College of Charleston Welcomes New Employees

The College of Charleston is excited to welcome this group of new employees! Whether they’re brand new to the CofC family or taking on a new role within it, these new Cougars bring a lot of experience, talent and enthusiasm to the community, and are excited to share their diverse skills and expertise and contribute to the success of the College!

Find out a little about these new colleagues below – and be sure to extend a warm welcome to them all!

Kristen Brady ’11
Administrative Coordinator, CharlestonLIFE

Background: I’m originally from Moncks Corner, South Carolina, and I’m also a proud alumna of the College of Charleston, where I earned my B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Media Studies. Before returning to the College as an employee, I spent several years working in marketing and account management.

Interests: In my spare time, I enjoy being with my family, attending live music events and visiting the beach. I also appreciate spending time in local coffee shops, exploring antique and vintage shops and enjoying time outdoors. These provide a meaningful balance to my professional life and allow me to stay connected to my community.

Looking Forward: I’m most excited about contributing to the vibrant College of Charleston community and connecting with students, faculty and staff in meaningful ways. I have a deep appreciation for the College’s spirit and traditions, and I look forward to being part of an environment that fosters learning, collaboration and growth.

Taylor Collier
AI Librarian, College of Charleston Libraries

Background: I am originally from the Midlands here in South Carolina. I have a Master of Music as well as a Master of Library and Information Science, both from the University of South Carolina. Over the past six years I have worked for the Lexington County Public Library System and the Dorchester County Public Library System, both in adult services and programming. I have also worked with the Human Impact of Data and AI (HiDa) Lab at the University of South Carolina looking at how AI is being used in higher education over the past two years.

Interests: I have a lot of hobbies! I enjoy reading, playing woodwind instruments, learning Japanese, tabletop RPGs, modifying old video game consoles and fiber arts like crochet and leatherwork.

Looking Forward: Being in a historic part of South Carolina. There are so many beautiful buildings and places to see here!

Alison Kibbe
Assistant Professor, African American Studies Program

Background: I am a scholar, multidisciplinary artist and cultural organizer. I completed my Ph.D. in American Studies and Black Studies at Yale University, and my B.A. in Cultural Anthropology at Duke University. At Yale, in addition to teaching courses in American studies; Black studies; and ethnicity, race and migration; I taught undergraduate writing courses and was a writing consultant at the Graduate Writing Lab. I have worked for 15 years as an independent artist, producer, consultant and cultural organizer in New York, Cuba and with national arts and culture organizations.

Expertise: I am an interdisciplinary Black studies scholar trained in cultural anthropology, food studies, critical human geography, performance studies and community-centered research methods. My research, writing and performance practices explore Black movement and belonging throughout the Americas, with particular attention to the role of food in Black life, culture and history. My current project examines the relationship between Black migration, gender, cultural production and the corporate plantation in the early 20th-century Caribbean and Latin America. I draw on my family’s history of migration and homemaking across Jamaica, Cuba, Panama and the United States. This work engages broader questions of cross-national, multilingual and multiethnic Black identity, black feminist methods and knowledge production, as well as the connections across the Caribbean, Latin America and the U.S. South.

Outside Interests: If I’m not in the kitchen or reading a novel, I’m probably out walking or playing with my standard poodle, Marrón; tending to my ever-growing plant collection; or finding somewhere to dance.

Jay Olvera ’20
Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of Theatre and Dance

Background: Originally from Edgemoor, South Carolina, I graduated from CofC in 2020 with a B.A. in Theatre before moving to Cardiff, Wales, in 2021 to pursue a master’s degree at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (awarded in 2023). While in Wales I worked briefly on the Hulu original show Black Cake, and worked on the creative team for two shows which were performed in London at The Yard theater in Hackney Wick. While not working in the arts, I was a manager at one of the most popular night clubs in Cardiff, Misfits Social Club, which is a hotspot for the local universities’ students.

Expertise: I completed my master’s dissertation on the weaponry of World War One with the goal of creating a compiled research guide that theater and filmmakers could use as a starting point for their own research. I also am passionate about historical accuracy in period props, especially in the safe creation and use of prop weaponry. I hope to be able to use my time in Charleston as an extension of my research to delve more into the late 19th century to observe more of the technological evolution that occurred in the years leading up to the Great War.

Outside Interests: I play Magic: The Gathering, play guitar, paint miniatures and (when I can) construct terrain for table-top gaming. 

Looking Forward: I am really excited to see the talent of the students in the College and helping to grow their skills to prepare them for working in the industry.

Zakary Patrick
Assistant Professor, Department of Applied Exercise Science

Background: Originally from Ohio, I graduated with my undergraduate degree from Walsh University before pursuing my master’s at Mississippi College, and, ultimately, my doctoral degree from the University of Mississippi. I conducted one of the largest EEG research studies to date, investigating the effects of acute exercise on the neural correlates of attention and memory.

Expertise: My cognitive neuroscience research interests are investigating the effects of acute and chronic exercise on cognitive function, namely through the mechanism of attention and management of cognitive load. My exercise psychology research interests lie in the effects of physical activity on social, mental and physical wellbeing, and further explorations of the efficacy of physical activity behavior change programs to build a healthier, happier, more fulfilled community.

Outside Interests: I have been an avid runner for my whole life, competing in collegiate cross-country at my undergraduate and master’s institutions, so you’ll probably see me running down Calhoun at some point! I am a big baseball fan (Pittsburgh Pirates, though they are an unfortunate franchise). Big coffee drinker – will be scoping out the areas around campus for the best drip coffee. And I love reading (sci-fi) and Christopher Nolan movies.

Looking Forward: Coming from my doctoral institution, I was able to teach upper-level exercise science classes specifically related to my field – exercise psychology and physical activity behavior. Here at CofC, I am very fortunate to be continuing the development of my expertise in these areas and sharing my passions of physical activity and exercise with my students. Hopefully, to get them interested and knowledgeable in all the benefits physically, psychologically and socially of exercise, especially here in beautiful Charleston.

Brianne Petrone
Social Media Coordinator, Office of University Communications

Background: I’m originally from New York and moved to Charleston in December 2024. Before coming to work at the College of Charleston, I was doing video editing, social media management and digital content creation for marketing agencies, as well as freelance videography/photography for businesses and individuals around Charleston.

Interests: My hobbies are photography, dance, reading and traveling.

Looking Forward: I’m most looking forward to helping produce and share content that positively impacts current and prospective students.

Alice Ann Ruff
Administrative Coordinator of Graduate Programs, School of Education

Background: I am originally from LaGrange, Georgia, where I was born and raised. I earned my bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of West Georgia, and later completed my master’s in higher education administration at Florida Gulf Coast University. In July 2022, I relocated to Miami, where I worked as an academic advisor at the University of Miami. During my time there, I advised students majoring in marine biology and ecology, marine affairs and meteorology. I also worked closely with faculty on new student orientations, program initiatives and supporting student wellbeing across our academic programs. I absolutely loved my time at the University of Miami, but I am excited to now be a little closer to home. I moved to Charleston this past May and am really looking forward to being part of the College of Charleston community.

Interests: Outside of work, I am an avid reader and always have a book (or two) on hand. Last year, I read over 75 books – mostly thrillers, drama and a bit of nonfiction. Spending time with my family is also incredibly important to me. I have two nieces, ages 3 and 9 months, who bring so much joy to my life. My entire family lives within 15 minutes of each other in LaGrange (my hometown), so I frequent home as often as I can. My husband and I also have a 7-month-old boxer puppy named Flash, who keeps us on our toes! We love taking him on walks, exploring local biking trails and spending time at the beach together.

Looking Forward: What I found at the University of Miami was truly profound – a community of colleagues that I genuinely enjoyed working with, a boss who was an incredible mentor and an institution that deeply valued its employees. It made coming to work each day easy and exciting. I am looking forward to finding that same sense of community here at the College of Charleston. I am excited to build strong, supportive relationships with my colleagues and to continue learning and growing in an environment where both professional development and personal connections are encouraged.

Erin Spencer
Communications, Marketing and Recruitment Coordinator, School of Languages, Cultures, and World Affairs

Background: I was born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky, and have been working in marketing and communications at the University of Kentucky over the last year for their Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition. I graduated from Clemson University in May 2024 with my B.A. in Communications and a minor in English; while there I interned in media, communications and analytics in the Department of Communication and Social Media Listening Center. My background also includes branding and hospitality, with one of my most notable positions being at Kiawah Island Golf Resort in food and beverage. That experience is what made me love Charleston so much!

Interests: My loved ones are most important to me, and I love to spend time with them in my free time. I also enjoy health, wellness and fitness and like to go to different workout classes, especially hot yoga. I am super excited to try new shops, restaurants, coffee shops, and more and am thrilled to go to the beach and go on walks. I also enjoy being creative and attempting DIY projects and baking/cooking.

Looking Forward: I am so excited to join CofC. I have been interested in the College for a long time as such a respected institution. I am looking forward to continuing to work in higher education communications, and love how CofC is both a large yet close-knit school. I hope to connect with my colleagues and participate in all opportunities. I am truly so excited about this opportunity!