The College of Charleston is excited to welcome its newest employees to the Cougar family! 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 College of Charleston family!
Diane Alvarez, Institutional Diversity
Diane Alvarez
Director of Diversity Education and Training, Office of Institutional Diversity
Background: I have had three career interests in life: 1) diversity in academia, 2) paramedicine and 3) K9 search and rescue. All three have underscored my passion: to problem solve issues regarding diversity, equity or inclusion, as well as the ethics of caring (i.e., supporting others toward their life dreams or in their time of need, such as a health care emergency or natural disaster).
Interests: I believe it is important to surround yourself with family and friends who help you love, laugh, cheer you on in life, and help you appreciate diversity in our world. In my spare time, I enjoy the cultural arts, cooking shows and Zumba classes!
Looking Forward: I look forward to overseeing the design, development and implementation of campuswide education and training initiatives across a broad range of diversity, equity and inclusion topics to supporting a compassionate college community.
Kristina Harrel, Athletics
Kristina Harrel
Assistant Director of Development, Department of Athletics
Background: I am from Clinton, New Jersey. I played basketball at Roanoke College and graduated with a double major in sport management and Spanish. I am coming to the College of Charleston from Virginia Tech, where I worked as a special events coordinator in the Advancement Division.
Interests: I enjoy spending time with my family, boyfriend and friends. I enjoy going to the gym and playing golf. I like to play pickup basketball or just shoot hoops by myself.
Looking Forward: I am looking forward to developing relationships with everyone and taking on a new role!
Anne Jackson, Student Affairs
Anne Jackson
Neighborhood Relations Coordinator, Office of the Dean of Students, Student Affairs
Background: I am from Columbia, South Carolina, and I was living in Charlotte, North Carolina, before coming here. I was an assistant ESL teacher in Charlotte, where I assisted 9th and 10th graders in their math and science classes.
Interests: I love to sing. I grew up in a church choir, and I plan on joining a choir here. I also used to dance, and I still love going to the ballet. Finally, I absolutely love to travel. I have extensive travel experience. I speak French and a little bit of Russian, and I hope to be able to travel my whole life.
Looking Forward: I am looking forward to getting to know people within the community. I am also excited about learning and growing in general within this position.
George Johnson, Marketing and Communications
George Johnson
Executive Director of Strategic Communications, Office of Marketing and Communications
Background: I’m from Baltimore, Maryland. I was assistant vice president of communications and marketing at Claflin University (Sept. 2016–Jan. 2024), director of integrated marketing and public relations at Oakwood University (Jan. 2014–Sept. 2016), and communication director for Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America (Nov. 2010–Jan. 2014). I’m an accomplished communications and marketing professional with 26 years of experience and have worked in the areas of corporate communications, crisis communications, magazine publishing and higher education. I authored a book titled, Media Outreach: How to Get Your Stories in the Media, which serves as a valuable training guide for communication leaders, and showcases my dedication to effective communication and outreach. I hold a bachelor’s degree in communication (Washington Adventist University), a strategic public relations and integrated communications certificate (Towson University) and a master’s degree in education (Claflin University). Beyond my career, I am a dedicated family man with a loving wife and two sons (a senior at Berkeley Middle College High in Moncks Corner, S.C., and a junior at Stevenson University in Owings Mills, Md.).
Interests: Currently, I am the president of the Xi Phi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. (Summerville, S.C.). Since 2017, I have served as the communication director for the South Carolina Chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. While living in Huntsville, Alabama, I used to play on a co-ed citywide volleyball team.
Looking Forward: I’ve lived in South Carolina for going on eight years now. I know little about Charleston and look forward to learning and experiencing more of the city while working at CofC and how CofC has influenced the growth of Charleston.
Wendy Koreyva, Business Affairs
Wendy Koreyva
Internal Auditor, Division of Business Affairs
Background: I moved to South Carolina from Manasquan, New Jersey, in 2020. I hold a bachelor of science degree in accountancy from the College of New Jersey and I am a licensed certified public accountant. I began my career as an auditor for KPMG in Princeton, New Jersey, where I specialized in auditing institutions of higher education in both the private and public sectors. I later served as the assistant controller at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey, followed by comptroller of the Jewish Community Centers of the Delaware Valley located in Ewing, New Jersey. I also have experience as an income tax preparer and as a meditation teacher and small business owner in the wellness industry.
Interests: I love spending time with my family, friends and pets. I enjoy travel, hiking, meditation retreats, painting, days at the beach, cooking and fine dining.
Looking Forward: I am excited and proud to be joining the College of Charleston community and I am looking forward to supporting the College administration and Board of Trustees in my new role an internal auditor.
David Merkel, International Studies
David Merkel
Adjunct Faculty, Department of International and Intercultural Studies
Background: I previously served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian affairs in the U.S. Department of State, a director on the National Security Council as well as deputy assistant secretary of the U.S. Treasury Department, senior professional staff on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee and senior foreign and defense policy advisor for the U.S. House Leadership. I have lived and worked in Africa, Asia and Europe. I was an associate fellow with IISS, as well as a nonresident senior fellow with the Atlantic Council and Johns Hopkins SAIS. My expertise is in great power competition, U.S. foreign policy, Russia, Europe, Asia and the geopolitics of energy.
Interests: I enjoy travel and reading.
Looking Forward: I look forward to exploring the arena, players and challenges of today and providing the students with an opportunity to understand the competition between great powers, their interests and the interests of the countries of the Global South Plus and the challenge of cooperation and preventing large-scale war.
Meg Skow, Teacher Education
Meg Skow ’82
Adjunct Faculty, Department of Teacher Education
Background: My educational background includes a B.A. in fine arts from the College of Charleston; gifted education endorsement from the Charleston Southern University; national board certification in art/early adolescence through young adulthood; and postgraduate coursework at The Citadel, University of South Carolina, Charleston Southern University and College of Charleston. I taught art in Dorchester District 2 for 39 years (14 years at the elementary level and 25 years at Rollings Middle School of the Arts). I’m am an active member in SCAEA and NAEA (professional art ed organizations). I have taken students on tours of Europe since 2014. This trips are so impactful and meaningful for my travelers and me. My expertise is in arts, culture and learning styles.
Interests: Art and travel are passions of mine. I enjoy painting, drawing, sculpting and photography. I also enjoy traveling and exploring cultures of other countries – leading groups, or alone.
Looking Forward: I am excited about showing students that understanding and using the arts in integrated instruction is valuable. Learning by actually making art and performing is fun! Making connections among the arts and other disciplines makes the learning more engaging and lasting.
Lynn Smith, Counseling Center
Lynn Smith
Counselor, Counseling Center
Background: I have lived in Charleston for 24 years. Before coming to the College of Charleston, I was a high school English teacher, a local business owner and a research coordinator in pediatric epidemiology at MUSC. I have been a volunteer community health worker in Charleston for the past 12 years and have a passion for conservation and ecology.
Interests: In my spare time, I read, write, travel and spend time with my family and friends. I am passionate about my work and strive to make a difference both in the lives of others and in the Earth we share.
Looking Forward: I look forward to working in an ever-changing environment where new ideas are considered and actions are taken for the betterment of all.
