The College of Charleston is excited to welcome its newest staff members. Whether they’re stepping on campus for the first time or coming home to the College after some time away, these new Cougars bring a lot of experience, talent and enthusiasm to the community. Please welcome these new colleagues (listed alphabetically below) to the Cougar family!
Michael Bommarito, Teaching and Learning Team
Michael Bommarito
Instructional Technologist, Teaching and Learning Team
Background: I grew up in Southern California and earned a B.A. in music (vocal performance) from the University of California Irvine and a master of divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena. After graduate school, where I met my wife, Katie, we moved to Budapest, Hungary, where we worked with a leadership development organization. As country director for CRM, I led an international staff focused on training Hungarians in leadership development, church planting and church revitalization. Both of our sons, Scot and Matthew, were born in Hungary. After 10 years of service in Hungary, we moved to Bismarck, North Dakota, where I led several nonprofit organizations. During this time, I also earned a Ph.D. in teaching and learning higher education from the University of North Dakota. For the last eight years I have served Trinity Bible College and Graduate School as chair of biblical and theological studies, director of online learning, as well as professor and supervisor in their B.A., M.A. and Ph.D. programs.
Interests: My family is my top priority and hobby. We love traveling and have had the opportunity to visit 23 countries on five continents. We also enjoy hitting the slopes together during the winter, especially over the Christmas holidays. More recently I have started to get involved in flying drones as well as running model trains. As a Southern Californian, I love the beach and am excited to be in area where I can enjoy that more regularly.
Taylor Culpepper, Facilities Management
Taylor Culpepper
Project Manager, Building and Equipment Maintenance, Facilities Management
Background: Worked in the private sector for a structural engineering firm that focused only on repairing historic buildings.
Interests: I love to go on walks with my husband, paint and tend to my small garden.
Estee Gabay, Office of the Provost
Estee Gabay ’15
Office Manager, Provost’s Office and the Office of Institutional Effectiveness
Background: A Charleston native, I grew up on Folly Beach, South Carolina, and graduated from the College of Charleston in 2015 with a bachelor of arts degree in arts management and a concentration in the music industry. I completed my internship with Chucktown Music Group the following summer. I then went on to pursue my music career, and self-published two albums of original music as well as several music videos that I either directed or co-directed. In 2018, I accepted a position as the general manager of Palmetto Enterprises Parking Management, where I honed leadership and administrative skills. I am so excited to return to the College, now as a staff member, to support some of the College’s most important processes.
Interests: Music is still my passion, and I will always be creating. We are born artists. Currently, I am working on my third record of original songs, with the help of another CofC alum. I also love painting, craft projects and refinishing furniture in my spare time. I try to make space for curling up with a book regularly. And I love to garden!
Cory Goodwin, Information Technology
Cory Goodwin ’20
IT Service Desk Technician, IT Support Services, Division of Information Technology
Background: I was born and raised in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and attended community college before moving to College of Charleston to finish my degree in computer information systems. Looking for work as a student, I first started working for the IT Service Desk as a student worker, and after graduation found a temporary position before applying for a permanent one.
Interests: For free time, I usually find myself playing video games or watching shows and discussing technology, art and literature with friends, or simply going out and experiencing the world.
Tamara Pradel, Teaching and Learning Team
Tamara Pradel
Instructional Technologist, Teaching and Learning Team
Background: I am originally from New York but grew up on the islands of Anguilla and St. Maarten in the Caribbean, the birthplaces of my mother and father respectively. Prior to coming to the College of Charleston, I worked as an educator in K-12 settings, teaching elementary to college students. I served as the director of technology at the Anguilla Community College before moving to Charleston with my husband and son.
Interests: The most important thing to me is my family. I enjoy any time we can spend together exploring new places. We love traveling.
Carolyna Ramirez, Sottile Theatre
Carolyna Ramirez ’16
Ticketing and Patron Services Manager, Sottile Theatre
Background: I am from North Augusta, South Carolina, and I graduated from the College in May 2016 with a bachelor of arts in arts management and a minor in hospitality and tourism management. I previously worked at the Charleston Gaillard Center as the lead ticket agent and the production administrative assistant.
Interests: I enjoy spending time with my dog, Bear, and my cat Vlad. I enjoy cooking, doing puzzles and traveling with my family.
Ashley Shaver, REACH Program
Ashley Shaver
Career Coordinator, REACH Program
Background: I recently relocated to Charleston from North Carolina, where I served as the local county schools transition counselor for the past 20 years. My role as a transition counselor was helping students transition from school to community by identifying/developing person-centered plans that included job exploration counseling, post-secondary education/training counseling, workforce readiness training and numerous work-based learning experiences/opportunities. Being a bridge for students and helping them set and achieve their personal, career and independent goals enables them to be self-sufficient and secure meaningful careers. I love working with students and I am excited to share my education and experience with the students at the College of Charleston. I received my B.S. in rehabilitation studies and M.S. in rehabilitation counseling/vocational evaluation from East Carolina University in North Carolina.
Interests: I love being outdoors, riding bikes, walking, reading and spending time at the beach.
Looking Forward: I look forward to working with the students, meeting new people and learning about the history and culture here at CofC and the city of Charleston.
