Orientation Leaders

OLs are upperclassmen students at Winthrop who work with new freshmen students and their families at Orientation. These students work hard throughout the spring semester and summer to train and prepare for helping new students in their transition. At Orientation, new students are assigned to an OL who will serve as their Winthrop point person and lead sessions to give students exclusive knowledge on what it means to be a Winthrop Eagle.

Meet Our 2025 Orientation Team!

Dee Ateca

Dee Ateca

Major: Art History

Hometown: Aiken, SC

Wisdom for New Eagles: Get involved with clubs and organizations! It's a great way to meet new people, make memories, and gain experience!

Favorite Thing About Winthrop: Diversity! There's so many different types of people that are apart of the campus community.

Fun Fact: I was born on Christmas Day

Evan Bittle

Evan Bittle

Major: Social Studies Education (College of Education, Sport, and Human Sciences)

Hometown: Chesterfield, SC

Wisdom for New Eagles: Find a group of people that you enjoy being around and can rely on so that you aren’t doing this alone!

Favorite Thing About Winthrop: It’s a small campus leading to a feeling of community.

Fun Fact: I like to travel and take every opportunity possible.

Myamee Bowens

Myamee Bowens

Major: Sociology

Hometown: Walterboro, SC

Wisdom for New Eagles: Take your dreams and run with it!

Favorite Thing About Winthrop: I love the Sociology Department!

Fun Fact: I’m a Licensed Cosmetologist

Zaniyah Bryant

Zaniyah Bryant

Major: Integrated Marketing Communications, Minor in Management

Hometown: Sumter, SC

Wisdom for New Eagles: The sky is the limit for you and your success so remember to Live, Learn, Love, and Laugh!

Favorite Thing About Winthrop: My favorite thing about Winthrop is that there is something for everyone to participate in no matter race, ethnicity or gender.

Fun Fact: I love to sing!

Renesemee Coffey

Renesmee Coffey

Major: Political Science

Hometown: Anderson, SC

Wisdom for New Eagles: Show up for class! Attendance is important and it will benefit you in the end

Favorite Thing About Winthrop: The community on campus, as well as the programs and opportunities we have as students!

Fun Fact: I will be studying abroad in the Fall of 2025! I am thrilled and would love to talk about it with our new eagles!

JaShanti Davis

Jashanti Davis (Shanti)

Major: Social Work

Hometown: Anderson, SC

Wisdom for New Eagles: Make sure you get involved on campus and network with your peers and professors!

Favorite Thing About Winthrop: The different amount of clubs and organizations on campus.

Fun Fact: I am on the Winthrop Spirit Squad dance team!

Donovan Ellerbe

Donovan Ellerbe

Major: Human Development & Family Studies (College of Education, Sport and Human Sciences)

Hometown: Cheraw, SC

Wisdom for New Eagles: For my new eagles, yeah don't be afraid to get involved. Your 4 years here is what you make it!

Favorite Thing About Winthrop: You will definitely find your people here. There's a group for everyone here on campus!

Fun Fact: I'm funny??? Girl I don't know....

Kennedy Fogle

Kennedy Fogle

Major: Social Work, Minor: Psychology (College of Arts & Sciences)

Hometown: Greenville, SC

Wisdom for New Eagles: Office hours are your best friend - professors and advisors want to help, so don't be afraid to reach out when you need guidance.

Favorite Thing About Winthrop: I love the community Winthrop has. Feels like home

Fun Fact: I love to read books, especially romance

Ty Gordon

Ty Gordon

Major: Web Development (College of Business and Technology)

Hometown: Fort Mill, SC

Wisdom for New Eagles: Get involved with clubs.

Favorite Thing About Winthrop: How beautiful the campus is!

Fun Fact: I love puzzles! I have beaten minesweeper in nine seconds.

Nick Guinyard

Nick Guinyard

Major: Criminology

Hometown: Columbia, SC

Wisdom for New Eagles: You must be uncomfortable to be comfortable. Get out of your comfort zone and get involved!

Favorite Thing About Winthrop: I love how easy it is to get involved and meet new people from various backgrounds!

Fun Fact: My all time favorite drink is eggnog!

Kennedy Fogal

Isaiah Henry (Zay)

Major: Secondary Social Studies Education

Hometown: Spartanburg SC

Wisdom for New Eagles: Be proactive!

Favorite Thing About Winthrop: The community built between each other

Fun Fact: I enjoy thrifting!

Kenya Hines

Kenya Hines

Major: Mass Communications, concentration in Broadcast Journalism

Hometown: Charleston, SC

Wisdom for New Eagles: Make sure to have fun but always remember you're here for that degree!

Favorite Thing About Winthrop: There are so many opportunities for whatever you are interested in.

Fun Fact: My hair color is always changing!

Paris Johnson

Paris Johnson

Major: Biology (College of Arts & Sciences)

Hometown: Manning, SC

Wisdom for New Eagles: Don't be afraid to be who you are at Winthrop, this is a safe place!

Favorite Thing About Winthrop: The campus is so beautiful and nice to look at no matter the weather.

Fun Fact: I'm very funny and have fun intrusive thoughts.

Destiney Kelly

Destiney Kelly

Major: Social Work, Minor (College of Arts & Sciences)

Hometown: Charleston, SC

Wisdom for New Eagles: Get involved! There’s always something for you! Do your work ahead of time, and don’t be afraid to reach out to your OLS :)

Favorite Thing About Winthrop: I love the diversity and the inclusiveness Winthrop has.

Fun Fact: I love to sing, eat, shop, and I love to chat and sit outside on scholars walk.

Brooke Little

Brookelyn Little

Major: Theatre and Arts Administration

Hometown: Greenville, SC

Wisdom for New Eagles: Take advantage of every opportunity, you never know whats in store!

Favorite Thing About Winthrop: I love the diversity and the wide range of organizations.

Fun Fact: I have directed over 4 plays and a short film!

Precious McFadden

Precious McFadden

Major: Counseling and Development Master's Program (M.Ed)

Hometown: Sumter, South Carolina.

Wisdom for New Eagles: To New Eagles: Look at college as a networking opportunity, make sure that you build a relationship with as many people (peers, professors, and staff) as possible. You never know who you will run into after college or how they can benefit (or hinder) you so make sure to keep a clean reputation!

Favorite Thing About Winthrop: What I love most about Winthrop is that there's a place for everyone and if you ever feel like you don't quite fit in, you have the ability to create your own space through new organizations or clubs.

Fun Fact: I am in the South Carolina Army National Guard!

Demeaura Portis

Demeaura Portis

Major: Sociology, Concentration in Criminology (College of Arts and Sciences)

Hometown: Fayetteville, NC

Wisdom for New Eagles: Advocating for yourself goes a long way - never stop!

Favorite Thing About Winthrop: I love my fellow orientation leaders and I hope you do as well!

Fun Fact: I love watching films!

Daylanta Pratt-Lester

Daylanta Pratt-Lester

Major: Business & Administration

Hometown: Marion, SC

Wisdom for New Eagles: Ask for help when needed your professors are here to help for a reason.

Favorite Thing About Winthrop: Winthrop is so diverse and makes you feel included.

Fun Fact: I love running track! I have been running for 4 years

MOrgan

Morgan Gabrielle Reddin

Major: Exercise Science

Hometown: Charlotte, NC

Wisdom for New Eagles: Get involved, meet new people, and always keep God first

Favorite Thing About Winthrop: The community has always been my favorite part about Winthrop. It feels like home!

Fun Fact: I have two puppies! (Fox Terrier Mix and a Shitzu)

Annika

Annika Rittereiser

Major: Special Education (College of Education, Sport, and Human Sciences)

Hometown: Lancaster, SC

Wisdom for New Eagles: Make connections with your professors!

Favorite Thing About Winthrop: My favorite thing about Winthrop is Hardin Garden!

Fun Fact: A fun fact about me is that I ride horses!

Daniela Sanchez Diaz

Daniela Sanchez Diaz

Major: Sociology

Hometown: Clover, SC

Wisdom for New Eagles: Go to office hours!

Favorite Thing About Winthrop: My favorite thing about Winthrop is Einstein Bagels and tabling during common time

Fun Fact: I was born in Peru!

Kiera Short

Keiara Jonae

Major: Elementary Education (College of Education, Sport, and Human Sciences)

Hometown: Richmond, VA

Favorite Thing About Winthrop: Is the community

Wisdom for New Eagles: Get involved and go to class!!

Fun Fact: I love majorette dance and was on the dance show Bring It!

To contact any of the OLs, log intoWinthrop's People Search tool.

Interested in applying to be an OL?

The application process starts in September.

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