Choosing the right college is a big decision, and it’s important that you receive the support you need to make the most informed decision possible. Our Admission Counselors and staff members are here to help you every step of the way as you explore your options.
Feel free to contact us with questions anytime. We look forward to helping you discover if UNC Asheville is the right fit for you!
Admission Counselors
Marcio Moreno
Associate Vice Chancellor
for Admission and Financial Aid
What is your favorite UNC Asheville Tradition?
“Turning of the Maples. Fall colors, cider, cookies, and music! What else do you need?”
What is your favorite spot on campus?
“The mini quad. Just as gorgeous as the Quad, but quieter.”
What is your favorite activity in Asheville? “Finding new trails to hike!”
Education
- Master of Arts in Spanish, UNC Wilmington
- Master of Arts in English as a Second Language, Universidad Autónoma de Chiriquí
Populations
International First-Year and Transfer Applicants
Payton Byrnes
Admission Counselor
and Communication Specialist
Email: pbyrnes@unca.edu
Phone: 828.251.6260
What is your favorite spot on campus?
“My favorite spot on campus is the mini quad. It is the perfect place to sit in the shade and read a book!”
What is a favorite book, movie, or TV show you enjoy? Why?
“I don’t have a favorite book, but fantasy is my favorite genre to read because I love magic and adventures! My favorite TV show is Dimension 20, because the stories are so creative and the cast always makes me laugh.”
What is your favorite spot or activity in Asheville?
“I really love visiting the North Carolina Arboretum, the Bonsai Exhibit is my favorite and there are a bunch of hiking trails to explore!”
Education
- Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, Elon University
Territories
North Carolina Counties:
- Alamance
- Alexander
- Caldwell
- Catawba
- Davidson
- Davie
- Forsyth
- Guilford
- Montogomery
- Moore
- Randolph
- Rockingham
- Stokes
- Surry
- Yadkin
States:
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Michigan
- Ohio
- Tennessee
- West Virginia
- Connecticut
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
Zach D. Friesen ’20
Admission Counselor
Email: zfriesen@unca.edu
Phone: 828.250.2365
What is your favorite spot or activity in Asheville?
“I love fly fishing along the Appalachian Mountains!”
What is a favorite book, movie, or TV show you enjoy? Why?
“The Lord of the Rings, either in book or movie form.”
What is your go-to advice for students feeling stressed during the college application process?
“Ask questions! We are here to help with any step in the process.”
Education
- Master of Arts in Higher Education, Appalachian State University
- Bachelor of Arts in History, UNC Asheville
Territories
North Carolina Counties:
- Anson
- Cabarrus
- Cleveland
- Gaston
- Iredell
- Lincoln
- Mecklenburg
- Rowan
- Stanly
- Union
States:
- Alaska
- Idaho
- Montana
- Nebraska
- North Dakota
- Oregon
- South Dakota
- Washington
- Wyoming
- Florida
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Maryland
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Virginia
- Washington D.C.
- Wisconsin
Populations
In-State Transfer Applicants,
excluding the NC Community College System
Lucas Granade ’19
Admission Counselor
Email: lgranade@unca.edu
Phone: 828.250.2329
What is a favorite book, movie, or TV show you enjoy? Why?
“Dimension 20 – a show where comedians play tabletop role-playing games – is a favorite of mine. It’s engaging, hilarious, and super binge-able.”
What is your favorite spot on campus?
“Ramsey Library – whether I’m there for a smoothie, browsing the stacks, making something in the CrAFT Studio, or seeing friends in the Writing Center, it’s always a pleasant place to be.”
What is your go-to advice for students feeling stressed during the college application process?
“Reach out! Admission and Financial Aid Counselors are here to help you feel informed, confident, and prepared to make the decisions that are best for you.”
Education
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, UNC Asheville
Territories
North Carolina Counties:
- Caswell
- Chatham
- Durham
- Franklin
- Granville
- Johnston
- Orange
- Person
- Vance
- Wake
- Warren
States:
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Hawaii
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- Utah
Sarah Mohr
Associate Director of Admission
Email: smohr@unca.edu
Phone: 828.250.2320
What is your favorite UNC Asheville tradition?
“Turning of the Maples”
What is your favorite spot on campus?
“The view of Mount Pisgah from the top of the library steps and the observatory.”
What is your favorite spot or activity in Asheville?
“I love going to concerts at the Grey Eagle!”
Education
- Master of Public Administration, UNC Wilmington
- Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, Furman University
Territories
North Carolina Counties:
- Alleghany
- Ashe
- Avery
- Buncombe
- Burke
- Cherokee
- Clay
- Graham
- Haywood
- Henderson
- Jackson
- Macon
- Madison
- McDowell
- Mitchell
- Polk
- Rutherford
- Swain
- Transylvania
- Watauga
- Wilkes
- Yancey
States:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Georgia
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Oklahoma
- Texas
Kari Myrtle-Posey
Director of Admission for Recruitment & Outreach
Email: kmyrtlep@unca.edu
Phone: 828.255.7056
If you could give one piece of advice to incoming students, what would it be?
“As a first-generation college student, I wish I had someone to demystify the higher education process when I first started applying to college. My biggest piece of advice to incoming students is to reach out to schools you are interested in exploring. We are all here to help! You don’t have to be an admitted student to connect with staff!”
If you were to describe UNC Asheville in three words, what would they be?
“Welcoming, picturesque, and innovative.”
What is your favorite spot or activity in Asheville?
“I love riding bikes along the French Broad River on the Greenway!”
Education
- Master of Arts in Liberal Studies, UNC Wilmington
- Bachelor of Arts in English, UNC Wilmington
Territories
North Carolina Counties:
- Alamance
- Alexander
- Caldwell
- Catawba
- Davidson
- Davie
- Forsyth
- Guilford
- Montogomery
- Moore
- Randolph
- Rockingham
- Stokes
- Surry
- Yadkin
States:
- Delaware
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Michigan
- New Jersey
- New York
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- West Virginia
Populations
- Post-Baccalaureate Applicants
- Teacher Licensure Applicants
Lindsey Prather ’10
Assistant Director of Admission
Email: laprathe@unca.edu
What is your favorite spot on campus?
“The Botanical Gardens! A wonderful place to relax and get ‘away’ from it all – right there on campus! Plus, there’s a moon tree.”
What is your favorite UNC Asheville memory?
“A bunch of us gathered in The Grotto in Highsmith Student Union to watch the election night results in 2008. We had a big map on the wall and colored in each state as the results were announced. It was incredible to experience that with fellow students.”
If you could give one piece of advice to incoming students, what would it be?
“Try all the things. Going to one club meeting doesn’t commit you for the whole year – just give it a shot and see what fits.”
Education
- Master of Public Affairs, Western Carolina University
- Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, UNC Asheville
Populations
Out-of-state Transfer Applicants
Jen Tobias
Transfer Admission Specialist
Email: jtobias@unca.edu
Phone: 828.250.2324
If you were to describe UNC Asheville in three words, what would they be?
“Engaging, Opportunities, and Accepting.”
What is a misconception about the college admissions process that you often encounter?
“That you need a certain number of credits or an Associates degree to transfer.”
What is a favorite book, movie, or TV show you enjoy? Why?
“I’ve always been a Friends fan for the relatability, and it’s hilarious.”
Education
- Master of Arts Curriculum Specialist, Appalachian State
- Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, SUNY Cortland
Population
North Carolina Community College System
Admission Staff
Nate Corbitt
Campus Visit Manager
Email: ncorbitt@unca.edu
Phone: 828.350.4553
If you could give one piece of advice to incoming students, what would it be?
“Visit campus! You’re never going to get a true representation of a college through a website. Visit as many universities as possible to get a feel for the campus and the students. That’s the best way to decide if you will be happy there for the next 4 years.”
What is a favorite book, movie, or TV show you enjoy? Why?
“I have literally been watching WWE Monday Night RAW since it debuted in 1993. I have continued to watch it, because it is one constant in my life that can take me back to my childhood when I didn’t have to worry about ‘adulting’.”
What is your favorite spot or activity in Asheville?
“Two words….Luella’s BBQ!”
Education
- Education Policy Fellowship Program, 2021-2022 North Carolina Cohort Fellow
- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, Appalachian State University
June Cross
Information Processor
Email: jcross@unca.edu
Phone: 828.251.6493
I am an Information Processor in the Office of Financial Aid and Admissions-Data Services. I have been employed with UNC Asheville since 2010. I enjoy helping my colleagues with their data needs. I graduated from North Buncombe High School in Weaverville N.C. and attended Asheville-Buncombe Technical College. I enjoy spending most of my time off with my grown children and two granddaughters. I also loves road tripping, little hikes, and life group with my friends.
Lisa House
Operations Manager
Email: lhouse@unca.edu
Phone: 828.250.2331
What is your favorite spot on campus?
“The rocking chairs between Willow Hall and Beech Hall. ”
What is your favorite spot or activity in Asheville?
“Riding bikes or walking at the Biltmore Estate.”
What is a favorite book, movie, or TV show you enjoy? Why?
“My favorite movie is The Greatest Game Ever Played; I love the story of how 2 “regular” novices made a name for themselves in an arena that was only for the elite. It’s an awesome story of triumph when you are doing something you love!”
Jason Mogen
Director of Admission & Financial Aid Communication
Email: jmogen@unca.edu
Phone: 828.250.2355
What is your favorite spot on campus?
“Lookout Observatory: there are great views of the city and mountains, and free stargazing nights!”
If you were to describe UNC Asheville in three words, what would they be?
“Innovative, caring, and engaged.”
What is your go-to advice for students feeling stressed during the college application process?
“Admission Counselors and Financial Aid Counselors are super friendly, so don’t be afraid to ask questions. We’re here to help with anything!”
Education
- Master of Arts in Higher and Postsecondary Education, Teachers College, Columbia University
- Bachelor of Arts in Religion, Columbia University
Ryan Walsh
Director of Admission & Financial Aid Systems & Analytics
Email: rwalsh@unca.edu
Phone: 828.251.6494
What is your favorite spot on campus?
“Most people don’t realize that UNC Asheville has a campus trail system, which includes connection to the Asheville Botanical Garden which is right on the edge of campus!”
What is your go-to advice for students feeling stressed during the college application process?
“A trusted colleague once said about the college application process: ‘It’s like taking a test in school. Keep your eyes on your own paper.’ Essentially, don’t worry about what your peers and friends are doing. Stay focused on yourself let that will guide you to the schools which are the right fit for YOU!”
Education
- Master or Arts in Educational Leadership, University of Colorado – Colorado Springs
- Bachelor of Arts in History, St. Lawrence University
Take the Next Step
Have Questions? Contact the Admission Team!
Ask questions and get advice from the University of North Carolina Asheville if you need assistance with submitting your application.
| Phone: 828.251.6481 |
| Email: admissions@unca.edu |
| Address: UNC Asheville Brown Hall, CPO #1320 One University Heights Asheville, NC 28804 |
| Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. |
