Contact Us
Phone: 828.227.7317
Toll Free: 877.928.4968
Fax: .828.227.7319
Email: admiss@wcu.edu
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST
Address
Western Carolina University
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
110 H.F. Robinson
1 University Drive
Cullowhee, NC 28723
Meet The Admissions Staff
Our dedicated admissions counselors are here to help you find all the answers to your
questions about Western Carolina University and the college admission process. If
you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office or contact an admissions
counselor individually.
Our counselors are divided into two groups, trained to meet your personal admission
needs: freshmen counselors or transfer counselors. Our talented admissions staff also
handles International Student applications.
Not only do our transfer counselors work with students who have previously attended
another college or university after graduating from high school but with students
who do not have a recent high school profile.
Undergraduate Admissions Administrators
Patrick Frazier
Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions Marketing & Recruitment
pfrazier@wcu.edu
828.227.2671
Chris Parrish
Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions Systems & Planning
parrish@wcu.edu
828.227.3159
Undergraduate Admissions Freshman Counselors
Suzi Swartz
Senior Assistant Director of Undergraduate Freshman Admissions
sswartz@wcu.edu
828.227.3167
- Hometown: Brooklyn, Connecticut
- Educational Background: B.A. in History & German Studies, Colby College; M.A. and Ph.D. in History, Stony
Brook University
- Professional background: I was a tour guide in college and worked in admissions before graduate school. I
love helping students connect with a school and navigate the application process.
It’s an exciting time in students’ lives, and their enthusiasm is a big part of why
I love it!
- What I love about WCU: I moved to Western NC from Boston, but grew up in a small town. WCU is like its own
small town, and I felt at home here right away—everyone is very friendly and welcoming!
- Favorite Quote: “When you come to a fork in the road, take it!” -Yogi Berra
Keyona Presha
Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions
kpresha@wcu.edu
828.227.2682
Madelyn Hux
Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions
mmhux@wcu.edu
828.227.3478
- Hometown: Shelby, NC
- Educational Background: BSEd from WCU – Elementary Education with a concentration in art
- Professional Background: I worked within the Admissions office as a student, and enjoyed my experience so
much so, that I decided to apply to be part of the full time staff.
- What I love about WCU: I love the people that we have within our community. They have become like family
to me, and have encouraged and guided me to become the person that I am today. I wouldn’t
be in the position that I am in without their love and support throughout these past
few years.
- Favorite Quote: “Don’t just fly, soar.” - Dumbo
Adam Ray
Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions
caray@wcu.edu
828.227.3796
- Hometown: Cullowhee, NC
- Educational Background: B.A. History, WCU (2013); B.S. Social Science Education, WCU (2013); M.Ed. Higher
Education Student Affairs, WCU (2016)
- Professional Background: As a first-generation college student attending WCU I had to seek out many opportunities
and information on my own. Though this was incredibly beneficial for me I discovered
a passion for assisting others in navigating higher education so that they too could
have a fulfilling and positive experience. Working within undergraduate admissions
at WCU has not only allowed me to continue to develop this passion, but it has also
provided me with an opportunity to serve as an initial contact for many prospective
students and help them set a path towards success prior to arriving on campus.
- What I love about WCU: The faculty and staff at WCU make student success a priority and help foster a supportive
learning environment for all.
- Favorite Quote: “To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift” -Steve Prefontaine
- Advice for future Catamounts: I was a member of the Honors College throughout my undergraduate years. I am happy
to share my experience and/or answer any questions that you might have related to
the program.
Molly Tippett
Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions
mftippett@wcu.edu
828.227.2676
- Hometown: Pinehurst NC
- Educational Background: Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from WCU & Master’s in Counselor Education from
ECU
- Professional Background: As an undergraduate student I worked as an Orientation Leader and an RA which I loved
and did both until I graduated. I then began working as a teacher in elementary school
and while pursuing my Master’s degree fell back in love with working with higher education
and wanted to help students in the process of going to college and selecting the right
school for them.
- What I love about WCU: Western has a way of making everyone feel at home and like they are part of a larger
family. Western always felt like a large community to me and I never felt like I
met a stranger. We have the awesome advantage of having a small school feel with
the resources of a large school. It is really just the best place in the world in
my opinion.
- Favorite Quote: “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I- I took the one less traveled by, and that has
made all the difference” -Robert Frost
Undergraduate Admissions Transfer Counselors
Heather Hill
Senior Assistant Director of Undergraduate Transfer Admissions
hchill@wcu.edu
828.227.3170
- Hometown: Mills River, NC
- Educational Background: Bachelor’s of Science in Communication with double concentrations in Public Relations
& Journalism, minor in Psychology. Currently seeking Master’s in Higher Education
Student Affairs – both from WCU.
- Professional Background: I always knew that I wanted to use my degree to help promote something I truly believed
in and what better than my university! My college years were some of the best of my
life and my education has afforded me many opportunities that I never would have had
without it. I love helping people pursue their dreams and going to college is a big
part of that for many. That’s why I love working in Higher Education.
- What I love about WCU: I love that everyone feels like family here as well as the feeling of peace and serenity
that our campus atmosphere brings.
- Favorite Quote: “When all else fails, God doesn’t.” Psalm 73:26 & “You can never be overdressed or
overeducated.” Kate Spade
Keri Clark
Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions
kclark@wcu.edu
828.227.2680
- Hometown: Waynesville, NC
- Educational Background:2018 - BSBA in Business Administration and Law, minor in Management, Western Carolina
University. In-progress - Master’s in Business Administration, University of North
Carolina at Pembroke
- Professional Background:Prior to becoming a transfer counselor for WCU, I worked in public health. Being new
to the workforce of higher education, I was quickly able to find my passion. As a
transfer student myself, I have a strong desire to help transfer students navigate
the complexities of continuing their education at a different institution.
- What I love about WCU: The location! Western North Carolina is an absolutely beautiful place to experience
all four seasons in the lovely scenic Smoky Mountains. So many outdoor opportunities
for exploration and adventure!
- Favorite Quote: “Don’t let anyone rob you of your imagination, your creativity, or your curiosity.
It’s your place in the world; it’s your life.”- Dr. Mae Jemison
Jalin Montgomery
Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions
jkmontgomery@wcu.edu
828.227.2913
- Hometown: Shelby, North Carolina
- Educational Background: Bachelor of Science- Business Administration and Law, WCU
- Professional Background: After working here at WCU during my undergraduate years as an EnTOURage tour guide,
I realized that by giving tours to students, I am helping students decide if attending
a four year institution will help them reach their goals they have set for themselves
in life.
- What I love about WCU: Community of feeling like a family and also over the years I have grown a deeper
love for the mountains of Western, NC.
- Favorite Quote: “If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work. But you have to try, because if you try, if
you leap and you try and it doesn’t work out, it’s not on you” – Olivia Pope
Hannah Scott
Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions
hfharper@wcu.edu
828.227.2687
- Hometown: Midland, North Carolina
- Educational Background: Western Carolina University, M.Ed. Higher Education Student Affairs, B.S.B.A. in
Finance, B.S. in Hospitality Tourism Management, Minor in Leadership
- Professional Background: I have a passion for helping others gain access to education that will shape their
future. College was such a defining time in my life, and when I realized that I could
make a career as a professional in a college-setting, I knew I found what I was supposed
to do. Coming from a Leadership Programming background, Admissions infused my love
of meeting new people, organizing events, assisting incoming students, and fostering
student-staff relationships.
- What I love about WCU: WCU and Cullowhee are such unique places that cannot be found anywhere else. Catamounts
are truly family and the atmosphere of being on campus during Homecoming week, the
feeling of tubing down the Tuckaseegee River, or the views from the Jackson County
Airport will show you why the valley is such a magical place.
- Favorite Quote: “Why are you trying so hard to fit in, when you were born to stand out?”
- Advice for future Catamounts: My advice to any incoming student is to get involved and be yourself. College will
set the precedent for what is to come, so make good friends, work hard in class, and
be the person that your community deserves.
Beth Owenby
Regional Assistant Director of Admissions at A-B Tech
meowenby@wcu.edu
828.227.3750 & 828.398.7182
- Hometown: Asheville, NC
- Educational Background: M.B.A., Montreat College; B.S.B.A. Management, Theatre Minor, Appalachian State University
- Professional Background: College was such a meaningful time for me, and I want to help people be able to learn.
Higher Education felt like a calling and I have been involved in it in one way or
another since 2005.
- What I love about WCU: WCU works hard to make higher education available to students from various background,
especially those in rural areas.
- Favorite Quote: “And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make” – The Beatles
- Advice for future Catamounts: Be open to new ideas and you will learn so much more than you would have thought
was possible.
Undergraduate Admissions Visit Staff
Emily Bingham
Senior Assistant Director of Campus Visits
edbingham@wcu.edu
828.227.2672
- Hometown: Sylva, NC
- Educational Background: Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Recreational Therapy from Western Carolina University
- Professional Background: Growing up, both my mom and dad were staff at WCU, so I got to see and experience
their passion for higher education and the relationships they formed with students
and other staff. That was always interesting for me to observe and rubbed off on
me as I got older and started to understand the importance of the relationships formed
in college. I have now worked for the Admissions Office since the fall of 2013, after
graduation, when the exciting opportunity to become an Admission counselor sort of
fell into my lap. I have stayed within the Admissions Office since then because I
realized I have the same passion and love for higher education, that my parents had,
as well as I feel like I’m able to help others and make a difference in this position.
- What I love about WCU: I love WCU because it’s my hometown’s backyard and where I grew up, I met my friends
for life, my professors were so personable, my whole family is alumni, and I have
one of the most fun jobs working with our current students, prospective students and
their families, and traveling.
- Favorite Quote: “Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn
on the light.” – Albus Dumbledore
Vacant
Administrative Support Specialist
Vacant
WCU Entourage
The WCU Entourage are an elite group of students to represent Western Carolina University
and assist the Office of Admissions with student recruitment initiatives, related
student activities include Open House events and tours of campus.
If you are a current student at WCU and interested in becoming a part of the WCU Entourage,
then please contact us at admiss@wcu.edu or 828.227.7317