Our Advisors

Director

Nancy Bucknall

Phone: 336.334.4361
Office: 103M Foust Building
Email: [email protected]
Education: B.A. in English & Philosophy from the University of Central Arkansas; M.A. in English from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill

I’ve been teaching at UNCG for over 20 years, and have been Director of CASA for 16 of those years. The best part about working in CASA is getting to work with first-year students who have such ambition, talent, and curiosity driving them to learn more about the world. My hobbies include reading (especially North Carolina writers), hiking (especially in the North Carolina mountains), martial arts, and spoiling my cats.

Associate Director

Caitlin Saraphis

Phone: 336.334.4361
Office: 103C Foust Building
Email: [email protected]
Education: B.A. in History and English, UNC Greensboro ’07; M.A. in European History, UNC Greensboro ’09

Caitlin has worked with CASA as a full-time advisor since 2010.  She advises primarily Archaeology, Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Classical Studies, and History majors, as well as pre-professional students with any CAS major.  She teaches courses on medieval, early British, and disease history.  Her primary administrative responsibilities include coordinating the College’s advising programming at SOAR and directing retention and persistence outreach for the College.  She also serves on the College’s Curriculum and Teaching committee and the University Advising Council. When not advising, Caitlin enjoys playing video games, reading, and hanging out with her partner and their three cats. 

Assistant Director

Eleanor Cowen

Phone: 336.334.4361
Office: 103D Foust Building
Email: [email protected]
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 Interior Architecture majors. She teaches courses in Media Studies and in the Freshman Seminar program. Her primary administrative responsibilities include leading Convocation Day activities for incoming students in the College of Arts & Sciences and she serves on the Freshman Seminar Advisory Committee.

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

Phone: 336.334.4361
Office: 103K Foust Building
Email: [email protected]
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

Calvin Lowery

Phone: 336.334.4361
Office: 103L Foust Building
Email: [email protected]
Education: B.S., Electronics & Computer Technology from North Carolina A&T; Juris Doctor from Southwestern University School of Law; M.S. in Leadership in Higher Education

Calvin has worked in Student Services for nearly 10 years. Calvin enjoys working with first-year students as they make the transition to college and prepare to follow their dreams. He also has a passion for serving others. Additionally, Calvin is committed to increasing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within the higher education system in all facets (students, staff, faculty, and administration). Therefore, his interests include the recruitment, retention, and graduation of all students.

Program Manager

Ryan Ridpath

Phone: 336.334.4361
Office: 103A Foust Building
Email: [email protected]
Education: B.A., History and Psychology, UNC Greensboro; M.A., Viking and Anglo-Saxon Studies, University of Nottingham

Ryan has worked with CASA since February 2022 providing administrative support to advisors and front-line advising to students. He manages the day-to-day operations of the office and communicates extensively with faculty and staff within the College. He has experience as a secondary social studies teacher and has taught religious studies courses in higher educational contexts. He supports students in language proficiency verification, scheduling appointments, and registration outreach. 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 partner.