Meet the Staff
Professional Staff:
Sarah Tetley
Position: Director, First Year Experience Programs
Major: BS in Communications-Public Relations, MA Higher Education Administration
Favorite thing about Webster: The community feel of Webster. The faculty, staff, and students are all invested in each other’s success; it makes it a really tight-knit place. The diversity of thought is also another plus for me; you can learn so much from such a unique and diverse group of people.
Advice for new students: Take every situation as a learning opportunity. Whether you are in a classroom, a student organization meeting, or having lunch with some fellow students, you can be learning at every moment. Taking advantage of those educational opportunities will help you grow into an amazing global citizen.
Justin Barton
Position: The RIPCORD: Retention Initiatives Program Coordinator
Majors: BSA Mass Communications-Public Relations / MSA-Marketing
Minor: Interpersonal and Small Group Communications
Favorite thing about Webster: The diversity. I grew up in a small town and had worked in a rural community college before I got to Webster. The diversity at Webster is tremendous and has really opened my eyes to becoming a global citizen.
Advice for new students: Don’t be afraid to step outside of your protective bubble. It’s important to mingle, network, and meet as many new people as you can. By doing this you are developing beneficial relationship-based resources that will come in handy later on within your future endeavors.
Orientation Coordinators:
Stephanie Lefler
Year: Senior
Major: Special Education
Hometown: Gray Summit, Missouri
Involvement: Student Ambassadors, Delta Phi Epsilon Soroity, WebsterLEADS, Connection Leader, National Residence Hall Honorary, Gorlok Guide
Advice for new students: College is what you make of it. Get out of your dorm room and enjoy it while you can!
Tyler Jensen
Year: Senior
Major: Music Education (Instrumental)
Hometown: Romeoville, Illinois
Involvement: Connection Leader, Percussion Ensemble, NAfME, HVZ, Former Resident Assistant
Advice for new students: Leave your room! When you have time to take a break from school work, spend that time getting to know the university and the other students that go here, rather than staying in your room all day. You never know who you’ll meet! Explore Webster Groves and St.
Louis as well.
Meghan Steineker
Year: Junior
Major: Political Science
Hometown: Gerald, Missouri
Involvement: Connection Leader, WebsterLEADS, Delta Phi Epsilon, Campus Activities
Advice for new students: Get involved. I really started to feel like I was in college when I went to the organizations, and they really help to meet new and important people.
Orientation Leaders:
Dohee Bai
Year: Senior
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Seoul, Korea
Involvement: International Student Association (ISA) and Japanese Student Association (JSA)
Advice for new students: Take responsibility. You are responsible for your behaviors, actions, words, works, and everything you do. Feel free to do whatever you want and expect the consequences of it too!
Gabe Beckerle
Year: Sophomore
Major: Undeclared
Hometown: St. Louis City, MO
Involvement: Delegate for the Residential Housing Association, Orientation Leader
Advice for new students: No, you can’t be a kid forever…but who says having a great sense of humor is childish? Be serious when you need to be but know that you don’t always need to be.
Tyler Bierman
Year: Senior
Major: Advertising
Hometown: Sparta, Illinois
Involvement: WebsterLEADS, Video Game Club, Humans vs. Zombies, Work Study for Math and Computer Science Department
Advice for new students: Be open to all of the new and awesome experiences that going to school at Webster has to offer.
Travis Blair
Year: Sophomore
Major: Mathematics
Hometown: Grafton, Illinois
Involvement: Tennis, Student Ambassador, Freshman Council, Connection Leader
Advice for new students: Embrace the changes college will bring to you. It’s an awesome new chapter in your life and you should enjoy it! Also, don’t forget to be yourself! Don’t be afraid to try new things and meet new people.
Aly Chisum
Year: Junior
Major: Anthropology
Hometown: Mobile, Alabama
Involvement: Student Ambassador, CRU, Encounter, Surfacing Theatre, Webster University Box Office
Advice for new students: GET INVOLVED! It’s scary at first, but don’t stay isolated in your room. I did that for the first three months and cried everyday, but once I started going to CRU I met all of my best friends!!!
Maxine du Maine
Year: Sophomore
Major: Film Production / Art
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Involvement: CRU, Encounter, Association for African American Collegians, Work Study for Media Center
Advice for new students: Webster is truly a melting pot. Get ready to embrace diversity! Let your guard down and you will be surprised how much you have in common with everyone. Welcome to the family!!
Suhani Fernando
Year: Junior
Major: Economics and Finance
Hometown: Galle, Sri Lanka
Involvement: Student Ambassadors, Campus Activities Program Manager, International Students Association, Catholic Students Union, CASE ASAP District 6 Representative, WebsterLEADS
Advice for new students: Do not hesitate to take up a challenge. Try to gain as much experience as possible by being active on campus.
Monica Fogle
Year: Sophomore
Major: Advertising and Marketing Communications
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Involvement: Orientation Leader, Connection Leader, MoneyTalks Programmer, Delta phi Epsilon
Advice for new students: My college experience has been about making relationships with everyone I meet on Webster’s campus. Whether it’s someone I can just say ‘Hello’ to in passing, or someone I can confide in as a lifelong friend, I advise everyone to take a step out of their comfort zone and make as many connections as possible with the people they meet because they are the ones who will help make your college career successful, fun, and unforgettable!
Kerondreial Foster
Year: Junior
Major: Dance
Hometown: Saint Louis, Missouri
Involvement: Residential Housing Association, Dance Club, WebsterLEADS
Advice for new students: Don’t let anyone or anything hold you back at this school because at Webster there are unlimited possibilities.
Natalie Gawedzinski
Year: Junior
Major: Elementary Education
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Involvement: Quidditch Club, Student Education Association, WebsterLEADS, Gorlok Guide
Advice for new students: Make the most of your Webster experience!
College is going to fly by so be sure to get involved, make new friends, challenge yourself both academically and socially, and strive to become a better all around YOU.
Julie Greenough
Year: Senior
Major: Business Management with an emphasis in Marketing
Hometown: Theodosia, Missouri
Involvement: Webster Athletics, Student Building Manager, Housing and Residential Life, Athletics Office Secretary
Advice for new students: Take time to appreciate achievements, big or small!!!!
Michael Grosch
Year: Senior
Major: International Relations and speech Communications
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Involvement: Student Government Association, LGBTQ, Amnesty International
Advice for new students: My advice? Be yourself. You’ll have more fun that way.
Maggie Hake
Year: Junior
Major: Political Science and Women and Gender Studies
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Involvement: Gorlok Guides, Webster Feminist Collective, Surfacing Theater, LGBTQ Alliance
Advice for new students: Get involved and stay open minded! The first few weeks of school are prime times for clubs to meet, so go to any and all meetings you think you might be interested in! Then you can find out if it’s something you want to be a part of, and if not, that’s fine too.Staying open minded is key. I had no idea how much I would change just in my first year of college, so allow yourself to try new things and meet as many people as you can during orientation! That is where I made some of my really great friends.
Kevin Hamilton
Year: Sophomore
Major: Public Relations Minor: Dance
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Involvement: LGTBQ Club Member, Dancer in BFA Dance Concert, Performer in Drag Ball, Work Study for Department of Dance
Advice for new students: Have fun and embrace what Webster University has to offer! Also be yourself and don’t be afraid to try new things and be open to new ideas!
Sierra Hancock
Year: Sophomore
Major: Journalism Minor: Spanish
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Involvement: WebsterLeads, Student Ambassadors, Rezzies Committee, The Journal, Desk Attendant, Customer Service Associate
Advice for new students: Set multiple alarms! Whether it’s for work or class, set at least 2 alarms! You will be staying up longer than usual and your body won’t be used to it. Then you can have fun all day knowing you are on time and on top of things!
Alyssa Hegewood
Year: Junior
Major: Vocal Performance
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Involvement: Delta Phi Epsilon, WebsteLEADS, Student Building Manager
Advice for new students: Don’t be afraid to have fun!
Olivia Heibeck
Year: Sophomore
Major: Public Relations
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Involvement: PRSSA, The Journal, First Year Experience
Advice for new students: Experience something new everyday and have no regrets!
Katie Hoffecker
Year: Sophomore
Major: Acting
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Involvement: Member of the Conservatory of Theatre Arts, Usher at the St. Louis Rep, and first-year OL!
Advice for new students: Keep your mind open! College is the perfect place to meet new people from all areas of the world. Open yourself up to be inspired by what you learn in classes and the people around you. The reward is never ending.
Rosie Jones
Year: Sophomore
Major: Women and Gender Studies and Sociology
Hometown: Hillsboro, MO
Involvement: Webster University Feminist Collective, Freshmen Council, Gorlok Guides, Student Ambassadors
Advice for new students: Try new things. College has tons to offer and you will regret not taking advantage of all its opportunities. Even if you don’t have someone to go with you to an event, go regardless, and make friends! Make connections with all types of people and enjoy the unique setting Webster has to offer.
Julia Kalkbrenner
Year: Junior
Major: Public Relations
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Involvement: Gorlok Guide, Student Ambassador, Orientation Leader, Connection Leader, Webster LGBTQ Alliance, Webster University Feminist Collective, and WebsterLEADS.
Advice for new students: Get involved! It’s a way to meet new people, discover opportunities that you didn’t know were available, explore groups that have common interests as you, and HAVE FUN!
Hailey Kaufman
Year: Junior
Major: Philosophy
Hometown:Jacksonville, Illinois
Involvement: Secular Student Society, Philosophy Club, WebsterLEADS, Connection Leader
Advice for new students: You should never expect yourself to do college- or Webster- the way other people do it. You have to figure out how to do it your own way. if you’re doing it right, you’ll know.
Jake Kevrick
Year: Sophomore
Major: English/Education/Psychology
Hometown: Eureka, Missouri
Involvement: English Tutor with the Webster Student Literacy Corps, Orientation Leader, Desk Attendant
Advice for new students: Be yourself! You are home, so don’t be a stranger in your own home. Be exactly who you are and get out there, get involved, make friends and have fun. College is a once in a lifetime experience, so make the most of it. You won’t regret it. I promise.
Samantha Labat
Year: Junior
Major: Film Studies
Hometown: Chesterfield, Missouri
Involvement: Delta Phi Epsilon, Residential Housing Association, Work Study for the Registrar
Advice for new students: GET INVOLVED. Sign up for everything- things that interest you and things you think you would hate. Show up and learn about different organizations. You can always pull back if you join too much and that’s much better than doing nothing and not making connections.
Darren Lewis
Year: Junior
Major: Public Relations
Hometown: Memphis, Tennessee
Involvement: Connection Leader, Association for African American Collegians, WebsterLEADS
Advice for new students: Take advantage of this opportunity that they have as college students. This is the time to bring forth who you really are and go after your occupational and educational dreams. Although you must take this experience seriously, don’t forget to have fun. Don’t get so far gone in the future that you forget to live in the present.
Jeannie Liautaud
Year: Sophomore
Major: Photography
Hometown: Hoffman Estates, IL
Involvement: Student Ambassadors, Gorlok Guides, National Residence Hall Honorary, Dining Advisory Board, Webster LEADS
Advice for new students: At Webster, you will be able to surround yourself with so many beautiful people. But don’t forget to try a go at new things by yourself! Challenge yourself to attend any event you wish to go to, regardless of how many friends may or may not be in attendance. Your college experience is ultimately up to you, so own it.
Natalie Martinez
Year: Junior
Major: Journalism
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
Involvement: Delta Phi Epsilon sorority, Latent Image and Society of Professional Journalism
Advice for new students: Keep an open mind!
David McDonald
Year: Senior
Major: Film Production
Hometown: Grinnell, Iowa
Involvement: Gorlok Television, Gorlok Cinema, Gorlok Ultimate, Dining Advisory Board, Humans versus Zombies, Student Building Manager, Student Affairs.
Advice for new students: Go out and meet ANYONE and EVERYONE. You’re all starting with a clean slate, so don’t try to pretend to be something you think people in high school will like. You’ll find people who love you for who you are NOW, not for who you WERE. This is college. Be weird. Be silly. Be serious. Just remember to be yourself.
Katie Maxwell
Year: Senior
Major: Sociology
Hometown: Houston, TX
Involvement: Student Government Association, Delta Phi Epsilon, National Residence Hall Honorary, Webster Leads, Behavioral and Social Science Club
Advice for new students: Step outside of your comfort zone and try new things. Get involved. You’re never going to get this kind of opportunity again, so live it up while you can and make the most of it. Don’t sell yourself short either because Webster gives you so many opportunities to step up into leadership roles no matter your year or experience level.
Sophie Ozier
Year: Sophomore
Major: Public Relations
Hometown: Cerro Gordo, Illinois
Involvement: Wind Ensemble, Jazz Collective, PRSSA, Student Building Manager, Work Study Box Office Assistant
Advice for new students: It’s okay to be little nervous about starting college and being away from home, but don’t let that keep you from getting out there to meet new people and try new things!
Katie Parrish
Year: Junior
Major: Biology
Hometown: Quincy, Illinois
Involvement: Student Building Manager, Connection Leader, Students for Biological Sciences, Webster CRU
Advice for new students: Advice for new students: GET INVOLVED! It may be the party line, but we say it all the time for a reason. Getting involved is why I have the amazing friends I have today!
Tamarah Patterson
Year: Sophomore
Major: Animation
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Involvement: Work Study for the FDC Center
Advice for new students: Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone! College is all about new experiences and trying new things. Have you always wanted to learn how to draw or to be a leader in student government? Go for it! “What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?”
- Vincent van Gogh
Jaron Rhoda
Year: Junior
Major: English (Drama emphasis)
Hometown: Normal, Illinois
Involvement: Resident Assistant (2012-2013), Surfacing Theatre, The Green Fuse, Work Study for Pearson House.
Advice for new students: Don’t be afraid to come out of your shell during orientation! Remember that everyone else is going to be feeling similar to you about starting this new chapter in their life, so go ahead and break the ice. These are the people you’re going to be seeing pretty much every day for the next few years – now is the time to start making connections!
Clayton Roll
Year: Sophomore
Major: Photography
Hometown: Quincy, IL
Involvement: Track, First Year Experience Programs
Advice for new students: Get involved! You really won’t know if you like something until you try it, and it is a great way to meet people!
Jason Schroeder
Year: Senior
Major: Film Production
Hometown: O’Fallon, Missouri
Involvement: Connection Leader, WorkStudy for Management Department, WebsterLEADS, Student Government Association, Surfacing Theatre
Advice for new students: Don’t be afraid to show who you really are. You will find friends here and be loved for who you are!
Zeke Spellazza
Year: Sophomore
Major: Human Resource Management
Hometown: St. Louis MO
Involvement: University Center Fitness Center
Advice for students: Webster University is like a huge diverse family table, and because of that there’s always room for one more seat. So go off and explore, discover, and venture into everything and anything Webster University has to offer. Then pull up a seat and share it with the rest of us because we all want to hear about your amazing experiences!
Jon Strauser
Year: Sophomore
Major: Management with emphasis in Marketing Minor: Sustainability
Hometown: Washington, Missouri
Involvement: Alpha Phi Omega, International Society of International Language and Culture, International Student Association, Student Government Association, Marketing and Communication Club and Webster Students for Environmental Sustainability
Advice for new students: Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try something new. Join a club or organization; it’s a great way for you to meet other students. These next four years are what you make of it so make it a meaningful and memorable experience.
Courtney Turner
Year: Senior
Major: Advertising/Marketing Communications
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Involvement: Campus Activities, Connection Leader, Student Ambassador, SGA Elections Commissioner, Gorlok Guide
Advice for new students: Don’t be afraid to get involved right away. Explore everything Webster has to offer and find out your true potential.
Brooke Vonderheide
Year: Junior
Major: Vocal Performance
Hometown: Quincy, Illinois
Involvement: Connection Leader, Encounter, WebsterLEADS, WU Concert Choir
Advice for new students: Be open to new experiences and people; by venturing outside of your comfort zone you’ll not only grow, but find unending opportunities!
Lindsey White
Year: Junior
Major: Vocal Performance Minor: Speech Communications
Hometown: Franklin, Tennessee
Involvement: Delta Phi Epsilon, Connection Leader, WebsterLEADS, CRU, Work Study for the Department of Music.
Advice for students: Make the most out of your college experience and GET INVOLVED! Finding a group of people who shared my passions and aspirations led me to finding some of my best friends. Take advantage of what this school has to offer, and join a club or organization! You won’t regret it.
Amillia Woods
Year: Senior
Major: Education
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Involvement: Encounter, CRU, Association for African American Collegians, Work Study for MCISA
Advice for students: College is a lot of fun, but do not forget to STUDY. Focus on achieving a decent GPA, getting involve, and networking with professors. Do not be ashamed if you change your major; life happens. PRAY MORE, AND WORRY LESS.
