special education plans, overseeing attendance, advising international students, overseeing May Term trips, and continuing to teach the Academy’s astronomy classes. During his tenure at the Indiana Academy, Dr. Kavars has attended and presented at several education conferences including the Hoosier Association for Science Teachers Inc., National Science Teachers Association, Indiana Associated for the Gifted, AdvancED Indiana, and Ball State University Teachers College Best Practices in Education conferences.

In his free time Dr. Kavars enjoys geocaching, gardening, reading/watching science fiction and fantasy books/movies, traveling, and in particular, spending time with his family. In recent years he and his family have explored the world outside of the United States, traveling to Canada, Iceland, Ireland, and Northern Ireland. In the near future he hopes to explore Scotland, England, New Zealand, and Australia, although his daughters are doing their best to convince him a trip to Hawaii must happen soon.

A West Virginia native, Heather graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.A. in Social Science and specialization in Psychology from Bluefield State College in Bluefield, WV. She moved to Indiana in 2006 and started a position with the School of Art at Ball State University where she worked for almost 19 years. She has been nominated twice for the Ball State University, A. Jane Morton Award and received the Staff Excellence Award for the College of Fine Arts in August of 2024.

Heather is an active advocate for Suicide Prevention and Awareness and volunteers with the American Foundation for Suicide Preventions (AFSP). In April, her team, Orange Optimism, raised $2,455 for the Ball State University Out of the Darkness Walk. She also creates and distributes baskets of materials promoting the National 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and has placed over 45 baskets across Ball State’s campus.

Being a child of the 1980s, she loves collecting toys and other memorabilia from that time, especially Peanuts (Charlie Brown specifically), Fisher Price Little People, Garfield, Strawberry Shortcake, and Care Bears. When she’s not spending time with her husband and 5 cats, Heather enjoys gardening, writing, singing, reading, and organizing stuff. Her favorite shows include Seinfeld, The Office, and Parks and Recreation. She has recently discovered true crime documentaries, loves horror films, and anything odd or weird piques her interest. Heather is excited to be a part of the team at The Indiana Academy!

Mr. Stassen is LAN Manager and Coordinator of Technology, and came to the Academy in 1994 after 10 years in the private sector as the owner of a computer consulting company. In his present position, he is responsible for maintaining, upgrading, and training on several hundred PC and Macintosh computers, which are connected to eight file servers using the Novell, Windows NT, or UNIX operating systems. Mr. Stassen enjoys biking and other sports.