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Admissions Staff

Catherine Ellzey
Title	Admissions Counselor
Email	cellzey@shepherd.edu ( Email )
Phone	304-876-5718
With an unlimited budget, where would your next vacation be? I think I would go to the Bahamas during the coolers months of November-March. I love the idea of beaches, white sands and clear, blue water, but the sun and I don’t get along well. I’d go during the cooler months when the average high is low 80s and stay all winter long! What’s one TV shoe or movie that you’ll stop and watch every time it’s on? National Treasure. I cannot explain how much I love both National Treasure movies. If I find out someone hasn’t seen either movie, I will stop what I’m doing and immediately make them watch at least the first one. I’m still waiting on that third movie! What is something that you think everyone should do at least once in their lives? Everyone should do one thing that absolutely terrifies them at least once. It’s a great confidence booster to conquer your fears and realize you’re stronger than you thought you were. Recently, I went indoor skydiving, and it was a blast. I conquered my fear of falling and heights and I proved I could do anything I set my mind to.

Marley Pensinger
Title	Admissions Counselor
Email	mpensing@shepherd.edu ( Email )
Phone	304-876-5514
If you could have one superpower, which would you choose? I would like the ability to speak every language so that I can visit anywhere in the world and be able to communicate, and also be able to read books written in their original language. If you could be any animal what would you be? I want to be an otter just so I can hang out with the other otters. They are too cute! If you didn’t have to sleep, what would you do with your extra time? My favorite hobby is picking up new hobbies so I would use that time to become proficient in at least one of them. I would also use that time to get really good at video games.

Frank Santiago-Cabrera
Title	Admissions Counselor
Email	fsantiag@shepherd.edu ( Email )
Phone	304-876-5190
What’s the best advice you would give to an incoming student? College is the best time to figure yourself out. Allow yourself to grow and learn from your mistakes. Don’t be afraid to be yourself. Get involved on campus, take risks, take advantage of any opportunity that might arise, and do not be afraid to ask for help whenever you need it. Focus on what’s best for you and most importantly, have lots of fun. What’s one TV show or movie that you’ll stop and watch every time it’s on? My favorite movie of all time, Jurassic Park. It’s so iconic! I was obsessed with dinosaurs as a kid, and I wanted to be a paleontologist, so ask me any dinosaur name, I’ll probably know it. It is currently one of five films that I can quote the entirety of the script from memory, and I make all my friends watch it. It’s a tradition to become my friend. If you could have one superpower, which would you choose? I would love the ability to speak to animals so I could talk to dogs. I love dogs!

Seana Herald
Title	Admissions Counselor
Email	sherald@shepherd.edu ( Email )
Phone	304-876-5356
Do you collect anything? If so, what? I have an unofficial collection of old and odd book editions. Whether it’s a copy of Lady of the Lake from 1898 or an edition of The Great Gatsby with photos from Robert Redford’s 1974 take on the classic, I can’t help but add them to my bookshelf. With an unlimited budget, where would your next vacation be? The better question is where wouldn’t I go with an unlimited budget? I would do my own version of Around the World in 80 Days with trips to the catacombs of Paris, hikes to the top of Machu Picchu, cruises to Antarctica and safaris in the Maasai Mara reserve. What is something that you think everyone should do at least once in their lives? Everyone should step out of their comfort zones as often as humanly possible. Don’t be afraid to look silly, a lot of my best experiences came from doing things that were daunting, whether it was joining the marching band (without knowing a band instrument) or learning to scuba dive!

Lauryn Fridley
Title	Assistant Director of Admissions
Email	lfridley@shepherd.edu ( Email )
Phone	304-876-5199
What’s the best advice you would give to an incoming student? The best advice that I could give to an incoming student is to be yourself and try everything. I made it an effort to get involved on campus right away, and I met some of the greatest people in my life that I will cherish forever. Getting involved and trying new things on campus will help you gain confidence and make your college experience the best years of your life. With an unlimited budget, where would your next vacation be? I think my next vacation would be Europe! You get the best of both worlds by having beautiful beaches to walk on and snowy mountains to climb up. With an unlimited budget, I really don’t see myself coming back! What’s one TV show or movie that you’ll stop and watch every time it’s on? One TV show that I will always watch no matter what is, The Office! I know it’s one of the most popular shows, but it is definitely one of my favorites. I have watched the whole show all the way through at least four times and I have no shame in saying that!

Yocencia Deal
Title	Assistant Director of Admissions/CRM Administrator
Email	ydeal@shepherd.edu ( Email )
Phone	304-876-5464
What’s the best advice you would give to an incoming student? College is an exciting time to learn and grow. Don’t be afraid to take risks, join organizations and get involved in campus activities. This is your opportunity to try new things, explore different course topics, and meet people who are like and unlike you. There is no right or wrong path; just the one that is best for you – get out there, explore, and have fun! With an unlimited budget, where would your next vacation be? Where wouldn’t I go with an unlimited budget?! I have a laundry list of places that I would love to explore like the Galapagos Islands, Alaska, Hawaii, Australia, Peru…the list goes on. But if I had to pick one for the next trip, I think it would be Alaska and all it has to offer. If you could be any animal, what would you be? I would be a hawk. To be able to travel short and long distances quickly, soar high above to out of the way areas and get a “bird’s eye view” would be phenomenal. Also to have the vision abilities of a hawk would be amazing.

Florencia Gonzalez
Title	Program Assistant
Email	fgonzale@shepherd.edu ( Email )
Phone	304-876-5212

Alyson Canning
Title	Administrative Assistant
Email	acanning@shepherd.edu ( Email )
Phone	304-876-5212

Barbara Kandalis
Title	Coordinator of Dual Enrollment
Email	bkandali@shepherd.edu ( Email )
Office	Enrollment Management

Beth Thomas
Title	Regents Bachelor of Arts Coordinator
Email	bthomas@shepherd.edu ( Email )
Phone	304-876-5725

Will Bell
Title	Director of Admissions
Email	wbell@shepherd.edu ( Email )
Phone	304-876-5212
What’s the best advice you would give to an incoming student? It’s OK to not know what you want to major in or what you want to do. You don’t have to have everything figured out when you get to college or when you leave it. Have fun, get involved, and enjoy your experience. What Harry Potter House are you in? What’s a Harry Potter House? What’s one TV show or movie that you’ll stop and watch every time it’s on? I enjoy watching sports so I’ll watch most any baseball and NFL or college football game. Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones, and Seinfeld are some of my favorite shows; I’ll always watch them if they’re on.