WARREN WILSON COLLEGE - Key Persons
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- Adjunct Instructor of Outdoor Leadership
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- Trustee Emerita, Former Board Chair
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- Associate Professor of Biology Chair, Biology Department
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- Assistant Professor of Creative Writing
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- Executive Director of Strategic Ventures, Partnerships and Programs
Reporting to the President, the Executive Director oversees the process of analysis and implementation of entrepreneurial activities at the College. The OSVPP will partner with local and regional, public and private, for-profit and nonprofit organizations to identify needs and provide services that generate additional revenue for the College. This position has oversight over the Director of Conferences, Print Shop and Mail Services, and the Swannanoa Gathering. After serving on the Board of Trustees from 2020-23, Ager joined the College on August 16, 2023, in the role of Executive Director of the newly established Office of Strategic Ventures, Programs and Partnerships.
Ager graduated from Warren Wilson in 2000 with a degree in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Sustainable Agriculture and a Minor in Business. At that time Ager, along with her business partner and husband, Jamie Ager, co-founded the renewal of Hickory Nut Gap Farm into a sustainable livestock, retail sales and agritourism business with a focus on diverse and direct market avenues. The increased interest among their customers in supporting regenerative agricultural practices, and grassfed and pasture raised livestock products, led to an expansion of their offerings and the creation of Hickory Nut Gap Meats in 2007. Hickory Nut Gap Meats sources and harvests grassfed cattle and pasture-raised pigs to distribute into groceries, food service, educational institutions, and direct-door delivery throughout the Southeast and in New York City.
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- Associate Professor of Environmental Policy and Law
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- Professor of Anthropology
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- Assistant Professor of Music
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- Vice President for Enrollment
Nesmith was appointed VP for Enrollment on September 6, 2022. A graduate of Centre College in Danville, Kentucky, Nesmith worked at his alma mater in Admissions for almost 27 years, serving the last 12 years as Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid. Under his leadership at Centre, he and his team recruited 12 of the 13 largest classes in college history, dramatically increased the number of international students, and doubled the enrollment of students traditionally underrepresented in higher education, including Black, Latinx, multiracial, and first-generation students. Nesmith also served on the senior leadership team at Centre and worked closely with its Board of Trustees.
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- Director of the Pew Learning Center and Ellison Library
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- Director of Adventure Programs
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- Associate Professor of Theatre Artistic Director, Warren Wilson Theatre
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- Professor of English Associate Provost
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- Assistant Professor of Media Arts and Photography
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- Professor of Anthropology Director of Africana Studies
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- Associate Professor of Math and Data Science
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- Staff Ex Officio / Mars Hill, North Carolina
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- Assistant Professor of Psychology Director of Undergraduate Research
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- Dean of Land Resources
- Education
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- Professor of Global Studies Chair, Department of Global Studies and History
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- Associate Professor of Physics
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- Electronic Resources Librarian & Director of the Sound Lab
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- Secretary / Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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- Assistant Professor of Creative Writing
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- Professor of History and Political Science
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- President
- President of the College / Swannanoa, North Carolina
Dr. Damián J. Fernández has been named the 10th president of Warren Wilson College. He will assume the role as president on June 1, 2023.
A Cuban immigrant who grew up in Puerto Rico and a first-generation college student, Fernández comes to Warren Wilson with more than 30 years of experience in teaching and leadership positions at both private and public institutions. Most recently, he served as president of Eckerd College.
Fernández's aspirations for Warren Wilson College include advancing innovative programs that deepen project- and problem-based learning, growing and diversifying enrollment, addressing facilities and other institutional needs, and rethinking the traditional business model of liberal arts colleges.
During his time at Eckerd, Fernández raised more than $38 million, enrollment reached its highest point, the annual fund set a new record, and the Board approved a strategic plan that prioritized innovation in the liberal arts, community engagement, Diversity Equity Inclusion and Belonging, and financial and environmental sustainability. The college launched initiatives to deepen student learning (including a farm and the living shoreline restoration project), funded seed grants for faculty and student collaboration, and established the St. Pete Center for Civic Engagement, the Office of Inclusive Excellence, The Nielsen Center for the Liberal Arts, and the Seville Center in Spain.
Fernández received his bachelor's from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University, master's in Latin American Studies from the University of Florida, and Ph.D. in International Relations from the University of Miami. His research interests center on Latin American politics and international relations. He is the author of the book "Cuba and the Politics of Passion."
A catalytic leader and progressive educator, he is a National Science Foundation grant recipient, and he sat on the Board of the American Council on Education (ACE) and on the Association of Governing Boards Council of Presidents. ACE profiled him in their series on equity-minded leadership. He said Warren Wilson's values, heritage and pedagogy resonate deeply with him.
Dr. Damián J. Fernández is currently serving as President. He assumed the presidency June 1, 2023. A Cuban immigrant who grew up in Puerto Rico and a first-generation college student, Fernández comes to Warren Wilson with more than 30 years of experience in teaching and leadership positions at both private and public institutions. Most recently, he served as President of Eckerd College.
Fernández received his bachelor's from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University, master's in Latin American Studies from the University of Florida, and Ph.D. in International Relations from the University of Miami. He is a National Science Foundation grant recipient, and he sat on the Board of the American Council on Education (ACE) and on the Association of Governing Boards Council of Presidents.
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- Trustee Emeritus / Asheville, North Carolina
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- Faculty Ex Officio / Black Mountain, North Carolina
- Professor of Social Work Social Work Program Director
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- Treasurer / Berea, Kentucky
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- Outdoor Leadership Program Manager
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- Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies
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- President, Alumni Association
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- Director of Human Resources
Schalk joined the College in December of 2019, just prior to the pandemic. She has a background in Human Resource roles spanning over twenty-five years with sixteen years spent in the University of Maryland System. At the University of Maryland Global Campus, Schalk was the Associate Vice President of Human Resources and Organization Development Consulting implementing an HR Business Partner model at that university. Schalk closed out her tenure with the University of Maryland System as the Faculty Liaison at Salisbury University. She then transitioned to Wesley College in Dover, DE; a small private college for the three years prior to coming to Warren Wilson College as the Director of Human Resources. Schalk holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Bowie State University and a Master's degree in Human Resources from the University of Maryland Global Campus.
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- Professor of Mathematics Chair, Math and Computer Sciences Department
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- Board Chair Emeritus / Tallahassee, Florida
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- Associate Professor of Art
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- Associate Professor of Philosophy Chair, Department of Philosophy and Politics
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- Provost & Dean of the Faculty
- Vice President of Academic Affairs and
The Provost and Dean of the Faculty has oversight over Academic Affairs (all academic programs and degrees, faculty recruitment and evaluation, faculty development, curriculum standards and accreditation, student success offices, the library, careers and internships, land resources, and international education); Student Life (all Counseling and Wellness Centers, the Chaplain and Center for Spiritual Life), the Work Program, International Education, and Career Services. The combination of Provost and Dean signifies a special responsibility and relationship with the academic faculty and the academic mission. This role is also responsible for strategic planning and implementation of initiatives to further integrate the principal components of a Warren Wilson education (academic, community engagement, and work) in both design and function.
Roberts joined Warren Wilson College in June 2020 as Vice President of Academic Affairs and, as of July 1, 2021, transitioned to Provost and Dean of the Faculty. Previously, Roberts spent 20 years at Earlham College as a Professor of Education and Environmental Studies, serving 7 years as the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs. Roberts is a 2019-20 Fellow with the American Council on Education [ACE] and serves on the Editorial Board for the Journal of Experiential Education. Roberts is a noted authority on experiential learning, publishing multiple articles and books on the subject. He holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Miami University, a Master of Education from University of Virginia, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology and Environmental Studies from Lawrence University.
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- Vice Chair / Staunton, Virginia
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- Professor of Global Studies Fulbright Program Advisor
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- Associate Professor of Psychology
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- Assistant Professor of Art Chair, Art Department
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- Manager of Biology and Environmental Studies Departments
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- Associate Professor of Outdoor Leadership Chair, Outdoor Leadership and Adventure Programs Department
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- Trustee Emeritus, Former Board Chair / Asheville, North Carolina
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- Assistant Professor of Sustainable Agriculture Chair, Environmental Studies Department
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- Associate Professor of Education Director, Writing Studio & Writing Program
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- Instructor of Business and Outdoor Leadership
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- Associate Professor of Music
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- Assistant Professor of Biochemistry
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- Adjunct Instructor of Theatre Technical Director
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- Associate Professor of Chemistry Chair, Chemistry and Physics Department
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- Assistant Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies
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- Assistant Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies Pre - Veterinary Advisor
On August 1, 2023, Yehudah transitioned to his current role as Dean of Inclusive Excellence. He joined Warren Wilson in May 2021 initially as Director of the WIDE Office, and on July 2022 as Director of DEI Initiatives, later joining the Cabinet to bring his leadership and expertise in DEIB to the College as whole. Yehudah's career in higher education has included more than 18 years of experience and leadership in teaching, researching, mentoring, and practicing in the fields of multicultural affairs, diversity, and social justice. He holds a B.A. in Communication and a M.A. in Africana Studies from the State University of New York at Albany, as well as a Ph.D. of African-American Studies from Temple University.
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- Trustee Emeritus / Asheville, North Carolina
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- Professor of Environmental Studies and Outdoor Leadership Environmental Studies Director of Environmental Education
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- Professor of Environmental Studies and Biology Head of Water and Earth Sciences Concentration in Environmental Studies
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- Professor of Psychology Chair, Psychology Department Chair, Institutional Review Board
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- Professor of Outdoor Leadership
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- Instructor of Early Childhood Education Chair, Education Department Liaison to Verner Center for Early Learning
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- Adjunct Instructor of Outdoor Leadership Assistant Director of Adventure Programs
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- Instructor of Mathematics
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- Adjunct Instructor of Outdoor Leadership
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- Associate Professor of Conservation Biology
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- Assistant Professor of Biology
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- Professor of English Chair, English Department
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- Instructor of Science Communication
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- Associate Professor of Creative Writing Chair, Creative Writing Department
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- Presbyterian Representative / Hendersonville, North Carolina
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- Assistant Professor of Creative Writing Director, MFA Program for Writers
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- Assistant Professor of History
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- Director of Athletics
- Head Women 's Basketball Coach
The Director of Athletics reports directly to the President and is responsible for developing and executing a strategy for recruiting student-athletes to Warren Wilson College, evaluating the potential for additional athletic programs, and making recommendations to the President for future expansion, raising the profile of College athletics, evaluating and implementing athletic policies, evaluating coaches and staff, and managing the budget. The Director of Athletics develops and implements a vision for athletics, including creating annual and long-term strategic plans for the Department of Athletics that further Warren Wilson College's strategic plan, educational mission, and recruiting goals. This position is also responsible for establishing a culture of excellence within the department with clear accountability and high standards for students, coaches, and staff.
Martin-Davis joined Warren Wilson College in June of 2014 as Head Women's Basketball Coach. As a basketball coach, she has compiled over 100 wins, 3 USCAA National championship berths and one EMAC conference championship. Martin-Davis added to her basketball duties the SWA position within a few years and then transitioned to serve as Associate Athletic Director for two years before being named Athletic Director in June 2022.
Robin holds a master's degree in Kinesiology from Georgia Southern and a bachelor degree from Clarion University. Martin-Davis's role on the administrative side has been compliance education, NCAA education, coordinating all transportation, handling medical claims, game day management, creating and updating our inside athletics webpage as well as working on streamlining and updating our athletic staff and student-athlete handbooks.
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- Trustee Emeritus, Former Board Chair / Asheville, North Carolina
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- Assistant Professor of Social Work Director of Field Education
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- Assistant Professor of Material Culture and Archaeology
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- Professor of Sociology Chair, Sociology and Anthropology Department
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- Assistant Professor of Sociology
Smith joined Warren Wilson College in 2016 as Director of Student Activities and has since served in a variety of student-focused positions. Smith recently served as the Associate Dean of Student Life Engagement where her work focused on student communication and advocacy.
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- Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Marketing, and Strategic Communications
The Vice President has oversight of the philanthropic and communications functions of the College. She and her team design and implement annual and multi-year fundraising campaigns, and articulate and promote the unique brand and value proposition of the College to prospective and current students, their families, faculty, staff, alumni and friends. The team uses fundraising, creative and brand management, messaging, communications integration, and market analysis to advance the mission of Warren Wilson College.
Gliem joined Warren Wilson College on June 1, 2023. With more than 23 years of experience in advancement, marketing, communications and executive Board support, she brings broad knowledge and understanding of the shifting higher education landscape, and a successful track record of creating and implementing tactics to support enrollment and fundraising growth.
Previously she served as Vice President for Communications and Administration and Secretary of the College at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida. A first-generation college graduate, Gliem earned a bachelor of arts in journalism, a bachelor of science in wildlife and fisheries science, and an MBA from Penn State University.
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- Professor of Practice in Business Chair, Business Department
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- Assistant Professor of Chemistry