Meet Our Staff

Staff Directory
	Frederick Holding Director Fred received his Bachelor's from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Master's from North Carolina Central University. He has over 20 years of experience working in higher education (most at Duke University) in the following areas: Residence Life, Student Accounts, Registration, Athletics, and Financial Aid. Fred joined the Office of Scholarships & Financial Aid in 2013 and has served in the capacities of Associate Director and Interim Director prior to assuming his current position as the Director of Financial Aid.
	Shannon Miles Associate Director Shannon has been with the Office of Scholarships & Financial Aid since 2002. She oversees the financial aid counseling team, who provide aid to both the undergraduate and graduate student population and she serves as a VA certifying official on campus. Shannon holds an undergraduate degree from Roger Williams University and a Master's Degree in Higher Education from Capella University.
	John Lerma Senior Assistant Director, Customer Service & Compliance John has been with the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid since May, 2017. He received a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication: Public Relations, and a Master's in Public Administration from UNC-Pembroke. Prior to joining UNCW, John worked as a Financial Aid Counselor with The University of North Carolina at Pembroke.
	Vacant Senior Assistant Director, Technical Operations
	Jeffrey Smith Assistant Director Jeffrey moved to Wilmington with his wife and joined UNCW in November 2021. He received his Bachelor’s from Morningside University (formerly college) in Business Administration and Master’s Degree from Tiffin University in Sports Marketing/Management. He has over 20 years in Financial Aid experience starting at the community college level with St. Petersburg College (FL), OSFA (FL), several student lending institutions (FL/Southeast), University of South Florida (Tampa, FL) and Eckerd College (St. Petersburg, FL). He has served in capacities of financial aid counselor, team manager, assistant director, account executive, and currently Assistant Director at UNCW in the Office of Scholarships & Financial Aid.
	Patrice Brown Senior Financial Aid Counselor Patrice holds a B.S in Business Administration from Shaw University and an MBA from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Before joining the Office of Scholarships & Financial Aid at UNCW, Patrice served as an Assistant Director in the Office of Financial Aid for the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Patrice has over 11 years of financial aid experience and has been with the Office of Scholarships & Financial Aid at UNCW since July, 2019.
	Vacant Financial Aid Counselor
	Lori Felumlee Financial Aid Counselor Lori joins us from Coastal Carolina Community College where she worked as a Financial Aid Assistant and the Work Study Coordinator with eight years experience. She has a B.S in Psychology from Fayetteville State University and she is obtaining her Masters of Science in Higher Education with Purdue University Global.
	Lauren Janney-Wolf Financial Aid Counselor Lauren joined us in December 2020 after serving with Cape Fear Community College where she worked most recently as the Foundation Relations & Scholarship Coordinator. She has a B.A. in Sociology from Hood College in Frederick, Maryland.
	Alton Johnson Financial Aid Counselor, Veterans' Representative Alton has been with the Office of Scholarships & Financial Aid since October, 2014. He is a seven year, US Navy, Persian Gulf War veteran. He serves as lead counselor for the entire veterans' population, serves an undergraduate and graduate financial aid caseload and enjoys offering financial aid. Alton holds an AS degree in Business Administration, has several service medals and plans to finish his bachelor's in Business Administration at UNCW.
	Eddie Knighton Financial Aid Counselor Eddie joined the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid in November 2021. He received a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of North Carolina at Asheville and a Master’s in Higher Education from UNCW. Eddie worked in the Financial Aid Office at Brunswick Community College for two years before coming to UNCW.
	Steve MacKinnon Business Officer Steve has been with the Office of Scholarships & Financial Aid since February, 2015. Steve holds two Bachelor's degrees, one of which is a B.B.A. in Accounting. Originally from the Baltimore/Washington area, Steve is a licensed CPA with over 15 years of financial and accounting experience in manufacturing and corporate settings, transferring his knowledge and expertise to the university setting.
	Emily McKibbin Senior Financial Aid Counselor/Processor Emily has been with the Office of Scholarships & Financial Aid since 2015. Born and raised in Charlottesville, VA, Emily received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from James Madison University in 2008 and has lived in Wilmington since 2010.
	Wanjiku Njuguna Financial Aid Counselor Wanjiku moved to Wilmington and joined us in August 2020. She has directed an organization where she worked with young children, and then later worked as a Financial Aid Specialist with college students helping them with complete the financial aid process. She has a B.S. in Finance and Master of Science in Education; both from Southern Illinois University.
	Lisa Pipkin Senior Financial Aid Counselor Lisa has over 13 years of financial aid experience, having served as the Financial Aid Administrator at Mid-Atlantic Christian University. In that role, she performed all functions associated with the administration of federal, state and institutional aid. She holds a BS in Christian Education, with a minor in Sign Language from Mid-Atlantic Christian University.
	Rhonda Powell-Sargeant Functional Analyst Rhonda joined the Office of Financial Aid at UNCW in December 2021. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications, as well as a Master's degree in Historic Preservation. Rhonda has been in the financial aid field for 14 years, and as a first generation college graduate, she recognizes the need for grace and patience in regards to the financial aid process.
	Vacant Financial Aid Counselor
	Vacant Financial Aid Assistant
	Jordan Adams Financial Aid Assistant Jordan joined the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid in January, 2022. He holds a B.A. in English Literature from UNCW. Prior to joining UNCW, Jordan worked in the Customer Service industry for 7 years.
	Cleofas Vital Financial Aid Counselor Cleofas joined the Office of Scholarships & Financial Aid in November 2021. He obtained a Bachelor's Degree from International Academy of Design and Technology (IADT) in Tampa, Florida. Prior to joining UNCW, Cleofas worked as a Financial Aid Counselor at Passaic County Community College and Bergen County Community College, both in New Jersey.
	Chad Voorhees Senior Financial Aid Counselor, Veterans' Representative Chad has been with the Office of Scholarships & Financial Aid since May, 2015 and has been working in financial aid at other institutions for the past five years. Chad received a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication from East Carolina University.
	Patrick Whitfield Financial Aid Counselor Pat joined us in 2020 after serving 12 years with Cape Fear Community College where he worked most recently as a Financial Aid Coordinator and prior with Admissions and the Cashier’s Office. He has a B.S in Business Administration from Mount Olive College, Associates in Accounting and a certificate in Computer Information Systems from CFCC.