Contact Financial Aid

Trina Orr

Director of Financial Aid

Hometown: Sylva, North Carolina

Educational Background:  BSBA, Accounting, WCU; MBA, WCU

Professional background: I started my career in financial aid as a work study student during my undergraduate studies.  Now, 28 years later, I am still a financial aid professional serving students and families of Western Carolina University.

What I love about WCU: WCU is a family and has always felt like a home for all students, staff, and faculty.

Matthew Ellsworth

Associate Director

Hometown: Sylva, NC

Educational Background:  BSBA, Management, WCU; MBA, WCU

Professional background: After completing my MBA, I joined the staff of the Financial Aid Office at WCU, where I have been for the past 19 years.

What I love about WCU: The relationships that you build with the facutly and staff of Western Carolina Unveristy, which create an extended family.

Maggie Brostic

Senior Assistant Director

Hometown: I  grew up in Nantahala, North Carolina, but I now call Sylva, NC home.

Educational Background:  BA, Mass Communications, Emory & Henry College (2000), BA, English, Emory & Henry College (2000), MAAS, UNC Greensboro (2018)

Professional background: After I earned my undergraduate degrees, I wrote for a small-town newspaper, covering local events and sports. Later, I first worked as a Guest Services Manager at a hotel and then as the Group Reservations Coordinator at a resort, coordinating corporate retreats, weddings, reunions, and other large events. While the transition to financial aid might seem unusual, my customer service experience and communication skills have proven invaluable in helping students navigate paying for college. 

What I love about WCU: I would have loved to be a professional student--if that paid the bills--so working in higher education at WCU is the next best thing!

Kathy Boland

Admin Support Specialist

Hometown:  I spent most of my childhood in Waialua, Hawaii

Educational Background: BS, Biology UNC-Chapel Hill,

Graduate coursework in Public Health-Univ of MN

Professional background: Duke University-Assistant Scientist, University of MN -Research Lab Manager-BMT, WCU-Dept of Chemistry & Physics, currently in WCU -Financial Aid Office as an Admin Support Specialist

What I love about WCU:  The wonderful people I’ve met, we are indeed family !!  

Emily McLeod

Admin Support Specialist

Hometown: Bryson City, NC

Educational Background:  Currently completing undergraduate degree in Psychology

What I love about WCU: My coworkers and the sense of family in our office and the university.

Colton Bailey

Assistant Director of Financial Aid

Hometown: Sylva, NC

Educational Background:  BA, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill; M.Ed., Higher Education, Liberty University     

Professional background: I have been employed in the Financial Aid office at WCU since March 2020. I have spent most of my career in higher education.

What I love about WCU: I love working on our beautiful campus and following Catamount Athletics.

Will Morgan

Assistant Director of Financial Aid

Hometown: Ellenboro, NC

Educational Background:  BS, History, WCU (2011); MA, History, WCU (2019)

Professional background: Before I came to Western as an employee, I was a historical interpreter and archivist at several organizations in WNC. 

What I love about WCU: I love working at WCU because I get to help students realize their dreams of a higher education. 

Augusta Adeleke

Assistant Director of Financial Aid

Hometown: Originally from Africa/ Currently live in Waynesville, NC.

Educational Background: Bachelor of Laws( LLB),  MS, Management and Leadership.  

Professional background: I began my professional career as an Attorney in litigation and commercial law for many years, I served in the capacity of the head of chamber for different law firms and became principal counsel of a firm that provides legal advice to private businesses. 

I joined WCU over 6 years ago as the Grant and Research Specialist. After which I moved into the role of a University Program Specialist position by helping students with admission and program specific related issues. 

Presently, I serve as an Assistant Director of Financial Aid. Higher Education for me feels like a calling as I am passionate to help students pursue their academic goals and professional aspirations.   

What I love about WCU: At WCU there is a sense of community and the beautiful scenery of the mountains displays the great work of art by a great creator.

Cameron Cabe

Assistant Director of Financial Aid

Hometown: Sylva, NC

Educational Background:  BS, Mid-Atlantic Christian University, Elizabeth City, NC

 Professional background: I spent much of my time in college traveling across North Carolina and internationally with Deep Impact Youth camps. After college, I returned home to the mountains of NC, and was lucky enough to find a place in the wonderful WCU community not long after.  

What I love about WCU: I love being able to assist students in reaching their goals of higher education, and a beautiful campus never hurts either. 

Spenser Sloan

Assistant Director of Financial Aid

Hometown: Chinquapin, NC

Educational Background: Elementary Education BSEd, WCU (2019)

Professional background: Prior to working at WCU, I taught 4th grade in Haywood County for 3 years. 

What I love about WCU: I moved from Eastern North Carolina to attend WCU and it very quickly became my home. Coming from a small town, WCU provided a very similar feeling that I was missing from home. Now as an employee, having the ability to help students feel that sense of community is what excites me to come to work every day.

Hannah Vallandingham

Assistant Director of Financial Aid

Hometown: St. Mary’s County, MD

Educational Background: BS, Business Administration – Queens University of Charlotte, MS, Accounting-University of Maryland

Professional background: I started working in WCU’s Financial Aid department in September of 2023. Before working for WCU, I was at a public accounting firm, just outside of DC.

What I love about WCU: I love working at WCU because I am passionate in helping students understand their financial well-being. I am also enjoying a slower paced lifestyle and the view of the mountains every day!