Meet the College of Charleston’s newest staff members! These new Cougars bring a lot of experience, talent and enthusiasm to the community, and they are excited to share their skills 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!
Dex Blank Senior Associate Athletic Director for Development/Executive Director of Charleston Athletic Fund, Athletics Department
Background: I most recently lived in Norfolk, Virginia, where I was the associate athletics director of development and sport administration for the athletics department at Old Dominion University (ODU). Prior to ODU, I held various positions in college athletics fundraising at the University of Oklahoma, Ohio University and the University of South Carolina.
Interests: I enjoy spending time with family and friends, traveling to new places, playing golf, listening to good music, attending live events and all things related to sports.
Looking Forward: In fundraising, I am so privileged to get the opportunity to meet and spend time with many successful and passionate individuals. I am very excited to meet many of the supporters of CofC and build strong, quality relationships with them.
Delaney Biester Assistant Director of Employee Experience and Success, Office of Human Resources
Background: I am originally from Pennsylvania but have been a Charleston resident since 2019. I was a teacher through Teach for America for three years and then transitioned out of the classroom. I loved designing instruction as an educator, so I decided to get my master’s degree in instructional systems design and performance improvement at The Citadel, and I graduated with that degree this past May. While earning my degree, I worked on the management team of a local Lululemon, where I learned about managing a business and being a people leader to a diverse team of individuals. I also was part of a Learning Designer development cohort through Lululemon that provided invaluable experience in regard to designing training programs.
Interests: In my spare time you can find me doing a yarn-related craft (I love to knit and crochet) or reading a book. I will read anything and everything, and I never go anywhere without a book.
Looking Forward: I am looking forward to applying my skill set to improve employee experience, thereby creating an even better academic environment for students, faculty and staff.
Janice Campbell Student Services Associate, Office of the Registrar
Background: I am originally from North Carolina, and I have an environmental consulting and public accounting background. I have worked in the customer service food industry, lived in Costa Rica for six years and been a stay-at-home mom to two children.
Interests: I am interested in wellness and nutrition, and I practice feng shui and yoga.
Looking Forward: I look forward to being immersed in the CofC culture and nurturing a meaningful career.
Bhoomi Gohil ’24 Academic Success and Global Studies Advisor, School of Business
Background: I am originally from North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. I recently graduated from the College of Charleston with a B.S. in international business and a minor in international studies. During my time at CofC, I worked closely with the Student Success Center and participated in global learning opportunities, including studying abroad in Seoul, South Korea. I’ve also had the opportunity to be a LEADer several times for the SPECTRA summer program, helping incoming students transition to campus life. These experiences inspired my passion for supporting students in both their academic and global journeys.
Interests: I love traveling, discovering new cultures, attending concerts and spending time with family and friends. It’s important to me to create an inclusive and welcoming space where everyone feels valued and supported. I’m also passionate about helping others succeed, whether through advising, mentoring or simply being a resource when someone needs support.
Looking Forward: I’m most excited about giving back to the CofC community that shaped my own academic journey. I look forward to helping students find success in the classroom while encouraging them to pursue global opportunities that will expand their perspectives and prepare them for the future!
Calvin Joyner Associate Director for Student Leadership and Involvement, Office of Student Involvement
Background: I am originally from Columbia, South Carolina. Before returning to the College of Charleston, I served as assistant dean for student engagement and success at the University of Mount Saint Vincent. I worked at the College of Charleston in 2022. I have over seven years of experience in higher education, with a strong background in student engagement, leadership development and strategic programming.
Interests: Some of my hobbies include traveling, reading, writing fiction, cooking and spending time with family and friends. I am also a video gamer and enjoy playing video games in my spare time.
Looking Forward: I look forward to revitalizing the student leadership department and providing students at CofC with fun and rewarding leadership experiences. Leadership is important and can be beneficial for students both before and after college. I would like students to understand the importance of leadership development.
Julianna King Assistant Director of Student Involvement for Programming, Office of Student Involvement
Background: I am originally from Connecticut and graduated from Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts, in 2020. During my time at Endicott College, I was involved in many clubs and organizations. That is where my passion for student involvement and student leadership developed, which led me to continuing at Endicott College to receive my master’s degree in higher education in May 2022. Over the past three years, I have lived in Boston, where I have worked in student involvement and campus recreation.
Interests: In my free time, I love to stay active by going to yoga or spin classes, enjoying a day at the beach and spending time in nature. Being new to Charleston, I am so excited to explore the area and see all it has to offer!
Looking Forward: I am so excited to work with the Cougar Activities Board, the Office of Student Involvement and be a part of the College of Charleston community! I am looking forward to working with CAB for all of their events throughout the year and meeting members of the campus community.
Kristina MacLure Assistant Sports Performance Coach, Athletics Department
Background: Originally from Stow, Massachusetts, I attended college at the University of Rhode Island where I was on the track and field team, competing in the 400m hurdles. At URI, I received a bachelor’s of science in kinesiology and a bachelor’s of arts in communications. After URI, I earned a master’s of science in strength and conditioning at Merrimack College, where I was also a graduate fellow for the Strength and Conditioning department, and then an MBA at Lander University.
Previously to being at the College of Charleston, I was an assistant strength and conditioning coach at the University of Virginia (2024-25), where I worked with the track and field and cross-country teams. There, the women’s team earned ACC Conference Champions, there were 35 East Regional Qualifiers and 11 NCAA Qualifiers.
Previous to UVA, I was an assistant strength and conditioning coach at Lander University (2022-24), where I created and coached programs for women’s basketball, women’s volleyball, men and women’s cross-country and track and field, acrobatics and tumbling, field hockey, women’s tennis and men and women’s golf.
Interests: I love to spend time outside, read and visit/explore different coffee shops.
Looking Forward: I can’t wait to watch the athletes succeed in both their academic and athletic careers.
Morgan Welborn Enrollment and Budget Manager, Graduate School
Background: I am originally from Alabama and moved to Charleston in 2022. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from Auburn University and a master’s degree in higher education administration from the University of North Texas. After graduating, I began my career in higher education in international student and scholar services.
Interests: I enjoy spending time with my family, friends and dog. In my free time, I enjoy exploring walking trails, cross stitching and taking group fitness classes.
Looking Forward: I am really looking forward to getting to know the CofC community. My most recent position was outside of higher education, so I am also excited to return to higher education and support the graduate students and departments at CofC.
Setter: Madison Markwardt, Round Top-Carmine, soph.
Libero/Defensive Specialist: Ana Servin, Sulphur Bluff, sr.
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Professional Volleyball League team Choco Mucho Flying Titans announced four addition to their team, Eya Laure, Jaila Atienza, Alina Bicar, and Caitlin Viray, for 2026 on Wednesday.
“The Choco Mucho Flying Titans welcome 4 new players to the team! They bring the grit, speed, and fire that will make every match unforgettable,” they wrote in their post.
This came after Royse Tubino, Bia General, Cherry Nunag, and Aduke Agunsanya ended their stint with the team. (Instagram/Choco Mucho Flying Titans)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – – Belmont University student-athletes recorded another remarkable semester in the classroom as 2025 fall semester grades were finalized last week.
For the 2025 fall semester, the departmental grade-point average (GPA) was 3.530, which marked the 56th consecutive semester that Belmont student-athletes have earned a GPA of 3.0 or higher. In addition, it was the 12th straight semester that the department GPA was over a 3.5.
“Our student-athletes continue to do an amazing job in the classroom,” said Scott Corley, Belmont’s Vice President/Director of Athletics. “That success is a credit to our student-athletes, coaches, and academic support staff who continue to maintain our department’s commitment to academic excellence.”
Highlights from the fall semester included:
64 percent of student-athletes achieved a semester GPA of 3.5 or higher
85 percent of student-athletes achieved a semester GPA of 3.0 of higher
15 percent of student-athletes earned a perfect 4.00 GPA
9 Bruin teams posted a team GPA of 3.5 or higher for the semester.
About Belmont University
Located two miles from downtown Nashville, Tennessee, Belmont University comprises nearly 9,000 students from every state and 33 countries. Nationally ranked and consistently recognized by U.S. News & World Report for innovation in higher education, the University offers more than 115 areas of undergraduate study, 41 master’s programs and eight doctoral degrees. With a focus on whole-person formation and data-informed social innovation, Belmont is committed to forming diverse leaders of character equipped to solve the world’s complex problems. For more information, visit www.belmont.edu.
After winning the women’s Volleyball Nations League and the FIVB Volleyball Women’s U21 World Championship earlier in the year, Italy crowned a great season with the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship title. Turkiye reached a World Championship final for the first time in history and settled for silver, while Brazil completed the podium with bronze. The year’s top event was held in Thailand from August 22 to September 7.
The first World Championship under the new biennial cycle and with an expanded 32-team format marked a breakthrough moment for the sport, with unprecedented audiences across volleyball’s major markets. Volleyball World’s OTT platform, VBTV, added further momentum with more than 7 million views across the championship. The Italy v Brazil semifinal attracted 350 thousand viewers, while the final drew 250 thousand, underscoring the global appetite for premium volleyball coverage beyond traditional broadcast. Social media popularity of the competition was expressed in 7.8 thousand posts and 145 million impressions, as well as 48 million YouTube views.
The 32 participating teams were drawn into eight round-robin pools of four for the first phase of the competition. Reigning Paris 2024 Olympic champions Italy cruised through Pool B undefeated, dropping a set only in their match against Belgium. They went on to sweep their eighthfinal against Germany and their quarterfinal against Poland in straight sets. In a hard-fought semifinal against Brazil, the Italians came back from a set down twice before emerging with a 3-2 (22-25, 25-22, 28-30, 25-22, 15-13) victory. The gold medal showdown in Bangkok was also pushed to five sets. This time Turkiye came back from a set down twice to get closer than ever to the world title, but the trophy went to Italy after they prevailed in the tie-breaker, 3-2 (25-23, 13-25, 26-24, 19-25, 15-8). It was the second world crown for Italy, after their 2002 triumph. They also won silver in 2018 and bronze in 2022.
“I still can’t believe it,” Italian super-star opposite Paola Egonu said after the gold medal match. “I’m really proud of the team and incredibly happy. This is a moment I’ll never forget. It’s probably the last time for some of our players, too, and my heart is full now.”
Turkiye also reached the final undefeated. They did not lose a single set in Pool E, shut out Slovenia in the eighthfinals and beat USA in four sets in the quarterfinals. Another four-set victory, a 3-1 (16-25, 25-17, 25-18, 27-25) comeback in the semifinal against Japan, propelled Turkiye to their first ever World Championship final and secured them their first ever World Championship medal.
2025 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship silver medalists Turkiye
Brazil also won Pool C unbeaten, but only after coming back from two sets down to reverse-sweep their match against France. After a four-set eighthfinal victory over the Dominican Republic and a tight straight-set quarterfinal against France, they lost narrowly to Italy in the semis, but bounced back in the third-place playoff against Japan. A nail-biting 3-2 (25-12, 25-17, 19-25, 27-29, 18-16) win added the sixth medal to their World Championship collection. Brazil now have four silvers and two bronzes.
2025 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship bronze medalists Brazil
Japan, USA, the Netherlands, Poland, France, China, Serbia, Belgium, Germany, Thailand, the Dominican Republic, Canada, Slovenia, Ukraine, Spain, Sweden, Kenya, Greece, Argentina, Cuba, Mexico, Czechia, Colombia, Bulgaria, Puerto Rico, Egypt, Slovakia, Vietnam and Cameroon, in that order, took the places from fourth to 32nd in the final standings.
Italy’s 27-year-old setter Alessia Orro was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the World Championship. She also headlined the Dream Team, which featured opposite Melissa Vargas (Turkiye), outside hitters Mayu Ishikawa (Japan) and Gabriela Guimaraes (Brazil), middle blockers Anna Danesi (Italy) and Eda Erdem (Turkiye), and libero Monica De Gennaro (Italy).
The 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship Dream Team
Click here for the official FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship website.
Jasper Samuelson and Emmett Schumann on their way to first and third-place finishes in the freshman-sophomore 600-meter run.
A small crew represented Bonac boys indoor track at a crossover meet at Suffolk Community College in Brentwood on Dec. 21, but the track and field athletes who did compete turned in impressive performances.
Coach Kevin Barry said only half of the team was able to participate because of winter recess and illnesses. At least seven runners were out with the flu.
The highlight came from Eduardo Calle, who became the first Bonac long jumper to break 20 feet in 15 years, with a leap of 20 feet 1 inch — good for third place.
“This is his second winter track season,” Barry said. “He jumped 19 feet 1 inch last year and has been improving every meet so far. Twenty feet was the goal for him going into the season. Now he has new goals to set.”
Jasper Samuelson and Emmett Schumann finished first and third over all in the freshman-sophomore 600-meter run, with times of 1:31.89 and 1:36.41. Samuelson also won the 300-meter dash immediately afterward in 40.38 seconds. Samuelson is now the fastest sophomore in Suffolk County, while Schumann is the second fastest freshman, both in the 600-meter distance.
Sean Perez, a senior, finished the 1,000-meter run in 2:50 — good for fifth place.
Coach Barry called his athletes “very dedicated and hard-working,” and said they’ll keep at it over winter recess. “As a team, we are hoping to get some good work done during the holiday break and survive the flu that is going around to set us up for the big meets coming in January.”
