HIGH POINT, N.C., Jan. 31, 2018 – High Point University welcomed 11 new staff members in December and January. They are as follows:
Laura Giardullo joined the Office of Academic Services as a learning excellence specialist. She supports HPU students in their academic goals through coaching, connecting them with campus resources, helping them strategize for success and tracking their progress. Giardullo has 17 years of experience in higher education in a variety of academic services and as an instructor. She has a bachelor’s degree in social sciences and a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing.
Portia Cohen joined the Office of Academic Services as a learning excellence specialist. She provides structured student support, including meeting with students weekly to develop skills and improve academically. Cohen worked previously as an educator and counselor in the mental health field. Most recently, she worked as a retention specialist. She has a Bachelor of Science in child development and a Master of Science in adult education.
Jennifer Foster joined the Office of Student Accounts as a student accounts coordinator. She helps students arrange health insurance and works with state prepaid programs and Perkins loans. A High Point native and HPU alumna, Foster worked at Pinnacle Financial Partners, previously BNC Bank and High Point Bank, as a personal banker for five years. She graduated from HPU in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in marketing.
Hailee Moffitt joined the Office of Student Accounts as an office coordinator. She assists students and parents with billing and accounts, maintains files and databases, supervises student workers and handles correspondence. A 2017 graduate of HPU, Moffitt has experience as an IT helpdesk associate. She has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a minor in music (voice).
Brooke Hines joined the Office of Undergraduate Admissions as a senior regional admissions counselor. She assists counselors and students from Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Montana, Hawaii, Idaho, Wyoming and Northern California throughout the college search and admissions process. Hines joins HPU after two years at Education First in California working with educators to provide domestic and international travel for their students. She also has experience teaching students with disabilities in public school classrooms and in-home settings. Hines graduated from HPU in 2012 with a degree in special education and holds a special education general curriculum K-12 licensure.
Andrea Morehouse joined the Office of Student Life as a resident director.She supervises resident assistants and office assistants, and ensures students living in Finch, Millis and Wilson halls have a positive and safe residential experience. Morehouse has served previously as a sorority house director and advisor, and she has worked with university international and lifelong learning programs. She also taught middle and high school English and served as a trip leader and history teacher for Putney Student Travel’s Pre-College London Program. She has a bachelor’s degree in English and history, a Master of Arts in teaching and a Master of Education in student development in higher education.
Melinda Poteet joined Academic Affairs at HPU as an administrative assistant. She works with the Department of World Languages, Literatures and Cultures, and the Department of Political Science. Her responsibilities include managing department processes and assisting students and faculty with scheduling and other needs. Previously, she lived in Sydney, Australia, where she worked as a voice and piano teacher at an international music academy and studied songwriting and leadership at Hillsong International Leadership College. She graduated from HPU in 2014 with degrees in political science and music composition.
Bianca Ascolese, Haley Ashley, Vanessa Morales and Ibrahim Shtayyeh, pictured below left to right, joined the Office of Undergraduate Admissions as university liaisons. They share information with prospective families on the value of HPU and opportunities available at the university, including resources in Cottrell Hall. All of them are recent graduates of HPU, who draw on their personal experience when working with high school students. Ascolese graduated in December with a bachelor’s degree in political science and criminal justice. Ashley graduated with a degree in communication and is currently pursuing a master’s degree. Morales graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Shtayyeh, who has experience in sales, graduated with a degree in business administration.
