Getting to know our Staff: Administrative and Support Positions
Vivid Oguntoyinbo
Vivid Oguntoyinbo is a university program associate in the College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Office. She has been working at Appalachian for more than two years and provides real-time support and administrative assistance that helps the college achieve its mission as well as duties to help the Dean’s Office function efficiently.
“The Dean's Office is a great place to work. The people are fun to work with and it is easy to get the job done without anyone ‘breathing down your neck.’ The Appalachian community is very accommodating and peaceful. A Special Shout out to everyone in the CAS and CASSH offices. Everyone is always willing to help,” said Oguntoyinbo.
She is working toward completing her master’s in business administration at Appalachian and is inspired by the gratification that comes from achieving goals or overcoming challenges. During the pandemic, she has enjoyed additional time spent with her family and hopes for a better, happier and safer world post-pandemic.
Kelly Wittmann
Kelly Wittman is an administrative support specialist in the Department of Biology. She has worked at Appalachian since September 2020, and takes care of payroll, travel requests, Xitracs, scholarship applications, direct payments, one time payments and PeopleAdmin and Human Subject pay.
Wittman loves the area Appalachian is located in and can’t wait to meet her colleagues in person. So far, Sheri Clawson and Deb Labus, both administrative support specialists from the Department of Biology, have been very helpful in assisting Wittman acclimate to her new job. She also spends her free time camping, hiking and spending time with family.
Laura Anne Middlesteadt
Laura Anne Middlesteadt is an administrative specialist in the Department of Philosophy and Religion. She has worked at the university for 16 years and is the public face of her department as well as the behind-the-scenes administrator. She most enjoys interacting and having great conversations with people on campus.
Middlesteadt is a Certified Speaker for the National Alliance on Mental Illness and likes to garden and raise chickens in her free time. Over the course of the pandemic, she has started learning French online and is currently building a barn for her pet donkeys.
Cindy Trivette
Cindry Trivette is an administrative assistant in the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures. She has worked at Appalachian for 11 years and manages her department’s budget as well as prepares contract requests for non-tenure-track faculty, teaching assistants, teaching interns and work-study students. She also oversees the department's facilities to include classrooms, offices, common areas, instructional technology and office equipment.
“I also collaborate with the chair and assistant chair in preparing the schedule of classes, prepare minutes of faculty meetings and serve as the first point of contact for students, parents and administrators,” said Trivette.
Regarding her achievements, Trivette has received several Staff Shout Out Awards and has been nominated for Appalachian Staff Awards. She is motivated by meeting set targets within deadlines, which provide her a sense of accomplishment.
Trivette also wanted to recognize Dr. Patricia Ortiz--LLC, assistant chair in the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures, “she is always willing to lend a helping hand when I or anyone needs it. She is someone who will support, share knowledge and experience with you and not expect anything in return.”
Lauren Stansberry
Lauren Stansberry is an administrative support specialist for the College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Office. She has worked at Appalachian for more than five years and helps plan and implement large scale events for the college, completes and approves travel authorizations/reimbursements and assists with faculty contracts and files. She also schedules interviews for all faculty and chair searches and assists with the College Advancement Council meetings and other various projects/mailings as needed.
“I love that every day is different and that I get to interact and connect with different people around campus! I'm very thankful for my job, everyone I've met and all the friendships I've made so far while working at Appalachian,” said Stansberry.
Outside of work, Stansberry enjoys clogging, a hobby she has practiced since she was seven years old. A more recent hobby she enjoys is attending spin classes.
Regarding how the pandemic has impacted her, Stansberry said it has made her realize everything she takes for granted and that it gave her a much needed pause. “It also allowed me to create new processes and ways of doing things electronically,” said Stansberry.
Mara Macchia
Mara Macchia is an office manager for the Department of Computer Science. She has worked for the university for two years and runs the day-to-day operations in the office, helps with scheduling, answering phones, keeping budgets and making sure that everyone's lives are a little easier when she can. She enjoys working for Appalachian because of the sense of community as well as taking courses to learn new things, even when it’s not for credit.
During the pandemic, Macchia helped her fiance establish her own hair studio in town. “It is such a cool spot that brings her so much joy. And our investment has already paid off,” said Macchia. Post-pandemic, she is looking forward to being able to hug her grandmother without any fear after spending several holidays apart.
She also wanted to highlight the support that her boss, Dr. Rahman Tashakkori, chair and professor in the Department of Computer Science, has provided during her time at Appalachian.
“He has been nothing but supportive and understanding with me from the start. He is just an all around great person in general who always brings a smile and uplifts everyone around him. He goes out of his way for everyone he meets and is so genuine. He and his wife have also taken myself and my fiancé under their wing and treated us like family. I am extremely grateful to him,” said Macchia.
Angela Owen
Angela Owen is an office manager in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. She has worked for the university for 20 years as of May 2, and assists with bookkeeping, remembering policies and generally supporting the university’s educational mission.
At Appalachian, Owen enjoys contributing to the education of young people and learning about fascinating science. She is motivated by feeling a part of a good cause and seeing the dedication in her department regarding inclusivity and kindness.
Outside of Appalachian, she enjoys playing guitar and creating pottery. After the pandemic is over, she is excited to interact and play music with people in person again.
Renee Gamble
Renee Gamble is an administrative support assistant in the Department of History, and has worked at Appalachian for four years. She assists the department, faculty and students.
Michelle Hill
Michelle Hill is an office manager for the Center for Judaic, Holocaust and Peace Studies. She has worked at Appalachian for almost 37 years and assists with office, budget and grant-related tasks. In her position, she most enjoys seeing tasks and missions completed.
Outside of work, Hill likes to create art, go bass fishing and garden. She has also helped found Spay Neuter Is a Positive Option (SNIPS) and is a member of the National Honor Society.
During the pandemic, she has spent a lot of time caring for her dog who was diagnosed with cancer last year. “ I have changed her diet, given her supplements and exercised her 4 times a day so it is nice to be here for her,” said Hill.
After the pandemic, she is looking forward to getting back to the office and seeing campus/community faces.
Jennifer Coffey
Jennifer Coffey is an office manager in the Department of Sociology. She has worked at Appalachian for more than nine years and provides administrative support to the department chairperson and faculty. She is inspired at her job when everyone works together as a team. Outside of work, Coffey also enjoys baking and reading.
Alicia Roberts
Alicia Roberts is an office manager for the Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences. She has worked at the university for 16 years and manages the business operations of the department while providing support for faculty when they need it.
During the pandemic, her silver lining has been spending extra time with her daughter, “she would sit with me and do her schoolwork while I was working from home.”
Roberts also wanted to recognize Karsan Stout, administrative assistant for the Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences, for being a major asset to the department. “She has developed forms to make processes electronic for the department. Karsan has not only made my job better, but everyone's in the department,” said Roberts.
Compiled and written by Sophia Woodall and Ellen Gwin Burnette
June 18, 2021
BOONE, N.C.
Who's Who graphic
Who's Who graphic