Get to Know the Newest Members of the W&L Community – 1/22/25 The following individuals recently joined the Washington and Lee employee workforce.

Communications & Public Affairs
January 22, 2025

Hillary Cocke, Director of Alumni Engagement – Alumni and Career Engagement

Q. Tell us a little about yourself.
I earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Virginia and a Master of Social Work from the University of Tennessee. My husband, Andrew, is a special education teacher, and I have two sons, ages 5 1/2 and 2 1/2. We live in Waynesboro, Virginia and I worked at UVA for the prior 13 years.

Q. How do you unwind or have fun? Any hobbies or hidden talents?
I love baking and cooking and trying new recipes. I also love bringing my kids on little adventures: splash pads, children’s museums, nature walks – anything that gets us out of the house! I never miss the “Survivor” television show and collect Starbucks mugs whenever I visit a new city.

Q. Best advice anyone has given you?
My dad has always told me: “Handle everything with courage, honesty and grace.”

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Colleen Drake, Operations and First-Year Coordinator – Student Affairs

Q. Tell us a little about yourself.
I am originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and have lived in Rockbridge County for 30 years now. I have two grown sons and a daughter-in-law, all of whom I am especially proud of.

Q. Any favorite Lexington/regional spots/activities (or something you are excited about)?
We are so lucky to live in this part of Virginia and experience the beauty of each season. It often catches me off guard how beautiful Lexington is.

Q. Anything, in particular, you are looking forward to at W&L?
I’m looking forward to new challenges that W&L will bring. I’m eager to learn and be a part of an amazing team.

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Alex Rabar, Interim Director of Public Safety

Q. Tell us a little about yourself.
I have four wonderful children – Sean, Olivia, Alyssa and Reece. I am married to my wife, Kara. I hold an undergraduate degree from Rutgers University and a graduate degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University. I am also a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico Virginia.

Q. How do you unwind or have fun? Any hobbies or hidden talents?
I like to watch sports, in particular the New York Mets and the New York Giants. I play golf as much as possible or spend time with my family and friends. I especially enjoy playing Monopoly with my children.

Q. Best advice anyone has given you?
There have been so many people that have guided me along my journey to W&L. I cannot put my finger on a particular piece of advice that someone has given me; however, I will say that the person that led me to who I am today, professionally, is my previous chief of police, Carmelo Huertas. His mentorship has been and continues to be very influential for me. Additionally, my parents, Linda and Silvio, instilled very strong morals and taught me to treat everyone with kindness and respect.