The College of Charleston is excited to introduce its newest staff members to campus.ย Please welcome these new colleagues (listed alphabetically below) to the Cougar family!
Leah Fuda Bridges, Athletics
Leah Fuda Bridges
Assistant Director of Development, Department of Athletics
Background: I am from York, South Carolina. I graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management. After graduation, I moved to Beaufort, South Carolina, where I specialized in marketing and events at a private island club. I then got married to my husband, Sawyer Bridges, who recently started as a volunteer assistant coach for the baseball team here.
Interests: My friends, family and two kitties are so important to me! I have three adorable nephews and one niece who have my heart. I love to read, work out and go to the beach in my free time, and am always up for an adventure!
Looking Forward: I am looking forward to being surrounded by such a beautiful city at work and excited to get to work so closely with the different sports!
Laura Cergol, Libraries
Laura Cergol ’17
Student Employment and Community Service Specialist, College of Charleston Libraries
Background: I was a student at the College of Charleston majoring in communication with a minor in linguistics. I graduated in 2017. After graduation, I spent about three years in specialty coffee, starting as a barista in a local cafe. I eventually became production manager at Springbok Coffee Roasters, overseeing the day-to-day operations of our roasting facility. I worked on every step of the roasting process, from tasting samples to deciding which varieties we would carry, roasting the coffee and delivering it to many cafes and restaurants in the Charleston area. Most recently I worked for one year as a news clerk at The Post and Courier. There I worked on the obituaries, event listings and My Charleston Weekend.
Interests: I love learning about just about anything. I spend a lot of time reading and listening to podcasts. I love language, and right now I’m trying to learn modern Greek. I also spend a lot of time outside, taking care of my plants or seeing what birds I can find. My cat Maeve is very active, and I love playing with her and watching her goof around.
Looking Forward: I’m excited to be able to help students and other library patrons take advantage of everything the College’s libraries have to offer during their time as a student and beyond.
Amanda Clinton, REACH Program
Amanda Clinton
Junior Cohort Support Coordinator, REACH Program
Background: I was raised in Alabama before I joined the U.S. Air Force and left home to serve for six years. During that time, I met my husband and after completing my time in the service, I spent another 10 years following him around the world as a U.S. Marine Corps wife. I have two daughters, one at the University of South Carolina and one a senior at Fort Dorchester High School. When my husband retired from the Marine Corps, we settled here in the Charleston area and I started volunteering and working at our local elementary school. I found that I had a passion for special education, and throughout the next 10 years had a plethora of roles in that discipline. I took that need to serve and spent time working for Easterseals as an early interventionist, and now am going take my need to serve to a new age range.
Interests: My family is my world. I have two daughters and three fur babies. Whatโs spare time? I like to decorate cakes, crochet, travel, read and play with my Cricut.
Looking Forward: Iโm looking forward to being around people who love to learn and expand their minds.
Clarissia Collins, Residence Life
Clarissia Collins
Assistant Director forย Staff Enrichment and Academic Advancement,ย Department of Residence Life
Background: I am a native of Charleston, South Carolina, and a Gullah Geechee binyah. I graduated magna cum laude from Coastal Carolina University, where I earned a bachelor of arts in communication and minored in graphic design, and was awarded “Whoโs Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges” and Resident Assistant of the Year for Housing and Residence Life. I was also inducted into the National Residence Hall Honorary and the National Communication Association’s academic honor society, Lambda Pi Eta.
I hold a master of science in organizational management and leadership from Springfield College, where my capstone project focused on alcoholism in first-year college students. While in graduate school, I was inducted into Pi Gamma Mu, an academic honor society in the social sciences. After graduation I served in diverse roles in housing and residence life, including teaching a first-year experience course to freshmen college students and working as a residence life coordinator in public and private universities.
Looking Forward: I am excited to meet and collaborate with the amazing students, parents, staff and faculty at the College of Charleston.
Grace Vail, Admissions
Grace Vail โ18
Admissions Counselor, Office of Admissions, Division of University Marketing and Enrollment Planning
Background: I graduated from CofC in 2018 and am so excited to now be an admissions counselor here!
Interests: In my spare time I like to go to the beach and attend concerts with my wonderful friends. My hobbies include yoga, barre and most recently Krav Maga.
Looking Forward: I am looking forward to connecting with students and working with the amazing team in the admissions office!
