Dr. Keryn Vickers joined the Watson College of Education (WCE) Office of Student Advising in 2021 as the Inaugural Director. He began his academic career over 20 years ago at DePauw University, advising, coaching, and mentoring students and leading a community non-profit organization. Dr. Vickers has served students at UNCW since 2006, as Assistant Director of Admissions, an Academic Advisor and Interim Coordinator in University College, a First-Year seminar and Africana Studies instructor, and leader and champion for diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Dr. Vickers is a native New Yorker, but he earned a BA in Communication Arts & Sciences from DePauw University in Indiana. He also earned an MA in Recreation & Sports Management from Indiana State University and is a WCE alum after earning an Ed.D. in Education Leadership.
Dr. Vickers is passionate about education and strategically implements diverse, high impact and best practices or services that support all students' holistic development. When Dr. Vickers is not serving in WCE, he can be found spending quality time with family, expressing his faith, playing sports, and being a servant leader in his community.
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vickersk@uncw.edu
Tonnia Rodriguez joined the WCE as an advisor in June of 2022. She received both her Bachelors' degree in Psychology and her Masters of Arts in Teaching from UNCW. Tonnia spent time in the classroom teaching middle school learners before she transitioned to a role in higher education as a Success Coach at Cape Fear Community College. There she discovered her love for supporting diverse students by cultivating meaningful relationships with them and helping them navigate college life.
Tonnia brings her talent, skills, experience, and passion for learning and helping others to this position. She is a native Wilmingtonian and is a proud product of New Hanover County's school system. In her free time, she enjoys trying new foods, binging her favorite shows, spending time with her family, and watching her baby girl grow! She is excited to be back at home at Watson to help be a guide to our students!
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rodriguezt@uncw.edu
Jelene Grace joined the WCE in January 2023 as an Academic Advisor. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Reading from Texas Woman’s University and Master’s in Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education from Texas A&M University. Most recently Jelene worked here at UNCW in the Transition Programs Office as an Assistant Director for the former Seahawk Success Center and working with second-year and transfer student programming. Jelene has served as an Academic Advisor and administrator for most of her career in higher education, also having experience in residence life, living-learning communities, peer mentoring programs, orientation, and student success.
After working with students throughout high school and through a summer bridge program, she wanted to learn more about the student experience from the time of orientation to graduation. Her inquisitive nature led her to academic advising. In her spare time she can be found spending time with family/friends, enjoying a good book, shopping, baking, and cruising to exotic locations. Jelene also has a love for anything purple.
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gracej@uncw.edu