HIGH POINT, N.C., Oct. 3, 2016 – High Point University welcomed nine new staff members during the month of September. They are as follows:
Gail Strickland joins the School of Pharmacy as an assessment and student services assistant. This is a newly created position. She assists the associate deans, Dr. Peter Gal and Dr. Buddy Lingle, with graduate student admissions and compiles assessments and evaluations to assist in meeting accreditation requirements. She also assists students and faculty training for assessment software and applications tools and provides assistance with new computer technologies and software. She has more than 20 years of experience as an executive assistant and has worked with increasing levels of new business technologies. Strickland has bachelor’s degrees in computer technology and information systems, and business administration.
Lindsay Garren joins the Department of Physical Therapy as an administrative assistant. She supports students and student activities. She also assists with activities related to the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education and the self-study process. Garren’s previous experience includes serving as an office and operations manager for an accounting firm and working with medical records at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital. She is a certified health and wellness coach through MacDonald Center for Obesity Prevention and Education, and she has certificates in outpatient billing and medical receptionist. She is currently pursuing a degree in medical office administration.
Jim Smith joins the Office of Undergraduate Admissions as director of international recruitment. He works with international students who would like to attend HPU. He strives to diversify the student body with students from as many different countries as possible and provide students with a sense of the global impact they have on each other. Previously, Smith worked in secondary education as an administrator, recruiter and an educational consultant. He has a Bachelor of Science in psychology.
Gabriella Tobias joins the Office of Undergraduate Admissions as an admissions counselor. She will assist students from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin with the admissions process. This includes being a guide and mentor from the application process through their enrollment and watching them grow throughout their college years. Tobias, who has previous experience in customer service, holds a bachelor’s degree in justice studies.
Megan Plasket joins the Office of Undergraduate Admissions as a senior admissions counselor. Her responsibilities include working with students, parents and counselors in the northern region of New Jersey. She will help prospective students become familiar with HPU, encourage them to visit campus, guide them through the admissions process and review applications. Previously, Plasket worked in the account management division of a logistics company. She graduated from High Point University in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts in strategic communication.
Allie Jacobius joins the Office of Undergraduate Admissions as an admissions counselor. She is responsible for working with prospective students in upstate New York. She looks forward to demonstrating the many opportunities available at HPU and helping students learn more about the impact they can have on campus and throughout their careers. Most recently, Jacobius was a membership engagement representative with the YMCA of Asheville. She has a bachelor’s degree in history and international studies.
Sherrice Battle joins the Office of Human Resources as a human resources coordinator. She serves as a liaison between faculty and Human Resources, conducting new hire orientations for prospective faculty members, leave administration and ensuring that leave policies are applied on a consistent basis. Battle, whose prior work experience is also in human resources, holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology. She is currently completing a Master of Business Administration in human resources.
Kassidy Sparks joins the Office of Student Life as assistant director for campus engagement and student activities. She serves as an advisor for the Campus Activities Team and the Student Government Association, and she supervises students who are employed by Student Life. As part of her role, she will help students translate their college experiences through organizations or employment into skills they can use upon graduation. Her prior experience includes work in continuing education and student affairs within higher education. She has a bachelor’s degree in communication studies and a master’s degree in student personnel administration in higher education.
Brenna Turer joins the Office of Student Life as a resident director. She supervises staff in the Village 2 and University Village residential areas, assists with student needs and helps with planning events. Her work ensures students’ residential experiences support their academic and social growth at HPU. She gained experience working in residence life while earning her bachelor’s degree in English. She also has a background in education and is certified to teach secondary English.