CofC Welcomes New Staff

The College of Charleston is excited to welcome its newest staff members. They come to the College with an impressive amount of experience and enthusiasm – and they’re all excited to put it all to work within the CofC community! Please welcome these new colleagues (listed alphabetically below) to the Cougar family!

Maddox Johnston, Institutional Effectiveness

Maddox Johnston ’20 (M.S. ’22)
Director of Survey and Accreditation Research, Office of Institutional Effectiveness

Background: I grew up in Charleston, earning my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mathematical sciences (with concentration in statistics) from the College of Charleston. Before accepting this position, I worked as a graduate assistant for the math department at CofC while finishing my M.S., where I was responsible for teaching a class of Math 110S (College Algebra Support) and tutoring in the Math Lab within the Center for Student Learning.

Interests: I enjoy spending time outdoors, hiking and fishing. I also love playing and studying chess.

Looking Forward: I am looking forward to spending time on the beautiful CofC campus, and continuing to live in my hometown.

Calvin Joyner, Student Leadership Center

Calvin Joyner
Associate Director for Student Leadership, Higdon Student Leadership Center

Background: I am originally from Columbia, South Carolina. I completed my undergraduate degree at Coastal Carolina University and graduate degree at Walden University. Before coming to the College of Charleston, I was director of student activities at Emory and Henry College in Emory, Virginia.

Interests: In my spare time, I enjoy traveling, trying new things and reading. As far as hobbies go, I like to cook, read, write, research different topics, study music and take naps.

Looking Forward: I look forward to meeting the students and building up my network with my fellow colleagues.

Elijah McCoy, Student Life

Elijah McCoy
Assistant Director of Student Involvement for Programming and Student Media, Office of Student Life

Background: I am from Macon, Georgia, but have lived in Virginia, Florida, North Carolina and Illinois. Before coming to the College of Charleston, I received a bachelor of business administration with a concentration in marketing, as well as a bachelor of arts in theatre arts from Stetson University. Discovering my passion for student development, I studied and obtained a master of education in higher education student affairs from Western Carolina University. In the field, I have gained expertise in student organization support and policy, campus programming, student government advising, new student orientation, leadership development, diversity education and assessment.

Interests: I enjoy traveling, listening to music, hanging out with my friends, working on graphic design projects and watching Netflix.

Looking Forward: In my role, I am most looking forward to helping our students develop transferable skills such as programming, marketing, event planning, communications and student media.

Estacia Sanders-Hernández, Upward Bound

Estacia “Stacia” T. Sanders-Hernández
Academic Counselor, Upward Bound

Background: I am originally from Charleston, South Carolina. I spent many years after high school exploring and learning about people and different cultures around the world. I believe that learning happens in and outside the classroom. One could see how my life experiences shaped my career as I worked many years with minority populations in education and community development. I continue to bring the world into learning environments as I learn from my colleagues as well as students. Also, I encourage my students to continue to learn beyond the textbook and share their knowledge with one another. I believe we should meet each individual where he/she may be and help them on their journey by providing them the educational tools needed to be successful in the classroom and life. I have held different positions at technical colleges in South Carolina: disability coordinator, Title IX Coordinator and academic specialist. I have taught freshmen seminar classes at colleges, adult education classes and most recently high school English and Spanish at Holly Hill Academy. Years ago, I taught Spanish in the Upward Bound program at Appalachian State University. Prior to being full time with Upward Bound, I have taught Spanish here, Upward Bound at the College of Charleston, for about four years.

Interests: I focus on quality of life and being one with nature. I have been a part of the Berkeley 4-H Program for eight or nine years. Every year my children and I try to grow vegetables. We have planted about six fruit trees, as well. Sometimes gardening is a lot of fun, but there are times that nature (insects) eats more of our squash than we do. Preserving our natural environment and building self-sustainability is important to me and my little future farmers (my sons), and I believe it will be important to farmers in the U.S. I think everyone should grow some of their own food or even raise a cow or two. My sons and I are working up to the cow (smile).

Looking Forward: There is a focus on culture, history as well as new innovations here. I look forward to the collaboration and the sharing of knowledge among colleagues, students and the learning environment that the College of Charleston has.

Michele Villante, Facilities Management

Michele Villante
Administrative Coordinator to the Vice President, Facilities Management

Background: I am from Greene, a small town in Central New York (very rural – not NYC). I moved to Charleston in September, and have family on Johns Island. I previously worked as an administrative assistant – secretary to the superintendent of schools – and also clerk of the district for the Sherburne-Earlville Central School District.

Interests: I love living here in Charleston, and especially love the beach. I am a part-time artist, creating stained glass mosaic bricks, stepping stones and mirrors.

Looking Forward: I am really excited to be working for such a historic institution where I can have a new opportunity for growth and service.

Becca Whited, Student Leadership Center

Becca Whited
Office Manager and Student Organization Travel Coordinator, Higdon Student Leadership Center

Background: I am originally from Northeast Ohio and moved to Charleston in the fall of 2019. Before coming to Charleston, I obtained a master of education in adult learning and development from Cleveland State University in 2017 and a bachelor of science in dietetics from Ashland University in 2013. During my time at Cleveland State, I worked as a graduate supervisor of facility rentals/aquatics and safety and as an office manager at the Cleveland State University Recreation Center. While at Ashland University, I was a student worker at the Ashland University Recreation Center and was involved in several student organizations, including Alpha Delta Pi sorority, Student Dietetic Association and Habitat for Humanity.

Interests: In my spare time, I enjoy getting outside with my dog Ava, adventuring at the Charleston County Parks and local beaches, trying out the great restaurants in Charleston, reading and traveling.

Looking Forward: Some things that I am excited about are joining an awesome and welcoming team and working at such a historic college and being able to enjoy the unique, beautiful buildings and landscapes every day.

Maura Woods, Career Center

Maura Woods
Career Coach, Career Center

Background: I’m originally from the small shoreline town of Old Saybrook, Connecticut, but have spent the past eight years living and working in Boston. After being the first in my family to graduate from college (I attended UConn – go Huskies!), I went on to earn my master of education at Boston University and became a middle school special education teacher. After a few years, I changed up my career path and transitioned into an advising and managing role at a nonprofit, where I had the privilege of supporting students who were the first in their families to attend college!

Interests: I love to travel and just finished up a four-month cross-country road trip with my spouse – we visited about 15 national parks (I had never been to one before this trip)! When I’m not traveling, you can find me at the beach, trying new food, hanging with friends and attempting to keep my plants alive.

Looking Forward: I remember feeling overwhelmed in undergrad about my major, interests and potential career path, so I’m excited to support our students with their own journeys! Relationships are important to me, so getting to know our students, staff and community partners at the College of Charleston is something I’m definitely looking forward to.