Members 2020-2021

Melissa joined the PDC team in January, 2011, was named Director in July, 2015, and now provides leadership to the Campus Engagement and Professional Development teams. Her expertise includes coaching and coach training, leading retreats, facilitating dialogue, and providing workshops.

Appointed

Whitney Barker joined Wake Forest University in 2018 as the first Media Coordinator for Facilities & Campus Services. She helps connect the campus community with Facilities staff and now, as a part of the SAC, hopes to connect Facilities staff to other staff on campus.

Whitney earned a BA in Communications at UNC Chapel Hill in 2016 and a Certificate of Greenhouse & Nursery Operations in 2020. She lives with her fiance, 3 dogs, 3 cats, and 4 rabbits in Kernersville, where she enjoys trail running and kayaking.

Term Expires: 2023

Tim works in Information Systems where he has been since joining Wake Forest in 1988. He has just recently transitioned within IS to the Quality Assurance Team.

Tim earned his MBA and B.A. in Biology at Wake Forest University.

Tim likes cooking, reading and anything having to do with a frisbee.

Term Expires: 2023

Alex joined Wake Forest University in 2010, and is the Director of Transportation and Parking Services, with oversight of Mail Services. He holds a B.S. degree in Organizational Leadership and is a graduate of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy.

Prior to joining Wake Forest, Alex held positions at T2 Systems as Project Manager and Parking Access Revenue Control Specialist and the Indianapolis International Airport as a police officer and the Director of Parking and Ground Transportation.

In his spare time, Alex enjoys RV camping, boating, cooking and performing magic.

Term Expires: 2022

Elizabeth joined Wake Forest in 2015 and is currently the Director of Strategic Communications. In this position, she oversees the communication strategy for Human Resources while collaborating with Communications & External Relations to ensure the seamless integration of consistent branding and messages across the university.

A Nebraska native, Elizabeth earned a BA in Graphic Design from the Art Institute of Phoenix and an MA in Communication Studies from UNCG. In her free time, she is also an adjunct faculty member in the Communication Studies Department at UNCG, serves on the executive board for The Women’s Fund of Winston-Salem, and lives on the thrill of being retweeted by NPR politics journalists.

Term Expires: 2021

Ulylisa was born in Winston- Salem, but raised in Greensboro, North Carolina. She Graduated from North Carolina A&T State University in 2012 with a degree in Biology. Throughout her professional career she’s worked in jobs ranging from phlebotomy in a hospital’s emergency department to specimen processing at a laboratory. All these experiences lead her to her favorite location thus far, higher education. Ulylisa’s venture in the Parking and Transportation industry started in October of 2015. She is excited to continue this journey here at Wake Forest University.

Term Expires: 2023

Matt joined Wake Forest University in August 2017, and is the Director of Capital Budgets in the Budget and Financial Planning office. He holds a BA in Economics from the University of Virginia and is originally from Richmond, VA.

Prior to joining Wake Forest, Matt held several Operations and Finance leadership positions within the Real Estate and Financial Services industries, with a focus on budgets, forecasts, expense management, internal reporting, and data analysis.

Matt is married and has two boys and two dogs. The family keeps busy with school activities, outdoor pursuits, and multiple youth, travel, and high school sports. They also enjoy vacations to both the beach and mountains, and love living in North Carolina.

Term Expires: 2023

Jen began her career at Wake Forest in the Human Resources Department in April 2016 and in October 2019 accepted the role as Special Project Coordinator in Strategy and Operations. She holds a BA in Psychology degree from Clarke University in Dubuque, Iowa. Prior to joining Wake Forest University, Jen held several positions in the human services field, including Associate Director for a rape crisis center, Social Worker, and Parent Educator. In addition, she was a contractual Grant Writer for K-12, higher education, and health care looking to secure technology in order to expand and offer remote services.

Jen is married to Mike and they have two children. When not working she enjoys traveling, reading, entertaining friends and family, and watching their son play in golf tournaments.

Term Expires: 2023

Kathleen has been part of the Wake Forest community since 2002, and is proud to have worked at both the university’s historic grand estates, Reynolda and now Graylyn, where she is Coordinator of House Experience. She earned her BA in art history and studio art from the University of Virginia, and her MFA in studio art/printmaking from James Madison University. She is married to John, a published author/ illustrator who is professor of art history at Salem College. They have three grown children, also artists, and two dogs.

She loves to travel—anywhere—and visit historic and beautiful places.

Kathleen serves on the program committee for the Delta Arts Center in Winston-Salem and is a member of the United Way Women’s Leadership Council. She is honored to serve on the WFU Staff Advisory Committee.

Term Expires: 2021

Term Expires: 2022

Stacey joined Wake Forest in July of 2013. She began her career in Custodial, and later moved to Customer Service. She is currently Administrative Assistant for Planning and Construction, working with Project Management. Stacey has a 10 year old son who keeps her busy on weekends with travel baseball.

Term Expires: 2022

Chandni Saxena started at Wake Forest University in August 2014. She is a Senior Analyst/Programmer within the Information Systems department.

She earned her Bachelor’s of Technology in Electrical Engineering from India, and then moved to Iowa to pursue her Master’s in Information Systems.

She is passionate about being involved in the community and volunteers with Compassionate Winston Salem, Inter-Faith Winston Salem, and at Bethesda Center Shelter.
In spare time, Chandni enjoys being outside in the nature, reading books about metaphysics/quantum physics although of late she has been Audible-ing more, cooking, learning new skills, and playing board games with friends and family.

Term Expires: 2023

Shakinah joined Wake Forest University in 2018 and is Coordinator for the Department of Innovation and a part of the Call to Conversation movement for the campus community.

She holds a B.S. degree in Business from Elon University and a ME.d from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro in Student Personnel Administration in Higher Education.

Before joining Wake Forest, Shakinah worked in First-Year Experience, Housing and Residence Life, and Career Services.

In her spare time, Shakinah enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Term Expires: 2022

Eudora joined Wake Forest University in 2015. She serves within Information Systems as the Technology Compliance Administrator, working on campus initiatives such as technology accessibility. During her time at Wake Forest, Eudora has enjoyed supporting campus as a Workday Power User as well as a Green Team Captain, and is excited for the opportunity to serve on the Staff Advisory Council.

Eudora earned a BA in Anthropology from the University of Colorado Boulder and an MA in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations from the University of Chicago. She was born and raised in rural western Colorado and has a deep love for the outdoors and animals of all sorts. Eudora enjoys DIY house projects, relaxing with her three cats, and anything related to superheroes or science fiction.

Term Expires: 2022

Amy joined Wake Forest University in 2002 and is an associate director of career and professional development in the Office of Personal and Career Development (OPCD). Prior to joining the OPCD staff, she was the manager of promotions and activities at Graylyn marketing the center and facilitating team building events. Additionally, Amy worked in the accounting and human resources offices at Graylyn when she started her tenure at the university. She began her career as a Spanish teacher teaching grades 3 through 12.

Amy is a Wake Forest University alumna with a Master of Arts in Counseling. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Literature and Language from North Carolina State University. Amy resides in a small town 30 minutes north of Winston-Salem with her husband, two daughters, and four English Setters. In her spare time, she enjoys running, cooking/baking, listening to music, spending time with family and friends, and watching her girls play sports.

Term Expires: 2021

Sarah Wojcik-Gross joined the Wake Forest community in 2007. She is a member of the Information Systems department where she serves as Assistant Director of Client Services, overseeing the Learning Team, Service Desk, and Tech Shop Team.

Sarah earned a BA in French from Mansfield University of Pennsylvania, and an MS. Ed in Adult Education and General Education from Elmira College in upstate New York. During her spare time, she loves running, eating, traveling, reading, and baking.

Term Expires: 2021

Having grown up in Indianapolis, Indiana and earning her B.S. in Psychology, Jen moved to Winston Salem and joined the Wake Forest team in November 2010. She currently serves as Director, Talent Development and Facilities Management in University Advancement. The middle of three sisters, she enjoys running in her spare time and is the mother of a dog furbaby, Laika.

Term Expires: 2021

Kim joined the University in 1995 and has served University Advancement in a variety of roles. She began as administrative assistant in the News Bureau, served as executive assistant to three vice presidents, and her current role is Experience Coordinator on the Talent Development Team.

She’s played a key role in the hiring of over one hundred staff in building the Advancement team over the past ten years and ensures each new staff member is brought on board in the best way possible.

Kim holds an Associate Degree from Lima Technical College and is married to her husband (also named Kim). They have two grown children and two grandchildren and she enjoys spending time with family, camping, travel, gardening and volunteering in the Davidson County community.

Term Expires: 2022

Sandy joined the Wake Forest community in 2010 working as the Senior Business Manager in University Advancement. She relocated to this area in 2004 from the Washington, DC metro area where most of her career was as a Senior Accountant for Marriott Corporate Headquarters. She earned her BS in Business Management in 2009 and is currently pursuing her Masters of Arts degree in liberal studies at Wake Forest.

Sandy recently married Steve and together they have 6 children and 4 grandchildren with another on the way. Sandy and Steve are both avid road bikers and spend their weekends with their cycling friends on group rides or with the Triumph TR6 car club.

Term Expires: 2023

Olivia Bresnahan joined the Wake Forest women’s basketball team June 2018 as the Director of Operations. She runs the day-to-day operations of the team as well as handles all scheduling aspects of the program. Olivia earned her MBA and B.S. in Marketing at Duquesne University.

Prior to joining Wake Forest, Olivia held the position of Marketing Associate at Advance Construction Robotics Inc. and was a Student-Athlete at Duquesne University where she played basketball. In her free time, she enjoys being active outdoors and playing with her Golden Retriever.

Term Expires: 2022

Briana joined Student-Athlete Services within the Athletic Department in June 2018. She works directly with the football program, in which she is responsible for monitoring the academic performance of student-athletes and helping them to fulfill their undergraduate academic requirements and NCAA eligibility. Additionally, she assists with coordinating study halls, tutors and aids in the development of time management skills for student-athletes.

She has previously served as Assistant Director of Enrollment Management at the Wake Forest University School of Business. And also, as the On-Campus Recruiting Coordinator for the Wake Forest football program.

She graduated from Wake Forest University in 2015 with a B.A. in English and minor in Spanish. Briana currently resides in Clemmons, which is also her hometown. She brings three different perspectives as a local, alumna and staff member that will contribute to the advancement of the advisory council’s mission and responsibilities. Not to mention an extensive black and gold wardrobe with immense Deacon pride to boot. Go Deacs!

Term Expires: 2022

Ellie Shannon joined Wake Forest Athletics in 2012. In her current role she serves as the Director of Event Management and Facilities, overseeing game management for Men’s Basketball, Men’s and Women’s Golf, and Track & Field.

Ellie earned her BS in Sport Management from Grand Valley State University, and her MS in College Student Personnel from Kansas State University. In her spare time, Ellie enjoys any outdoor activity that involves her pup, Howard Winston.

Term Expires: 2021

Noel Shepherd enters his seventh year in the Wake Forest Athletic Department in 2017-18, serving as the Director of Engagement and Development for the Deacon Club.

Noel’s responsibilities are development and fundraising for the Athletic Department and the University, including Capital Giving, Endowments and the Deacon Club Annual Fund. He also focuses on Deacon Club volunteer opportunity programs, membership recruitment, qualification and engagement activities.

Shepherd joined the Wake Forest staff from WXII12 TV in Winston-Salem, where he worked in Marketing and Creative Services as a Writer, Videographer and Senior Producer, and eventually as Senior Account Executive in sales. He also worked as an Account Executive for WFMY-TV in Greensboro.

Originally from Morganton, North Carolina, Noel graduated from Wake Forest in 1990 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. While at Wake Forest, he was active in community service, the Baptist Student Union, the Screamin’ Demons and was the student Director of Intramural Sports for the university. His father, Dr. Bob D. Shepherd is a retired minister and served two terms in the 1980’s and 1990’s on the Wake Forest University Board of Trustees, and is currently a Trustee Emeritus. Noel’s brother, Dale Shepherd is a 1977 Wake Forest business school graduate.

Noel is a life-long Deacon, and continues to support both the Deacon Club and the Wake Forest Fund.

Term Expires: 2020

Appointed

I am currently the Service Desk Specialist in the Student Engagement Suite for the School of Business/Farrell Hall. I am a Mom to two wonderful children and love to paint, sing, travel and most of all cook.

In my position, I am student facing at all times and help with any questions they may have, along with supporting the faculty and staff. I assist teams such as Undergraduate, Enrollment Management, Integrative Student Services, Recruiting, and Market Readiness and Employment. I’ve had the privilege of working with many different cultures, and diversity within the school which makes my position exciting.

I’ve also had many excellent opportunities to learn within the Wake community to further my skills in several areas with online classes, lunch and learn sessions, and many others to add to my background. I put together the weekly Student Newsletter and Monthly newsletter for the Student Engagement Suite and proactive when compiling news, activities and events. I’ve been the United Way Champion within the school for 2 years and also completed the 8 week Wake Forest Police Academy Course.

I look forward to serving on the SAC Board and meeting new faces very soon!

Term Expires: 2023

David joined the School of Business in April of 2018 as the Assistant Registrar. Originally from Charlotte, NC, David earned a BS Kinesiology and MS Sport Management from Liberty University and currently serves on the school board of a private K-12 school in Charlotte. Prior to joining WFU, David worked in Development and Enrollment Management in Higher Ed as well as a brief stint in collegiate and professional athletics. He resides in Winston-Salem with his wife, Annemarie, who is a kindergarten teacher at Sherwood Forest Elementary. When not at work, you can find him biking, podcasting, attending a sporting event, researching/collecting watches, or planning his next trip with his wife.

Term Expires: 2022

TaShaun began her career in secondary education in 2003 and has worked in higher education institutions since 2008 with positions in Academic and Student Affairs. She joined Wake Forest University in 2014 and worked in the Human Resources Department prior to her current role. Shaun is responsible for managing office operations in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) and providing executive assistance to the Chief Diversity Officer. In addition, she works closely with the CDO’s Advisory Groups, the units under the Office of Diversity and Inclusion’s umbrella (Diversity Education, Intercultural, LGBTQ, and Women’s Centers), and other campus partners.

Elliott received a B.S. degree from Winston-Salem State University in Business Administration with a concentration in Management and an M.S. degree in Adult and Higher Education with a concentration in Student Personnel Services from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University.

Term Expires: 2021

Jenny is a native of Winston Salem and began working for WFU in 2008. She has worked in the Law School Admissions Office for the entirety of her time at Wake, and for the past several years has been focused on International Graduate Programs. She graduated with my Masters in English from WFU in 2015 (Go Deacs!) and earned her BA from UNCG. Her husband is a local artist and teacher, and she has a 6-year-old daughter.

Term Expires: 2022

Ellen started at Wake Forest University in 1987 in the School of Law where she was the Activities Coordinator and later the Reference Services Coordinator in the Professional Center Library. In 2008 she joined the staff of the ZSR Library where she works in Course Reserves and Interlibrary Loan.

She received her BGS degree from the University of Michigan and an MLS from North Carolina Central University. Married in 1986, Jim and Ellen live in Yadkin County and have 2 grown sons, Jimmy (married to Katarina) and Danny.

Ellen serves on the board of directors for Mount Jubilee Ministries, an organization for young adults with special needs and is active in her church. Ellen also loves to travel (recently reached all 50 states!) and spending time with her family and friends.

Term Expires: 2021

Crystal joined the Wake Forest community in 2003, and is proud to have worked at both the School of Medicine and now the Reynolda Campus, where she is a Grants and Contracts Manager in the Office of the Dean of College. She supports several departments and faculty with physical and fiscal management of grant preparations, awards and other restricted funding. She completed her degree and minor education coursework at Midlands Technical College and Lander University. She has been married for twenty-six years, has one son and a dog.

She loves to travel and serves as a travel consultant for others.

Term Expires: 2021

Leigh Anne Robinson has been employed in the Office of the Dean of the College since November 2016. Her love for Wake Forest runs deep as a Class of 2001 Communication major. In her daily job, Leigh Anne enjoys creating graphic design projects for the College website or campus publicity, coordinating faculty awards, managing College space, planning events, and generally supporting the Deans. However, the best part of her job is getting to assist faculty and other staff members, building relationships in many different departments. Leigh Anne is the proud and exhausted mom of four future Demon Deacons and volunteers with their church and schools, giving special attention to Alex’s Lemonade Stand.

Term Expires: 2021

Lauren Trethaway joined the Wake Forest University Financial Aid Office Team in 2013. Her primary responsibility in the office is working with Reynolda Campus Graduate School of Arts & Sciences students as well as Divinity students. Some of her duties include FAFSA review, general scholarship and federal aid awarding, VA certifications, & individual counselling sessions. She really sees the students through their career at WFU in regards to funding. She also serves as an office liaison for other initiatives on campus such as Well Spaces and the Green Team.

Outside of her work responsibilities she also serves as the Regional Director for the Mid-Atlantic Region of Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority Inc., the sorority she joined as an undergraduate at North Carolina State University. Any free time she can find is spent with her 3 daughters, husband and other family that is local to Winston Salem.

Term Expires: 2022

Amalia Wagner joined the Wake Forest community in 2011. She is a member of the Provost’s office where she serves as an Assistant to the Associate Provost for Academic Initiatives, and to the Associate Provost of Research Sponsored Programs.

In her free time, she enjoys traveling, cooking and CrossFit.

Term Expires: 2021

Lisa joined the Wake Forest community in 2005 and recently transferred out of the School of Business to the Eudaimonia Institute where she currently serves as Operations Manager. Lisa is married to John Wilkinson (’86) and they have three grown daughters, and four grandchildren, with one more on the way. She loves spending time with her family and friends, baking, traveling, and going to music festivals.

Term Expires: 2021

John joined Wake Forest University in 2018 and is the Assistant Director of the Intercultural Center.

He holds a B.A degree in Business Information Systems from Mississippi State University and an M.S also from Mississippi State University in Educational Leadership in Higher Education.

Before joining Wake Forest, John worked as a graduate assistant for the Colvard Student Union and intern in various offices around MSU’s campus.

In his spare time, John enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends.

Term Expires: 2023

Jarrett joined the Wake Forest community in 2017 as the Sr. Systems Analyst in the Office of the University Registrar. In this role, he serves as lead on testing new system upgrades, troubleshooting issues in the student information system, approving student system security requests, and performing data queries.

Originally from Jacksonville, Florida Jarrett earned his BA in Political Science at the University of North Florida. Jarrett enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling to local festivals, cooking, and hiking.

Term Expires: 2023

Stephanie joined the Wake Forest Community in February, 2017 as the Director of Residence Life. Previous to Wake she served as the Associate Director of Residence Life at the University of West Georgia in Carrollton, GA. In her role as Director, she functionally supervises the people, programs and some key campus partnerships under the Residence Life umbrella. More specifically, the functional areas include: Residential Learning, Leadership & Programming, Residential Academic Initiatives and Residential Conduct. This unit works daily to live out the mission of RL&H and fulfill the Res Life team vision of creating an unrivaled residential experience on campus!

Stephanie holds a B. A. in English/Creative Writing from the Florida State University, a Master’s Degree in College Student Affairs Administration from the University of Georgia and an Ed.D in Educational Leadership and Management from Capella University. Stephanie is also the proud mom of a soon to be 10-year-old little boy named Christian and the dog mom to Scottie. All in all, she does her best to juggle mom duties with professional duties and in whatever free time she has left you will find her either doing Crossfit (and burpees for fun, daily…I know who does that?!?) or running on campus.

Term Expires: 2023

Term Expires:

Michelle Fender joined the Wake Forest community in 2012 in the Payroll department. She now serves as the Financial Assistant in the University Police Department. Prior to Wake, Michelle worked in the mortgage insurance industry. Michelle is married and has two teenagers and a dog. In her free time, she enjoys traveling to the beach or the mountains.

Term Expires: 2022

Suzanne joined the LAC-DS staff in 2018. She received her BS in Psychology from Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC. Suzanne spent several years working therapeutically with children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder before joining the field of higher education at High Point University where she served as Disability Support Technology Associate. In the LAC-DS, Suzanne serves as the primary contact for students at the Bowman Gray Center for Medical Education (BGCME) in the MD, PA, and DNP programs as well as the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Suzanne provides academic coaching and coordinates accommodation requests for students at both the BGCME campus as well as students on the Reynolda Campus. In her spare time, Suzanne enjoys laughing and spending time with her husband, family, and friends.

Term Expires: 2022

Mandy started her career at Wake Forest in December 2010 after five plus years as a cost analyst in the manufacturing industry. She worked in the Office of Budget and Financial Planning for four years as a financial management analyst before transitioning into the Campus Life Finance and Operations Office. In August 2016, Mandy joined the Campus Recreation team as the Operations Manager, overseeing both financial and business operations. Mandy is a fitness instructor and personal trainer, and when she is not in the gym she enjoys being outdoors and traveling.

Term Expires: 2022

Kawana joined the Wake Forest Community in February of 2017 as the Assistant Director of the Learning Assistance Center & Disability Services. Prior to joining the LAC-DS, she served as an Assistant Director of Disability Support Services at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. Kawana also has several years of experience working in community counseling. Kawana currently provides academic and disability management counseling and coaching to students, coordinates disability documentation across campus, and supervises the tutoring and peer mentoring programs offered through the LAC-DS. Kawana is a proud graduate of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (Aggie Pride) where she earned both her B.A in Psychology and M.S in Rehabilitation Counseling. Outside of work, Kawana enjoys being active (bootcamp and biking especially), spending time with her family, and singing karaoke.

Term Expires: 2021

Ashley joined the Office of Wellbeing as Wellbeing Program Manager in 2018 to create ResilientWake, manage Move More! Move Often! and WellSpaces and to serve as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion liaison. Ashley loves creating time and opportunity for Demon Deacons to thrive through Wellbeing Coaching, teaching Koru Mindfulness, and collaborating on wellbeing initiatives.

Ashley is a Wake Forest University alumna with a Master’s in General Psychology and worked in the Psychology Department for 4 years in research around personality, character, and post-traumatic growth. Prior to employment at Wake, Ashley worked at Duke University at the Interdisciplinary Behavioral Research Center and Center for Child and Family Policy.

When she isn’t working, Ashley loves time with her family, fur-babies included, socially distant dinners on the porch with friends, long Zoom catch ups, gardening, and strength training.

Term Expires: 2023