Administration, Faculty, and Staff

Office of the President

Laura B. Leatherwood
President

B.S., M.S., Ed.D., Western Carolina University

Lorri Allison
Director of Human Resources

B.A., Appalachian State University; M.S., Western Carolina University

Teisha Baynard
Human Resources Specialist

B.S., North Greenville University; M.B.A., Western Carolina University

Tammy L. Pryor
Executive Assistant to the President

A.G.E., Blue Ridge Community College

Advancement

Lisa Adkins
Vice President for Advancement
Executive Director, Educational Foundation

B.S., Texas A&M University; M.S., Western Governors University

Colby Denton
Communications Coordinator

A.S., Cleveland State Community College; B.S., Middle Tennessee State University

Virginia Hamson
Administrative Assistant, Educational Foundation

B.A., California State University-Northridge

Lee Anna Haney
Director of Marketing & Communications

A.A.S., Haywood Community College

Richard Keen
Visual Media Coordinator

B.S., Appalachian State University; M.F.A., University of North Carolina-Greensboro

Jeanne Metzger
Website Coordinator

A.A.S., Blue Ridge Community College; B.F.A., Georgia State University

Gretchen Parlier
Foundation Accountant

B.S., North Carolina State University; M.S., University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill

Economic and Workforce Development/Continuing Education Division

Scott Queen
Vice President for Economic and Workforce Development / Continuing Education

A.S., Alamance Community College; B.S., University of North Carolina-Greensboro; M.S., University of North Carolina-Greensboro; Ph.D., Wingate University

Francisco Arreol-Muro
Environmental Health & Safety Specialist

A.S., Pamlico Community College

Shanda Bedoian
Director, Business, Corporate and Customized Training

B.S., Indiana University

Jason Chappell
Director, NCWorks and HRD

B.S., Appalachian State University

Cecile Duval
Program Specialist, Corporate & Fire Rescue

Certificate, Boston Conservatory of Music

Mary C. Gaylord
Program Specialist, Continuing Education

B.A., University of North Carolina-Wilmington

Daniel Harris
Program Specialist, NCWorks Career Center & HRD

B.A., Florida Atlantic University

Stacy Hill
Employability Lab Instructor

A.A.S., Blue Ridge Community College; B.B.A., Montreat College

Jerry Johnson
Operations Manager

A.A.S., Blue Ridge Community College

Christine Laucher
Apprenticeship Coordinator

B.S., Grand Valley State University

Shawn McCallister
Advanced Manufacturing Instructor

A.A.S., Western Piedmont Community College; B.S., M.S., Western Carolina University

Allen McCullough
Director, Environmental Health and Safety Institute

A.A.S., Blue Ridge Community College; B.S., Western Carolina University

Sheila Merril
Program Specialist, Allied Health/EMS

A.A.S., Blue Ridge Community College

Anne Smith
EHSI Administrative Assistant

Diploma, Walter Johnson High School

Benjamin Smith
Director, Small Business Center

B.S., University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa

Kelli Stewart
WIA Case Manager

B.S., Western Carolina University

Joseph Tew
Business Development Specialist, NC Military Business Center

B.S., University of North Carolina-Wilmington

Paula Wynn
Program Specialist, Personal Enrichment

A.A.S., Blue Ridge Community College

Advanced Technologies Department

Joe Shook
Dean, Advanced Technologies/ Chair, Transportation Technologies

A.A.S., Greenville Technical College; B.S., Western Carolina University; M.A.Ed., Gardner-Webb University

Matthew Broome
Welding Technology Faculty Coordinator

A.A.S., Blue Ridge Community College; American Welding Society CWI & CWE Certified

Andrew Campbell
Welding Technology

A.A.S., Blue Ridge Community College

Brian Johnson
Automotive Systems Technology

A.A.S., Blue Ridge Community College; ASE/Master Certified Automobile Technician; ASE L1 Advanced Engine Performance; Ford Masters Certification; Mazda Master Certification; Honda Master Silver Level Technician

Bryan McMahan
Brewing, Distillation & Fermentation

A.S., Blue Ridge Community College; B.S., Appalachian State University

Christopher Peavy
Transportation Technologies

Certification, Automotive Technician, Universal Technical Institute; ASE Master Automotive Technician (A1-A9) Certifications

Dustin Penland
Welding Technology

A.A.S., Blue Ridge Community College

Adam Riddle
Automotive Systems Technology

A.A.S., Blue Ridge Community College, ASE/Master Certified Automobile Technician; ASE L1 Advanced Engine Performance

Jason Rogers
Computer Integrated Machining Technology

A.A.S., Haywood Community College

Kevin Spradlin
Computer Integrated Machining Technology

B.S., Lee University; M.Ed., University of Tennessee-Chattanooga

Eric Stephens
Automotive Systems Technology

A.A.S., Blue Ridge Community College; ASE/Master Certified Automobile Technician

Sharon Suess
Chair of Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing Technology

B.S., University of North Carolina-Asheville; M.R., Engineering, North Carolina State University

Carol Wheeler
Mechanical Engineering Technology

B.S., University of Virginia; M.B.A., Salve Regina University

Public Safety Training Department

Philip Hosmer
Dean of Public Safety Training

B.S., Appalachian State University; M.S., Fayetteville State University

Marcy Parsons
Program Assistant, Law Enforcement Training

A.S., Keiser University

Jared Schoenfeld
Chair of Emergency Medical Science

A.S., Paul Smith’s College; Nationally Registered Paramedic; A.D.N., Excelsior College

Elaine Hamrick Thompson
Criminal Justice

B.A., University of North Carolina-Greensboro; J.D., Campbell University School of Law

Brad Toms
Chair of Fire Protection & Emergency Management

B.A., University of South Florida; Fire Fighting Academy Certificate, Hillsborough Community College

Daniel Wesley
Emergency Medical Science

B.S., Western Carolina University; M.H.S., Western Carolina University

Finance Division

Carolyn W. Alley
Associate Vice President for Finance / CFO

B.S., University of North Carolina-Asheville; M.B.A., Western Carolina University

Teresa Orr Goldsmith
Print Shop Technician

A.A.S., Blue Ridge Community College

Sharon Howell
Purchasing Technician

B.A., Gardner-Webb University

Margo Pugliese
Accounting Technician, Student Accounts/Cashier

A.A., Nassau Community College

Jessie Rogers
Director, Finance

B.S.B.A., Western Carolina University

Courtney Summey
Staff Accountant, Payroll

B.S., Western Carolina University

Connie P. Williams
Accounting Specialist/Student Accounts Coordinator

A.A.S., Blue Ridge Community College

General Administration Division

R. Chad Merrill
Vice President for General Administration

B.A., University of North Carolina-Asheville; M.A.Ed., Ed.D., Western Carolina University

Jay Aldridge
Systems Administrator I

B.S., Western Carolina University

Amy Allison
Administrative Assistant

A.A.S., Blue Ridge Community College

Brett Bailey
Plant Operations Supervisor

Diploma, Ilion High School

David Baldwin
Groundskeeper

Diploma, Edneyville High School

Brooklyn Bishop
Administrative Assistant

A.A., Blue Ridge Community College; B.S., East Carolina University

Erick Bolyard
Media Services Technician

B.A., University of North Texas

Barry Brown
Director, Facilities & Plant Operations

Diploma, West Henderson High School

Jason Burrell
Groundskeeper

A.A.S., Catawba Valley Community College

Daran Dodd
Chief of Police/Director of Public Safety

A.A.S., Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College; B.S., M.P.A., Western Carolina University

Corey Easton
IT Specialist

B.S., State University of New York-Brockport

Billy Fox, Jr.
Police Officer

BLET, Gaston College; A.S., University of Phoenix

Christopher Henderson
Systems & Network Administrator II

B.S., Western Carolina University

Peter Hemans
Director, Construction Management

A.A.S., Horry Georgetown Technical College; A.A.S., Blue Ridge Community College

Michael Hicks
Police Officer

A.A.S., Blue Ridge Community College

Robby Higgins
Groundskeeper

Diploma, Hendersonville High School

Jason Husk
IT Specialist

B.S., Strayer University

Jason Hutchins
Assistant Police Chief/Lieutenant

B.S., University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill

Mark Jackson
Plant Operations Personnel

Diploma, Polk County High School

Cindy Kirkman
IT & Media Specialist

A.A.S., Blue Ridge Community College; B.A., University of Phoenix; M.A., East Carolina University; M.A., Appalachian State University

Leah Knowles
Distance Learning Specialist

A.A.S., Blue Ridge Community College

Carol Ann Lydon
Director, Planning, Research and Institutional Effectiveness

B.A., M.A.Ed., University of South Carolina

Cale Maybin
Facilities Supervisor, Health Sciences Center

Diploma, Motorcycle Mechanic’s Institute, Orlando

Nathan Marshall
Maintenance Technician, Health Sciences Center

A.A., South College

Eli McCall
Grounds Supervisor

A.S., North Carolina State University

Todd McDougal
Director, IT Administrative Services

A.A.S., Blue Ridge Community College

Shawn Metcalf
Police Officer

BLET and A.S., Blue Ridge Community College

Shawn Moore
Groundskeeper

Diploma, Blue Ridge Community College

Marshall Morris
Construction Project Coordinator

B.A., University of Georgia

Alexander Power
Plant Operations Personnel

Diploma, West Henderson High School

Derrick Richmond
Systems Administrator I

B.A., University of North Carolina-Asheville

Chris Sellers
Police Officer

A.S., Hinds Community College; BLET, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College

John Shaw
Maintenance Technician

Diploma, Poly Tech Adult Education

Richard Sheppard
IT & Media Specialist

A.S., Blue Ridge Community College

Trey Smith
Plant Operations Personnel

A.S., Wake Technical Community College; B.S., M.B.A., Western Governors University

John Taylor
Plant Operations Personnel

Diploma, Blue Ridge Community College

Brent Thompson
Media Services Supervisor

A.A., Blue Ridge Community College

Jenni Tweed
Events Coordinator

B.A., University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill

Jamie Warren
IT & Media Specialist, TCC

B.A., Brevard College; Master of Music, University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Amy Williford
Director, Information Technology

B.A., University of North Alabama

Steven Young
Chief Information Officer

B.S., University at Buffalo; M.S., Carnegie Mellon University

Instruction Division

Katherine Allen
Vice President for Instruction

B.S., Appalachian State University; M.Ed., Arcadia University; Distance Education Certificate, East Carolina University

Victoria Burke
Administrative Assistant

A.A.S., Blue Ridge Community College

Amy Cohn
Administrative Assistant

A.S., Delaware County Community College

Wanda Gant
Student Success Center Coordinator

B.A., University of North Carolina-Asheville; M.A., Western Carolina University

Jack Igelman
Economics/ACA Coordinator

B.A., Clemson University; M.S., Montana State University

Suzanne Ivie
Instructional Designer

B.A., University of Tampa; M.S., NOVA Southeastern University

Kevin Kvalvik
Instructional Designer

B.A., Appalachian State University; M.S., Harvard University

Christopher McLoughlin
Library Assistant

B.A., Furman University

Ali Norvell
Director, Library Services

B.A., M.L.I.S., University of North Carolina-Greensboro

Jennifer Parrack-Rogers
Faculty Coordinator of College Transfer / English

A.A., Washtenaw Community College; B.S., Eastern Michigan University; M.A., University of North Carolina-Wilmington

Tracy Russo
Director of Teaching & Learning

B.S., University of Michigan; M.S., University of North Carolina-Greensboro; Ph.D., Michigan State University

Dane Secor
Electronic Resources Librarian

B.A., University of Delaware; M.S., University of Kentucky

Adult Education and Literacy Department

Robin Norris Paulison
Dean of Adult Education and Literacy

B.A., M.Ed., East Stroudsburg University

Belinda C. Frantz
Data Specialist

Diploma, East Henderson High School

Grace Sollé
Adult Education and Literacy Instructional Coordinator

B.A., Westmont College, Santa Barbara

Health Sciences Department

Leigh Angel
Dean

B.S.N., M.S.N., Western Carolina University

Rachel Adams
Nurse Aide

B.S., Western Carolina University; B.A., Wake Forest University

Robyn Dixon
Associate Degree Nursing

B.S., Western Carolina University; M.S.N., East Carolina University

Bridget Gibbs
Associate Degree Nursing

B.S., University of North Carolina-Asheville; M.S.N., Gardner-Webb University

Deborah Henry
Director of Nursing

B.S.N., University of Vermont; M.S.N., University of Vermont; Ph.D., East Tennessee State University

Stephanie Kanupp
Surgical Technology

Diploma, Blue Ridge Community College; A.A.S., Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College

Teresa Locke
Associate Degree Nursing

A.A., Northwest Mississippi College; B.S., University of Alaska; M.S.N., South University

Sheila Merrill
Program Specialist, Allied Health and EMS

A.S., Blue Ridge Community College

Lynde Mickey
Associate Degree Nursing

B.S., Queens University of Charlotte; B.S.N., Tennessee Wesleyan College; M.S.N., University of North Carolina-Charlotte

Joy Oliver
Associate Degree Nursing

B.S.N., University of Akron; M.S.N., East Carolina University

Heather Stewart
Director, Allied Health

A.D.N., Pitt Community College; B.S., East Carolina University; B.S.N., Western Carolina University; M.S.N., Western Carolina University

Arts and Sciences Department

Aaron Cook
Dean

A.A., Western Piedmont Community College; M.A., Appalachian State University

Rachel Austin
Psychology / Sociology

B.A., University of South Carolina Upstate; M.S., University of North Carolina-Charlotte; M.S., University of North Dakota

Laura Baylor
Chair of Math & Sciences

B.A., M.A., University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill; Ed.D., Western Carolina University

Aaron Bernard
Art

B.F.A., Michigan State University; M.F.A., Savannah College of Art and Design

Joshua W. Bledsoe
Speech

A.A., Catawba Valley Community College; B.S., Appalachian State University; M.A., University of North Carolina-Greensboro

David Blevins
Mathematics

B.S., M.S., Western Carolina University

Deborah DeWitt
Chair of Arts and English / Psychology

B.S., North Carolina State University; M.S., University of North Carolina-Greensboro; Ph.D., Kensington University

D. Russ Foster
History

B.A., University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill; M.A., James Madison University; Ed.D., North Carolina State University

Lisa Grosso
English

A.A., Palm Beach State College; B.A., M.A., Florida Atlantic University

Annelise Hagedorn
Sociology

B.A., University of North Carolina-Asheville; M.A., Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University

Benjamin J. Hardy
Faculty Chair, Transylvania County Campus
English

B.A., University of North Carolina-Asheville; M.A., Appalachian State University

Zenia Washington Holder
Psychology

B.A., University of North Carolina-Greensboro; M.S., Fayetteville State University

Benjamin Kearns
Mathematics

B.A., East Carolina University; M.L.S., University of South Carolina; M.S., Western Carolina University; Ph.D., North Carolina State University

Rachel Marsom
English

B.A., University of North Carolina-Asheville; M.A., Northern Arizona University; M.F.A., Georgia College

Olivia L. Martin
Mathematics

B.A., University of North Carolina-Asheville; M.S., Western Carolina University

Rachel Meriwether
Horticulture Technology

B.S., University of Louisiana; M.S., Auburn University

Jack Michael
Art

B.A., Sewanee; M.A., Georgia State University

John Norvell
Mathematics

B.A., University of North Carolina-Asheville; M.S., Nicholls State University

Scott Paxon
Biology

B.S., University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill; M.S., University of Oregon

Leslie Rhinehart
Chemistry

B.S., University of North Carolina-Asheville; M.S., University of North Carolina-Charlotte

William Robertson
Physics

A.S., Caldwell Community College; B.S., M.S., Appalachian State University

Allan Smith
Biology

B.S., M.S., Appalachian State University

Sam Sonnier
English

B.A., M.A., McNeese State University

Charlotte Taylor
Film and Video Production Technology

B.S., University of Florida; M.F.A., University of Iowa

Laura Tinney
Mathematics

A.S., Isothermal Community College; B.S., University of North Carolina-Asheville; M.S., Nicholls State University

Jennifer Treadway
Theatre

B.A., Berea College; M.F.A., Louisiana State University

Connie Vera
Spanish

M.A., Universidad Laica Vicente Rocafuerte de Guayaquil; M.A., Appalachian State University

Katherine Winkler
English

B.A., Oral Roberts University; B.S., Auburn University; M.A.Ed., Western Carolina University

Business and Service Careers Department

Brenda Blackburn
Dean of Business and Service Careers

B.S., Indiana Wesleyan University; M.S., University of Alabama

Lori Allen
Cosmetology

A.A.S., Haywood Community College; B.S., M.A., Liberty University

Vanessa Capps
Office Administration

A.A., Blue Ridge Community College; B.A., Mars Hill University; MBA, North Greenville University; Ed.D., Western Carolina University

Rey Castillo
American Sign Language

A.S., Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College; B.S., Western Carolina University

Shelah Combs
Early Childhood and School-Age Education

A.A., Hillsborough Community College; B.A., M.Ed., Winthrop University

Darlene Y. Cope
Cosmetology

A.A.S., Blue Ridge Community College

Andrea Craven
Human Services Technology

B.S., University of North Carolina-Greensboro; M.S., Western Carolina University

Rose Fichera-Lening
Interpreter Education

B.A., Gardner-Webb University; M.A., Western Oregon University

Kenneth Gardner
Information Technologies Faculty Coordinator

A.S., Greenville Technical College; B.S., Clemson University; M.S., North Greenville University

Kathryn Gould
Business Administration & Digital Marketing

B.S., Berea College; M.S. Western Carolina University

Jana Hosmer
Chair of Business Programs/Accounting

B.S., M.S., Appalachian State University; Certified Public Accountant

Ben Kish
Business Administration / Marketing

B.S., The Ohio State University; M.B.A., Case Western Reserve University

Ashley Larach
Accounting

A.S., Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College; B.S., University of North Carolina-Pembroke

Tonya Stephens

Information Technologies

B.S., Lees-McRae College; M.S., University of Phoenix

Hope Turpin
American Sign Language

B.S., Salem College; M.S., Gallaudet University

Melanie Wilkins

Early Childhood Education

B.S., Grace College; M.S., University of Dayton

Student Services Division

Kirsten Bunch
Vice President for Student Services

A.A.S., Blue Ridge Community College; B.S., Mars Hill College; M.A.Ed., Western Carolina University

Victoria Beauregard
Registrar’s Clerk

A.A., Blue Ridge Community College

Julie Brackett
Administrative Assistant

A.A.S., Blue Ridge Community College

Jacob Bradley
Receptionist

A.A.S., Blue Ridge Community College

Amanda Buchanan
Director of Financial Aid

A.A., Coastal Carolina Community College; B.A., North Carolina State University; M.A., Liberty University

Robert Durstock
Success Coach

B.S., M.S., Northern Kentucky University

Wesley Feight
Counselor

A.A., Park University; B.A., The Pennsylvania State University; M.A., George Mason University; M.Ed., The Pennsylvania State University

Sydney Frank
NCWorks Career Coach, Henderson County

A.A., Spokane Falls Community College; B.S., George Fox University

Erin Hendrix
Coordinator of Student Life & Wellness

A.A., Blue Ridge Community College; B.S., Northern Arizona University

Kirsten Hobbs
Transfer Coordinator

B.A., M.Ed., University of South Carolina

Susan Jordan
Financial Aid Technician

B.S., Mars Hill University

Elizabeth Mallard
Student Services Specialist

A.A., Blue Ridge Community College

Theresa McCall
Assistant Registrar

A.A.S., Southwestern Community College

Marcus Roberson
NCWorks Career Coach, Henderson County

B.A., Brevard College

Sara Schumacher
Registrar

A.A., Blue Ridge Community College; B.S.B.A., Western Carolina University

Cearra Selbrade
Recruiter

B.S., Minnesota State University

Laura Simmons
Director, Enrollment Management and Student Life

B.S., Appalachian State University; M.A., Appalachian State University

Crystal Smith
Financial Aid & Veterans Coordinator

A.A., Anderson College; B.S., East Carolina University; M.A., Liberty University

Amanda Stansberry
Success Coach

B.A., Appalachian State University

Angela Uhl-Kalev
Director, Disability Services

B.A., Malone College; M.Ed., Clemson University

Transylvania County Campus

Glenda McCarson
Associate Vice President for Transylvania County Campus

A.A.S., Blue Ridge Community College; B.B.A., Montreat College; M.A.Ed., Western Carolina University

Michele Handy
Librarian, Student Success Center Coordinator

B.A., Florida State University; M.A., Appalachian State University; M.L.I.S., University of North Carolina-Greensboro

Shannon Jones
Administrative Assistant

A.A.S., Blue Ridge Community College

David Parris
Custodian

Diploma, East Henderson High School

Stacey Pedersen
Receptionist

A.A.S., Blue Ridge Community College

Alan Reems
Facilities Supervisor

Diploma, Brevard High School

Robert W. Rhodes
Student Services Coordinator

B.A., Lenoir-Rhyne University

Ricky Searcy
Custodian

Diploma, Pickens High School

Erica Vandermore
Automotive Systems, Schenck Job Corps

B.A., Northeastern Illinois University; M.S., Loyola University; Ed.D., Western Carolina University

Bailey Varley
NCWorks Career Coach, Transylvania County

B.A., Brevard College

Alex Williams
Culinary Arts, Schenck Job Corps

A.A.S., Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College; B.S., University of North Carolina-Asheville