CofC Welcomes New Staff

The College of Charleston is excited to welcome its newest staff members to the Cougar family! Whether they’re working remotely, stepping onto campus for the first time or they’ve been familiar faces on the bricks for a while now, these new Cougars bring a lot of experience, talent and enthusiasm to the community. Please welcome these new colleagues to the College of Charleston family!

Liz Cooper, Career Center

Liz Cooper
Associate Director for Financial Wellness, Career Center

Background: I was born in Maryland, and after two cross-country moves to Texas and California, my family moved to the Charleston area in 1989. I grew up in and attended middle and high school in Mount Pleasant. I have a bachelor’s in English and minor in Spanish from Clemson University, and a master’s in secondary education with an ESOL concentration from George Washington University. I’ve worked as a news producer and in a law office locally, and most recently for Charleston County School District as an ESOL teacher.

Interests: I enjoy spending time with my husband and my two teenage children. I love traveling whenever possible, and, when home, enjoy cooking, fishing, gardening, long walks and reading.

Looking Forward: I’m excited to connect with CofC students, faculty and staff!

Dee DiBona, Student Health Services

Dee DiBona
Medical Director, Student Health Services

Background: I am a board certified obstetrician/gynecologist and I have been working in Student Health Services since 2011.

Interests: Two of my three sons have graduated from CofC. I enjoy hiking, camping and gardening.

Looking Forward: Continuing to educate students on health care and how to advocate for themselves once they enter the private sector.

Hannah Finley, Student Life

Hannah Finley ’22
Assistant Director of Student Life for Programming, Office of Student Life

Background: I’m originally from Youngstown, Ohio, and most recently returned to the Charleston area from Asheville, North Carolina, where I worked as the assistant registrar at another institution.

Interests: I love to read, spend time with my cat Paxil, do yoga and catch a scenic sunrise/sunset when I can. I find cooking and baking rewarding and cathartic – I’m always looking for new recipes! Hobbies also include spotting and pointing out cute birds and squirrels and seeing live music (I recently saw Boygenius and still haven’t stopped talking about it).

Looking Forward: I’m looking forward to working with CAB, learning the ropes of student life, experiencing the College as full-time staff and giving back to my alma mater!

Conrad Harder, Central Energy

Conrad Harder
Utilities Plant Operator, Central Energy Plant

Background: Born and raised in Carmel, California. Joined the Navy in 2011 as a nuclear machinist mate serving onboard submarines, with an honorable discharge in May 2023.

Interests: I like salsa dancing, playing the trombone and fishing.

Looking Forward: I look forward to working with a diverse group of innovative, caring, fun, intelligent and quality individuals. I also look forward to contributing to the growth of our young people.

Matt Nelson, Grounds

Matt Nelson
Groundskeeper/Landscaper, Grounds Maintenance

Background: Originally from South Brunswick, New Jersey, I received my B.F.A. from the University of Memphis in theatre performance. The COVID pandemic found me in Atlanta, based out of Truist Park, home of the Atlanta Braves, working for Major League Baseball in an auxiliary and visual capacity. I moved to Charleston in January of 2023 due to the relocation of my girlfriend of five years for her job with the Savannah Bee Co. on King Street. I love it here and I have grown fond of the Charleston RiverDogs, where I do grounds crew work, as well as Folly Beach, where I do nothing but relax in the sun!

Interests: I love baseball and I am a scratch golfer. My partner, Mary, is my favorite person to be with when I am watching the games or going to the beach. I love to collect classic records and do projects around the apartment when we’re not cheering on the New York Yankees. When I’m not working at CofC, you can catch me as a part of the grounds crew at Charleston RiverDogs and Citadel Bulldogs games. I look forward to cheering on the Cougars baseball team and adding them to my forever fandom!

Looking Forward: Working outside as a part of a great team, and facilitating a great collegiate experience for all of our university students. Go Cougars!

RELATED: Get to know more staff members who’ve recently joined the College!

Susanne Nelson, Institutional Research

Susanne Nelson
Data and Reporting Analyst, Office of Institutional Research

Background: I have been working in higher education for 25 years. During that time, I have worked at the University of South Carolina, Piedmont Technical College and Newberry College. I have worked in multiple departments during my career but have spent the last 13 years in institutional research and effectiveness.

Interests: I am a huge college football fan! I absolutely love watching football on Saturdays in the fall! I also am a big fan of walking. I walk up to five miles a day. Over the past two years, I have been on a weight loss journey and have lost over 100 pounds.

Looking Forward: Being a born-and-bred South Carolinian, I already loved so much about the College and the area. The energy of working on any college campus is very exciting and inspiring. But CofC just has that little something extra special!

Drew Newton, School of Business

Drew Newton
Associate Director of Academic Advising, School of Business

Background: I grew up in Farmville, Virginia (yep, it’s a real place!), and graduated with a degree in English and secondary education from James Madison University. After a few years teaching middle school English, I moved to Columbia, South Carolina, where I completed my master of education in higher education and student affairs at USC. My experience in higher education includes serving as founding leader of three initiatives: Gamecock Gateway, the residential bridge partnership between USC and Midlands Technical College; First-Year Academic Advising, which standardized the advising approach with 25 advisors across 11 colleges/schools at USC; and Academic and Career Advising, centralizing all academic advising into one department for Midlands Tech’s 9,000 students. I also worked to further legislative and school division collaborations at a LGBTQ+ youth center in Richmond, Virginia.

Interests: I’ll admit it: I’m a nerd. I love presidential history, architecture, politics and documentaries about significant leaders. I also enjoy traveling, trying out new restaurants and spending time with family and friends.

Looking Forward: I’m elated to be in a city and at an institution with so much charm, history and personality. I also truly believe in the impact intentional, proactive, developmental advising can have on a student, and I love that the School of Business Student Success Center is a one-stop shop for advising support, internship guidance, career development, student involvement, professional development and life design. It creates a hub that truly has the student at the center, and I think that’s the model of the future.

Audrey Ross, Research and Grants Administration

Audrey Ross ’23
Grants Administrator, Office of Research and Grants Administration

Background: I have moved several times, but I am originally from West Virginia. I moved to South Carolina in 2017. Before starting in this position, I was an undergraduate student at the College of Charleston with a double major in arts management and studio art.

Interests: My hobbies include oil painting, drawing, creative writing and reading. Usually, in my spare time I like to hike, bake and cook.

Looking Forward: I’m excited to see how I can contribute to being part of the team that helps the research happen at the College of Charleston.

Eira Sabido, Admissions

Eira Sabido
Admissions Counselor, Office of Admissions

Background: I was born in El Paso, Texas, and was raised in Florence, South Carolina. After graduating from Francis Marion University, I started teaching Spanish at a middle school then later transferred to an elementary school.

Interests: My hobbies include cooking, spending time with friends and family and going to the beach. In my spare time I like to take my dog, Tito, on walks and go shopping together. We both enjoy going to T.J. Maxx and HomeGoods. I also enjoy sightseeing in downtown Charleston.

Looking Forward: I look forward to working with a new crew that eventually will turn into family. I also look forward to meeting new people who share the same interest in the school and community around us. Last but not least, I look forward to growing and learning more about the school/community I am going to be part of and already love.

Neel Sawicky, Registrar’s Office

Neel Sawicky
Manager for Military Transfer Evaluation, Office of the Registrar

Background: I was a high school math teacher and guidance counselor for three years before joining CofC. I graduated from The Citadel in 2018. I am originally from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Interests: I like enjoying the food and brews of the Charleston area.

Looking Forward: Interacting with students and helping them to achieve their most successful year.

Susana Sharpley, Counseling Center

Susana Sharpley
Therapist, Counseling Center

Background: I have been working at the CofC Counseling Center for the past two years on a part-time basis. I enjoy my colleagues and love working with our students.

Interests: I mostly spend time with my two lovely teenaged boys and our dogs. On the weekends, you can find us at soccer games, at the beach or enjoying adventures in the outdoors.

Looking Forward: I am excited to move into a full-time position and continue to support our students through their academic, interpersonal and emotional journeys.

Alex Siebert, Office of Equal Opportunity Programs

Alex Puatu Siebert
Equal Opportunity Programs Professional, Office of Equal Opportunity Programs

Background: I am from all over the United States, mostly living in the Midwest and West Coast. I graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a bachelor of arts and then graduated from the University of Idaho with a juris doctorate. I recently worked at an international nonprofit that fights against global human trafficking before working on commercial contracts for a law firm in Idaho.

Interests: I enjoy spending time at the beach, reading or surfing, with my husband and my Dalmatian.

Looking Forward: I am looking forward to working with a close-knit academic community to continue to better the experiences of all who encounter CofC.

Carl Stadeker Jr., Portfolio Management Office

Carl Stadeker Jr.
Senior Business Analyst/Consultant, Portfolio Management Office

Background: I am originally from Chicago, Illinois. Prior to working at the College of Charleston, I held various operational positions at Ford Credit. A good portion of my career included some form of project analyst work and some project management work. I moved to Michigan and Colorado as a result of working at Ford Credit. Additionally, I worked in the student accounts department at a local college in Colorado Springs for over three years.

Interests: I enjoy spending time with my family, hiking, bicycling, tennis and eventually learning to play the guitar.

Looking Forward: As far as the IT department is concerned, the College of Charleston is the place to be. The PMO department is comprised of a great team with a great structural vision. There are numerous initiatives in process and on the horizon to improve the lives of the students, faculty and staff, and ensure that the College is prepared for software/infrastructural readiness and compliance. So, I’m looking forward to working with our team and engaging with our business units to implement some great improvements.

Daniel Tyson, Public Safety

Daniel Tyson
Police Officer, Department of Public Safety

Background: I’m from northern Virginia. I moved here about 10 years ago with my family. I have been in law enforcement for the last seven years.

Interests: I enjoy working on and driving cars. I have owned many cars, and working on them is relaxing and rewarding for me.

Looking Forward: I’m excited about being part of an agency that is growing into a proactive police force. I am also looking forward to meeting all of the diverse students that attend CofC.

Colton Whitley, Public Safety

Colton Whitley
Police Officer, Department of Public Safety

Background: I was born and raised in Illinois. Prior to working at CofC, I was in the military, and I’ve been a police officer for six years.

Interests: My favorite hobbies are playing guitar and going to the gym. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my wife and our two dogs, doing everything that Charleston has to offer!

Looking Forward: Having positive impacts on the students, as well as getting to work in the historic part of Charleston every day!