Staff & Site Directors

Meet the iCharleston Staff

Bruce Fleming

iCharleston is led by Bruce Fleming, Director, First Year International and Experiential Programs. He received his Doctorate in Education from Washington State University in 2001, and began at the College of Charleston in 2002.

His research focus is on the first year student experience and the effects of campus ecology on academic and social transitions. At the College, he has developed pre-matriculation programs for first year students, implemented living/learning communities in various residence halls, created and taught spring travel abroad programs (with accompanying academic classwork) and designed international internship programs in England, Spain and Scotland. He developed iCharleston with the support of the College's Office of Admissions.

Carly Pruitt

iCharleston is supported by Carly Pruitt, Associate Director of Orientation and New Student Programs. Carly earned her Masters in Education from the University of South Carolina, and began at the College of Charleston in 2018.

As Associate Director, Carly assists with organization and implementation of orientation sessions for all incoming students, supports professional training for the iCharleston Site Director team, monitors student engagement at iCharleston locations, and assists with administrative needs of the program.

College of Charleston staff will accompany iCharleston students in the fall to their locations where they will be met by their Site Director.

2023 Site Directors

We select our site directors based on their expertise in personal study abroad experiences through the College of Charleston, their knowledge of the College and the resources available to first-year students, and their prior experience working with first-year students.

Corey Chamberlain - London
Meet Corey
Hometown: Halfmoon, NY
Graduated: Spring 2022
Major/Minor: English Major with a concentration in literature & film / Environmental & Sustainability Studies Minor

Things I enjoy doing…
I love to read, visit the beach, try local restaurants, travel, and spend time with friends & family!
Why did I want to be a Site Director?
Being able to study abroad as a first-year student was one of the most incredible experiences I have ever had, and I am looking forward to sharing and providing experiences to a new generation of students.

Things I did in college to prepare myself for the Site Director position:
- Studied abroad my first year during Spring 2019
- Campus Charleston 40 Tour Guide since Spring 2020
- Membership Director & Educator for Charleston 40 Tour Guides since Fall 2021
- Peer Academic Coach (PAC) during Spring 2022
- Trained to be a Peer Facilitator for a Spring 2022 first-year study abroad spring break trip (canceled due to COVID)
Specific study abroad experiences I have had:
- 2017 (Verona, Venice, Rome, Florence, Assisi, Capri, Sorrento, Pisa)
- 2018 (Paris, Giverny, Normandy)
- 2019 HSS Fellows Study Abroad at Franklin University Switzerland in Lugano, Switzerland
What I am most excited about regarding iCharleston 2023:
After serving as a Site Director for the Rome cohort in 2022, I am eager to see what awaits in London 2023. I am excited to see a new group of students take on the challenge of studying abroad their first semester and all the exciting experiences that come with it!
Favorite memory as a College of Charleston student:

Aside from studying abroad, some of my favorite College of Charleston memories come from being a C40 tour guide. I made lifelong friends through the organization and I loved interacting with prospective students and families. Also, watching sunsets by the water with friends!
Eliza Dinh - London
Meet Eliza
Hometown: Rock Hill, S.C.
Graduated: Spring 2023
Major/Minor: English concentrating in Creative Writing

Things I enjoy doing…
- Dancing to live music
- Reading & writing poetry
- Going to dinner with my friends
Why did I want to be a Site Director?
During my College of Charleston experience, I studied abroad a couple of times and I realized the positive impact I gained from being outside my comfort zone and immersed in different cultures. As a Site Director, I look forward to working with students navigating the transition from high school to college.
Things I did in college to prepare myself for the Site Director position:
- Charleston 40 tour guide.
- Orientation Intern for three years.
- Students 4 Support member.
- Bonner Leader Program volunteering over 300 hours.
- Site leader for the Alternative Break Program focusing on global sustainability.
Specific study abroad experiences I have had:
Zakynthos, Greece (Alternative Break – 2022 & 2023)
What I am most excited about regarding iCharleston 2023:
I am most excited to be part of such a significant transition period in my student’s lives. In a way, it almost feels like I have the opportunity to tell my younger self all the things I wish I knew or needed to hear. It’s incredible how much growth and change can happen in a short period of time, and I’m excited to be along for it all!
Favorite memory as a College of Charleston student:
I was apart of the SPECTRA program as an incoming student, and we spent many of our nights playing Manhunt in the Cistern. Still to this day, when my friends and I are bored, we meet on-campus to play Manhunt. I have too many favorite memories, but this one stands out because of the pure joy and laughs we shared; no phone or television in sight, just good people and our beautiful campus.
Ava Gonglewski - Dublin

Meet Ava
Hometown: Lutherville, Maryland
Graduated: 2023
Major/Minor: Communications/Sociology
Things I enjoy doing…
I love walking my dog (Lia) around Charleston and Hampton Park, going to the beach, going out to eat with my friends, and traveling!
Why did I want to be a Site Director?
I wanted to be a Site Director as soon as I got to campus as a freshman after returning from London. I felt I learned and grew so much while abroad and wanted to go back!
Things I did in college to prepare myself for the Site Director position:
I was a student in the 2019 iCharleston London program, was a Peer Academic Coach (PAC), and graduated from the College of Charleston May 2023.
Specific study abroad experiences I have had:
iCharleston London cohort in 2019.
What I am most excited about regarding iCharleston 2023:
I am most excited to explore Ireland with iCharleston 2023 and be there to see all the growth within the cohort – both abroad and when we return to the College of Charleston campus.
Favorite memory as a College of Charleston student:
I loved studying abroad and all four years of College of Charleston so much. Graduation is a fond memory as I was able to reflect on my time at the College with my friends and family.
Will Roebuck - Rome
Meet Will
Hometown: Lexington, S.C.
Graduated: Spring 2023
Major/Minor: I graduated with a BA in German Studies and a BS in Sociology with minors in Psychology and European Studies!

Things I enjoy doing…
I enjoy traveling,reading, discovering those ‘hole-in-the-wall’ café’s, playing/listening to music, and spending quality time with friends.
Why did I want to be a Site Director?
I want to be a Site Director to have the chance to grow with incoming students. I am also looking forward to meeting the students I will be working with and serving as a resource for them as they transition to CofC in the spring!
Things I did in college to prepare myself for the Site Director position:
- I was an Orientation Intern through the New Student Programs Office for three years.
- I was a Bridge Peer Mentor for three years and became team lead during my last year.
- Study abroad experience in Berlin, Germany.
What I am most excited about regarding iCharleston 2023:
I am most excited to share my love and passion for CofC with the incoming iCHS cohort! That is the main reason why I got involved with incoming students during my collegiate experience because I wanted to be the person that I needed when I was starting at the College for other students.
Favorite memory as a College of Charleston student:
As cliché as it sounds, (aside from studying abroad) my favorite memor(ies) are when I saw students finally feel comfortable and that they are capable of success in the ‘scary’ world of college. It takes a lot of motivation and self-compassion to be successful and being part of that experience has been worthwhile for me.
Erin Thomason - Rome
Meet Erin
Hometown: Greenwood, S.C.
Year graduated: Spring 2023
Major/Minor: Double major in History and Religious Studies with a minor in Classics.

Things I enjoy doing…
- Crafting and creating art
- Thrifting and antiquing
- Traveling
- Gardening
Why did I want to be a Site Director?
I wanted to become a Site Director because I love working with students and traveling! I have always loved traveling and exploring new cultures, and through my position as a Peer Facilitator, I discovered how much I enjoyed working closely with students—being a Site Director is an amazing combination of both.
Things I did in college to prepare myself for the Site Director position:
- Studied abroad my freshman year in Lugano, Switzerland, through the H.S.S Fellows program in the Spring of 2020.
- Studied abroad in London, England, in 2022
- Worked as a Peer Facilitator from 2021 – 2023.
- Served as a Peer Facilitator Team Leader 2022 – 2023.
- Specific study abroad experiences I have had:
  - HSS Fellows Study Abroad at Franklin University Switzerland in Lugano, Switzerland.
  - British Studies Program at University of Westminster in London, England.
What I am most excited about regarding iCharleston 2023:
Besides getting to know the student cohort, I am most excited to travel and get better at Italian! I am beyond excited to watch the many ways the students grow from and immerse themselves in this experience!
Favorite memory as a College of Charleston student:
Many of my favorite memories as a College of Charleston student come from my experiences studying abroad!
One of my favorite memories is from a weekend trip to Denmark I took while on my London study abroad – I went to Aarhus (the second largest city in Denmark) and had the best cheesy bread I’ve ever had in my life. I explored the Old Town area of the city and explored a cathedral that had been there since the 13th century!

Site Director Duties & Responsibilities

iCharleston site directors are selected based on their previous study abroad experiences through the College of Charleston, knowledge of the College and the resources available to first-year-students, and prior experience working with first-year students.

Site Director Responsibilities
Your Site Director is available to help you navigate your iCharleston experience:
- working with the partner institution to facilitate your transition from high school to college and a new country.
- encouraging and advising participants so that they complete the requirements of the iCharleston program and are officially admitted to the College.
- scheduling one-on-one and group meetings with students to help with the transition process and suggest additional resources for specific concerns/issues (eg., writing lab, online academic resources, etc.).
- getting updates from iCharleston professors on the academic progress of participants and conducting a mid-term assessment of each participant’s academic standing.
- providing opportunities for iCharleston participants to meet students from outside their group.
- keeping participants informed about the College of Charleston, iCharleston academic partners, and study-abroad locations.
- acting as a sounding board for participants and suggests options whenever possible.
- enrolling in a required class with iCharleston participants. Site directors model classroom behavior and observe the academic performance of participants in their group.
- laying out the guidelines and requirements of the iCharleston program and being available to help participants successfully complete those requirements.
- organizing events that help participants develop a better understanding of the traditions, customs and norms of the country, city and community in which they live.
- planning scheduled visits for College of Charleston faculty and administrators who help pave the way for a smooth transition to the College.
- acting as an emergency contact for iCharleston participants.
- helping students use resources offered by iCharleston partner institutions and the College of Charleston.
- mentoring and guiding participants so that they develop the proper balance between academic, campus and personal life.
Roles Outside the Scope of the Site Director
Your Site Director is not responsible for any of the following tasks or requests:
- performing maintenance or security functions in the residence halls of iCharleston partner institutions.
- living on the same floor as iCharleston participants or act as a residential advisor. (iCharleston partner institutions have professional staff available and on call.)
- helping with homework assignments or projects.
- making administrative decisions such as grades, living situations, admission to the College, etc. (These are handled by the iCharleston administrative team and partner programs.)
- cooking or shopping for food for iCharleston participants who are in locations that don’t offer a meal plan.