Administrative Council
Dr. Carlo Serrano
President
Dr. Carlo A. Serrano is the President of Manna University, where he’s served for over 12 years in various administrative and academic roles. He also serves as a Teaching Pastor at Manna Church Fayetteville/Ft. Liberty. He has 20 years of combined experience in executive leadership as a pastor, nonprofit board member, and organizational consultant. He is a combat veteran and spent 5 years on active duty in the US Army before entering vocational ministry. He holds a PhD in Organizational Leadership from Regent University, an MA in Pastoral Counseling from Liberty University, a BA in Psychology from American Military University, and a Diploma in Ministerial Studies from Global University. Carlo and his wife Jaemi have two adult sons.
Sean Pottorff
Chief Financial Officer
Sean received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Master of Science in
Accounting from American Military University, as well as a Master of Arts in
Christian Leadership with a concentration in Organizational Leadership from Grace College of Divinity. He also serves as the Director of Human Resources and the Director of Enrollment. Sean has been teaching at Manna University since the Fall of
2021. Sean and his wife Michelle have four adult children.
Dr. Elisabeth Chivers
Chief Compliance Officer
Dr. Chivers has a Bachelor of Arts in History from Chapman University, a Master of Arts in History from Liberty University, a Juris Doctorate from Trinity Law School, and a Ph.D. in History from Liberty University. She currently serves on staff at Manna University as the Chief Compliance Officer. Elisabeth has been teaching at Manna University since the Summer of 2019.
STEFANIE ERTEL
Executive Director of Academics
Stefanie received her Bachelor of Divinity at Grace College of Divinity. She received her Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership with a concentration in Organizational
Development Consulting at Regent University. Her experience includes more than
10 years of teaching, leadership consulting for organizations, and
working in higher education since 2011. Stefanie has taught and directed the
undergraduate School of Leadership at Manna University since 2014, and currently
serves as the Executive Director of Learning Management.
Jaemi Serrano
Registrar
Jaemi received a Bachelor of Science in History with a Minor in Asian Studies from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee, and a Master of Arts in Christian Leadership from Manna University. Jaemi’s experience includes serving as a public-school registrar and a middle school English/Language Arts and Social Studies teacher in Tennessee and North Carolina. Jaemi also serves as the Director of Special Learning Needs for Manna University. Jaemi and her husband, Carlo, have two adult sons.
DeAndra Bowie
Advancement Director
DeAndra received her Bachelor of Arts in Christian Counseling from Manna University. She currently serves on staff at Manna University as the Advancement Director. Prior to her current role, she was the Director of The Experience College Internship. DeAndra served in the US Army before arriving in Fayetteville, NC, in 2014. DeAndra’s first ministry is caring for her family, which consists of her husband Darrell and their three children Jaime, Aidan, and Anthony.
Samuel Fletcher
Director of the Manna Church Internship
Samuel Fletcher has been leading, discipling, and learning in the ministry industry for eight years, leading the next generation in one of Outreach Magazine's Top 100 largest and fastest-growing churches - Manna Church. His experience includes discipling future and current leaders in effective ministry through The Experience Internship Program and learning essential theories and skills through formal education at Manna University. He received a Bachelor of Christian Leadership from Manna University in 2020 and completed his Master of Arts in Biblical Studies at Manna University in 2024. He currently works at Manna Church Fayetteville/Ft/ Liberty, where he is the Director of Manna Students, RUSH Campus Ministries, and The Experience College Internship. He lives in Fayetteville, NC with his wife, Katelyn Fletcher.
Daniel McBride
Student Life Coordinator
Daniel received his Bachelor of Arts in Christian Leadership from Manna University. He is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity at Manna University. Daniel has been Executive Assistant to the President of Manna University since 2022 and the Student Life Coordinator at Manna University since 2024.
Ron McBride
Academic Consultant
Ron McBride has served in a variety of rolls for at Manna University since 2015 including, Provost, Chief Academic Officer, and Acting/Interim President. Prior to joining the faculty and staff of Manna U, he served 23 years as full-time faculty in North Carolina's Cumberland County Schools. In addition to local-church ministry, he currently serves as a Senior Ordained Community Chaplain, as a Board Member, and as a Support Trainer with the International Fellowship of Chaplains. He has over 30 years of combined experience in ministry as a church leader, executive leader, nonprofit board member, and as a professional educator. He currently holds a Master of Library Science (M.L.S.) degree, a Bachelor of Science in English Language and Literature (Teaching) and is currently pursuing a PhD in Educational Leadership (Organizational Leadership) at Liberty University. Ron and his wife Elsa have been married since 1992, and they have three children: Daniel, Katherine and Richard.
ELSA MCBRIDE
Director of Library Services
Elsa received her Bachelor of Arts in Education from The University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill and her Master of Library Science from North Carolina
Central University in Durham. Elsa has been administering library services at Manna University since 2019, and currently serves as the Executive Director of Library Services.
