

Leadership
Student Engagement, Enrollment and Retention (SEER) supports students throughout their academic career from recruitment to graduation while advancing UNCW’s goals for enrollment, retention, and degree completion.

Cynthia Demetriou, Ph.D., serves as the Associate Provost for Student Engagement, Enrollment, and Retention (SEER) at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. She oversees multifaceted programs, supports, and policies to support students from enrollment to degree completion. With numerous publications and presentations, she is a leader for student success research and practice. A recipient of a $3.3M ‘First in The World’ grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Dr. Demetriou oversaw The Finish Line Project advancing degree completion for first-generation college students. Dr. Demetriou holds multiple degrees including a Ph.D. in Education, with a focus on Educational Psychology, Measurement and Evaluation, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, an Ed.M. from Harvard University, and a B.A. from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. She teaches in the Higher Education program in the Watson College of Education and has an active research portfolio currently exploring student success, microaffirmations, and compassion. She started her career as a classroom teacher and believes in the power of education to transform lives. Please access her Google Scholar page here.

Alaina Stanley | Executive Assistant
I’m a proud graduate of the University of North Carolina Wilmington, where I earned my degree in Accounting. Today, I feel incredibly fortunate to serve my alma mater by supporting Dr. Demetriou and the SEER Operations team. In my role, I help coordinate projects/events, provide administrative and financial support, and contribute to the success of initiatives that make a positive impact on students and the broader UNCW community.

Amanda C. Fleming, M.B.A. | University Registrar
flemingac@uncw.edu
I have been a Seahawk since 2019 and have worked in a Registrar’s Office in higher education since 2002. It is rewarding to contribute to Seahawk student success through our primarily “behind-the-scenes" work.

Lauren Franklin, Ed.D. | Director of Admissions
franklinl@uncw.edu
Earning three degrees from UNCW, I feel fortunate to work for my alma mater, where I get to help hopeful future Seahawks and their families as they navigate college enrollment.
Edelmira I. Segovia, Ed.D. | Director of College Access and Precollege Programs
segovia@uncw.edu
As the Director of Precollege Programs and College Access at UNC Wilmington, I am dedicated to fostering college readiness and empowering students and families across North Carolina. My research focuses on the academic success of ethnic groups at selective colleges and universities. With 26 years of experience in public education, I have served rural communities, taught world languages, and worked with first generation college bound families. Concurrently, I teach graduate and undergraduate courses at UNC Wilmington. I have held pivotal leadership positions, including Director of Centro Hispano and Co-chair of the Latino Alliance of Southeastern North Carolina. I hold degrees from UNC Wilmington and Appalachian State University. Outside of work, I enjoy promoting wellness, exploring global cuisine, and traveling the world with my family.
Fred Holding, M.S. | Director of the Office of Scholarships & Financial Aid
holdingf@uncw.edu
I graduated from both the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina Central University. My 20+ years in higher education experience includes Residence Life, Student Accounts, Registration, Athletics, and Financial Aid. I’ve been a Seahawk since 2013, and my personal experiences as a first-generation student from a rural county and low socio-economic family fuel my passion around college access and affordability.

Bill Kawczynski | Director of the Office of Military Affairs
kawczynskib@uncw.edu
Interacting at all levels and meeting with our military-affiliated students to find out what their needs are and how we can best meet them is of utmost importance to me. By working with campus partners, I work to expand the level of support services our university provides military-affiliated students and work to increase academic program offerings for military members throughout North Carolina and the country.

Stefanie Norris, Ed.D. | Executive Director of Strategic Enrollment Initiatives and Transfer Pathways
norriss@uncw.edu
With over 15 years of experience in higher education and a background that includes time in Student Affairs, my role is to support various student populations, including transfer, re-enrolling, military-affiliated, and athletes. I am passionate about creating and amending processes and policies that create multiple pathways for students to enter and succeed at UNCW.

Shannon Pease, Ed.D. | Director of Student-Athlete Support Services, and Assistant Athletics Director
peases@uncw.edu
As a former collegiate student-athlete, I know firsthand the challenges student-athletes face daily. I am privileged to get the opportunity to work with student-athletes every day and assist them with navigating both their academic and athletic responsibilities. It is so rewarding to see their personal growth throughout their time as Seahawks.

Christine Pesetski, Ph.D. | Assistant Provost for Academic Advising, and Director of Center for Academic Advising
pesetskic@uncw.edu
Supporting students and ensuring their progression and degree attainment is my passion. I became a Seahawk in 2018, and continue to support students in their college transition, career discernment, and graduation.

Kyle Verbosh, Ph.D. | Director of Student Success Data and Research
verboshk@uncw.edu
I joined UNCW and the SEER Team in 2022. I enjoy collaborating with colleagues campus wide to advance student success.

DiAnna Washington, Ph.D. | Director of Undergraduate Retention and Student Success
washingtond@uncw.edu
I am a lifelong educator who has worked in higher education for over 20 years. Working with students to explore who they are, where they are going, and how they plan to achieve their goals is a wondrous journey.
Contact SEER
Student Engagement, Enrollment and Retention (SEER)
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.