Name: Stephanie Auwaerter

Hometown: Charleston, South Carolina, by way of Defiance, Ohio

Education: I have a Master’s in Higher Education Administration from the University of South Carolina and a Bachelor’s of Science in Education and Teaching from Bowling Green State University.

Job title: Director of Orientation, Office of New Student Programs

How long have you worked at the College? 15 years

What are your job responsibilities? The planning and implementation of student and family orientation, coordination of the orientation internship experience for CofC students and working on various projects involving new students.

What do you like most about your job? I love helping students and families join the CofC family and answering their questions about becoming part of the family.

What question do you get asked most in your job, and what’s your typical answer? It depends on the time of year, but right now [in May] it is, “How do I sign up for orientation?” and, “What is my orientation session?”

What’s your favorite location on campus and why? The Cistern, but in the summer, it’s any building with air conditioning. :)

What are your hobbies? Scrapbooking, card making and working on the projects I’ve saved on my Pinterest board.

What personal and/or professional accomplishment are you most proud of? All of the amazing work that the over 200 orientation interns I’ve worked with over the years are doing out in the world.

Name a creative work (book, movie, performance, etc.) you enjoyed recently and why? The Bobby McFerrin and Ranky Tanky concert at the Gaillard Center as part of Charleston Jazz Festival. Ranky Tanky’s music is so great – it will grab at your soul and, in the next song, have you on your feet dancing.

What was your favorite TV show growing up? M.A.S.H.

What’s next on your bucket list? Traveling to England.

What is something your campus colleagues would be surprised to know about you? I was very shy when I was in elementary school. My mom had me try for a children’s theater to help me gain confidence.

What was your first job? Babysitting for kids in our neighborhood. One of the first little girls I babysat for is now a pediatric neurosurgeon!

What’s your favorite Lowcountry restaurant? Rodney Scott’s BBQ.

Describe your perfect day: Breakfast with my daughters and husband at an establishment with great eggs Benedict (I’m still looking for that perfect place in Charleston!), then to the beach with lots of snacks and ending the day sitting by the pool enjoying some of my husband’s great cooking.

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