Contact Undergraduate and Transfer Admissions

Mike Langford

Director of Undergraduate Admissions

malangford@wcu.edu
828.227.7317

Chris Parrish

Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions Systems & Planning

parrish@wcu.edu
828.227.3159

Heather Hill

Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions Regional Engagement

hchill@wcu.edu
828.227.3170

Hometown: Mills River, NC 
Educational Background: Bachelor’s of Science in Communication with double concentrations in Public Relations & Journalism, minor in Psychology and a Master’s in Higher Education Student Affairs – both from WCU. 
Professional Background: The profound impact that my time spent as an undergraduate had on me peaked my interest in the profession of helping other students pursue their educational goals and dreams. Once I discovered this passion, I began working as an admission counselor at WCU.  
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Through my professional journey within higher education, I have had the opportunity to become a first-generation advocate, become green-zone trained, serve as a peer-mentor to students, assist in leading a team of student employees, act as an advisor to a club sport team and club, become a certified mental health first-aid instructor, and more! I find myself very fortunate to work in such an influential and inspiring profession.
What I love about WCU: I love that everyone feels like family here as well as the feeling of peace and serenity that our campus atmosphere brings. 
Favorite Quote: “When all else fails, God doesn’t.” Psalm 73:26 & “You can never be overdressed or overeducated.” Kate Spade

Beth Owenby

Regional Assistant Director of Admissions at A-B Tech

meowenby@wcu.edu
828.227.3750 & 828.398.7182

Hometown: Asheville, NC
Educational Background: M.B.A., Montreat College; B.S.B.A. Management, Theatre Minor, Appalachian State University
Professional Background: College was such a meaningful time for me, and I want to help people be able to learn. Higher Education felt like a calling and I have been involved in it in one way or another since 2005.
What I love about WCU: WCU works hard to make higher education available to students from various background, especially those in rural areas.
Favorite Quote: “And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make” – The Beatles
Advice for future Catamounts: Be open to new ideas and you will learn so much more than you would have thought was possible.

Jennifer Milo

Regional Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions (Raleigh)

jmilo@wcu.edu
828.227.3160

Hometown: Kernersville, North Carolina
Educational Background: B.S.Ed. Elementary Education, Western Carolina University with a minor in Psychology
Professional Background: I began my teaching career after I graduated from Western Carolina in 2015. I taught first, second and third grade for five years in Lee County, NC. I have always had a passion for education, and my love for higher education began while I was attending WCU working in the admissions office as a TeleRecruiter. I am excited to now be able to help students as they begin their college journey!
What I love About WCU: WCU feels like home. The community is supportive and the friends you make here feel like family. I also love that WCU is surrounded by mountains and there is always something new to discover. 
Favorite Quote: "Education is one thing no one can take away from you." -Elin Nordegren "Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." Dr. Seuss

Eddie Johnson

Regional Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions (Triad)

etjohnson@wcu.edu
828.227.2394

Hometown: Graham, North Carolina
Educational Background: B.S. in History with a Minor in Political Science from Western Carolina University
Professional Background: I worked in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions for a year and a half as a tour guide. While working as a tour guide, I found that I enjoyed working with students and their families in deciding where they would like to go for post-secondary education. This led me to apply for the position that I now have with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
What I love about WCU: Coming from the Piedmont region, I loved being surrounded by the mountains of WNC. All the activities and sights to see in the area filled up my spare time as a student. The area and community is unlike any other I’ve seen.
Favorite Quote: “Do or do not. There is no try.” – Master Yoda

Kayleigh Hand

Regional Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions (Charlotte)

handk@wcu.edu

Hometown: Gastonia, North Carolina
Educational Background: Received my M.A. Higher Education, Community College and University Leadership from Appalachian State (2024) and my B.S. Sociology with a Minor in Leadership from Western Carolina (2021).
Professional Background: While at Western, I stayed very involved in all sorts of activities/jobs which eventually led me to pursuing a career in Higher Education. After graduating from WCU, I began my journey in Higher Education by obtaining my master's, working with Alumni and Fraternity and Sorority life in the Charlotte area and eventually receiving the opportunity to work for the Office of Admissions at Western. SO excited to be here!!
What I love about WCU: My all-time favorite aspect about WCU is the close community and support you receive from all the staff, faculty, and your peers. WCU it truly a place that will help you be your best self while encouraging you to never stray away from being authentically you.
Favorite Quote: "Aspire to inspire before you expire" – Eugene Bell Jr.
Advice for future Catamounts: What you give to Western, it will give to you! Be apart of the community to the best of your ability and you will see the benefits, opportunities, and memories unfold!

Dr. Patrick Frazier

Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions Marketing & Events

pfrazier@wcu.edu
828.227.2671

Hometown: Sylva, NC
Educational Background: B.S. in Business Administration and Management, Western Carolina University; Masters of Project Management, Western Carolina University; and Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration and Leadership, Texas Tech University
Professional Background: During my time as a student at WCU, I served as a Golden Ambassador (tour guide) for the Office of Admissions and as a Chancellors Ambassador. After graduating from WCU in 2007, I began working as an Assistant Director for freshman admissions in the Office of Admissions. I never knew that a career in admissions was a possibility until I began working as a tour guide, but I have been a part of the office ever since graduating! Over the years, I have served in numerous positions within the Office of Admissions prior to my current position. Outside of WCU, I am currently serving on the Region V Leadership Team for the Collegiate Information & Visitor Services Association (CIVSA), I have served as the President for the Carolina's Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (CACRAO) and am currently serving as the Immediate Past President of the Southern Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (SACRAO). 
What I love about WCU: WCU is without a doubt my home. When I was a high school student, WCU was not my first choice because both of my parents had gone to the university and my dad worked at the university. However, I have never once regretted my decision to attend WCU and would do it again in a heartbeat! I made so many lifelong friends in my time living in Walker Residence Hall and in my degree program. From day one, I could tell that the professors cared not just about how you did academically, but also personally, and professionally after graduating. WCU is a family, and I am proud to be a part of the family each and every day!
Favorite Quote: “If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.” – Thorin Oakenshield

Emily Bingham

Senior Assistant Director of Campus Visits

ebingham@wcu.edu
828.227.2672

Hometown: Sylva, NC
Educational Background: Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Recreational Therapy from Western Carolina University
Professional Background: Growing up, both my mom and dad were staff at WCU, so I got to see and experience their passion for higher education and the relationships they formed with students and other staff. That was always interesting for me to observe and rubbed off on me as I got older and started to understand the importance of the relationships formed in college. I have now worked for the Admissions Office since the fall of 2013, after graduation, when the exciting opportunity to become an Admission counselor sort of fell into my lap. I have stayed within the Admissions Office since then because I realized I have the same passion and love for higher education, that my parents had, as well as I feel like I’m able to help others and make a difference in this position.
What I love about WCU: I love WCU because it’s my hometown’s backyard and where I grew up. I met my friends for life, my professors were so personable, my whole family is alumni, and I have one of the most fun jobs working with our current students, prospective students and their families, and traveling.
Favorite Quote: “Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” – Albus Dumbledore

Elsie Dru Miles

Assistant Director of Admissions - Marketing

emiles@wcu.edu 
828.227.2687

Hometown: Macon, GA
Education Background: BFA in Fine Art from Valdosta State University, 2011
Professional Background: While in college in 2006, I found myself working part-time in the Housing and Residence Life Office. During those five years, I knew I wanted to work on a college campus as my career but wasn’t exactly sure in what capacity. Once I was in my last semester in 2011, I accepted a position as a full-time employee in the Office of Admissions, and within just a couple months, I knew I was on the right path! I worked full-time for my alma mater for a year and half but needed to relocate back to Macon, GA to be closer to family in 2013. Once I was back, I began working for Mercer University where I worked in the Enrollment Management Division for right at ten years. I fell in love with admissions work even more and felt so at home working alongside students and their families as they made one of the biggest decisions of their lives. As of July 2023, I started a new chapter here at WCU and could not be more excited! I get to continue my dream career in higher education, as well as begin living a new dream in the North Carolina mountains!
What I love about WCU: The warm family feel I get walking around campus and talking to people is unmatched! WCU is such a beautiful place, inside and out.
Favorite quote: “Lose yourself in nature and find peace.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

Doug Bailey

Administrative Support Specialist

dbailey@wcu.edu
828.227.7317