Our Advisors

Assistant Director

Eleanor Cowen (she/her)

Phone: 336.334.4361
Office: 103D Foust Building
Email: elcowen@uncg.edu
Education: B.A., University of Georgia; M.A. in Communication, Georgia State University

Eleanor has worked with CASA as a full-time academic advisor since 2010. She advises primarily Media Studies, Psychology and Pre-Interior Architecture majors. She also serves on the Freshman Seminar Advisory Committee and plans Convocation Day activities for the College of Arts & Sciences.

Media credits include working for National Geographic Television and Discovery Communications as an Assistant Editor/Sound Editor, and a variety of roles in narrative, commercial, and industrial productions. Eleanor is an animation enthusiast and recently published a book entitled Animation Behind the Iron Curtain.

Assistant Director

Ashley Tuck (she/her)

Phone: 336.334.4361
Office: 103K Foust Building
Email: actuck@uncg.edu
Education: B.A. Psychology from North Carolina Central University. M.S. Adult Education from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University.

Ashley has worked with CASA since 2023, but has been working within the UNCG community since 2012. She primarily advises Anthropology, Biology, Communication Studies, and Psychology majors. It is Ashley’s passion to support students in achieving their full potential while attending UNCG and beyond graduation. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and volunteering in her local community.  

Assistant Director

Ryan Ridpath (he/him)

Phone: 336.334.4361
Office: 103L Foust Building
Email: raridpat@uncg.edu
Education: B.A., History and Psychology, UNC Greensboro; M.A., Viking and Anglo-Saxon Studies, University of Nottingham; Ph.D., English, UNC Greensboro (in progress)

Ryan began working with CASA as the Program Manager in February 2022, providing administrative support to advisors and front-line advising to students. In March 2025, he transitioned into the Assistant Director for Student Success role, developing initiatives to support students experiencing academic difficulty and encourage student belonging. He has taught religious studies courses and plans to teach Freshman Seminar in the future. When not in the office, he likes going to the gym, playing video games, reading sci-fi/fantasy, and hanging out around the fire with his friends and fiancé.

Program manager

Jessi Lessenberry (she/her)

Phone: 336.334.4625
Office: 103M Foust Building
Email: jmlessenber@uncg.edu
Education: B.A. in Sociology and Political Science, Winthrop University; M.L.A. in Political and Civic Engagement, Winthrop University

Jessi began working with CASA as the Program Manager in May 2025, providing administrative support to advisors and front-line advising to students. She has experience working in nonprofits revolving around childcare. When not in the office, she enjoys thrifting, live music, and exploring new cultures through their cuisines.