Orientation Staff

Aubrey Peoples

Orientation Coordinator

• Year: Senior
• Pronouns: She/Her
• Major: Communication Science and Disorders (CSD)
• Hometown: Greensboro, NC
• Personal Fact: I just got back from Sweden!
• Quote: "Just don't give up trying to do what you really want to do" -Ella Fitzgerald
• Favorite Movie/TV Show: Point Break

Alex Hoffman

Orientation Leader

• Year: Senior
• Major: Management and Marketing
• Hometown: Canton, NC
• Personal Fact: I have hiked in 8 states, and plan to hike in every state.
• Quote: "Leadership is not a license to do less; it is a responsibility to do more." -Simon Sinek, Leaders Eat Last
• Favorite Movie/TV Show: Inception

Lydia Parker

Orientation Leader

• Year: Senior
• Pronouns: She/Her
• Major: English
• Hometown: Wilmington, NC
• Personal Fact: I miss my green hair!
• Quote: "Trusting you is my decision, proving me wrong is yours." -Patrick Star
• Favorite Movie/TV Show: Batman Forever

Zachary Turner

Orientation Leader

• Year: Junior
• Hometown: Charlotte, NC
• Personal Fact: I designed a shirt for the Intercultural Affairs office.
• Quote: "Kick reason to the curb and surpass the impossible" -Kamina from "Green Lagann"
• Favorite Movie/TV Show: Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World and New Girl

Madi Brown

Orientation Leader

• Year: Junior/Senior
• Pronouns: She/Her
• Major: IHS- concentration in Health and Wellness
• Hometown: Charleston, SC
• Personal Fact: I lived in Oregon for 14 years!
• Quote: " Don't settle for average"
• Favorite Movie/TV Show: Where the Crawdads Sing

Camille Waddell

Orientation Leader

• Year: Junior
• Major: Communication Science and Disorders
• Hometown: Cartersville, GA

Emma Shue

Orientation Counselor

• Year: Sophomore (Junior by Credits)
• Pronouns: She/Her
• Major: Integrated Health Sciences
• Hometown: Salisbury, NC
• Personal Fact: I'm a WCU Cheerleader! Go Cats!
• Quote: "No matter what you do in life, be good to people.  Being good to people is a wonderful legacy to leave behind." - Taylor Swift
• Favorite Movie/TV Show: The Greatest Showman, Dance Moms

Eva Memolo

Orientation Office Assistant

• Year: Junior
• Pronouns: She/Her
• Major: Communication with Broadcasting Concentration and minor in Film Studies
• Hometown: Hendersonville, NC
• Personal Fact: I'm a huge fan of Kirby
• Favorite Movie/TV Show: Top Gear

Caroline Roddy

Orientation Counselor

• Year: Sophomore
• Pronouns: She/Her
• Major: Communications
• Hometown: Spring, TX
• Personal Fact: I can play 6 different instruments.
• Quote: "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." -Eleanor Roosevelt
• Movie/TV Show:  Mamma Mia

Debra Clayton

Orientation Counselor

• Year: Sophomore
• Pronouns: She/Her
• Major: Pre-Nursing
• Hometown: Spring Lake, NC
• Personal Fact: I LOVE to travel and learned that from a young age due to being a military kid.
• Quote: "Happiness is the richest thing we will ever own." - Donald Duck, Ducktales the Movie
• Favorite Movie/TV Show: Star Wars: Episode 3 - Revenge of the Sith

Lee Sims

Orientation Counselor

• Year: Sophomore
• Pronouns: She/Her
• Major: English Education with a minor in Creative Writing
• Hometown: Lancaster, SC
• Personal Fact: I've been in over 100 plays!
• Quote: "Live for something"- some grafitti on the side of a train car.
• Favorite Movie/TV Show: The Twighlight Sage (Team Jacob!)

Valeria Rodriguez

Orientation Counselor

• Year: Junior
• Pronouns: She/Her
• Major: Nutrition and Dietetics
• Hometown: Jacksonville, NC
• Personal Fact: I have visited 9 different countries in Central America
• Quote: "Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful."
• Favorite Movie/TV Show: Rio 

Moira Campbell

Orientation Counselor

Year: Sophomore
Pronouns: She/Her
Major: Emergency Medical Care with a minor in Psychology
Hometown: Hertford, NC
Personal Fact: I'm getting a full tattoo sleeve of insects!
Quote: "When you have a bad day, a really bad day, try and treat the world better than it treated you." -Patrick Stump
Favorite Movie/TV Show: The Secret Life of Bees

Yalaina Bisumber

Orientation Counselor

Year: Sophomore
Major: Pre-Nursing
Hometown: Miramar, FL

Lori Bregler

Orientation Counselor

Year: Sophomore
Major: Science Education
Hometown: Candler, NC

Katy Cook

Orientation Counselor

Year: Junior
Major: Health and Physical Education
Hometown: Hayesville, NC

Landon Enzor

Orientation Counselor

Year: Junior

Pronouns: He/Him
Major: Entrepreneurship
Hometown: Wilmington, NC

Personal Fact:  I’m a first-generation college student.

Quote: “Diversity is being invited to the party; Inclusion is being asked to dance.” –Verna Myers

Favorite Movie/TV Show: The Scream Franchise

eL Gadzekpo

Orientation Counselor

Year: Sophomore
Major: Business Law
Hometown: Maryville, TN

Aimen Gauhar

Orientation Counselor

Year: Junior
Major: Computer Information Systems
Hometown: Corpus Christi, TX

Corbin Richardson

Orientation Leader

Year: Junior
Major: Engineering Technology
Hometown: Kannapolis, NC

Allem Rojas

Orientation Counselor

Year: Sophomore
Major: International Studies
Hometown: Sylva, NC

Calesia Watson

Orientation Counselor

Year: Sophomore
Major: Pre-Recreational Therapy
Hometown: Lithonia, GA

Savannah Byerly

New Student Orientation Administrative Support Associate

Bio: Savannah grew up in Western Carolina while getting her Associates Degree in Health Information Technology. While the medical field was always a passion of hers after 10 plus years it was time for a change. She moved back to Jackson County in fall of 2021 to work in higher education. She enjoys meeting new students and families and has a calming way to ensure parents that their students are in good hands.

While outside of work she loves to spend time with her little boy and family going camping, dirt track racing, and the beach. She also enjoys reading, working out, and shopping.

Tammy Frizzell

Assistant Director of New Student Orientation

Bio: Tammy started her career at WCU in 2006, and just marked her 15^th year of service. A two-time alum, Tammy received her undergraduate degree (B.A. in European History) from WCU along with her Mater’s (M.A. in American History). She enjoys meeting new students, and helping them and their families navigate the path towards enrollment.  Tammy is an avid reader, loves word games, and Science Fiction.

Fun Fact: Tammy can fit inside the clothes dryers at the University of Stirling in Scotland. Study abroad at WCU is a wonderful opportunity.

Josh Thompson

Director of New Student Orientation

Bio: Josh is a life-long Catamount having attended WCU for both his undergraduate degree (B.S. in Communications) and graduate degree (M.Ed. in College Student Personnel). He discovered his passion for working with students after serving as an Orientation Counselor, Resident Assistant, and Golden Ambassador (Entourage) during his time as a student. Josh has worked in Student Affairs at WCU for 9+ years as a Resident Director, Admissions Counselor, and Senior Assistant Director of Admissions before becoming the Director of Orientation in 2018. Josh has stayed active at WCU outside of Orientation as well, as he serves as the ESPN+ play-by-play announcer for Catamount Soccer. Outside of work Josh enjoys sports, video games, and spending time with his family.

Fun Fact: Josh was the 2007 WCU Homecoming King.