The College of Charleston is excited to introduce some of its newest staff members to campus. Please welcome these new colleagues (listed alphabetically below) to the Cougar family!
Ghadir Abuein, Academic Experience
Ghadir Abuein
Office Manager, Office for the Academic Experience
Background: I am Palestinian American from Jerusalem. I have a bachelor’s in translation and a minor in English literature and started my master’s this fall in higher education leadership. Before coming to CofC, I worked as a supervisor at World Market Cost Plus, but I have many years of experience as an administrative assistant and office manger from previous positions in Dubai and Jerusalem prior to coming to the USA.
Interests: I enjoy walking at the beach and county parks.
Looking Forward: I’m looking forward to being able to build connections and gain knowledge in the higher education system to better help and assist our students. So happy to be a part of the CofC family.
Ann Almasi-Bush, Dean of Students
Ann Almasi-Bush
Associate Vice President for Student Well-Being and Dean of Students, Division of Student Affairs
Background: Previously I was assistant vice president for student life, dean of students and Title IX coordinator for Aurora University, located in Aurora, Illinois.
Interests: In my spare time I love spending time outdoors (especially at the beach) with my husband and our three husky dogs! I also really love designing – specifically, floral design. I am excited to be training for my second half marathon soon, as well.
Looking Forward: I am so excited to get to know the people at the College of Charleston – the students, faculty and staff! I can’t wait to help guide students to the great resources the College has and to help them succeed in their journey here.
Tate Blanton, Alumni Affairs
Tate Blanton
Director of Annual Giving, Office of Alumni Affairs
Background: I moved to Charleston with my wife from Wichita, Kansas, where I served as the director of alumni programs for my alma mater, Wichita State University, for six years. There I oversaw our major alumni events such as Alumni Awards, Homecoming and Reunion Weekend and developed new initiatives with partner organizations. Prior to working at Wichita State, I worked in marketing and brand management. I graduated in 2013 with a degree in communications, with an emphasis in integrated marketing.
Interests: I enjoy spending my free time with our dogs and friends. You can often find us at a local brewery, at a RiverDogs game or on the water. I’m learning how to home brew, but am just starting to figure things out. I also enjoy sports, both participating and watching. At our house we cheer for the Kansas City Chiefs, but for college football we bleed orange … for Oklahoma State, my wife’s alma mater. Other than that, I always like to try new food, shows or anything Charleston has to offer!
Looking Forward: I’m excited to work for a new group of alumni and to learn about the traditions and stories that they share with the university. Being able to work in a new environment with fresh eyes will be an exciting opportunity to grow with the College and hopefully share some successful programs from the Midwest.
India Ballard, School of Sciences and Mathematics
India Ballard
Director of Recruiting and Outreach, School of Sciences and Mathematics
Background: I am from Saint Matthews, South Carolina. I have a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Master of Science in Biotechnology. I am currently an adjunct professor of biology at Denmark Technical College. Previously, while living in Tennessee, I taught biology to nursing students at my alma mater, Claflin University, and at a top-ranked private school in South Carolina.
Interests: I enjoy spending time with my husband and our two dogs: Chief – a mini labradoodle – and Charlotte – a full goldendoodle. I also enjoy traveling, the beach, attending Atlanta Braves games, escape rooms and just spending quality time with family and friends.
Looking Forward: I am looking forward to connecting with students and encouraging them to choose the College of Charleston as they begin their collegiate academic journey to success.
Danielle Brown, Athletics
Danielle Brown
Academic Coordinator, Department of Athletics
Background: I am from Yorktown, Virginia, and recently moved to the Charleston area. I recently graduated with my B.S. in Sport and Entertainment Management and my master’s in hospitality and tourism management from the University of South Carolina. Over the summer, I worked at Hampton University, assisting in their transition into the CAA conference.
Interests: In my spare time, I love being with my friends and family, going to the beach, attending any sporting event and exploring Charleston with my friends.
Looking Forward: I am excited to be working with my amazing S.A.A.S. team and our student-athletes. I want to help guide and assist their professional, academic, athletic and personal lives.
Victoria Drohan, Disability Services
Victoria Drohan ’14
Access Specialist, Center for Disability Services
Background: I am originally from Atlanta. I graduated from the College of Charleston in 2014 with my B.S. in Psychology, and from Boston College in 2019 with my master of social work. I’ve dedicated my career to working with children, youth and college students in schools, hospitals and higher education settings, most recently having worked at AccessAbility as a transition specialist.
Interests: I recently got married and have a kitten named Grace. In my free time, I love trying new restaurants and exploring all Charleston has to offer.
Looking Forward: I’m most excited to work with the students because I utilized the same disability services as a student at the College.
Kim Furlong, Health and Human Performance
Kim Furlong
Assistant to the Dean, Department of Health and Human Performance
Background: I am relocating from Ohio. I have also lived in London, England, and Geneva, Switzerland. My background is sales and marketing for P&G as well as several other companies, including most recently a private high school in Akron, Ohio.
Interests: I enjoy traveling, volunteering, shopping, reading and spending quality time with family, friends and my two Bichon Frise dogs.
Looking Forward: I am excited to experience living and working in a different part of the country (especially from December–March), meeting new people, bringing my skill set to this office and working in a college versus a high school.
Savetria Hamilton, Computer Science
Savetria Hamilton
Administrative and Communications Assistant, Department of Computer Science
Background: I am from southern Charleston County. An alumna of Baptist Hill High School (Hollywood, S.C.) and Morris College (Sumter, S.C.), I am a former administrative assistant II for the City of Charleston’s Fire Department HQ location. I have two children: son, Isaiah, and daughter, Kenyanah.
Interests: My children are most important to me – and making memories with my family. I enjoy listening to music, meditation, traveling and shopping.
Looking Forward: I look forward to serving the students and making a positive impact on them throughout their college careers. I also look forward to working with my peers and supporting them in any way I can.
Laura Lewin, Residence Life
Laura Hankin Lewin
Residence Hall Director, Department of Residence Life
Background: Hello! I am so excited to join the residence life team at the College of Charleston! I am originally from New York, but have been living in Charlotte, North Carolina, for the past 20+ years. I have three children who will all be in college this year, and instead of becoming an empty nester, I decided to change careers from working as a high school counselor and career development coordinator to working in residence life! I worked in residence life while I was in college and graduate school, and I am so excited to be back!
Interests: I love to spend time with my family, go for walks with friends and exercise at Orange Theory. I also love to travel and explore new cities.
Looking Forward: I’m excited about meeting and supporting all of the amazing students, RAs and members of the CofC community. And exploring Charleston!
Macey Nitchie, University Marketing
Macey Nitchie
Social Media Coordinator, Office of University Marketing
Background: I am from Forest Hill, Maryland, and attended Frostburg State University where I studied mass communication and later obtained my master’s degree from Lock Haven University in Pennsylvania. After college, I was a communications coordinator at Stevenson University in the athletics department. Two years later, I made the move to Charleston, South Carolina, and worked as a communications assistant out on Kiawah Island.
Interests: I have a lot of hobbies I like to keep up with! I was a student-athlete in college, so keeping up with my love for swimming is very important to me! You can find me doing pretty much anything involving water: swimming laps at the Martin Luther King Jr. Pool downtown, surfing on Folly Beach or relaxing on the beach with my sisters. I also enjoy skateboarding, rollerblading, biking and taking long walks downtown to explore more of Charleston!
Looking Forward: First I am looking forward to being back on a college campus and taking in this exciting environment! I am most looking forward to connecting with students through social media (and in person!) to build relationships with the student population and share their experiences, stories and everything amazing CofC has to offer!
Johanna Ramirez, Public Safety
Johanna Ramirez
Law Enforcement Dispatcher, Department of Public Safety
Background: I’m originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, and moved to Charleston in January 2019. I previously was a 911 telecommunicator for Dorchester County.
Interests: I love spending time with my family, hosting dinner and game nights, and playing the ukulele.
Looking Forward: I’m excited about getting to be a part of a close-knit agency and learning about this historic college in the heart of the city I live in!
Bert Schewel, Faculty Senate
Bert Schewel ’14
Faculty Secretariat and Academic Counselor, Faculty Senate
Background: I grew up in Lynchburg, Virginia, before attending the College of Charleston. I completed my B.A. in Classical Studies in 2014, before I began work on my Ph.D. in Classical Studies at Fordham University. I moved back to Charleston in 2022.
Interests: I enjoy traveling, hiking, doing puzzles and trying new and exciting foods.
Looking Forward: I’m excited about giving back to my alma mater and working in an academic environment.
Naomi Simmons, Gender and Sexuality Equity Center
Naomi Simmons
Director, Gender and Sexuality Equity Center, Division of Student Affairs
Background: I’m originally from Northeastern Pennsylvania but have been in South Carolina for over 16 years. Before coming to CofC, I was an associate professor of sociology at Newberry College.
Interests: I am passionate about all aspects of social justice and am active in a number of community organizations working to address barriers faced by marginalized groups. I also love to read, listen to audiobooks, play my violin and spend time outdoors with my family.
Looking Forward: I’m so excited to meet and work with our amazing students to create spaces and programs that promote belonging and inclusion!
Emily Smith, Academic Advising and Planning Center
Emily Smith
Academic Advisor, Academic Advising and Planning Center
Background: I’m from Tomball, Texas, a smaller town outside of Houston. I worked at a spa before coming here, but I worked in athletics and academics before then.
Interests: I love hiking (and wish S.C. had a few more mountains sometimes!). In my spare time, I love trying new foods and hanging out with my dog.
Looking Forward: I’m looking forward to working with such a great team!
