Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at Western Carolina University, has spent 9 years at WCU, 5 years as Assistant Vice Chancellor.

Education: BS in Computer Information Systems, MS in Psychology and course work toward Doctorate

Family: Married to Ollin Dunford; two sons, Ollin Dunford II, senior at Mars Hill College and Dillon Dunford, junior at Smoky Mountain High School.

We Asked:
1: How did you become interested in your profession and what brought you to your current job?
2: What do you like most about your job?
3: What do you like least about your job?
4: What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
5: What is your favorite leisure time activity?
6: What is the last book you’ve read/movie you’ve seen/music you’ve heard that inspired you?
7: Tell us about a person or organization in Jackson County whose work you admire?
8: What keeps you living in Jackson County?
9: Where is your favorite place in Jackson County?
10: What is your hope for the future of Jackson County?

1: I love working with the people, especially the youth. My career began in Computer Services and through my work with student organizations. The Vice President for Student Affairs in Oklahoma offered me a position in Student Affairs (19 years ago). While working in Oklahoma, my former Dean of Students was in attendance at a conference and met Susan Smith, a Western staff member who told him about a vacancy at the college. My supervisor knew I wanted to be closer to my home (NC) and encouraged me to apply. I applied on a Friday and they called on Monday with an offer for an on-campus interview. Ironic how things worked out, but nine years later I know it was meant to be.

2: I enjoy working with students to develop values and ethical standards as they excel holistically.

3: Developing programs or services with limited resources.

4: A mentor gave me this inspirational poem by Marianne Williamson. “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

5: Listening to music and attending sporting events.

6: The last book I read was Repositioning Yourself: Loving Life Without Limits by Rev. TD Jakes. The last movie I saw was “Imitation of Life.” The most recent inspiring music I’ve heard was “Never Would Have Made It Without You” by Marvin Sapp, a gospel artist.

7: I admire REACH organization because of their advocacy and support for domestic violence and sexual assault victims.

8: The wonderful people, my job and the beauty of the mountains keep me in Jackson County.

9: Watching the sunset at Water Rock Knob on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

10: My hope for Jackson County is that it will maintain the beauty that is unique to the mountains. I also hope that Jackson County will continue to cultivate a relationship with the university, so students and staff feel more connected to the community.