The College of Charleston family continues to grow with the addition of these new staff members from across campus. With backgrounds in everything from building restoration to building businesses – and interests in everything from collecting soda bottles to playing the theremin – these new employees (listed alphabetically below) are excited to be on campus and to meet the faculty, staff and students who make this place great. Welcome to the College!
Erik Borglund, Carpenter Shop
Erik Borglund
Carpenter, Carpenter Shop
Background: I’m a native of Jupiter, Florida. In addition to having an A.S. degree in building preservation/restoration from Belmont College in St. Clairsville, Ohio, I’ve been working as a restoration carpenter in Charleston for 10 years.
Interests: My hobbies include collecting Charleston soda bottles, license plates, porcelain signs and Japanese WWII items.
Looking Forward: I’m looking forward to helping maintain the structures that keep the charm of the College of Charleston what it is.
Debby Marindin, Teaching and Learning Team/School of Professional Studies
Debby Marindin
Instructional Technologist, Teaching and Learning Team; Program Coordinator and Adjunct Faculty for Applied Communication and Project Management, School of Professional Studies
Background: Until recently, I was a consultant helping develop business solutions and assisting with organizational development for a diverse range of organizations. Prior to that, I worked as a training director at CompUSA, Montgomery College and Trident Technical College and as a communication specialist in corporate communications at MCI Communications Headquarters. As an undergraduate, I studied communications and English with a specialty in pre-law, and I graduated summa cum laude from the University of Maryland with a master’s of science in business management and marketing. I’m a member of the honor society, Phi Kappa Phi, and hold several licenses and certifications in a variety of very diverse areas (e.g., PMP, CPP, LMSSGB, HACCP, MOUS, AET, etc.).
Interests: I enjoy learning new things and volunteering in the community, including serving as vice president on the Board of PMI Charleston Chapter and as a parent volunteer for the Charleston County School of the Arts. I’ve also volunteered as a cheerleading coach for the Mount Pleasant Recreational Department (Moultrie Middle School Team), a foster parent for kittens for the Charleston Animal Society and a Girl Scouts leader. I’m a member of the British Car Club of Charleston and love hosting game nights with friends attending live theater and music performances. I also enjoy creating new recipes, any kind of art and craft cocktails. Travel with family, when time allows, also tops my list. I have three children (28, 25 and 17), a husband, three cats and a tank full of fish. I pride myself as a being a lifelong learner and am currently pursuing a doctor of education in educational technology/learning design and technologies.
Looking Forward: I am looking forward to getting to know all the amazing faculty and staff at CofC! I am so excited about this opportunity and hope to be a great resource to the faculty and staff at the College of Charleston.
Alea McKinley, Teaching and Learning Team
Stacy (Alea) McKinley ’02
Instructional Technologist, Teaching and Learning Team
Background: I grew up on St. Simons Island, Georgia, and went to the College of Charleston for my undergrad degree in theatre. After interning and working at Steppenwolf Theatre Company and Second City Chicago, I was inspired to get my M.Ed. in secondary education from DePaul University. I’ve worked as an English and theatre teacher for the last 12 years.
Interests: I love yoga, bicycling, curling up with a book and attempting to play theremin and accordion.
Looking Forward: I loved the TLT staff the moment I met them and can’t wait to be a part of the group. I am honored to be matched with the School of the Arts. I’m stoked to work with some of my professors from undergrad.
Elias Shaffer, Public Safety
Elias Shaffer
Public Safety Officer, Department of Public Safety
Background: I’m from Pennsylvania! In Pennsylvania, I worked as a Pennsylvania state constable serving warrants throughout the state, and a county 911 supervisor serving 100,000 people, 14 police departments and 52 fire stations.
Interests: I like to spend time with my wife, play video games, explore and try news things.
Looking Forward: I look forward to getting to know and connecting with the students/staff, as well as spending time in this beautiful, much warmer and less snowy state!
Madeline Young, Division of University Marketing and Enrollment Planning
Madeline Young
Director of Social Media, Division of University Marketing and Enrollment Planning
Background: Prior to coming to Charleston, I was the director of marketing and communications for the Greater Naples Chamber. Originally from Michigan, I moved to Naples in 2017. I graduated with a dual degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, earning a B.A. in communications and a B.A. in art and design. During my time at U of M, I was a member of the Michigan Marching Band and lived in Paris for six months in 2013. Prior to my role at the Naples Chamber, I worked as a graphic designer for Henry Ford Health System and Quicken Loans in the Metro Detroit area and I was the lead graphic designer for the agency, Seventh Street Studios. When living in Naples, I volunteered for Girls on the Run of SWFL, was a board member for the Public Relations Society of America Gulf Coast Chapter and was a 2018 graduate of the leadership program Growing Associates in Naples.
Interests: My health and family are important to me. Right now I am training for a half Ironman in August, so I spend a lot of my free time running, biking and swimming. It’s fun because I get to meet a lot of new people through activity and explore new places on foot or on wheels. I also enjoy spending time with my family. My siblings and parents live in different states, so this past fall we went to India for a family trip which was a new and exciting experience to share together. My boyfriend and I also love to explore new restaurants and cooking ingredients. You’ll often find us at an up and coming restaurant or trying to cook something fresh in the kitchen.
