Orientation Staff
Meet the 2025 Orientation Team
Student Staff:
Yalaina Bisumber
Orientation Coordinator
Year: Senior
Pronouns: She/Her
Major: Integrated Health Science, Concentration in Health and Wellness
Hometown: Miramar, FL
Fun Fact: I never let my hair grow past my shoulders.
Favorite Band, TV Show, or Movie: Forever (show)
Caroline Roddy
Orientation Student Team Leader
Year: Senior
Pronouns: She/Her
Major: Communication with a concentration in Public Relations
Hometown: Spring, TX
Fun Fact: I was an extra in a movie
Favorite Band, TV Show, or Movie: Taylor Swift
eL Gadzekpo
Orientation Parent/Guest Team Leader
Year: Junior
Pronouns: He/Him
Major: Business Admin and Law (Pre-Law)
Hometown: Knoxville, TN
Fun Fact: Avid curling fan, traveled to MN for the USA championships this past year.
Favorite Band, TV Show, or Movie: Rick and Morty
Ryleigh Hucal
Orientation Counselor
Year: Freshman
Major: Interior Design
Hometown: Hubert, NC
Debra Clayton
Orientation Office Assistant
Year: Sophomore
Pronouns: She/Her
Major: Pre-Nursing
Hometown: Spring Lake, NC
Personal Fact: I LOVE to travel and learned that from a young age due to being a military kid.
Quote: "Happiness is the richest thing we will ever own." - Donald Duck, Ducktales the Movie
Favorite Movie/TV Show: Star Wars: Episode 3 - Revenge of the Sith
Jonathan (JoJo) Mendoza
Orientation Counselor
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Lowell, NC
Alexis Naughton
Orientation Counselor
Year: Freshman
Major: Elementary Education
Hometown: Pearisburg, VA
B Padgett
Orientation Counselor
Year: Freshman
Major: Recreational Therapy
Minor: Psychology, Special Education
Hometown: Lake Waccamaw, NC
Katie Ramsey
Orientation Counselor
Year: Junior
Hometown: Conover, NC
Jackson Sanders
Orientation Counselor
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Carolina Beach, NC
Sarah Morgan
Orientation Counselor
Year: Junior
Major: German ISUD and International Studies
Minor: History
Hometown: Kernersville, NC
Jay Brown
Orientation Counselor
Year: Senior
Major: Health and Physical Education
Hometown: Rutherfordton, NC
Fun Fact: Not ashamed to say I cried the first time I saw 16 Candles.
Favorite Band, TV Show, or Movie: Hoobastank
Zoe Dean
Orientation Counselor
Year: Junior
Pronouns: She/Her
Major: Hospitality & Tourism and Sports Management
Hometown: Mebane, NC
Fun Fact: My favorite sports are hockey and football
Favorite Band, TV Show, or Movie: Criminal Minds
Mia Gardner
Orientation Counselor
Year: Junior
Major: Inclusive Education
Hometown: Greensboro, NC
Fun Fact: I used to work for American Airlines
Favorite Band, TV Show, or Movie: Dr. Stone
Michael Goerke
Orientation Counselor
Year: Senior
Pronouns: He/Him
Major: Emergency Medical Care
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
Fun Fact: I can roller skate backwards
Favorite Band, TV Show, or Movie:
Movie: Interstellar
Ja'Naysia Jackson
Orientation Office Assistant
Year: Senior
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
Fun Fact: I鈥檓 left-handed but I can only snap with my right hand
Favorite Band, TV Show, or Movie:
Movie: The Shining
Tyler Jones
Orientation Counselor
Year: Sophomore
Pronouns: He/Him
Major: Parks and Recreational Major (Planning to concentrate in GIS Mapping)
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
Fun Fact: I once embarrassed myself infront of hundreds of people (ask me for more details later if you want)
Favorite Band, TV Show, or Movie:
My favorite movie of all time will always be Divergent
Uly Kunaiyi-Akpanah
Orientation Counselor
Year: Sophomore
Pronouns: He/Him
Major: Nursing
Hometown: Abuja, Nigeria
Fun Fact: I had a pet Turkey *R.I.P Okja :(
Favorite Band, TV Show, or Movie:
The Neighbourhood
Chloe Lighty
Orientation Counselor
Year: Sophomore
Major: ACS Chemistry
Hometown: Knoxville, TN
Fun Fact: I like to do kickboxing and krav maga
Favorite Band, TV Show, or Movie:
Florida Georgia Line- favorite band
Fabi Martinez
Orientation Counselor
Year: Sophomore
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 Byerly
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 蘑菇短视频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 蘑菇短视频along with her Mater鈥檚 (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 蘑菇短视频is a wonderful opportunity.
Josh Thompson
Director of New Student Orientation
Bio: Josh is a life-long Catamount having attended 蘑菇短视频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 Student Affairs at 蘑菇短视频for 10+ 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 蘑菇短视频outside of Orientation as well, as he serves as the ESPN+ play-by-play announcer for Catamount Soccer. Outside of work Josh enjoys sports, video games, and spending time with his family.
Fun Fact: Josh was the 2007 蘑菇短视频Homecoming King.
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