College of Charleston Welcomes New Employees

The College of Charleston is excited to welcome this group of new employees! These new Cougars bring a lot of experience, talent and enthusiasm to the community, and they’re excited to contribute their diverse skills and expertise 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!

Richard Abney
Residence Hall Director, Department of Residence Life

Background: I’m originally from Saluda, South Carolina, a small town where community and connection are a big part of everyday life. Before coming to the College of Charleston, I earned my bachelor of social work from Limestone University in 2023 and recently completed my master of social work at King University in December 2025.

During my time in college, I worked closely with students in several leadership roles, including serving as a resident assistant, lead resident assistant and admissions representative, student ambassador. These experiences helped shape my passion for supporting students and helping them feel connected and successful during their college journey. I’m excited to now be part of the College of Charleston community and to help create a welcoming and supportive environment for our students.

Interests: In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, exploring Charleston and finding new places to eat. I also enjoy music, creative projects and staying connected with my community. A lot of what’s important to me centers around building meaningful relationships, supporting others and continuing to grow both personally and professionally. When I get the chance, I also like to relax, watch shows and recharge so I can bring my best self to the work I do with students.

Looking Forward: What I’m looking forward to most about working at the College of Charleston is building meaningful connections with students and helping create a strong sense of community in the residence halls. I’m excited to support students as they navigate their college experience and grow both academically and personally. Being able to play a role in helping students feel supported, welcomed and connected on campus is something that means a lot to me.

Sarah Berry ’21 (MPA)
Adjunct Faculty, Arts Management Program

Background: I earned my Master of Public Administration with a concentration in arts and cultural management from the College of Charleston in 2021. Since then, I have been working at Capacity Interactive, a digital marketing consulting firm specializing in the arts and cultural sector. My prior roles include serving as the education coordinator at the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art and working as an educator and curriculum developer in South Korea for almost six years. During my graduate studies, I also interned with the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, where I supported curators and the marketing team in planning and executing digital programs.

Beyond my professional work, I stay deeply connected to Charleston’s vibrant arts scene. I participate annually in South Carolina’s Arts Advocacy Week and currently serve on the Marketing and Communications Committee at Redux Contemporary Art Center. Previously, I was a committee member for Spoleto SCENE, further fostering my commitment to the arts in this community.

Expertise: I am deeply passionate about the intersection of arts and cultural management, public administration and community engagement. With expertise in digital marketing for the arts, program development and strategic planning, I focus on initiatives that foster community engagement and drive organizational impact. My academic research has explored pressing issues in public administration, particularly how systemic inequities and the pandemic have reshaped public service practices, especially within the arts and cultural sector. These experiences inform my approach to leadership, resilience and professionalism in the arts, particularly in times of crisis.

Outside Interests: I am an avid reader and lifelong learner with an insatiable curiosity, always eager to try new things. Staying active is important to me, and I enjoy activities that contribute to my wellbeing, such as journaling, yoga, cooking and taking long nature walks. I’m also passionate about travel and love exploring new places. Additionally, I find joy in creative outlets like painting, drawing and engaging with art in all forms – whether through attending museums, theater performances or live shows – that deepen my appreciation for the arts.

Looking Forward: I am thrilled to be teaching Professionalism in the Arts. As an undergraduate, I wish there had been a course like this to guide me in understanding the importance of both soft and hard skills and how to successfully navigate the professional world after graduation. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to have incredible mentors who have shaped my career, and I’m excited to pay it forward by helping the next generation of arts professionals. I’m passionate about empowering students with the tools and confidence to thrive in their careers.

Madison Blanding
Administrative Specialist II, Student Health Services

Background: I am a 25-year-old originally from Columbia, South Carolina, but raised in Charleston. I attended the College of Charleston my freshman year of undergrad, then transferred to the University of South Carolina where I graduated with a bachelor of arts in anthropology. Now, I am in my final semester of graduate school at Georgia Southern University, where I will obtain a master of education in higher education administration this spring. I have worn many hats during my post-grad years, but am thrilled to be starting my career in higher education/student affairs!

Interests: I love going out to eat and drink/trying new restaurants, spending time with friends and reading!

Looking Forward: I am excited to be back on campus and looking forward to working with students, making connections with faculty and staff, and taking advantage of all the College has to offer!

Stephen Celona
Adjunct Faculty, Department of Accounting and Business Law

Background: From the NY area and have lived on Kiawah Island since I retire over two years ago. I was in banking at Merrill lYnch and then Bank of America. I started my professional career as a CPA for Peat, Marwick, Mitchell in 1979.

Interests: My family is most important to me. I have two boys, 33 and 30, both college grads working in finance in NYC. I like to golf and play pickleball. I am a work freak (every day) and a voracious reader with an eclectic taste in reading material. I also enjoy traveling and recently went to Australia and New Zealand, and am planning a trip to Japan this year.

Looking Forward: Teaching is something I enjoy and have a lot of experience with. I enjoy the students mostly. Seeing their success warms me as I feel this is a form of giving back. I like that it keeps my mind active and fresh. Teaching at CofC also gives me a sense of community.

Frank Cornely ’84
Adjunct Faculty, Department of Accounting and Business Law

Background: I served in the military prior to attending the College. I am full-time attorney practicing in downtown Charleston for the past 38 years. I am also full-time judge for Sullivans Island. I have been a member of the South Carolina Summary Court Judges Association for about 30 years.

Interests: Golf and boating

Looking Forward: My wife, son, daughter and I all graduated from the College. I look forward to giving back to the College for the opportunities it has provided my family.

Maria Cozzens
Registered Nurse, Student Health Services

Background: I am originally from Kentucky, where I went to college and started my nursing career. In 2019, I began travel nursing, which allowed me to explore the country and experience different places while learning a lot. I eventually settled in South Carolina where I worked in pre-op and post-anesthesia care before joining Student Health Services. I am very grateful for all the unique experiences nursing has brought me and for all the patients who have crossed my path.

Interests: When I’m not working, you can probably find me chasing my toddler around at the park or the beach, surfing on Folly, running in my neighborhood or just enjoying the beach life and nice weather we have in Charleston!. I love being outdoors and traveling and exploring new places!

Looking Forward: I am excited to be working as part of a vibrant campus and student body, in this unique and historic city. I am looking forward to a change of scenery from the hospital setting, as well as continuing to utilize my nursing knowledge and skills to provide care for students as part of their college journey.

Melissa Doucette
Adjunct Faculty, Department of Psychology

Background: I have been a psychotherapist specializing in trauma for over 20 years. My practice has taken me to work overseas, as well as consult with the U.S. government. I am licensed in three states and am a board-certified supervisor in Minnesota, where I used to live. I have also worked as an adjunct at North Central University in Minneapolis.

Expertise: My areas of expertise include the maladaptation of brain physiology due to trauma and the experiential therapeutic techniques to treat the brain, intimate partner violence and narcissism, individual/family/systemic therapy, and human trafficking.

Outside Interests: I love to travel, read, bake and hike! I have a slight obsession with coffee, as a cup is in hand at most times. Charleston has been my home for five years. I adore all this town has to offer and learning about its history.

Looking Forward: I am most looking forward to being a part of the CofC community and truly connecting with the students. Learning, in my opinion, is most exciting when an eclectic array of teaching styles is employed, including experiential activities.

William Ellis Jr.
Operations and Strategic Programs Coordinator, Division of Student Affairs

Background: I am from Summerville, South Carolina, and have served as case manager at the College since January 2025. Before that I worked as a student success coach. I bring eight years of dedicated experience in higher education, during which I have focused on supporting student success, retention and overall development.

Interests: Joy is important to me, and I try to carry it into everything I do. I love capturing memories and expressing myself through the arts. Photography is my go-to medium and one of my biggest passions. In my spare time you can often find me out and about, snapping pictures and finding new moments to capture.

Looking Forward: I am most looking forward to continuing to learn and building meaningful experiences that help support students and their families. I also love getting to enjoy good cuisine from time to time and spreading joy wherever I can. One of my favorite things is encouraging others to command their day, and I am excited to bring that spirit to my work at CofC.

Hannah Finley ’22
Associate Director of Alumni Engagement and Events, Office of Alumni Affairs

Background: Originally from northeast Ohio, I’ve lived in the Charleston area for 10+ years and am a proud CofC alumna. Since graduating with my English degree in 2022, I’ve worked in academic affairs at Warren Wilson College in Asheville, North Carolina; student life at CofC; operations with Charleston Literary Festival; and, most recently, operations for a new print publication called Fig Magazine in Charleston.

Interests: I’m a huge reader! I can’t start my day without book time over coffee. Being active is also really important to me – yoga and spin are my favorites. I have a lot of fun with baking and cooking, and love to spend time in nature when I can. Internet rabbit holes for me often include astrology, tarot, TLC reality shows, vinyl variations, campsites, birds, financial literacy and trips that rarely make it out of the group chat. I dabble in crochet and love a good puzzle (under 1000 pieces). In the summer, I nurse my sad porch garden and stay up to date with the WNBA. In the fall, I spend each Saturday with my family watching Buckeye football. My friends and I currently have a weekly RuPaul’s Drag Race watch party. And of course, I would be remiss not to mention the love of my life, my cat Paxil.

Looking Forward: I absolutely love the College and absolutely loved planning student events during my time in student life. I’m so thrilled to be back on campus, in the heart of campus, with the opportunity to apply my skills and CofC knowledge toward creating engaging experiences for my fellow alumni. I’m looking forward to getting to know my new colleagues better and reconnecting with existing ones. Go Cougs!

Erin Keeley-Cain
Project Support Coordinator, Facilities Management

Background: I was previously a data analyst for a company in the trucking industry.

Interests: I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, being active and getting outside as much as possible. I also enjoy reading and traveling.

Looking Forward: I’m excited about the community and the relationships I hope to build.

Terry Kennair
Denny’s FUNd Program Manager, School of Business

Background: I am originally from just outside of New Orleans. My background has featured many twists and turns getting me here, including a master’s in physical chemistry from UCLA and 10 years working in the tech industry. Most recently, I was a release train engineer at Blackbaud focused on removing silos and bringing a team of over 100 together to get complex software projects delivered to customers in the education and nonprofit sectors.

Interests: I enjoy spending time with my wife and two daughters and my many pets, including a dog, a cat and 5 chickens. Most of my hobby time is reserved for video games. Recently, I reverted back to my old software developer days and just finished building my first video game for release.

Looking Forward: CofC has presented me with this incredible opportunity to create connections and bring the campus together. I look forward to crafting meaningful events and interactions that help make everyone proud to be a Cougar. While the world may seem to be moving away from these kinds of things, it’s becoming clearer and clearer that this is exactly what we need.

Kennedy Leporati Oliveira
Director of Finance, Charleston Athletic Fund

Background: I am joining the Charleston Athletic Fund after two years at Texas A&M University, where I was a business coordinator in the athletics department. While in that position, I worked closely with many Texas A&M sports and units, with a specific focus on the football team toward the end of my time there.

I received her bachelor’s degree in sport management from Liberty University in 2022 and, while there, served as a manager for the Flames’ men’s soccer team, the director of operations intern for both soccer programs and an executive assistant for Liberty’s basketball team. I also interned at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

Interests: I am married to Glauber Bernardes Oliveira. I love hanging out with him and our two cats, Winston and Schmidt. We enjoy going to as many sporting events as we can. We also love traveling to see our family!

Looking Forward: I am excited for the opportunity to work with the team at the CAF. The organization has tremendous potential for growth, and I look forward to contributing to meaningful milestones together.

Jose Luckie-Rodriguez
Academic Advisor, Academic Advising and Planning Center

Background: I am from Commerce, Georgia. I received my bachelor of science in mathematics from Young Harris College in Georgia and I received my masters degree in higher education from Auburn University in Alabama. Before coming to CofC, I worked in many areas of higher ed such as college athletics, academic support, college admissions, residential life, adjunct teaching in life design and college advising. My most recent stints include residential life at LSU and academic advising at Tulane University in New Orleans. I also did a brief stint teaching mathematics in K-12.

Interests: My hobbies include Ultimate Frisbee, basketball, yoga, golf, reading, snowboarding, biking, hiking, talking to strangers and playing video games. In my spare time, I love to be creative and do DIY projects for my cats and my new house!

Looking Forward: I am passionate about working with students, especially in the academic setting. I am looking forward to coaching students to the fullness of their ability and allowing them to explore avenues they did not know even existed.

Jessica Mack
Administrative Operations Manager, Arts Management Program

Background: I’m from Ladson, South Carolina, and, before coming to the College of Charleston, I worked as a circulation assistant for the North Charleston Branch of the Dorchester County Library system, specializing in youth services programming.

Interests: I love to read, with my favorite genre being fantasy novels, and I love to write as well. I also love supporting the arts and cultural scene by visiting parks, going to arts festivals and literary festivals, taking dance classes and walking around Charleston.

Looking Forward: I am most looking forward to helping connect students to opportunities in the field and connecting with other practitioners in the arts and cultural community.

Raygon Moore
Associate Director of Admissions Events, Office of Admissions

Background: I was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, and grew up in Indian Land, South Carolina. After college, I returned to Charlotte and worked in admissions at Queens University of Charlotte for four years, most recently serving as associate director of admissions, where I led admissions events, coordinated campus visits, supervised student ambassadors and supported recruitment and application review efforts.

Interests: In my spare time, I enjoy discovering new restaurants and coffee shops, reading and watching movies, as well as spending time with friends and family.

Looking Forward: I’m most looking forward to joining the College of Charleston because it reminds me of the supportive and engaging environment I experienced at Coastal Carolina University. I’m excited to be a resource for students throughout the admissions process and to create intentional events that showcase all that CofC has to offer, helping students see themselves thriving on campus.

Aviann Morris
Instructional Designer, Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning

Background: I have spent the past several years working in higher education as a researcher, instructor and instructional designer. Before joining the College of Charleston, I served as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Georgia, where I also earned my Ph.D. in learning, design, and technology. My research focused on HyFlex learning environments and educational leadership, with particular attention to the decision-making processes that support flexible learning models.

With over a decade of experience in online teaching, instructional design and faculty development, I’ve worked across a range of roles supporting course design, technology integration and student engagement. I’ve taught online and hybrid courses, developed instructional materials and partnered with faculty to enhance the quality of teaching and learning. These experiences have shaped my commitment to translating research into practice and creating inclusive, flexible learning environments that promote student success.

Interests: Outside of academia, I enjoy activities that allow me to be creative. In addition to reading, I have a strong love for anything arts and crafts–related. I enjoy hands-on projects that allow me to express my creativity, relax and explore new ideas in a different way.

Looking Forward: I’m excited to become part of the CofC community and work alongside faculty and staff who are passionate about student success, innovative teaching and supporting learners in both face-to-face and online settings. I’m especially eager to build meaningful connections, learn from those around me and continue growing in my role while finding my place on campus and in Charleston.

John Ratliff
Adjunct Faculty, Department of Accounting and Business Law

Background: Originally from Chicago, I moved to South Carolina about 20 years ago. I am a CPA, practicing for about 50 years with a specialization in general accounting and tax services for closely held businesses and individuals. I continue to work part time. I also have been a licensed residential builder. I earned my B.S. in accounting and M.S. in taxation, both from DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois.

Outside Interests: I enjoy woodworking and building quality furniture.

Looking Forward: I’m excited to help students learn accounting and to share some of my real-world experiences with the student as they decide on their career interests.