Meet Our Staff

Keith Garbutt, Ph.D., Dean

Dr. Garbutt joined the University Honors Program as Director in July 2000, and became the first Dean of the Honors College in 2006. He is also the Dean of Students of the Governor's School for Math and Science and runs the Summer Advancement and SURE Program

Prior to becoming Director and later Dean, Dr. Garbutt was Chair of the Department of Biology, where he was named Eberly Family Professor of Outstanding Teaching. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Wales (Bangor).

E-mail Dr. Garbutt at: kgarbutt@mail.wvu.edu

JoAnn Evans, Executive Program Assistant

JoAnn has served as a Executive Program Assistant since 1987. She is currently working on a Social Work B.A. She loves to help students with their personal, educational, social, and financial problems. If you need advice, come see JoAnn.

E-mail JoAnn at: Joann.Evans@mail.wvu.edu

Vickie Sigley, Secretary

Vickie is your first stop for help with changing your major, identifying your advisor, filling out paperwork, and any other questions that arise

E-mail Vickie at: vlsigley@mail.wvu.edu

Professor "Cookie" Schultz, Honors Advisor

Professor Schultz is the advisor for undecided students in the Honors College. In addition, together with the Community Ambassador, Zach Gouzd, she organizes the social activities of the College.

The Honors College Bear

Sometimes, there are problems that are beyond the grasp of any of our staff members. In these cases, nothing helps more than a hug from our in-house teddy bear.

Daphne Pringle, Academic Ambassador

Daphne is a senior biology major with a dance minor. She originally hails from Hurricane, West Virginia. As the Academic Ambassador for the 2007-2008 school year, Daphne will work with recruitment and admissions for the college, chair the Student Advisory Committee, and serve as a voice of students in Honors College affairs. IN addition to her involvement in the Honors Collegem, Daphne is a member of Orchesis, WVU's Dance Company, as well as the African Dance Ensemble. She is also active in the Biology department, participating in research in a molecular biology labratory. If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to email Daphne.

E-mail Dahpne at: Daphne.Pringle@mail.wvu.edu

Zach Gouzd, Community Ambassador

Zachary Gouzd is a junior biochemistry major and a French minor from Mannington, West Virginia. He will serve as the Honors Community Ambassador for the 2007-2008 school year. With this role, Zach will coordinate service, cultural, and social activities for Honors students, old and new. These activities will include community service projects, the annual Honors Ball, and the writing of the HonorsSpeak electronic newsletter. Additionally, Zach will be the chair of the Honors Student Association, the fundraising wing of all activities held by Honors students. Outside of the Honors College, Zach is an active member of Newman Club at St. John's University parish and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. In the spare time, he is a freelance events photographer. You may contact Zach if you have any questions or comments.

E-mail Zach at: Zach.Gouzd@mail.wvu.edu

Rose Simis, Special Programs Coordinator

Rose Simis graduated in the spring of 2007, with a major in English and History and a minor in Spanish.  She is a WVU Foundation Scholar and hopes to enter a Master’s program in Morgantown after she graduates.  She helps the Honors ambassadors during the school year with Honors College projects, and works as an intern for Dr. Garbutt with programs like Governor’s School, the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience and the Seamless Transition Program during the summer.

E-mail Rose at: Rose.Simis@mail.wvu.edu

Dr. Lisa DeFrank-Cole, Program Coordinator

Dr. Lisa DeFrank-Cole coordinates the director of the ASPIRE office. Her main priorities include preparing students to apply for graduate school and advising them in competing for prestigious scholarships, such as the Rhodes, Truman, Goldwater, etc. Prior to working at WVU, Dr. DeFrank-Cole served as the Executive Director of the PROMISE Scholarship program, aided Governor Wise as Assistant for Policy and Research in Charleston, advised scholars at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh and also worked at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. She received her doctorate degree from the University of Pittsburgh. Lisa is married to Jay Cole, director of Federal Policy for the College Board in Washington DC.

E-mail Lisa at: Lisa.DeFrank-Cole@mail.wvu.edu