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
Western Carolina University
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
110 H.F. Robinson
1 University Drive
Cullowhee, NC 28723
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.
Chris Parrish
Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions Systems & Planning
parrish@wcu.edu
828.227.3159
Dr. Suzi Swartz
Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions Recruitment
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
Abi Hammer
Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions
ahammer@wcu.edu
828.227.2676
Hometown: Sylva, NC
Educational Background: B.S. Economics, NC State University 2021
Professional background: Before starting at WCU I was an Orientation Leader and working in the orientation/new
student programs office at NCSU. I knew during college that I wanted to help other
students achieve their educational goals. I love the energy that encompasses a university:
there are so many people are now able to pursue what they are interested in or discover
new opportunities.
What I love about WCU: I love the community at WCU and the surrounding area. They are all welcoming and
work towards the same goal of student success. I also love the nature that surrounds
campus: the Great Smoky Mountains and Nantahala National Forest offer so many opportunities
for adventure.
Favorite Quote: “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” – A.A. Milne
Cristina Forsythe
Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions
forsythc@wcu.edu
828.227.3478
Hometown: Ecuador / North Carolina
Educational Background: Bachelor of Arts in English, St. Andrews University; Master of Education in Higher
Education Student Affairs, Western Carolina University.
Professional background: Prior to higher education, I worked as a K-12 Spanish teacher at Cherokee Central
Schools and Jackson County Public Schools for over 13 years. During graduate school,
I worked in admissions and have since rekindled my love for education.
What I love about WCU: I appreciate that WCU has such passion for inclusion and diversity. When an individual
is understood and supported, they tend to build a stronger sense of identity and wellbeing
through their abilities, interests, and values, which encourages a better education
and more fulfilling life.
Favorite Quote: “Wonder is the first of all passions” - René Descartes
Elijah Collins
Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions
elijahcollins@wcu.edu
828.227.3796
Hometown: Ethiopia / Charlotte, NC
Educational Background: Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design, Gardner-Webb University; Master of Business Administration
(MBA), Gardner-Webb University.
Professional background: My professional journey started at Gardner-Webb University as a Graduate Assistance
where I worked as the Education Program Coordinator and assisted the Assistant Vice
President for Digital Learning. After graduate school, I worked at Atrium Health One
Health as the Assistant Business Manager.
What I love about WCU: The best thing about WCU is the sense of community. Everyone makes you feel welcome.
Also, I love the scenery! There are great views every which way you look.
Favorite Quote: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each
day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34
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
Keyona Presha
Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions
kpresha@wcu.edu
828.227.2682
Hometown: Asheville, NC
Educational Background: Bachelor of Business Administration with a Concentration in Management, North Carolina
Central University; Master of Science in Communication with a Specialization in Public
Relations, Syracuse University
Professional background: I started my professional journey in banking in 2016 before transitioning over to
admissions in 2019. I knew from my very first day in higher education that helping
students in meeting their educational goals is my long term passion.
What I love about WCU: In addition to our location, the students, faculty and staff make you feel like you
are a part of the WCU family the minute you step on campus.
Favorite Quote: “The higher purpose of my life is not the song and dance or the acclaim, but to rise
up, to pull up others and leave the world and industry a better place.” –Viola Davis
Vacant Position
Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions
828.227.7317
Heather Hill
Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions Regional Engagement
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 and a 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
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.
Vacant Position
Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions
828.227.7317
Vacant Position
Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions
828.227.7317
Dr. Patrick Frazier
Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions Marketing & Events
pfrazier@wcu.edu
828.227.2671
Hometown: Sylva, NC
Educational Background: B.S. in Business Administration and Management, Western Carolina University; Masters
of Project Management, Western Carolina University; and Ed.D. in Higher Education
Administration and Leadership, Texas Tech University
Professional Background: During my time as a student at WCU, I served as a Golden Ambassador (tour guide) for
the Office of Admissions and as a Chancellors Ambassador. After graduating from WCU
in 2007, I began working as an Assistant Director for freshman admissions in the Office
of Admissions. I never knew that a career in admissions was a possibility until I
began working as a tour guide, but I have been a part of the office ever since graduating!
Over the years, I have served in numerous positions within the Office of Admissions
prior to my current position. Outside of WCU, I have served as the President for the
Carolina's Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (CACRAO) and
am currently serving as the President-Elect of the Southern Association of Collegiate
Registrars and Admissions Officers (SACRAO).
What I love about WCU: WCU is without a doubt my home. When I was a high school student, WCU was not my first
choice because both of my parents had gone to the university and my dad worked at
the university. However, I have never once regretted my decision to attend WCU and
would do it again in a heartbeat! I made so many lifelong friends in my time living
in Walker Hall and in my degree program. From day one, I could tell that the professors
cared not just about how you did academically, but also personally, and professionally
after graduating. WCU is a family, and I am proud to be a part of the family each
and every day!
Favorite Quote: “If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier
world.” – Thorin Oakenshield
Vacant Position
Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions Marketing
828.227.7317
Emily Bingham
Senior Assistant Director of Campus Visits
ebingham@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
The WCU Entourage and Golden Ambassadors are two elite groups of students that 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 or Golden Ambassadors, then please contact us at admiss@wcu.edu or 828.227.7317