Dr. Theresa Cruz Paul
Director
tcpaul@wcu.edu
150B Reid
828.227.3812
Theresa has been involved in career and professional development in higher education since 2005. She has experience assisting students with career counseling, resume and cover letter development, interviewing strategies, job and internship searching, and career planning. Theresa has worked at William Paterson University in New Jersey as an Assistant Director, at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in Manhattan as an Associate Director of Academic Internships and currently at Western Carolina University in North Carolina as Director. Theresa holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and a Masters of Education degree in Professional Counseling from William Paterson University, a second Masters of Education degree in High and Postsecondary Education from Teachers College, Columbia University and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Western Carolina University.
Adam Ray
Associate Director of Employer Engagement
caray@wcu.edu
151H Reid
828.227.3171
Adam has been an employee of Western Carolina University since 2016. He began as an Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions working specifically with Transfer students and then, in 2019, transitioned to recruitment aligned with First-Year/Freshman students. In his current role, Adam conducts employer outreach strategies and assists employers in their conversations with students through on-campus events. Adam holds a B.A. in History (2013), a B.S. in Social Science Education (2013), and a M.Ed. in Higher Education Student Affairs (2016) all from Western Carolina University as well as an Ed.S. in Higher Education (2022) from Appalachian State University.
Carrie Hachadurian
Associate Director of Career Integrated Learning
Liaison to College of Arts & Sciences, College of Health & Human Sciences, and College
of Engineering & Technology
cphachadurian@wcu.edu
150L Reid
828.227.3888
Carrie has been an employee at Western Carolina University since 2008. She began as an Administrative Support Specialist in the Writing and Learning Commons before becoming the Student Employment Specialist for the Career and Professional Development Center in January 2013. Carrie is currently the Assistant Director of Student Development and oversees the coordination of campus partnerships and career education for students. Carrie holds a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in English with a concentration in Professional Writing and a minor in Communications. She obtained her M.Ed. in Higher Education Student Affairs at Western Carolina University.
Heather Gordon
Associate Director of DegreePlus
Liaison to the Brinson Honors College and USI/LEAD Courses
hgordon@wcu.edu
150J Reid
828.227.3815
Heather has been an employee at Western Carolina University since 2022. Prior to leading DegreePlus Heather managed youth development programming in the WNC summer camp industry, served as a regional coordinator for WNC Nonprofit Pathways, and most recently as the 4-H Agent with NC Cooperative Extension in Jackson County. Through DegreePlus Heather helps provide opportunities for students to add to the content of their academic studies through experiential experiences in leadership, teamwork, professionalism, and cultural responsiveness. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Warren Wilson College and a Master’s in Public Affairs from WCU.
Erin Waddell
Assistant Director of Experiential Education
Liaison to College of Education & Allied Professions and the College of Business.
ewaddell@wcu.edu
151C Reid
828.227.3891
Erin has been an employee of Western Carolina University since 2023. Erin has worked in experiential education positions since 2015, with both the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the National Park Service. He created and implemented a variety of experiential education programs helping students and the public expand their knowledge through direct experience with their interests. Some of his most fulfilling experiences in experiential education came from his time as a Student Conservation Association Intern and an Education AmeriCorps member in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Erin holds a B.S. in Biology from Florida State University and obtained a M.S. in Experiential and Outdoor Education from Western Carolina University.
April McNiff
Assistant Director of Student Development
Liaison to the Belcher College of Fine & Performing Arts and Campus Partners.
amcniff@wcu.edu
151G Reid
828.227.3884
April has been an employee at Western Carolina University since 2023. Prior to WCU, April worked as High School Partnership Coordinator at Southwestern Community College. In this role, she was responsible for developing and implementing partnerships with local high schools to increase college access and success for students. She is a passionate and experienced student affairs and customer service professional with progressive leadership in the higher education setting. She is currently the Assistant Director of Student Development at Western Carolina University, where she oversees the coordination of campus partnerships and career education for students. April has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in Photography and a minor in Art History from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She obtained her M.Ed. in Educational Leadership at Columbus State University.
Trina Royar
Employer Relations Manager
kproyar@wcu.edu
151I Reid
828.227.3856
Trina joined the CCPD after a long career in event planning, and in her previous role, responsible for the Mountain Heritage Day Festival here at Western Carolina University for 7 years. She is a former events manager for the City of Asheville, served as Executive Director of the Haywood County Arts Council, was a manager of the Biltmore Estate Special Projects group (Concerts, Festivals, and Programming), and founded Fiddlehead Music and Dance Camp and weekend festivals. She has served as chair of Asheville's Downtown After-Five entertainment committee and is a long-time member of both the national and regional dance scene. Trina moved to WNC in the late '80s to dance professionally and tour with the Green Grass Cloggers.
Tara Smith
Administrative Support Associate
tysmith@wcu.edu
150A Reid
828.227.3626
Tara Smith joined the CCPD in September 2021. Before coming to WCU she worked in various pediatric medical offices as a medical assistant and office manager.
There are no Graduate Assistants at this time.
If you are interested in working with the Center for Career & Professional Development or DegreePlus please contact Theresa Cruz Paul, tcpaul@wcu.edu.
Our office is supported by a team of student workers. They provide office and event
support, marketing assistance, and excellent customer service to our community. Some
of our student workers are also trained as Peer Mentors hosting our Career Studio
and leading presentations to residence halls and student groups.
Our Career Studio is a space in the CCPD where students can get assistance with resume,
cover letter, personal statements, interview skills/prep, or answers to major and
career exploration questions. No appointment required! The Career Studio is open Monday
- Friday from 12:00pm - 4:00pm.
If you are interested in joining our student team please contact Carrie Hachadurian, cphachadurian@wcu.edu.
Front Desk and Peer Mentor
Front Desk and Peer Mentor
Front Desk and Peer Mentor
Front Desk and Peer Mentor
Social Media Assistant
Front Desk and Peer Mentor
Front Desk and Peer Mentor
Front Desk and Peer Mentor
Front Desk and Peer Mentor
DegreePlus Office Assistant
DegreePlus Social Media Specialist
Front Desk and Peer Mentor