Get to Know the Newest Members of the W&L Community – 10/24/24 The following individuals recently joined the Washington and Lee employee workforce.

Communications & Public Affairs
October 24, 2024

Samantha Baker, Assistant Director of Admissions, Campus Visits – Admissions

Q. Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m originally from California and my family still lives there. I attended Sweet Briar College and decided to stay in Virginia. I currently live in Lynchburg with my cat, Winston.

Q. How do you unwind or have fun? Any hobbies or hidden talents?
I love to do dinner or game nights with friends. I’m also a big crafter and always have a project I’m working on.

Q. Best advice anyone has given you?
My mentor would quote, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” I still try to follow this advice in my life, whether personal or at work.

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Jennifer Furrow, Assistant Director of Annual Giving, Student Philanthropy – University Development

Q. Tell us a little about yourself.
I earned a Bachelor of Arts in international relations from Linfield University. I studied abroad in France at the Université Catholique de l’Ouest.

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Hillary Molloy, Institutional Research Analyst – Office of Accreditation and Institutional Research

Q. Tell us a little about yourself.
I graduated from Dickinson College with a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and out of college, I joined the research and development division at Educational Testing Service. I grew up near Princeton, New Jersey and moved to San Francisco, California, before migrating back to the East Coast to be closer to family.  Beyond enjoying the perks of aunthood, I’ve truly fallen in love with Virginia’s beautiful scenery, arts and cuisine. Outside of work, I am a self-proclaimed “fan of being a fan of things.”  I closely follow the local Charlottesville music scene, in addition to everyone’s favorite underground indie artist, Taylor Swift.  I love live arts, farmers markets and the Virginia Film Festival.

Q. Any favorite Lexington/regional spots/activities (or something you are excited about)?
As a resident of Charlottesville, my favorite spots include IX Art Park, the Saunders-Monticello trail, and of course, the downtown mall. My knowledge of Lexington is quite limited, but I’m eager to check out Hull’s Drive-In.  Other local suggestions are welcome!

Q. How do you unwind or have fun? Any hobbies or hidden talents?
I enjoy video editing, collecting vinyls and going to local events and festivals.

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Quincy Nowlin, Food Service Worker – Dining Services

Q. Tell us a little about yourself.
I have been a Rockbridge County resident for 25 years and I am a graduate of Parry McCluer High School and Liberty University.

Q. How do you unwind or have fun? Any hobbies or hidden talents?
I love just to laugh, joke and have a good time! I love gardening, playing and coaching basketball, and working out!

Q. Best advice anyone has given you?
Life is full of problems, just keep going! There is always sunshine at the end of the storm.

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Caleb Simon, Assistant Director of Law Career Strategy – Law School

Q. Tell us a little about yourself.
I am originally from Houston, Texas and grew up in Guadalajara, Mexico. I earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Liberty University and a Master of Education in counseling from the University of Lynchburg. I am engaged to a middle school family & consumer science teacher and we are the owners of many animals, including two dogs and three cats.

Q. How do you unwind or have fun? Any hobbies or hidden talents?
I unwind by exercising, painting (badly), cooking and baking, trying new foods, hiking and camping.

Q. Best advice anyone has given you?
Focus on what is in your control. Do your best to make it pristine. Good things will follow.

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Melissa Sizemore, Assistant Director of Alumni and Career Services Marketing – Alumni and Career Services

Q. Tell us a little about yourself.
I hold a Bachelor of Arts in English and art history and I have a six-year-old son.

Q. How do you unwind or have fun? Any hobbies or hidden talents?
I’m passionate about photography and film and I have a studio at Thunder Bridge in Glasgow. I’m also a classically-trained violinist and also enjoy staying active by boxing at a local gym!

Q. Any favorite Lexington/regional spots/activities (or something you are excited about)?
We love exploring hidden swimming holes in the summer and hiking in the fall and spring.

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Shaun Soman, Alumni and Career Services Fellow – Alumni and Career Services

Q. Tell us a little about yourself.
I graduated from W&L in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy and minors in film & visual culture studies and women’s, gender and sexuality studies. I grew up in Wisconsin and was living there before moving back to Rockbridge County with my cat, Nico.

Q. How do you unwind or have fun? Any hobbies or hidden talents?
I like trying and learning about everything I can! Among other things, each day I try to listen to at least one album I haven’t heard before. I make digital collage art, I watch a lot of movies and anime, and I’m looking to get into playing squash. I’m also a huge Green Bay Packers fan.

Q. Anything, in particular, you are looking forward to at W&L?
I’m most looking forward to being back in this community and making connections for both myself and others.

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Michael Suthers, Grounds Worker – University Facilities

Q. Tell us a little about yourself.
I am married with four children and I live locally.

Q. How do you unwind or have fun? Any hobbies or hidden talents?
I enjoy running, hiking and photography.

Q. Anything, in particular, you are looking forward to at W&L?
I’m looking forward to being a part of the great atmosphere on campus.

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Pamela Wagner, Gift Planning Coordinator – University Advancement

Q. Tell us a little about yourself.
I am originally from Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania, but have lived the past 28 years in Oakland, California with my husband, Mike, and daughter, AnaMaria. Mike and I were American parents to more than 20 exchange students from around the world during their high school and college years. I hold a Bachelor of Arts in English from Beaver College (now Arcadia University), a Master of Arts from Sotheby’s Institute of Art and a Master of Arts in arts management from American University.

Q. How do you unwind or have fun? Any hobbies or hidden talents?
I enjoy reading historical fiction, baking and all types of needlework. My hidden talents include collecting art and antiques.

Q. Anything, in particular, you are looking forward to at W&L?
Early in life, I decided to pursue work in the nonprofit sector so that I could align my personal values with my work life and have loved my career ever since! I truly enjoy meeting new people and creating opportunities to build deep relationships and development has allowed me to practice what I love while doing good for the world through education

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Kelli Woodard, Senior Recruitment Coordinator – The Law School

Q. Tell us a little about yourself.
I have lived in Lexington for seven years after moving from Louisville, Kentucky, where I attended graduate school and earned a master’s degree in public administration. My bachelor’s degree is in integrative biology and I am a “science nerd” at heart. I grew up in Las Vegas, and while I enjoy visiting the desert, I am happy to call this beautiful place home. My husband, Steven, and I have three children.

Q. Any favorite Lexington/regional spots/activities (or something you are excited about)?
I love to kayak. I am fairly new to the sport, but I love it and go as often as I can. My husband is my “kayak buddy” and we love trying out new runs on both the Maury and the James. We bring the three kiddos along too.

Q. How do you unwind/have fun?  Any hobbies/hidden talents?
I really enjoy creating things with my hands. I like to sew, knit and paint. I enjoy yoga and gardening. My weekends often revolve around my kid’s sports games. I am assistant coaching my daughter’s soccer team this year.