The College of Charleston welcomes new staff members

The College of Charleston is delighted to welcome its newest staff members. They come to the College with an impressive amount of experience and enthusiasm – and they are all excited to put it all to good use within the CofC community! Please welcome these new colleagues (listed alphabetically below) to the Cougar family!

Maddox Johnston, Institutional Effectiveness

Maddox Johnston ’20 (MS ’22)
Director of Accreditation Survey and Research, Office of Institutional Effectiveness

Background: I grew up in Charleston, where I earned my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Mathematical Science (with a concentration in statistics) from the College of Charleston. Prior to accepting this position, I worked as a graduate assistant for CofC’s math department while completing my master’s, where I was responsible for teaching a 110S (College Algebra Support) math class and tutoring in the math lab at the Student Learning Center. .

Interests: I enjoy spending time outdoors, hiking and fishing. I also like to play and study chess.

Looking forward: I look forward to spending time on CofC’s beautiful campus and continuing to live in my hometown.

Calvin Joyner

Calvin Joyner, Student Leadership Center

Calvin Joyner
Associate Director of Student Leadership, Higdon Student Leadership Center

Background: I’m originally from Columbia, South Carolina. I received my undergraduate degree from Coastal Carolina University and my graduate degree from Walden University. Before coming to the College of Charleston, I was director of student activities at Emory and Henry College in Emory, Virginia.

Interests: In my spare time, I like to travel, try new things and read. As for hobbies, I like cooking, reading, writing, researching different subjects, studying music, and taking naps.

Looking forward: I look forward to meeting the students and developing my network with my colleagues.

Elijah McCoy

Elijah McCoy, Student Life

Elijah McCoy
Assistant Director of Student Engagement in Student Programming and Media, Office of Student Life

Background: I’m from Macon, Georgia, but have lived in Virginia, Florida, North Carolina, and Illinois. Before coming to the College of Charleston, I earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Theater Arts from Stetson University. Discovering my passion for student development, I studied and earned a Master of Education in Higher Education Student Affairs at Western Carolina University. In the field, I gained expertise in student organization support and policy, campus programming, student government advising, new student orientation, leadership development, education and diversity assessment.

Interests: I like to travel, listen to music, hang out with my friends, work on graphic design projects and watch Netflix.

Looking forward: In my role, I look forward to helping our students develop transferable skills such as programming, marketing, event planning, communications, and student media.

Estacia Sanders-Hernandez

Estacia Sanders-Hernández, upwards

Estacia “Stacia” T. Sanders-Hernandez
Academic Advisor, Upward Bound

Background: I’m originally from Charleston, South Carolina. I spent many years after high school exploring and learning about people and different cultures around the world. I believe that learning happens inside and outside the classroom. You could see how my life experiences shaped my career as I worked for many years with minority populations in education and community development. I continue to bring the world into learning environments by learning from my colleagues as well as students. Additionally, I encourage my students to continue learning beyond the textbook and sharing their knowledge with each other. I believe we should meet each individual where they are and help them on their journey by providing them with the educational tools necessary to succeed in the classroom and in life. I have held various positions at technical colleges in South Carolina: Disability Coordinator, Title IX Coordinator, and Academic Specialist. I have taught junior high school seminary classes, adult education classes, and most recently high school English and Spanish at Holly Hill Academy. Years ago, I taught Spanish in the Upward Bound program at Appalachian State University. Prior to being full time with Upward Bound, I taught Spanish here, Upward Bound at the College of Charleston, for about four years.

Interests: I focus on quality of life and being one with nature. I’ve been in the Berkeley 4-H program for eight or nine years. Every year my children and I try to grow vegetables. We also planted about six fruit trees. Sometimes gardening is great fun, but there are times when nature (insects) eats more of our gourds than we do. Preserving our natural environment and building self-sufficiency is important to me and my future little farmers (my sons), and I think it will be important to American farmers. I think everyone should grow their own food or even raise a cow. or two. My sons and I work to the cow (smile).

Looking forward: The focus here is on culture, history as well as new innovations. I look forward to the collaboration and knowledge sharing among colleagues, students, and the learning environment that the College of Charleston has.

Michelle Villante

Michele Villante, facilities management

Michelle Villante
Administrative Coordinator to the Vice President, Facilities Management

Background: I’m from Greene, a small town in central New York (very rural – not NYC). I moved to Charleston in September and have family on Johns Island. Previously, I worked as an Administrative Assistant – Secretary to the Superintendent of Schools – and also a District Clerk for the Sherburne-Earlville Central School District.

Interests: I love living here in Charleston, and I especially love the beach. I am a part time artist, creating stained glass mosaic bricks, stepping stones and mirrors.

Looking forward: I am truly thrilled to work for such a historic institution where I can have a new opportunity for growth and service.

Becca Blanched

Becca Whited, Student Leadership Center

Becca Blanched
Office Manager and Student Organization Travel Coordinator, Higdon Student Leadership Center

Background: I am originally from northeast Ohio and moved to Charleston in the fall of 2019. Prior to coming to Charleston, I completed a master’s degree in adult education and development from the State University of Cleveland in 2017 and a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from Ashland University in 2013. While at Cleveland State, I worked as a graduate facility rental/aquatic and safety supervisor and in as office manager at the Cleveland State University Recreation Center. While at Ashland University, I was a hardworking student at the Ashland University Recreation Center and was involved in several student organizations including Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, Dietetic Association student and Habitat for Humanity.

Interests: In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with my dog ​​Ava, venturing to Charleston County parks and local beaches, trying Charleston’s great restaurants, reading, and traveling.

Looking forward: Some things that excite me are joining such a great and welcoming team, working at such a historic college, and being able to enjoy unique and beautiful buildings and landscapes every day.

Maura Wood

Maura Woods, Career Center

Maura Wood
Career Coach, Career Center

Background: I’m originally from the small coastal town of Old Saybrook, Connecticut, but have spent the past eight years living and working in Boston. After being the first member of my family to graduate from college (I attended UConn – go Huskies!), I went on to earn my Masters of Education at Boston University and become a Special Education Teacher to college. After a few years, I changed careers and moved into a consulting and management role in a non-profit organization, where I had the privilege of supporting students who were the first in their families to attend the university!

Interests: I love to travel and just finished a four month road trip across the country with my wife – we visited about 15 national parks (I had never been before this trip)! When I’m not traveling, you can find me at the beach, trying new dishes, hanging out with friends, and trying to keep my plants alive.

Looking forward: I remember feeling overwhelmed as an undergraduate with my major, interests, and potential career path, so I’m excited to support our students on their own journeys! Relationships are important to me, so getting to know our students, staff, and community partners at the College of Charleston is something I look forward to.

About Mark A. Tomlin

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