Curt McPhail
Executive Director
Curt McPhail’s career spans over two decades within the not-for-profit and startup realms, showcasing his diverse roles from community organizer to CEO. Presently steering as the Executive Director of Wofford’s Career Center, Curt’s primary focus centers on empowering students for their professional journeys—be it entering the job market, pursuing further education, or nurturing their entrepreneurial dreams during their tenure at Wofford.
A proud alumnus of Wofford College, Curt graduated in 1996 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Economics and Sociology. His profound impact and commitment to his alma mater earned him the titles of Wofford’s 2012 Young Alumni of the Year and a double honor as the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award recipient in 1996 and 2014.
His passion for social change led him to co-found Globalbike in 2006, an international non-profit harnessing bicycles’ transformative power to connect communities and resources. This endeavor earned accolades, including the prestigious Beyond Sports Best Project Award from former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair in 2009.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Curt cherishes calling Spartanburg home, residing with his cherished family—wife Molly, sons Heyward and Noah, and their beloved dog Carter.
Specialties and Interests
Internship for Credit, Job + Internship Search, Interviewing Strategies, Professional Networking, Alumni ConnectionsTasha Smith Tyus
Senior Director
Dr. LaTasha (Tasha) Smith-Tyus embodies the Senior Directorship at the Career Center, boasting an impressive tenure of over 16 years in higher education and career services. Her pivotal role revolves around nurturing students through their transformative career development journey, guiding them to cultivate essential skills and seamlessly linking them with invaluable professional prospects.
Her academic journey culminated at the University of Alabama, where she earned her doctoral degree in the intricate realm of Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education, a testament to her profound understanding of the societal dynamics intertwined with educational paradigms.
Specialties and Interests
Job + Internship Search, Resume + Cover Letter Revision, Personal Statements, Grad School, Interviewing StrategiesEdita Soto
Office Coordinator
Edita Soto, hailing from Maryland, boasts over two decades of dedicated service within the U.S. Government, wielding her expertise as a Management Specialist across national and global territories.
Transitioning to her current role as the Office Coordinator at Wofford College in 2018, she’s been an invaluable guide for students navigating the Career Center, adeptly steering them toward vital resources. Ms. Soto serves as the linchpin, ensuring the Career Center operates seamlessly, maintaining meticulous organization, and extending her support graciously to colleagues. Her contributions extend beyond the Career Center, offering her expertise and aid to various departments across the campus whenever the need arises.
Specialties and Interests
Assisting students in connecting with the appropriate resources and advisors for their career developmentLee Smith
Career Specialist
Lee Smith, a dedicated Career Specialist at the Career Center, focuses on providing expert guidance specifically tailored for first-year students and student-athletes, seamlessly linking them to the array of programs available. Beyond this, Lee serves as a valuable resource for refining resumes, crafting compelling cover letters, and offering a plethora of career assessments and services to students seeking his assistance.
Hailing from Spartanburg roots but with formative years spent in Boiling Springs and the North Side of Spartanburg in South Carolina, Lee’s connection to the area runs deep. His commitment to the community previously shone through during his three-year tenure as a coordinator in the McKinney-Vento program within Spartanburg School District Seven, dedicated to supporting homeless students, reflecting his unwavering passion for making a difference in the lives of others.
Lee also immerses himself in the creative realm, channeling his talents into film production and photography, further showcasing his multifaceted nature and artistic inclinations outside his professional endeavors.
Specialties and Interests
Resume + Cover Letter Revision, LinkedIn Profile Creation + Updates, Professional Headshots, Job + Internship SearchSarah Butler
Launch Program Manager
Sarah’s journey to the Career Center at Wofford was rooted in a rich tapestry of experiences, notably honed during her tenure at the University of South Carolina Upstate. Her recent role as the Director for Advising and Career Enrichment Services at the Johnson College of Business and Economics showcased her dedication to nurturing student growth and development.
With a career spanning over a decade in higher education, Sarah’s passion lies in empowering students to embrace new perspectives and achieve their aspirations. Her academic prowess, culminating in a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and a Master of Science in Adult Education from Marshall University in West Virginia, underscores her commitment to lifelong learning.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Sarah is a community stalwart, steering initiatives as the facilitator for Spartanburg County and the City of Spartanburg’s Amplify LAUNCH Program, amplifying African American business endeavors. Her leadership extends to being the 2022 chair of Spartanburg Young Professionals (SYP), a testament to her commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders.
Her dedication to personal growth is evident through her participation in esteemed programs such as Leadership Spartanburg in 2021 and the Spartanburg County Foundation Grassroots Leadership Development Institute in 2012, reflecting her unwavering commitment to community progress.
Juggling multiple roles, Sarah finds fulfillment in her duties as a devoted wife and mother while also channeling her talents as an event planner, small business consultant, and mentor. Her multifaceted nature illuminates her ability to thrive in diverse domains while making a profound impact on those around her.
Specialties and Interests
Launch Program, Job + Internship Search, Resume + Cover Letter Revision, Personal Statements, Grad School, LinkedIn Profile Creation + UpdatesJenn Sainovski
Internship & Information Manager
Jenn, originally from Canada, embarked on her educational journey at Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario. There, she accomplished a double major in history and education, complemented by a minor in psychology. Her quest for knowledge didn’t stop there; she pursued and achieved a master’s in education and student affairs from Western Carolina University in 2022.
Before transitioning to her current role as a higher education professional, Jenn dedicated two years to educating high school students. Now, she passionately guides students towards their ideal careers, harnessing her expertise in internships and professional career development. Her graduate studies notably delved into researching the correlation between hiring rates and majors among Western Carolina University graduates in the Spring of 2020, showcasing her commitment to understanding career dynamics.
Outside her professional pursuits, Jenn immerses herself in historical interpretation, sharing her passion for history as a reenactor focused on the 18th and early 19th centuries. Noteworthy among her achievements is the curation of a gallery display featuring soldier uniforms from the War of 1812 to World War II at Lang Pioneer Village Museum in Keene, Ontario.
Her diverse interests extend beyond history; Jenn finds joy in country swing dancing, exploring the outdoors, and embracing the thrill of motorbiking with her husband, Kyle. Family life is also a treasure, as she and her husband share their home with a Tennessee brindle mix named Charlie and a vibrant Conure parrot named Willie.
For those eager to delve deeper into her professional endeavors, Jenn offers a glimpse through her Weebly professional website, which encompasses her strengths, personal philosophy, curriculum vitae, writing sample, and professional competencies.
Or click any of the following links to learn about her professional development:
Specialties and Interests
Job + Internship Search, Resume + Cover Letter Revision, Personal Statements, Grad School, Interviewing StrategiesBradley Merritt
Director of External Relations
Bradley Hamilton Merritt has over 13 years of experience working in higher education, serving in various roles in both law school and university settings. Currently, his role at the Wofford Career Center is Director of External Relations. He manages and develops relationships with external stakeholders, such as employers, government entities, corporations, foundations, community organizations, and alums.
Previously, his role brought him to North Carolina as the Director of the Career Center at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Mr. Merritt has also been an active member of his community, acting as the Potter Park Zoo Board Chair, a Run Disney Volunteer, North Carolina Internship Council, Southeastern Minority Job Fair Chair, and WMU Cooley Law School Alumni Board Chair.
Mr. Merritt attended the University of Charleston and received his Bachelor of Arts in History. He also received a Master of Arts in City and Regional Planning from the University of Memphis and a Juris Doctor from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School. Mr. Merritt is a huge Disney fan and is an annual pass holder to Walt Disney World. Before moving to North Carolina, he lived in Celebration, FL, a town built by Disney.