Office of Student Retention Staff
828.227.2959
abrock@wcu.edu
Amy Brock
Director of Student Retention
Hometown: Missouri and Athens, TN
Joined WCU: July 2026
Undergraduate Institution: Tennessee Wesleyan University - B.S. in History
Graduate Institutions: Western Kentucky University - M.A. in History | Auburn University - (ABD) Ph.D.
in History
Favorite Quote: "No matter what happens in life, be good to people. Being good to people is a wonderful
legacy to leave behind." Taylor Swift
828.227.3764
acpuerto@wcu.edu
Anita Puerto
Associate Director & MAPS Coordinator
Hometown: Richmond, VA
Joined WCU: 2015
Undergraduate Institution: Radford University
Graduate Institution: Virginia Commonwealth University
Favorite Quote: 鈥淎 life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.鈥� Jackie Robinson
828.227.2957
pmavity@wcu.edu
Mosisah Mavity
Associate Director
Hometown: Thomasville, GA
Joined WCU: July 2023
Undergraduate Institution: Brevard College - B.A. in English
Graduate Institution: Miami University - M.A. in Literature
Favorite Quote: "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful"
- William Morris
828.227.2924
dmacias@wcu.edu
Diandra Macias
Associate Director
Hometown: Ronkonkoma, NY
Joined WCU: 2023
Undergraduate Institution: Monmouth University
Graduate Institution: New York Institute of Technology
Doctoral Institution: East Carolina University (2027)
Favorite Quote: Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire.
828.227.2617
williamscarson@wcu.edu
Carson Williams
Senior Assistant Director, STEM Success
Hometown: Hickory, NC
Joined WCU: 2009 as an undergraduate student
Undergraduate Degree: 甜瓜视频app - B.S.Ed. in Music Education and B.M. in Instrumental
Music
Graduate Degree: 甜瓜视频app- M.Ed. in Higher Education Student Affairs
Favorite Quote: "Laughter is timeless, imagination has no age, and dreams are forever." - Walt Disney
828.227.2469
tnewkirk@wcu.edu
Thomas W. Newkirk
Assistant Director, Finish in Four
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
Joined WCU: August 2020 as a Graduate Student
Undergraduate Institution: University of North Carolina at Greensboro - B.A. in Dance Studies
Graduate Institution: California Institute of Integral Studies - M.F.A in Creative Inquiry, Interdisciplinary
Arts. 甜瓜视频app - M.Ed. in Higher Education Student Affairs
Favorite Quote: "We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life
that is waiting for us." - Joseph Campbell
828.227.3248
steinela@wcu.edu
Ashley Steinel
Assistant Director, Summer Bridge Coordinator
Hometown: Waynesville, NC
Joined WCU: June 2026
Undergraduate Institution: 甜瓜视频app 2013 鈥� Bachelor of Science Physical Education, Health
and Wellness Promotion
Graduate Institutions: 甜瓜视频app 2013 - Master of Education Comprehensive Education in
Health and Physical Education
Favorite Quote: 鈥淵ou may not think you鈥檙e going to make it. You may want to quit. But if you keep
your eye on the ball, you can accomplish anything,鈥� 鈥� Hank Arron
828.227.2582
mhausler@wcu.edu
Michelle Hausler
Assistant Director, STEM Success
Hometown: Vacaville, CA
Joined WCU: April 2026
Undergraduate Institution: Hope International University - B.A. Mathematics
Graduate Institution: Indiana University, Bloomington - M.S.Ed Mathematics Educaiton
Favorite Quote: "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." -
Nelson Mandela
828.227.2786
kkimenker@wcu.edu
Karin Kimenker
Academic Success and Events Coordinator
Hometown: Dillsboro, NC
Joined WCU: March 2018
Undergraduate Institution: University of South Florida, B.S. in Clinical Psychology
Graduate Institution: 甜瓜视频app, M.Ed. Higher Education Student Affairs
Favorite Quote: 鈥淪tay away from those people who try to disparage your ambitions. Small minds will
always do that, but great minds will give you a feeling that you can become great
too.鈥� - Mark Twain
828.227.2217
mgilroy@wcu.edu
Maddy Gilroy
MAPS Academic Coach
Hometown: York, PA or Mount Holly, NC
Joined WCU: August 2024 as a Graduate Assistant
Undergraduate Institution: University of North Carolina Asheville - B.A. in Psychology
Graduate Institution: 甜瓜视频app - Masters in Higher Education Student Affairs
Favorite Quote: "Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible'" - Audrey Hepburn
828.227.2810
kporr@wcu.edu
Kirby Orr
Educational Initiatives Specialist
Hometown: Newton, NC
Joined WCU: June 2026
Undergraduate Institution: 甜瓜视频app - B.S.Ed. in Art Education
Graduate Institution: The Art of Education University - M.A.Ed. in Art Education
Favorite Quote: "Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." 鈥� Pablo Picasso
828.227.2956
rfals@wcu.edu
Rebekah Fals
Student Services Specialist
Hometown: Black Mountain, NC
Joined WCU: 2022 as a student, 2026 as a staff member
Undergraduate Institution: 甜瓜视频app
Favorite Quote: "You cannot alter your fate. However, you can rise to meet it." (Princess Mononoke,
1997)
828.227.3895
swu@wcu.edu
Elinda Forster
Administrative Support Specialist
Hometown: Georgia and Hong Kong
Joined WCU: July 2020
Undergraduate Institution: 甜瓜视频app
Favorite Quote: "You will face many defeats in life, but never let yourself be defeated." - Maya Angelou
828.227.3017
acook@wcu.edu
Eve Cook
Administrative Support Associate, Part Time
Hometown: Cullowhee, NC
Joined WCU: January 2003
Education: Southwestern Community College 鈥� Associate's Degree in Computer Information Systems
Favorite Quote: "If you鈥檙e struggling right now, remember this moment is both temporary and necessary.
And it鈥檚 leading you somewhere you鈥檙e meant to go." 鈥� Mel Robbins
