Orientation Staff
Meet the 2027 Orientation Team
Student Staff:
Mariana Hernandez
Orientation Coordinator
Year: Junior
Pronouns: She/Her
Major: Music Education
Hometown: Walhalla, SC
Fun Fact: I was a Pride of the Mountains Drum Major for 2 years.
Favorite Band, TV Show, or Movie: Last Dinosaurs (band)
Ashlie Stacks
Orientation Student Team Leader
Year: Sophomore
Major: Graphic Design
Hometown: Newton, NC
Fun Fact: I can play the harmonica.
Favorite Band, TV Show, or Movie: The Polar Express (movie)
Addison McPhail
Orientation Parent/Guest Team Leader
Year: Sophomore
Major: Elementary Education
Hometown: Fayetteville, NC
Fun Fact: I can play the guitar.
Favorite Quote: "If it won't matter in 5 years, don't let it bother you for more than 5 minutes."
Ana Perez Sanabria
Orientation Leader
Year: Sophomore
Pronouns: They/Them
Major: Psychology
Fun Fact: I am fluent in two languages.
Favorite Band, TV Show, or Movie: My favorite Band is Zoe, my favorite TV show is Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and my favorite movie is Everything Everywhere all at Once.
Addison Percy
Orientation Leader
Year: Sophomore
Major: Environmental Science/Environmental Health
Hometown: Orlando, FL
Fun Fact: I’ve been to eight National Parks!
Favorite Movie: 10 Things I Hate About You
Dacoda Gainza
Orientation Leader
Year: Sophomore
Pronouns: He/Him
Major: Nutrition/Dietetics
Fun Fact: Me and my friend Aiden can recite the Triple Gooberberry sunrise Ice cream scene from The SpongeBob movie
Favorite Band, TV Show, or Movie: My favorite Artist is Sade, The 100 is one of my favorite TV shows, and one of my favorite movies is Ratatouille
Emma Wyngaard
Orientation Leader
Year: Sophomore
Major: CSD with a minor in Special Education
Fun Fact: I’ve been out of the country 3 times. My favorite spell in Harry Potter is Wyngaardium Leviosa.
Favorite Band, TV Show, or Movie: Favorite band is All Time Low.
Jackson Sanders
Orientation Leader
Year: Senior
Major: Integrated Health Sciences Pre-Physical Therapy
Hometown: Wilmington, NC
Fun Fact: I know three languages
Favorite Band, TV Show, or Movie: Dragon Ball
Jonathan (JoJo) Mendoza
Orientation Leader
Year: Senior
Major: Communications with a concentration in Interpersonal and Cultural Communication And
Minor in Psychology
Hometown: Gastonia, NC
Fun Fact: I’m a Maxxinista and love shopping.
Favorite Band, TV Show, or Movie: Transformers (Movie, 2007)
Ken Meyer
Orientation Leader
Year: Sophomore
Major: History and Social Sciences
Hometown: Walhalla, SC
Fun Fact: Can Juggle cymbals (Yes, the instrument)
Favorite Quote: "Never let the fear of failure stop you from pursing something great."
Uly Kunaiyi-Akpanah
Orientation Leader
Year: Junior
Major: Nursing
Hometown: Abuja, Nigeria
Fun Fact: I had a pet Turkey *R.I.P Okja :(
Favorite Band, TV Show, or Movie: Mask Girl
Bricyn Wilkins
Orientation Office Support
Year: Senior
Major: Forensic Science and Chemistry
Hometown: Pembroke, NC
Fun Fact: I have visited the lab from Stranger Things located in ATL.
Favorite Band, TV Show, or Movie: Harry Potter & Stranger Things
Fabi Martinez
Orientation Leader
Year: Senior
Major: Biology
Hometown: Winston Salem, NC
Fun Fact: I saved a possums life after I witnessed it getting hit by a car
Favorite Band, TV Show, or Movie: Law and Order: SVU
Professional Staff:
Savannah Wood
New Student Orientation Administrative Support Associate
Bio: Savannah grew up in Western Carolina while getting her Associates Degree in Health Information Technology. While the medical field was always a passion of hers after 10 plus years it was time for a change. She moved back to Jackson County in fall of 2021 to work in higher education. She enjoys meeting new students and families and has a calming way to ensure parents that their students are in good hands.
Fun Fact: While outside of work she loves to spend time with her little boy and family going camping, dirt track racing, and the beach. She also enjoys reading, working out, and shopping.
Tammy Frizzell
Assistant Director of New Student Orientation
Bio: Tammy started her career at ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ in 2006, and just marked her 15th year of service. A two-time alum, Tammy received her undergraduate degree (B.A. in European History) from ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ along with her Mater’s (M.A. in American History). She enjoys meeting new students, and helping them and their families navigate the path towards enrollment. Tammy is an avid reader, loves word games, and Science Fiction.
Fun Fact: Tammy can fit inside the clothes dryers at the University of Stirling in Scotland. Study abroad at ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ is a wonderful opportunity.
Josh Thompson
Director of New Student Orientation
Bio: Josh is a life-long Catamount having attended ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ for both his undergraduate degree (B.S. in Communications) and graduate degree (M.Ed. in College Student Personnel). He discovered his passion for working with students after serving as an Orientation Counselor, Resident Assistant, and Golden Ambassador (Entourage) during his time as a student. Josh has worked in at ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ for 15+ years as a Resident Director, Admissions Counselor, and Senior Assistant Director of Admissions before becoming the Director of Orientation in 2018. Josh has stayed active at ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ outside of Orientation as well, as he serves as the ESPN+ play-by-play announcer for Catamount Athletics. Outside of work Josh enjoys sports, video games, and spending time with his family.
Fun Fact: Josh was the 2007 ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Homecoming King.
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