College of Charleston Welcomes New Staff

Introducing the College of Charleston’s newest staff members! Whether they’re stepping on campus for the first time or returning in a new role, these new Cougars are excited to share their diverse skills and expertise with the CofC community and contribute to the success of the College!

Find out a little about these new colleagues below – and be sure to welcome them when you see them out and about!

Jessica Dettwiller
Assistant Director of Fitness, Campus Recreation Services

Background: I am originally from the suburbs of Chicago. I attended the University of Mississippi where I earned my B.A. in Sports and Recreation Admin and Clemson University where I earned my Master of Education in Student Affairs. I was also a graduate assistant with Clemson Campus Recreation.

Interests: My favorite way to spend my free time is with family and friends. Staying active is also a huge part of my life. Some of my favorite ways to move are going for walks or runs, but I am always excited to try something new!

Looking Forward: One of my favorite parts of being in a higher education setting is how different each school is from one another. I am most excited to interact with a diverse group of students, faculty and staff. With CofC being one of the oldest colleges in the country, I am also looking forward to learning more about the history and culture of the school.

Meghan Dolce
Support Coordinator – Senior Cohort, REACH Program

Background: I graduated this May from the University of South Carolina with my MSW. I also attended USC for undergrad and studied social work and public relations. I recently became a licensed master’s level social worker! Before moving to South Carolina for school, I lived on Long Island. I was born and raised in Stony Brook, New York!

Interests: My friends and family are very important to me. I enjoy spending quality time with the people I love. In my spare time I like to go to the beach, go on walks and do fun activities around Charleston. I also enjoy reading, crafting and going out to eat!

Looking Forward: I’m looking forward to being a part of the CofC community and getting to work on the beautiful campus. I’m excited to be able to work directly with students and make a positive impact.

Virginia Felton
Assistant Director of Leadership, Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life

Background: I am originally from Durham, North Carolina. I spent the last two years attending Western Carolina University, where I earned my Master of Education in Higher Education Student Affairs (HESA) in May of 2024. I was a graduate assistant in the support center for education majors and interned with the leadership minor on campus, where I was able to co-teach courses, as well.

Interests: For me, building positive relationships with others and the community around me is important. In my free time, I love trying new things, exploring the local area, catching up on the latest episodes of Survivor and The Challenge and more. I also am a photographer, so I take any opportunity to grab photos at sporting events, graduations or just of the area surrounding me.

Looking Forward: I am looking forward to making new connections with colleagues across campus. I also am looking forward to meeting and working with the students at the College, and helping them in their collegiate journey any way I can!

Matt Griffin ’15
Academic Advisor, Academic Advising and Planning Center

Background: I am from Florence, South Carolina. My time before coming to work at the College of Charleston was spent teaching in Japan for the last seven years. I lived and worked in the very snowy city of Sapporo.

Interests: I really enjoy snowboarding and cycling. I also am an avid film buff, having graduated College of Charleston with a minor in film studies. I love gaming, both tabletop and video games. Though, my absolute favorite thing is traveling.

Looking Forward: I’m most looking forward to becoming a part of this community. My department seems to have a really great group of people. I’m looking forward to helping the next generation of students plant their feet firmly and become the next success stories at CofC. Charleston also seems to cultivate an atmosphere that attracts interesting people and develop many vibrant communities. I enjoy meeting new people, so I feel it’s going to be a great fit working here. I am also enjoying being back stateside, of course!

Julia Kelley
Manager of New Transfer Student Evaluation, Office of the Registrar

Background: I have my Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from the Rome School of Music, Drama, and Art at Catholic University in Washington, D.C., and my Master of Music in Vocal Performance from Ohio University School of Music in Athens, Ohio.

Interests: I have my own portrait photography business called JK Photography and spend my free time hanging out at the beach or with my friends!

Looking Forward: I have always wanted to work at a university, so I am so excited to be part of an amazing community in a new place!!

Bella Kitsos ’22
Administrative Assistant, Department of Biology

Background: I was born and raised in Greenville, South Carolina. I majored in arts management at the College of Charleston. After graduating, I moved back home for about a year, but knew that I wanted to be back in Charleston. I ended up moving back down to work at the Spoleto Festival, and I am now about to work at my alma mater!

Interests: I really enjoy anything music related, whether it is going to concerts or theatrical performances, or just listening at home. I love karaoke nights with my friends, as well.

Looking Forward: I am so excited to meet new people, learn more about each department and be back on the beautiful campus.

Will Roebuck ’23
Associate Director, Center for Excellence in Peer Education

Background: I am originally from Lexington, South Carolina, and moved to Charleston in 2019 to begin my journey at the College of Charleston. As an alum of the College, I hold a B.A. in German Studies and a B.S. in Sociology with minors in psychology and European studies. I have worked a variety of positions for the Office of New Student Programs – including an orientation intern, a Bridge student peer mentor and a customer service representative –throughout my time at the College. I also have a good bit of food and beverage experience and enjoy providing high-quality hospitality. Following graduation, I became the senior customer service representative for NSP and accepted a site director position for the iCharleston program in Rome, Italy, for the 2023-24 academic year.

Interests: In my spare time, I enjoy relaxing with my two dogs and partner, trying new foods, listening to music and spending quality time with friends at the beach! I also attempt to keep my German proficiency up by meeting with former classmates via FaceTime for a weekly Stammtisch and reading German novels and fairy tales.

Looking Forward: The biggest thing I am looking forward to in a full-time position at the College is the opportunity to give back to my alma mater and surrounding community! I thoroughly enjoyed my time here as a student and want to give others that same experience and beyond.

Tanner Samson
Director of Sales, Department of Athletics

Background: I went to high school in Denver, Colorado. Before coming to Charleston, I previously worked with Duke athletics.

Interests: I enjoy traveling and hanging with family and friends and my dog Tatum!

Looking Forward: I look forward to working with all the departments and creating some buzz and excitement around town about CofC athletics!

Justin Lee Stewart
Police Officer, Department of Public Safety

Background: I grew up in Tarboro, North Carolina, and graduated from The Citadel – The Military College of South Carolina, in 2012 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army. While attending The Citadel as a cadet, I was a member of the Citadel varsity wrestling team for two years, as well as an active member of the Army ROTC program and the Rifle Legion Drill Team and graduated with a degree in history. Upon graduation, I attended the Field Artillery Basic Officer Leadership Course and Paladin Commander’s Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. I was assigned to Fort Stewart, Georgia, in June of 2013, where I served as a fire support team leader for 1-30th Infantry as well as a platoon leader and assistant operations officer for 1-9th Field Artillery. While on active duty, I coached wrestling for Richmond Hill High School in Richmond Hill, Georgia, from 2014 until 2018. Upon leaving active suty in January of 2018, I transferred to 5-113th Field Artillery of the North Carolina National Guard, where I deployed as a HIMARS platoon leader, and am a veteran of both Operation Spartan Shield and Operation Inherent Resolve, serving in Kuwait and Iraq. I currently serve as the intelligence officer for the 109th Military Police Battalion of the North Carolina National Guard. From 2018 until 2021, I was a police officer with Mount Pleasant Police Department, before returning to The Citadel to work as a Teach, Advise, Coach (TAC) officer, mentoring and training a company of cadets.

I am married, and my wife Alexandra (Alex) and I have one child, our son James born in February 2023. We also have two dogs, Lily (Staffordshire/pit mix) and Rosie (Chihuahua mix).

Interests: My hobbies are surfing, jiu jitsu and coaching wrestling, however, as the father of a toddler, I seem to have little time for hobbies. Most of my off time now is spent with my wife and son, enjoying as much quality family time as we can.

Looking Forward: I look forward to creating a safe environment for young adults to grow and challenge themselves.

Jordan Trimble
Campus Housing Assistant, Campus Housing

Background: I relocated from St. Petersburg, Florida, where I worked at Eckerd College as the administrative coordinator for the Natural Sciences Collegium.

Interests: I love the sunshine and ocean! I spend my free time at the beach, running, surfing/paddleboarding and playing volleyball. I also enjoy spending time with my cats Keeli and Kai.

Looking Forward: I am looking forward to meeting all of the faculty, staff and students at the College of Charleston, and learning more about the school and city.