The College of Charleston family continues to grow with the addition of these new staff members from all across campus. With backgrounds in everything from landscaping to theater production and interests in everything from speed skating to party planning, these individuals (listed alphabetically below) bring a lot to the Cougar community!
Paul Andrade
Paul Andrade
Assistant Groundskeeper Supervisor, Grounds Department
Background: Originally from Connecticut and have lived in South Carolina for seven years. Before coming to the College of Charleston, I worked in the landscaping construction field and have been in the landscaping industry for 15 years.
Interests: I have a wife and two children. I enjoy carpentry, refurbishing furniture and cars. I like to spend time with family and going to car shows.
Looking Ahead: Looking forward to working on a beautiful and historical campus.
Lauren Baldrick
Lauren Baldrick
Assistant Director of Data Integrity in the Office of Enrollment Information, Office of Admissions
Background: I’m from James Island/Charleston, S.C., and previously I worked at GameStop as a back-up manager.
Interests: I like to play video games, write and speed skate.
Looking ahead: I am looking forward to ensuring good data quality for the College.
Lizz Biswell
Lizz Biswell ’08
Associate Director, Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art
Background: Originally from Orangeburg, S.C., I earned a B.A. in art history from the College of Charleston in December 2008. After an internship with the Halsey Institute, I was hired as a temporary employee to design the education programs for the museum. I served in increasingly more responsible roles over the following six years before leaving the College (and the U.S.) to earn a master’s in art museum and gallery studies, with distinction, at the University of Leicester in England. I returned to the Halsey Institute in July 2017 as a temporary employee again as the manager of outreach and engagement.
Interests: I like to read, travel, attend art events around town, frequent thrift stores and play Dungeons and Dragons.
Looking Ahead: I am excited to be a permanent employee now! I look forward to continuing my work with our CofC community to recognize and build upon the integration of our exhibitions and programming into the academic and recreational fabric of our College community and city!
Amber Bollinger
Amber Bollinger
Assistant Director for Advising and Development, Academic Advising and Planning Center
Background: As a born and raised Tennessean, I have spent my life in the Volunteer State. I am a two-time graduate of Middle Tennessee State University and have spent the last five years serving the students in the Jones College of Business as an academic advisor at MTSU. I am a certified Dale Carnegie instructor and have taught the Dale Carnegie course, Effective Communications and Human Relations, for three years. In addition, I am actively involved in NACADA, the professional organization for advising. Through my involvement, I have served on the Advising Business Majors Community Steering Committee and have presented at many conferences, including the 2018 and 2019 NACADA International conferences held in Dublin, Ireland, and Hasselt, Belgium, respectively.
Interests: In my free time, I enjoy exploring new things and spending time with family. I have two young boys, 9 and 3. Keeping up with them takes up most of my time! My husband and I are looking forward to learning the area. We are excited to explore the Lowcountry and see all it has to offer.
Looking Ahead: I am looking forward to the opportunity to grow professionally in my new role at an institute that is so rich in history and culture.
Molly Callahan
Molly Jean Callahan
Student Support Coordinator and Office Manager in the Office of the Dean of Students, Division of Student Affairs
Background: I am originally from Summerville, S.C., and grew up in the Lowcountry. I graduated this May from Clemson University with my M.Ed. in counselor education (student affairs). I worked for two years as a graduate community director in Clemson’s Office of University Housing & Dining and interned in a few different offices, including Transfer Academic Programs and Health Professions Advising. Prior to Clemson, I attended the University of South Carolina for my undergraduate degree.
Interests: I am an avid reader and crafter. I like tackling new creative projects, like knitting, painting and wood burning. I also recently became a cat mom, so she loves being the center of attention. I’m excited to be back in the Lowcountry and spend time with my family.
Looking Ahead: I’m excited to get to know the students, meet new colleagues and learn more about some of the traditions at the College of Charleston.
Kelly Gunn
Kelly Gunn
Administrative Assistant, School of Education, Health, and Human Performance
Background: I’m from Annapolis, Maryland, and I went to school in Virginia. I attended James Madison University, where I received my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in elementary education. After graduating, I received a Fulbright award to teach English in Romania for a year! Upon returning to the U.S., I moved to Charleston and substitute taught before working at the College of Charleston.
Interests: I have a wiener dog named Penny, who I love – we love to take walks on the beach and go to dog parks like the Barrell! I also love yoga and I’ve got the travel bug!
Looking Ahead: I’m excited to be working with open-minded people who are passionate about education.
Andrew Harlow
Andrew Harlow ’15
Admissions Counselor, Office of Admissions
Background: I am from Greenwood, S.C. I graduated from CofC in 2015 with a B.A. in arts management. For the past four years, I have been living in Orlando and working at the Walt Disney World Resort in a variety of roles, with the most recent being research marketing.
Interests: I enjoy traveling and seeing new sights. I am a rollercoaster and theme park enthusiast, and a lover of animals, music and tacos!
Looking Ahead: I am looking forward most to being back on a college campus and “making magic” for prospective students.
Shannon Horn
Shannon Horn
Operations Coordinator and Office Manager, Department of Theatre and Dance
Background: For the past 25 years I have been a teacher in both public and private schools. Most recently, I taught middle school and high school theatre at Pinewood Preparatory School and was the founder of the Pinewood Stage Company. I attended Nebraska Wesleyan University where I received my B.A. in music performance and K-12 education. In addition, I completed my M.A. in theatre production from Central Washington University.
Interests: Doing things for and attending theatre are my biggest hobbies. I always tell people I have a New York City/Broadway problem. I serve on several state theatre boards and a national arts advocacy board. In addition, I teach classes and direct shows at the Footlight Players in downtown Charleston. When I am not involved with a production, I adore spending time with my family and traveling.
Looking Ahead: I am looking forward to helping to continue the tradition of excellence at CofC and working with the incredible faculty and students of the theatre and dance department.
Michelle Mullins
Michelle Mullins
Assistant Director, Integrated Marketing Strategy for Annual Giving Programs, Division of Institutional Advancement
Background: I am from Leesburg, Virginia (northern Virginia, about an hour from D.C.). I graduated from James Madison University with a degree in marketing. During my time at JMU, I was a resident advisor, tour guide and an intern for JMU’s communications and marketing department. Before I joined the annual giving team at CofC, I worked in account management at a direct-mail fundraising agency.
Interests: I enjoy playing tennis, hanging out with my friends and family, listening to music, reading and traveling. As a new resident of Charleston, I am very excited to explore the city and spend more time at the beach!
Looking Ahead: I am looking forward to being a part of the wonderful community at CofC. The energy on campus is special, and there are a vast amount of opportunities here to learn and grow. I am excited to celebrate the history of the College with its upcoming 250th anniversary, as well as look towards the future and focus on how we can continue to shape outstanding students and enrich the Charleston community.
Mike Parrish
Mike Parrish
Receivables Manager and Perkins Loan Specialist, Treasurer’s Office
Background: I grew up in Summerville, South Carolina, and settled in Charleston after graduating from Winthrop University. I have been helping college students in the areas of financial aid and admissions for many years, highlighted by being the director of student financial services at Johnson & Wales University and helping the Charleston School of Law become eligible for federal financial aid and veterans benefits and creating the financial aid office as their first director of financial aid. Before joining the Treasurer’s Office at CofC, I was assistant director of admissions at the Art Institute of Charleston.
Interests: My faith is most important to me and it drives me to try to put others first and help people, whether they are students in college, people in our community or on international mission trips. I love to sing. I enjoy all sports, especially football, and love to support my two sons when they play soccer, football and baseball.
Looking Ahead: I am looking forward to making a difference in the lives of students and former students through my work in the Treasurer’s Office. It sounds cliché, but it just makes me happy to guide and assist others. I am joining a hardworking and interesting team, so I just want to make our group even better!
Lindsey Pierz
Lindsey Pierz ’17
Event Coordinator, School of Business
Background: Originally from Connecticut, I came to Charleston for school and graduated from CofC in 2017. After graduating, I stayed in Charleston and served a year as an AmeriCorps VISTA and worked as the events and development coordinator at a local nonprofit.
Interests: I love spending time outside with my dog and exploring Charleston’s food scene.
Looking Ahead: Giving back to my alma mater and having great events at the School of Business!
Kasey Read
Kasey Read
Office Manager, Center for Student Learning
Background: I am from Starkville, Mississippi, which is home to Mississippi State University. Before relocating to Charleston, I have held administrative roles in retail, nonprofit and educational roles. My favorite position has been helping students achieve educational success.
Interests: It is important to me that everyone find their purpose in life. In my spare time, I enjoy antique shopping, painting and traveling.
Looking Ahead: In this position, I am most looking forward to assisting students in connecting them with their peers. I am also looking forward to being an aid in helping students achieve their goals for their field of study.
Jennifer Schneider
Jennifer Schneider
Administrative Assistant, Department of Studio Art
Background: Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, raised in Miami, Florida. Lived in Beaumont, Texas, for six years, where I worked with the Office of Student Engagement at Lamar University.
Interests: Happily married to Coach Randy Schneider of CofC’s women’s basketball team, and have a daughter Taylor. My family is the utmost important aspect of my life. Spending time with my daughter and husband is my favorite pastime. When not enjoying time with family, I have pursued hobbies and business ventures involved in the arts. From cake designing to party planning: Using my creativity has always been something I thoroughly enjoyed.
Looking Ahead: Although I enjoyed working in student engagement at Lamar University, being able to mentor young adults was very rewarding, and I would love to continue to do so when able. Along with being able to work in an artistic environment at a prestigious institution that promotes the fine arts, I look forward to assisting the art department in any way possible.
Iesha Steele
Iesha Steele
Admissions Counselor, Office of Admissions
Background: I am from Rock Hill, S.C. I have been working for the College of Charleston a year now as an admissions counselor and am transitioning into a permanent position. Before CofC, I was at my alma mater Clemson University, where I served as an orientation coordinator in the international services office.
Interests: I am a big movie fanatic. I love watching movies. I also like to read and paint.
Looking Ahead: I am looking forward to helping bring in the next class of CofC students!
Keep your eyes out for an introduction to the newest CofC faculty members, coming soon!
