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: playing with their dogs, trying new foods, going to the beach, watching sports, reading, photography and – most importantly – helping the College of Charleston reach its goals and be the best it can be!
Brittany Burroughs, Student Life
Brittany Burroughs
Assistant Director of Student Programming and Student Media, Office of Student Life
Background: I received my bachelor of arts degree in political science from Coker College in Hartsville, S.C., and then went on to pursue my master’s degree in higher education at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, where I also served as a residence coordinator. While in this role I had the opportunity to oversee various living-learning communities for first-year students and advise the Residence Hall Association.
Interests: I love to watch Disney movies and try out new dishes! On the weekend you can catch me trying out new food places or playing with my dog!
Looking Ahead: I’m looking forward to helping cultivate new student leaders and to be able to learn new skills!
Darren Callihan, Alumni Affairs
Darren Callihan ’16
Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications, Alumni Affairs
Background: I am a Lowcountry native from Goose Creek, S.C. I earned a B.S. in marketing from the College in 2016. After graduation, I continued to work at Palmetto Moon and was promoted from e-commerce assistant to marketing coordinator. After my seven years at Palmetto Moon working in the store and overseeing marketing efforts, I continued my digital marketing career as an account manager at a medical marketing firm in Charleston. There, I managed over 30 accounts and their digital efforts via email, Facebook ads, blogging and website maintenance.
Interests: In my free time, I enjoy tennis and photography. I am always down for trying a new restaurant with friends and family. Whatever major sporting event that is going on currently, I will definitely be watching. If I’m not out enjoying the sites or food, I am probably serving others at my church.
Looking Ahead: I am looking forward to being back on campus to serve our Cougar family and network of alumni. The excitement on campus is infectious, and I look to learn and grow while celebrating all the College has upcoming.
Usiadean Childs, Information Technology
Usiadean Childs
Financial Coordinator, Division of Information Technology
Background: I am from Birmingham, Ala., where I worked in banking and financial services for 13 years. During my time in banking and finance, I worked in mortgage (loss mitigation), fraud and treasury management.
Interests: I enjoy thrifting, reading and, most importantly, spending time with my 2-year-old and my about-to-be–17-year-old.
Looking Ahead: I look forward to being a part of the direction CofC and the IT department is heading in.
Caitie Forde-Smith, Center of Sustainability
Caitie Forde-Smith
Operations Manager, Center of Sustainability
Background: I’m from a small farm town in eastern North Carolina, and a Tar Heel alum. Before joining the College, I served in multiple communications and environmental stewardship roles at North Carolina Coastal Federation, Whole Foods Market and the Coastal Conservation League.
Interests: Connecting with nature – hiking, camping, horseback riding, spending time on the water. I enjoy watching sports and hanging with friends.
Looking Ahead: I’m looking forward to helping the College become a national leader in sustainability – rethinking our energy and water use and food waste, and inspiring students and staff to be good stewards.
Camille Hamrick, Career Center
Camille Hamrick
Career Counselor, Career Center
Background: I am originally from Pickens, S.C. Prior to coming to the College of Charleston, I served on staff in the Center for Career Development at Anderson University, which is also the institution where I earned my bachelor’s degree.
Interests: I love to go hiking with my husband and our 6-month-old Bernese mountain dog. Now that we live in Charleston, we’ve enjoyed substituting hiking with taking our dog to play on the beach and exploring new places.
Looking Ahead: I am looking forward to coming alongside students at the College of Charleston as they discover who they want to be and then helping them to reach those goals through the Career Center.
Rachel Mason, Development
Rachel Mason
Assistant Director of Annual Leadership Giving and Special Projects, Office of Development
Background: I am originally from Raleigh, North Carolina, and moved to Charleston over a year ago to be closer to my family who live in town. I began my career in fundraising as a student assistant at my alma mater, East Carolina University, and I have been doing it ever since. I have been so lucky to work with amazing organizations including ECU, The American Cancer Society and Southeastern Guide Dogs (I adopted my dog from them!).
Interests: When I’m not at work, you can find me at the gym, the kitchen cooking (creating new dishes), the beach or curled up on the couch with my Annabel Lee (my black lab/golden retriever mix) reading anything and everything from mystery and crime.
Looking Ahead: I can’t wait to be part of the 250th anniversary and to learn more about the College’s history.
Alex Russell, Dean of Students
Alexandria “Alex” Russell
Coordinator for Prevention Education Initiatives and Student Support, Dean of Students
Background: I am from Edmond, Okla. I have a bachelor’s and master’s degree in social work from the University of Oklahoma. I worked at the University of Central Oklahoma as assistant director of health promotion.
Interests: I enjoy lifting weights, visiting parks and laying on the beach, which is why I was thrilled to accept the position at CofC in Charleston! I also love good food and am always looking to try new places. I know absolutely no one in Charleston, so feel free to send an invite my way if you are looking for a lunch buddy! I also have the good-est boy ever. He is a retired racing greyhound turned therapy dog. You can check out his Instagram at @KevinTheGreyt.
Looking Ahead: I am excited to learn the traditions and be able to immerse myself in the beauty of this campus. I am also excited about the innovation that occurs on this campus and hope to play a role in prevention work here as well!
Bucky Wall, Information Technology
Bucky Wall
IT Knowledge Manager, Division of Information Technology
Background: With over 20 years of experience in the software and training arena, I am an educator, leader, artist, writer and speaker. I have developed training and managed global teams while employed at Microsoft, Computer Sciences Corporation, Benefitfocus and Intracon Spain. I have also performed consulting services for the Smithsonian Institution, Holocaust Memorial Foundation, Library of Congress and U.S. Navy. I have lived and worked in the Middle East, Europe and Scandinavia and hold a master of fine arts and a master’s degree in instruction systems design.
Interests: Photography, sailing and gardening.
Looking Ahead: I look forward to solving hard problems to serve the students, faculty and employees.
