蘑菇短视频

Dr. Theresa Cruz Paul

Director

Theresa has been involved in career and professional development in higher education since 2005. She has experience assisting students with career counseling, resume and cover letter development, interviewing strategies, job and internship searching, and career planning. Theresa has worked at William Paterson University in New Jersey as an Assistant Director, at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in Manhattan as an Associate Director of Academic Internships and currently at 蘑菇短视频 in North Carolina as Director.  Theresa holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and a Masters of Education degree in Professional Counseling from William Paterson University, a second Masters of Education degree in High and Postsecondary Education from Teachers College, Columbia University and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from 蘑菇短视频. 

Meredith Yarborough

Associate Director of Employer Engagement

Meredith has been an employee at 蘑菇短视频 since 2022 and is a proud double alumna, holding a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Communication and a master鈥檚 degree in Higher Education Student Affairs. Prior to her current role, Meredith worked in Residence Life at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and served as an Assistant Director for Career Services at East Carolina University, where she focused on career counseling and departmental marketing. Upon returning to 蘑菇短视频in 2022, she served as a Public Communication Specialist before joining the Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD). Now serving as the Associate Director of Employer Engagement, Meredith is dedicated to building strong relationships with employers and creating meaningful connections between students and career opportunities, including internships, part-time jobs, and full-time positions.

Carrie Hachadurian

Associate Director of Career Integrated Learning

Liaison to The College of Arts and Sciences

Carrie has been an employee at 蘑菇短视频 since 2008. She began as an Administrative Support Specialist in the Writing and Learning Commons before becoming the Student Employment Specialist for the Career and Professional Development Center in January 2013. Carrie is currently the Associate Director of Career Integrated Learning and oversees the coordination of campus partnerships and student career education. Carrie holds a Bachelor鈥檚 of Arts degree in English with a concentration in Professional Writing and a minor in Communications. She obtained her M.Ed. in Higher Education Student Affairs at 蘑菇短视频.

Heather Gordon

Associate Director of DegreePlus

Liaison to the Brinson Honors College and USI/LEAD Courses

Heather has been an employee at 蘑菇短视频 since 2022. Prior to leading DegreePlus Heather managed youth development programming in the WNC summer camp industry, served as a regional coordinator for WNC Nonprofit Pathways, and most recently as the 4-H Agent with NC Cooperative Extension in Jackson County. Through DegreePlus Heather helps provide opportunities for students to add to the content of their academic studies through experiential experiences in leadership, teamwork, professionalism, and cultural responsiveness. She holds a Bachelor鈥檚 of Science degree from Warren Wilson College and a Master鈥檚 in Public Affairs from WCU.

Erin Waddell

Assistant Director of Experiential Education

Liaison to the College of Education & Allied Professions and the College of Business

Erin has been an employee of 蘑菇短视频 since 2023. Erin has worked in experiential education positions since 2015, with both the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the National Park Service. He created and implemented a variety of experiential education programs, helping students and the public expand their knowledge through direct experience with their interests. Some of his most fulfilling experiences in experiential education came from his time as a Student Conservation Association Intern and an Education AmeriCorps member in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Erin holds a B.S. in Biology from Florida State University and obtained a M.S. in Experiential and Outdoor Education from 蘑菇短视频.

April McNiff

Assistant Director of Student Development

Liaison to the Belcher College of Fine & Performing Arts and Campus Partners

April has been an employee at 蘑菇短视频 since 2023. Prior to WCU, April worked as High School Partnership Coordinator at Southwestern Community College. In this role, she was responsible for developing and implementing partnerships with local high schools to increase college access and success for students. She is a passionate and experienced student affairs and customer service professional with progressive leadership in the higher education setting. She is currently the Assistant Director of Student Development at 蘑菇短视频, where she oversees the coordination of campus partnerships and career education for students. April has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in Photography and a minor in Art History from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She obtained her M.Ed. in Educational Leadership at Columbus State University.

Tirzah Blazis

Assistant Director of Employer Engagement

Liaison to the College of Engineering and Technology and College of Health and Human Sciences

Tirzah moved from Colorado Springs to 蘑菇短视频 in 2023 and graduated in 2025 with a degree in English and TESOL. While at WCU, she supported multilingual learners through an after-school program and worked as a grammar and linguistics tutor at the Writing and Learning Commons (WALC). There, she especially enjoyed helping international students build confidence in their writing and connect with resources that supported their academic and career goals. Tirzah is passionate about creating pathways for students to engage with employers and believes that real-world opportunities can make a lasting impact on their futures.

Tara Smith

Administrative Support Associate

Tara Smith joined the CCPD in September 2021. Before coming to WCU, she worked in various pediatric medical offices as a medical assistant and office manager.