Ashleigh Best
Director, Career Planning
Originally from a small town “next door” to Wooster, Orrville, I was thrilled to come back to my home community in August 2015. I have spent 15+ years in higher education working in career planning, leadership education, and community engagement. My academic background includes a Bachelor in Business Administration from Kent State University and a Master of Arts in College Student Personnel from Bowling Green State University (BGSU). While at BGSU, I found my professional niche at small liberal arts institutions through various internship experiences.
I love The College of Wooster community because we uniquely and holistically prepare students for their short term and long term professional goals while simultaneously supporting their personal development. I am energized by working with college students and challenging them connect their academics and out-of-the-classroom experiences to their future goals in a caring, fun, and supportive environment.
I live here in Wooster with my husband, Jamie, and daughters McKenna and Finnley. I love fitness and teach various group exercise classes on-campus and in the community. I also enjoy spending time with my family and friends exploring our vibrant community!
Strengths: Communication | Responsibility | Woo | Includer | Arranger
Meagen Pollock
Associate Dean of Experiential Learning, Professor and Department Chair of Earth Sciences
I’m a volcano-lover with a passion for teaching, undergraduate research, and DEI.
My research career began in the deep sea, where I studied mid-ocean ridges in the Pacific. Soon after, I started working in Iceland, first as an analogue for deep-sea volcanism, then with a focus on volcano-ice interactions. Since then, my research has taken me to other locations that experienced rift-related volcanism, including Pennsylvania and the American Southwest. I use a variety of geochemical techniques in my research and established Wooster’s X-ray lab for geochemistry. X-ray methods have an incredible array of diverse applications, and I have recently become interested in using our lab to analyze soils on interdisciplinary research projects.
At Wooster, the premier college for mentored undergraduate research, students are my primary collaborators. Whether they are my summer researchers, I.S. mentees, research assistants, or just taking one of my courses, I strive to create high-quality, inclusive research experiences for all. I have a scholarly interest in undergraduate research mentoring and have specifically selected my service and leadership roles on campus and through organizations like the Keck Geology Consortium, the Council on Undergraduate Research, and the Howard Hughs Medical Institute so that I can learn and promote best practices in undergraduate research.
Outside of my career, I love spending time with my dogs, hiking, traveling, and reading.
Strengths: Input | Strategic | Learner | Relator | Individualization
Paul Seling
Associate Director of Career Planning
I am a proud graduate of The College of Wooster where I took advantage of the liberal arts curriculum to explore many areas of study including Communication Sciences and Disorders, Africana Studies, Sociology, and even a little time in the Dance Department. After Wooster I continued my education at The University of Akron where I completed a Master of Arts in Education, focusing on Higher Education Administration. I’ve worked at Wooster for more than a decade and draw on my experience in the registrar’s office, alumni engagement and giving, and deep campus involvement to inform my work as Associate Director of Career Planning.
I’ve seen the many ways that a College of Wooster education prepares graduates for a successful launch into meaningful careers and future study, and I love helping students connect with resources at Wooster to explore, investigate, and prepare for what comes after graduation.
Outside of APEX, I enjoy attending campus and community events with my family and spending time at my sewing machine as I explore and learn about the intersection of quilting/textile art and social movements.
Strengths: Input | Communication | Learner | Woo | Ideation
Jill Munro
Associate Director of Community Engagement
I have had the joy of working in a number of departments at the College since 2007. As of January 2023, I joined APEX and the Experiential Learning and Community Engagement team. My role is to strengthen the current partnerships between the College and the greater Wooster community – build new connections through AMRE projects, encouraging volunteerism, and local internships. I link students to community opportunities and hope to educate them on the importance and benefits of working and serving in your local community.
I have been in higher education for most of my professional career working in Admissions, Student Engagement, and Academic Affairs. I received a B.S. in Psychology from Bradley University and an M.A. in Educational Ministries from Wheaton College with an emphasis in Student Development.
I love working in Higher Education due to the tremendous growth of students I get to witness and be a part of during their four years. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to work with students from all over the world – it has educated me and expanded my worldview in more ways than I could ever express.
Outside of work I love spending time with friends and family, golfing, biking, cooking and travel.
Strengths: Positivity, Communication, Woo, Empathy and Arranger
Specialties and Interests
Community EngagementDenise Rotavera-Krain
Associate Director of Experiential Learning
If being a full-time college student was a career, that’s what I’d want to be when I grow up. Instead, I am doing the very next best thing by working with college students in APEX. I’ve spent the last 25 years interacting with college students in various staff and faculty capacities, 15 years of which were at The College of Wooster. During that time, I contributed to the First-Year Seminar experience as an instructor, taught in the Music Department, and assisted new students through ARCH orientation and advising.
After serving as the College Success Counselor and Career Advisor at The Ohio State University – Wooster Campus for 5 years, I am thrilled to be back at Wooster as the Associate Director of Experiential Learning. I will be managing the APEX Fellowship and Micro-Fellowship programs as well as working with staff and faculty to integrate experiential learning into the Wooster experience.
I earned a Master of Education in Higher Education and Student Personnel with a focus on Academic and Career Advising from Kent State University. I also have a Master of Music in Orchestral Performance from Temple University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Music from Binghamton University.
Wooster is where I call home along with my husband Matt, daughter Maia (who is currently away at college), and three cats: Phoenix, Perry-the-Catapuss, and Teddy. In addition to performing with the Ashland Symphony Orchestra, I love to travel and learn about cultures, hike – especially if it involves a waterfall, curl up with a good book, cook new recipes, and garden for the butterflies, pollinators, and hummingbirds.
Strengths: Empathy | Relator | Input | Responsibility | Learner
Justine H
Assistant Director of Career Planning
After spending over a decade in the corporate world, I was thrilled to shift into a career dedicated to making an impact. As the Assistant Director of Career Planning, I help prepare students for “what’s next” after graduation. I work with College of Wooster alumni and employers to connect students with opportunities that integrate their academic, personal and professional goals.
I received a liberal arts education in marketing and communications from Walsh University. My love for mentorship and career services developed at my previous organization. I recruited college students for internships, built customized mentorship programs, and collaborated with area employers and higher education career offices.
I enjoy hiking and watching historical documentaries (or the Wheel of Fortune, where I aspire to be a contestant).
Strengths: Achiever | Input | Strategic | Learner | Communication
Jamie Adler
Health Professions Advisor, Career Planning
I joined APEX in 2014 in the Global Engagement Office and now serve as the Health Professions Advisor in Career Planning. I help students plan their classes and offer advice on extracurricular activities and summer opportunities that will give them the necessary skills and experiences to succeed in the health professions. I also co-coordinate the Health Coach program with the Wooster Community Hospital.
I grew up in Madison, Wisconsin, and studied French and International Education at the University of Wisconsin – Madison where I earned my bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Before coming to Wooster, I spent about three years living and working in France with high school students who were learning English and with graduate students hoping to study abroad in the United States.
Having gone to a large public university where it was easy to feel anonymous and lost, I appreciate Wooster’s small campus environment. I value getting to know students personally, allowing me to be more thoughtful in our advising sessions.
Outside work, I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling to new places and returning to old favorites, taking my dog on long walks, and relaxing with a good book.
Strengths: Empathy | Input | Intellection | Learner | Adaptability
Jackie Sanchez
Administrative Coordinator, Career Planning
I am an Administrative Coordinator in APEX, working primarily with Career & Experiential Education. Some of the highlights of my current position include interacting with students, staff, and faculty through booking appointments, planning events, collecting data, and providing administrative support.
I have been employed at the College since 2005, and what I love most about Wooster is the strong sense of community across campus. I live in Wooster with my family and enjoy traveling as much as possible.
Strengths: Relator | Futuristic | Deliberative | Competition | Individualization.
