The College of Charleston family continues to grow with the addition of these new staff members from all across campus. As diverse as their new roles may be, these new employees (listed alphabetically below) have a lot of common interests: eating at new restaurants, going to the beach, spending time with family, playing with their pets and – most importantly – becoming part of the College of Charleston community.
Leona Baird
Leona Baird
Office Manager, Academic Advising and Planning Center
Background: I am from Wilmington, North Carolina. I worked for the University of North Carolina Wilmington in the Housing and Residence Life office prior to relocating to Charleston with my husband. I received my B.S. in business administration from Appalachian State University.
Interests: I love spending time with my family and traveling. I enjoy learning about history and architecture. And of course, trying new restaurants and different foods.
Looking Forward: I am really looking forward to working with the students.
Claudia Chirinos
Claudia Chirinos
Lead Customer Service Representative, Office of the Registrar
Background: I am originally from Arequipa, Peru, by the way of New York and Virginia. Lived in northern Virginia (Springfield, Alexandria) area most of my life. In Virginia, I worked as an executive assistant/office manager for 15 years at Northern Virginia Community College, starting in the President’s Office working under the great John Dever, executive vice president (RIP), and then in the provost office of the Annandale campus under Provosts Barbara Saperstone (retired) and Pamela Hilbert. My best years at NVCC were spent on the Annandale campus, working closely with academic divisions, division administrative assistants, student life and academic deans. Had the privilege to collaborate in the coordination of 10 commencement ceremonies, working directly behind the scenes with dignitaries, faculty, staff, volunteers and students.
Interests: Besides my immediate family, making a difference, even in one person’s life, is very important to me. I believe we all have been put in this world to make an impact. How we decide to do that is our own personal journey. Music, dancing and painting are my hobbies. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my children, going to the beach and hanging with loved ones.
Looking Forward: After arriving to South Carolina (4 years ago, I brought the snow to Charleston), I took time off to gather myself and soak in the transition from Virginia to South Carolina. I could not sit still for too long and returned to work. Found a position in the K-12 school district, but it wasn’t for me. My passion is with higher education. When I was offered the position with the registrar’s office, I was elated and found myself feeling giddy to start. Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit us and shut everything down. To my luck, the hiring process had already been done and I was locked in! I started working for the registrar’s office virtually, and it has been the BEST experience. I work with a GREAT team of individuals with a leader who is collaborative, appreciates our individual talents and abilities and leads by example. I am looking forward to making a difference and an impact in the CofC community, as I did at NVCC. I look forward to opportunities to get involved and work in collaboration with a multitude of members of the CofC community. I am also looking forward to completing my B.S. degree – something I have been working on for quite some time. Being a young mom, and having to put my education on the back burner so early on, it is now my time to complete what I started and lead by example to my children, and show them we can obtain our degrees at any point in our lives. Generational passages carved out for us can have deviations. My journey in life has made me resilient and strong. If I have the opportunity to show even just one person it’s all worth it, I’ve done my job!
Susan Fowler
Susan Fowler
Support Coordinator: Sophomore Cohort, REACH Program
Background: I’m from Hendersonville, North Carolina, and I have been in Charleston since 1997. I worked 17 years as a school psychologist in the surrounding school districts. I spent the last five years at Goose Creek High School in the Berkeley County School District.
Interests: I enjoy reading, assembling puzzles, traveling, watching cooking shows and visiting Disney World as often as possible. I love spending time with my family, including our two daughters, two dogs and two guinea pigs.
Looking Forward: I am really looking forward to working with college-age students on such a beautiful campus and learning how to become an integral part of the REACH team!
Khala Granville
Khala Granville
Dean of Admissions, Office of Admissions
Background: I’m originally from Winchester, Kentucky, a small town on the outskirts of Lexington. I attended the University of Louisville (B.S., Communications, 2008) and also Christian Theological Seminary (M.Div., 2012). Most recently I served Indiana University Bloomington as the senior associate director of admissions for diversity recruitment and outreach. My responsibilities included directing the diversity recruitment initiatives and strategies through close collaborative work with multiple campus partners, as well as community relations and outreach. I served IU Bloomington for seven years and lived in Indiana for 13 years.
Interests: I enjoy playing with my dog, Sophia (Yorkie mix) and attending concerts (Beyonce, Nicki Minaj, Solange, Cardi B, Janet Jackson, Jorja Smith and many, many more). I like to road trip as well. I also enjoy watching 90 Day Fiancé and maintaining my spiritual practices.
Looking Forward: I am looking forward to supporting the enrollment goals of CofC and leading this dynamic team of professionals. Additionally, I hope to facilitate greater collaboration between the Office of Admissions and the campus community. Finally and most importantly, I look forward to continuing to position CofC as a collaborative partner in the Charleston community.
Lauren Hughes
Lauren Hughes
Academic Advisor, Academic Advising and Planning Center
Background: Hometown: Point Pleasant, New Jersey. Worked in the athletics department at Monmouth University in New Jersey for three years before accepting a position with the Penn State football program. Worked as an academic advisor for Penn State football before coming to the College of Charleston in July of 2021. Earned my master’s in student affairs and college counseling in May 2020 (M.S.Ed.).
Interests: Spend time with family and friends, and especially my godson, Jax. I enjoy going to the beach, reading and watching/playing sports.
Looking Forward: I am looking forward to continued learning at the College of Charleston, building new relationships and learning new things.
R.J. Layton
R.J. Layton
Director of Communications and Creative Content, Department of Athletics
Background: I am originally from Indiana where I grew up in a college town at Purdue University and grew up the son of a basketball coach. I fell in love with sports and storytelling quickly and realized I wanted to go into athletic communications for a career. I went to the famous journalism school at the University of Missouri and then had stops in athletics communications offices at The Citadel and Mizzou before arriving at CofC. Most recently, I was the lead communications professional for Mizzou men’s basketball, a team that ranked as high as No. 10 in the country and made the NCAA Tournament a season ago.
Interests: I am a big foodie who enjoys any and all cuisines and exploring new places. I also love being outdoors, whether it’s at the beach or out walking a nature trail. I have a pair of cats, too, who are hilarious and keep us entertained with all their personality.
Looking Forward: The culture and the people. Everyone seems to be so kind and driven toward helping students and, in my case, student-athletes, and that’s what we’re here for at the end of the day: to give them the best experience possible and set them up for success beyond CofC.
Morgan Long
Morgan Long
Assistant Director of Annual Leadership Giving, Division of Institutional Advancement
Background: Before coming to the College of Charleston, I worked at the Georgia Institute of Technology Alumni Association as the student philanthropy coordinator. I am originally from Ohio and graduated from The Ohio State University with my bachelor’s degree and Bowling Green State University with my master’s degree.
Interests: In my spare time, I spend time with my family, swimming in our pool, going to the library, walking the dog and baking badly.
Looking Forward: I’m looking forward to meeting everyone and making a difference here in Charleston.
Victor Ruiz
Victor Ruiz
Instructional Technologist, Teaching and Learning Team
Background: I am from the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania. I earned my undergraduate degree in special education from East Stroudsburg University, and my master’s degree in instructional technology from Stockton University. Before the College of Charleston, I was an elementary and middle school technology teacher and also supported teachers in their uses of educational technology in their classrooms.
Interests: In my spare time I enjoy being being outdoors kayaking, staying active, coaching soccer and attending sporting events of all kinds. I am an avid fan of the New York Jets and Manchester United.
Looking Forward: I am looking forward to playing an integral role in the success of supporting faculty members in their utilization of technology in an educational setting, and working closely with a group of established professionals on the Teaching and Learning Team.
Karla Wagner
Karla Wagner
Office Manager, Student Health Services
Background: I’m originally from New Hampshire. I moved to Charleston six years ago to partner with another family to open a small local business. Over the past three years I have worked in a privately owned specialty medical practice.
Interests: The most important thing to me is my family. I have two adult daughters who both live in Charleston. In my spare time I enjoy reading, walking on the beach and spending time with my brand-new grandson. My husband and I love to travel and explore new places.
Looking Forward: I am looking forward to a positive and happy work environment with co-workers and students. I will enjoy the many different aspects of this role, and the opportunity to learn each day.
Jennifer Wilson
Jennifer Wilson
Assistant Director of Scholarships and Donor Relations, Division of Institutional Advancement
Background: I am originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I graduated from the College of Charleston in 2012 with a double major in English and art history. I also received my Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina in 2019. Before accepting my position at CofC, I was a grants coordinator for the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs at the Medical University of South Carolina.
Interests: I enjoy reading and writing and have recently become an avid birdwatcher. On weekends, my husband and I like to visit local thrift shops and take walks on the beach to look for shark teeth.
Looking Forward: I am looking forward to returning to my alma mater. I had such a great experience attending CofC as an undergraduate. Through my work, I hope to give current students a similarly positive experience.
