First-Generation Faculty & Staff Directory

Janine McCabe

Department of Theatre and Dance

McCabeJ@cofc.edu

"I was the first one in my family to go away to college and even though it was a tough road having to work and pay for school, it was the best experience and paved the way for all the amazing things I have been able to achieve in my career."

Todd McNerney

Department of Theatre and Dance and School of the Arts Dean’s Office

McnerneyT@cofc.edu

"In addition to multiple need based financial awards (Pell Grant, scholarships, and work study) - I also had to hold a part-time off-campus job. It was often a struggle to cover living costs and effectively time manage school. Since neither of my parents had college degrees, understanding the financial aid office processes was challenging."

Carrie Blair Messal

Department of Management and Marketing

MessalC@cofc.edu

"I am from a small town in East Kentucky. My grandfather did not finish high school. My parents finished high school and went to College, but a job opportunity caused them to leave early. My grandparents and parents always emphasized education, and my parents hung a poster at the top of our stairs with a mansion that said "Justification for Higher Education". My brother, my first cousins, and I all have or are working towards terminal degrees."

Eric Villafranca

Supply Chain & Information Management

villafrancaes@cofc.edu

"My parents were descendants of Mexican immigrants that valued hard work but had little money. They never went to high school. I am a first-generation high school and college graduate, and a veteran of the US Air Force. I believe in life-long learning, and I know a lot about gathering the courage to do something different with your life."

Erika LeGendre

School of Business

enlegend@cofc.edu

"I know so much more about attending college now than I did when I was an actual student! I am happy to pass along what I now know to help other first-gen students better navigate college and make the most out of it."

Lancie Affonso

Department of Computer Science/ Management and Marketing/ Honors

AffonsoL@cofc.edu

"I am from Tanzania and was the first in my family to attend College. I was able to survive and then thrive at CofC thanks to our amazing peer, staff, and faculty mentors. Excited to Pay it Forward with First Generation Students!"

Mark J. Buono

Department of Finance- Carter Real Estate Center

buonomj@cofc.edu

"As the oldest child, I was the first to attend college in my family. Also, my parents had never been to Charleston or South Carolina."

Michelle Futrell

School of Business- Professional and Continuing Education

FutrellM@cofc.edu

"I was the first in my family to go to College (and that was before the internet was a thing). I was really lucky to have a Mom who did a lot of research, but it was still hard because I didn't know the right questions to ask. There are lots of people here to help you navigate this amazing journey!"

Paul Schwager

School of Business

schwagerph@cofc.edu

"My mom was not happy that I chose to go to College. But it forever changed the trajectory of my life and my families like. There's no way in High School anyone would have predicted I would be at Dean at the College of Charleston. Yet, the first step, going to college, changed everything. You are so far ahead of where I was. Enjoy the journey"

Robert Pitts

Department of Managment and Marketing

PittsR@cofc.edu

"Figuring it out on my own was hard, but it doesn't have to be for you!"

Stacy Hassard

School of Business

yanagawask@cofc.edu

"My parents couldn't help prepare me for college, and all the ups and downs that come with it, because they had no idea what it was like. I don't know why I didn't reach out to other people who had gone away to college before, but I felt isolated and lost a LOT while trying to navigate college work and life."

Suanne Ansari

Accounting and Business Law

ansarism@cofc.edu

"I was the only member of my family to attend college and law school. Because of this I have dealt with imposter syndrome; not feeling like I belong or deserve to be in law school, or practicing law as an attorney. I was a nontraditional student during law school because it was a second career choice for me, and when I began law school I was 30, and I had a three month old baby."

Wendy Stephens 

School of Business and Continuing Education

StephensW@cofc.edu

"When I first attended CofC, I felt like an imposter and was too embarrassed to ask for help. Little did I know that so many people were eager to help, I just had to ask."

Adam Jordan

jordanaw@cofc.edu

Dr. Dawn Bagwell

Department of Teacher Education

bagwelldr@cofc.edu

"I was the first (and only person) in my family to attend college. Having been a foreign exchange student in high school, I went to France for undergrad. It was definitely cheaper ($500/year), but it came a steep cultural learning curve. I was not only navigating a new world within academics; I was playing by a set of cultural & linguistic rules I had yet to fully understand."

Heather Hall

Department of Teacher Education

hlhall@cofc.edu

"I was the first person in my family to attend college and I too attended College of Charleston. I had no clue or any help in figuring out how to "do college" and the first few months/years were very difficult for me. I pretended to have laryngitis for the first weeks on campus because I was too scared to speak in my classes. I still see one of my professors from that time and I must admit that I am embarrassed. In the end, all worked out fine as I stayed in school till I completed a doctorate from USC. My family is very proud of me for being the first generation college student in my family. I am just as proud of the work that my parents and grandparents did in the mills and factories of Chester and the Rock Hill area of SC. I love meeting others who are first generation students. I can relate!"

mutindi ndunda

NdundaM@cofc.edu

"My mother only had a grade 4 education. I had no female role models in the home or in the village not just about college but high school. We did not know that I needed tutoring and could not afford it."

Arjun Ramani

Department of Health and Human Performance

ramaniah@cofc.edu

"I am the first in my family to have pursued [and completed] a PhD! First Generation students often don't have access to these opportunities for various reasons including financial instability, family obligations, social inequities, etc. I'm happy and so proud to be in a position to positively influence as many lives as I get to."

Alyssa Connor

Department of English

connerac@cofc.edu

"Going to college and filling out all the personal forms that came along with it was a difficult process for me, given my parents didn't attend college and they were a bit older than the average parent at that time. It was something my twin sister (who is now pursuing a PhD!) and I had to navigate on our own, without help from anyone else."

Annette Watson

Department of Political Science 

Watsonam@cofc.edu

"My mother never finished the 9th grade, and my father barely got out of high school. I've come to realize that there were cultural norms that I was not taught, from study habits to communication strategies."

Crystal Matthews

Department of Sociology and Anthropology

bowenscd@cofc.edu

"I remember the difficulties I faced navigating my way through the college admission process and while attending college because I had no one to assist me in any way. However, building a support system encouraged me to remain focused and achieve my goals."

Deborah McGee

Department of Communication

McGeeD@cofc.edu

"The college process, application, admissions, resources, etc. were a mystery for me. My parents owned a small business, which made applying for FAFSA was too complicated for them. I didn’t know what FAFSA WAS! I was fortunate to earn scholarships, though. My parents had six kids, and not much money, so they couldn’t contribute financially. They were able to buy my books one semester, which was great!"

Gabrielle Principe

Department of Psychology

principeg@cofc.edu

"I was the first in my family to even gradaute high school. Both my parents left school to work and support their families. And both supported me in all the ways to not only graduate colleege but also to get a PhD and become a professor!"

Dr. Kris De Welde

Department of Women and Gender Studies

deweldek@cofc.edu

"My parents are Cuban immigrants who finished high school in the US. I was the first in my whole family to attend college. I wasn't very successful at first, but I eventually found mentors and advisors who helped me navigate college and eventually earn my Ph.D."

Dr. Lisa Covert 

Department of History

covertlp@cofc.edu

"My parents were very supportive of the idea of college, but I had to figure out most things on my own. It wasn't until I worked as a campus tour guide that I realized how much guidance other students were getting from their families, starting with just knowing the questions to ask."

Mike Duvall

Department of English

DuvallJM@cofc.edu

"I performed poorly in high school and did not think college would ever be in the picture for me. For several years after high school, I worked full-time in various restaurants and dabbled in music, all while living at home. Eventually, I was encouraged by my girlfriend (who became my wife), to take the leap to college, and because Georgia State University in downtown Atlanta (mid 1980s) was affordable, I was able to work while completing a BS (Psychology) and, eventually, an MA (English). I found my way to a mentor by the dumb luck of taking a summer English class with Dr. Paul Schmidt, who over the next several years nurtured my intellectual development and encouraged me to pursue a PhD in English and become a professor and, most importantly, a teacher. Paul was the first of many faculty mentors. I also formed close relationships with a few other students and joined student organizations. I found community to be one of the keys for thriving as both a first-gen college student and as a graduate student. Find your mentors. Find your people. They are out there!"

Phyllis Jestice

Department of History

jesticepg@cofc.edu

"I was terrified and didn't really know what to expect. Fortunately (!!!) my University hooked me up immediately with a thoughtful, dedicated advisor, who helped me find my feet. That can work for you at CofC too!"

Ruby Robinson

Department of Sociology

robinsonrw@cofc.edu

"I was the first in my family to go to college. My parents lacked the education or financial resources to assist me with college. However, I was able to graduate from college and later to obtain my graduate education. I encourage you to pursue your dreams."

Simon Lewis 

Department of English 

LewisS@cofc.edu

"I'm only technically first gen. Neither of my parents had gone to university, but I had an aunt who had gone all the way through to a DPhil, and both my older siblings went off to college before me (though only one graduated). Still, I really didn't have much clue about what college would be like and was pretty much at the mercy of advisors about choices -- luckily they did know the system, so all was more than fine."

Stephen Short

Department of Psychology 

shortsd@cofc.edu

"My twin sister and I were the first generation in our family to attend college, and in fact, only the second generation to complete high school!"

Zeff Bjerken

Department of Religious Studies

Bjerken@cofc.edu

"I was the first in my family to go away to college. When I got there, I suffered from imposter syndrome and no one in my family could relate. Overcoming this syndrome was hard, but it doesn't have to be for you if you take advantage of available resources, including sympathetic faculty who were also first generation college students."

Chad Gibbs

Jewish Studies Program

gibbsc@cofc.edu

"I come from military background and a blue collar family in which my sisters and I were the first to attend college. That change of path often left us sort of making it up as we went along, so I'm happy to help any First-Gen student looking for advice."

David Dulceany

Department of Hispanic Studies

dulceanyrd@cofc.edu

"I was the first in my family to attend college and from a low income family of immigrants from Romania. So everything from understanding the basics of college, to finding scholarships and financial aid was a serious challenge. I didn't even know entire fields of study existed and everyday I learned something new. I had to figure it all out by myself and work very hard. Thankfully over time I reached out to faculty, staff, and on campus resources that really allowed me to succeed and thrive in undergrad. I'd love to be a resource and mentor for you, the way my professors were for me!"

Malte Pehl

International Studies Program

PehlM@cofc.edu

"I was the first in my family to get a College degree. None of my parents or parent's siblings, nor any of my two dozen or so cousins had done this before me (and then my younger sister). I struggled figuring out college on my own and wish I had had the advice I can give to students now when I was in their shoes."

Christine Moore

Department of Computer Science

MooreC@cofc.edu

"As the youngest of 13 siblings, I was the first one to attend college. This was a long, long time ago, and we were all new to the college environment. However, we learned a lot and using our experiences to help the next generations along in college."

Craig Plante

Department of Biology

PlanteC@cofc.edu

"I was first in my family to attend college. That, combined with coming from a rural area, did mean I was not at all confident of how I would perform against "big-city private-school kids." I did not know what a syllabus was. Didn't even know what a bagel was!"

Jack DiTullio

Department of Biology

DitullioJ@cofc.edu

"I was born in a small mountain town in Abruzzo. As was typical for all boys and girls of that era, my father had a 5th grade education and my mother a 2nd grade."

Jessica McCoy, Ph.D.

Department of Biology

mccoyja@cofc.edu

"I am the first and only member of my generation to complete a 4-year program. As a first-generation college student, I have had opportunities that my parents could not have imagined. It can be a challenging road, but there are many people who are here to help you along the way."

Kathryn Pedings-Behling

Department of Mathematics

kepeding@cofc.edu

"I was part of the first generation in my family to go away and pursue a college degree. It was hard moving away from my rural community and I often felt lonely and homesick at college. I didn't really know what to expect from college classes because my parents didn't go to college. You belong here!"

Lancie Affonso

Department of Computer Science/ Management and Marketing/ Honors

AffonsoL@cofc.edu

"I am from Tanzania and was the first in my family to attend College. I was able to survive and then thrive at CofC thanks to our amazing peer, staff, and faculty mentors. Excited to Pay it Forward with First Generation Students!"

Michael Janech

Department of Biology

janechmg@cofc.edu

"I was the first in my family to go to college and had to work to pay tuition and books. The orientation I received from my undergrad institution covered none of the information that was most concerning to me such as: What do I need for class? How do I address a professor? Can I talk to a professor? How do I study for a college course? What the heck is an office hour? My grades suffered until my second semester sophomore year when I finally figured it out. It doesn't have to be that way for you."

Christy Landis

LandisC@cofc.edu

"I never thought college would be possible for me even though I was a strong student. My family was low income, food insecure and no one had an undergraduate degree. But I had a teacher in high school who saw my promise and helped me dream a little bigger."

Lancie Affonso

Department of Computer Science/ Management and Marketing/ Honors

AffonsoL@cofc.edu

"I am from Tanzania and was the first in my family to attend College. I was able to survive and then thrive at CofC thanks to our amazing peer, staff, and faculty mentors. Excited to Pay it Forward with First Generation Students!"

Kameelah Martin

Graudate School/African American Studies

martinkl2@cofc.edu

"I had all the encouragement in the world from my family. They were so proud to send me off to college and later, graduate school. But they couldn't help me navigate the world of financial aid, advising, registration, and applying to graduate school. I leaned on my professors and other mentors to fill the gap and move me along the path to a Ph.D."

Ann Almasi-Bush

Office of the Dean of Students

almasibusha@cofc.edu

"Going to college changed my life. My parents did everything they could to impress upon me the importance of getting an education, and fortunately I qualified for loans and grants as my family met all the requirements for high need. Getting involved on campus and interacting with faculty and staff were key to my success in learning how to navigate college. There are so many resources here at CofC to assist you!"

Brandon Mills

Career Center

millsb@cofc.edu

"As the first in my family to attend college, I did not have the knowledge base or resources from my parents' personal experiences when it came to searching for, applying to, and attending college. Figuring it out on my own was hard, but now I get to be a resource for college students that I personally lacked. When I look in the mirror, I see myself as a young college student figuring it out, and no one has it all figured out anyways, and that's okay! Use other first-generation college students and graduates to come together to advocate for, empower, and elevate yourself to be the next best thing – your dreams and aspirations are worth every effort, and I'm here to help you reach them!"

Cat Edler

Center for Disability Services

edlercp@cofc.edu

"I am the youngest of four children and my siblings all went to college -- our parents were not able to help us navigate the application and admission process but instilled in each of us the importance of college. School counselors in high school are more prepared now to assist you in the application process than they were when I was in high school, seek their assistance."

Chrystal Grant

Career Center

cychapma@cofc.edu

"Although coming to CofC from just two hours away, neither of my parents had gone away to college. They were my greatest supporters and encouraged me to make connections with staff on campus which proved to be very beneficial. There were other situations that I had to navigate on my own, but I gained so much strength!"

Maura Woods

Career Center

woodsmm@cofc.edu

"At times, I felt very isolated as a first-generation college student and didn't know what I didn't know - I quickly learned to seek out answers and advocate for myself. I'm hoping to be a resource to students who are feeling overwhelmed or unsure about navigating their own college journey - you are not alone!"

Molly Callahan

Office of the Dean of Students

callahanmj1@cofc.edu

"I was the first person in my family to graduate from college and to pursue and receive a graduate degree. I remember so many times where I only learned how to do something after I'd done it wrong. It was hard to navigate so much by myself, but having supportive advisors and friends helped!"

Talim Lessane

Upward Bound Program

lessaneta@cofc.edu

"Upward Bound is a TRIO program sponsored by the US Dept of Education. TRIO programs in general serve first generation students from middle school through adulthood to improve and enhance college access and awareness."

Aaisha Haykal

Library/Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture

haykalan@cofc.edu

"I was the first in my family to attend a college and there are two things that stick out to me 1) having to explain to my parents that I had to buy books from the bookstore for my classes, as they (and I too), were used to just having the books provided and 2) telling my family about all of the new facts and information that I learned from classes and conversations. I was going to College and taking the classes, but I wanted to educate my family as well about new ideas and to debunk myths. So advice to first gen students, please share what you are learning with your family, they are proud of you and are eager to learn as well."

Des Chandler

The Academic Success and Retention Office

chandlerd@cofc.edu

"I had no idea what professors office hours were and struggled to navigate offices on campus when I first arrived to college. I made sure to make connections with my professors to serve as mentors and frequently asked questions, as my family was unsure how to help me excel as a first-gen student."

Edie Hering

Pre-Health Advising

heringe@cofc.edu

"It was hard being the first one in the family to "move away" and go through the whole four-year academic process. No one was really able to help guide me along the way or help me plan my career path afterwards. It was exciting but also frustrating!"

Kayla Kipps

Addlestone Library

kippskl@cofc.edu

Michelle Eleazer Smith

Institutional Research

SmithM@cofc.edu

"I was the first in my family to attend college. My dad enlisted in the US Air Force at 18 to serve in the military, because he was newly married with his first child (me) on the way. My mom graduated 3rd in her high school class and wanted to go to nursing school but needed to be a stay-at-home mom to support her military husband. My mom was extremely adamant that I do well in high school and go to college. She made me write and sign a small scrap of paper that said "I will go to college." She kept that slip of paper in her wallet until graduation day, when she wrote "THANK YOU!" on it and put it in my graduation card. Even if you don't have someone in your family who knows what to say or how to support you on your collegiate journey, make the promise to yourself and reach out when you do need help."

Parag Desai

Academic Advising and Planning Center

Desaiph@cofc.edu

"I'm consistently reminded that a first-generation college student is sometimes the first and only one to experience the lifestyle and machinations that traditional or legacy students might have experienced all their life. We're trailblazers in this regard. However, being the first and only one in my family to earn a degree puts me at odds not only with the values I grew up with, but in spaces of corporate/managerial orthodoxy I'm met with a "way of being" that is othering even as a natural-born citizen. I've certainly grown more distant to my family as I've grown older and more enmeshed in both academic and professional settings. My father, who never excelled passed the 10^th grade, would tell me when I was younger that "knowledge is power" and that, that is something no one can take away from you. I hope to continue to make my parents proud."

Sara Weddington

Student-Athlete Academic Advisor

weddingtonsr@cofc.edu

"I was the first person in my immediate and distant family to attend college and then obtain a master's degree. It was hard to navigate the process of enrolling and the day to day experiences of a college student."

Carolyna Ramirez

George Street Box Office

ramirezca@cofc.edu

"Being the first to navigate college was hard! There are resources, you just have to know how to find them and use them to your benefit."

John P. Morris

Facilities Management

morrisjp2@cofc.edu

"As the only one in my family to go to university my mother used to say "You're the college student, go figure it out." They did not have first gen programs when I went to the university so I had to do just that. Fortunately for you we have resources to help you along your journey."

Monique Howard

Controller's Office

OwensMT@cofc.edu

"I was first in my family to go away to college."

Ana Montjoy

Office of Financial Assistance and Veteran Affairs

montjoyam@cofc.edu

"I was simply told, "you're smart enough; you'll figure it out" and sent on my way. That applied to everything from the FAFSA, finding schools, learning everything the hard way, and inevitably obtaining my degrees."

Kenyatta Grimmage

Office of Admissions

grimmagekc@cofc.edu

"Being the first in my family to attend and graduate from college made me proud because I immediately became the shoulders for others in my family to stand on."

Taryn Sprankles

Office of Enrollment Information

spranklest@cofc.edu

J.R. Barnhart

CofC Foundation

barnhartjr@cofc.edu

"If you select a challenging major, perform well academically, and work hard for a good job placement your world will change. Your drive to succeed will elevate you above your peers. Just keep outworking everyone else! It will pay off."

Lindsey Copeland

Office of Institutional Advancement

copelandl@cofc.edu

"I was the first in my immediately family to go off to college. I didn't know how to navigate paying for college, what it would be like to live in a dorm, or how to balance finally being on my own for the first time and have to turn in homework! It was a bit of a shock! Finding a support system to navigate even the most basic things is incredibly important, and it was make-or-break for me during my college experience. I am grateful to this day that I had that, and it's heartening to see students today provided with opportunities to find their community."

Suanne Ansari

Accounting and Business Law

ansarism@cofc.edu

"I was the only member of my family to attend college and law school. Because of this I have dealt with imposter syndrome; not feeling like I belong or deserve to be in law school, or practicing law as an attorney. I was a nontraditional student during law school because it was a second career choice for me, and when I began law school I was 30, and I had a three month old baby."

David Dulceany

Department of Hispanic Studies

dulceanyrd@cofc.edu

"I was the first in my family to attend college and from a low income family of immigrants from Romania. So everything from understanding the basics of college, to finding scholarships and financial aid was a serious challenge. I didn't even know entire fields of study existed and everyday I learned something new. I had to figure it all out by myself and work very hard. Thankfully over time I reached out to faculty, staff, and on campus resources that really allowed me to succeed and thrive in undergrad. I'd love to be a resource and mentor for you, the way my professors were for me!"

Dr. Dawn Bagwell

Department of Teacher Education

bagwelldr@cofc.edu

"I was the first (and only person) in my family to attend college. Having been a foreign exchange student in high school, I went to France for undergrad. It was definitely cheaper ($500/year), but it came a steep cultural learning curve. I was not only navigating a new world within academics; I was playing by a set of cultural & linguistic rules I had yet to fully understand."

Eric Villafranca

Supply Chain & Information Management

villafrancaes@cofc.edu

"My parents were descendants of Mexican immigrants that valued hard work but had little money. They never went to high school. I am a first-generation high school and college graduate, and a veteran of the US Air Force. I believe in life-long learning, and I know a lot about gathering the courage to do something different with your life."

Jack DiTullio

Department of Biology

DitullioJ@cofc.edu

"I was born in a small mountain town in Abruzzo. As was typical for all boys and girls of that era, my father had a 5th grade education and my mother a 2nd grade."

Dr. Kris De Welde

Department of Women and Gender Studies

deweldek@cofc.edu

"My parents are Cuban immigrants who finished high school in the US. I was the first in my whole family to attend college. I wasn't very successful at first, but I eventually found mentors and advisors who helped me navigate college and eventually earn my Ph.D."

Lancie Affonso

Department of Computer Science/ Management and Marketing/ Honors

AffonsoL@cofc.edu

"I am from Tanzania and was the first in my family to attend College. I was able to survive and then thrive at CofC thanks to our amazing peer, staff, and faculty mentors. Excited to Pay it Forward with First Generation Students!"

Molly Callahan

Office of the Dean of Students

callahanmj1@cofc.edu

"I was the first person in my family to graduate from college and to pursue and receive a graduate degree. I remember so many times where I only learned how to do something after I'd done it wrong. It was hard to navigate so much by myself, but having supportive advisors and friends helped!"

Chad Gibbs

Jewish Studies Program

gibbsc@cofc.edu

"I come from military background and a blue collar family in which my sisters and I were the first to attend college. That change of path often left us sort of making it up as we went along, so I'm happy to help any First-Gen student looking for advice."

Eric Villafranca

Supply Chain & Information Management

villafrancaes@cofc.edu

"My parents were descendants of Mexican immigrants that valued hard work but had little money. They never went to high school. I am a first-generation high school and college graduate, and a veteran of the US Air Force. I believe in life-long learning, and I know a lot about gathering the courage to do something different with your life."

Michelle Eleazer Smith

Institutional Research

SmithM@cofc.edu

"I was the first in my family to attend college. My dad enlisted in the US Air Force at 18 to serve in the military, because he was newly married with his first child (me) on the way. My mom graduated 3rd in her high school class and wanted to go to nursing school but needed to be a stay-at-home mom to support her military husband. My mom was extremely adamant that I do well in high school and go to college. She made me write and sign a small scrap of paper that said "I will go to college." She kept that slip of paper in her wallet until graduation day, when she wrote "THANK YOU!" on it and put it in my graduation card. Even if you don't have someone in your family who knows what to say or how to support you on your collegiate journey, make the promise to yourself and reach out when you do need help."