September 11, 2025
Get to Know the Newest Members of the W&L Community – 9/11/25
Get to Know the Newest Members of the W&L Community – 6/10/26 The following individuals recently joined the Washington and Lee employee workforce.
Emily Ehrensbeck, Assistant Field Hockey Coach – Athletics
Emily Ehrensbeck, assistant field hockey coachQ. Anything in particular that you are looking forward to at W&L?
I’m very much looking forward to joining the campus community!
Shaleigh Howells, NAGPRA Collections Researcher – The College
Shaleigh Howells, NAGPRA Collections ResearcherQ. Tell us a little about yourself.
Originally from the Berkshires in Massachusetts, but have called Virginia home since 2012. Hold a bachelor’s degree in history from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and an ALM in museum studies from Harvard University.
Q. How do you unwind or have fun? Any hobbies or hidden talents?
Love a good meal at Napa Thai and a hike at Natural Bridge State Park. Also lead the Adopt-A-Trail program for Girls Who Hike Virginia at Buck Hill.
Q. Anything in particular that you are looking forward to at W&L?
Building relationships across campus and strengthening connections with Indigenous communities, partners and organizations beyond W&L through meaningful collaboration, engagement and mutual learning.
Jennifer May, Dining Shift Supervisor – Dining Services
Jennifer May, Dining Services shift supervisorQ. Tell us a little about yourself.
I am a single mom of four and have been supervising kitchens for more than 18 years. I have worked with people from all over the world in my supervisory experience, and I am looking forward to working here with everyone.
Q. How do you unwind or have fun? Any hobbies or hidden talents?
I work on cars both as a hobby and as a talent, and I am learning to program them as well.
Q. What is the best advice anyone has ever given you?
Don’t let things bother you and take in the whole picture before figuring out the solution — sometimes the answer is in the finer details.
Darren Smith, Office Manager — Lifelong Learning
Darren Smith, Lifelong Learning office managerQ. Tell us a little about yourself.
I live in Staunton with my partner and fellow W&L staff member, Jessica Luck. I have an 11-year-old son who is whip-smart and already better at every sport than I ever was. I did my undergraduate work at American University and I have a master’s degree in urban and regional planning from Virginia Tech.
Q. Any favorite regional spots or activities that excite you?
Because I live in Staunton and have not had the opportunity to do much exploring in and around Lexington yet, I am looking forward to that. That includes everything from hikes to restaurants and breweries.
Q. How do you unwind or have fun? Any hobbies or hidden talents?
I create the questions for and host pub trivia twice a month at a cidery in Staunton (come join us!), and I also like participating as a competitor at other trivia nights. I also enjoy creative projects, such as woodworking and gardening, and attending concerts.
Holly Snyder, Assistant Director of Annual Giving — University Advancement
Holly Snyder, assistant director of annual givingQ. Tell us a little about yourself.
I’ve called Lexington home for 28 years. After attending Indiana University, I began working in athletics at W&L while completing graduate school at the University of Virginia. I spent seven years as the head athletic trainer at W&L, where I met my husband Bryan Snyder ’95. I then transitioned to education, spending 20 years teaching elementary physical education and fifth grade. I have two children: Devin, who attends the University of Cincinnati, and Geneva, a soon-to-be senior at Rockbridge County High School.
Q. Any favorite regional spots or activities that excite you?
Summer is my favorite season in Lexington; you’ll find me tubing or kayaking on the Maury River or walking our old English sheepdog on the Chessie Trail. I also teach strength training classes and work as a personal trainer at Center of Gravity, where I love taking advantage of the fitness and yoga offerings.
Q. How do you unwind or have fun? Any hobbies or hidden talents?
I spend a lot of time watching the Generals’ sports teams, either as a spectator or working the table. I also love to listen to audiobooks, do puzzles and play board games with my friends and family.
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