Our Team
The Center for Academic, Career and Student Services (ACSS) in the Wilson College of Textiles supports students through all stages of their NC State journey. Stop by the center in suite 2418 for more information about how ACSS can support you.
Dr. Jeff Joines
Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Faculty Excellence
Jeff received all four engineering degrees from NC State University. Jeff’s expertise is in supply chain optimization utilizing computer simulation where he has published numerous papers and given many international presentations. He has helped many fortune 500 companies with efficiency and process-improved projects. He was the co-proceedings editor for the 2000 Winter Simulation Conference, the program chair for the 2005 WSC, and served on the WSC Board for ten years. He teaches undergraduate and graduate classes in computer information and database systems, computer-based modeling in Excel and VBA, simulation modeling using SIMIO and Lean Six Sigma. His passion lies in helping students reach their fullest potential and is heavily involved in utilizing technology in the classroom and how it impacts problem-solving. Jeff teaches industrial workshops in Wilson College of Textiles Master Black Belt Six Sigma program. Jeff has received numerous prestigious awards and recognition for his professional contributions over the years.
Read more about Dr. Jeff Joines
Hannah Carter
Academic Advisor
Hannah joined NC State and the Wilson College of Textiles in August 2022. She is originally from Hickory, NC but went to the University of Arizona for her bachelor’s degree and found a passion for higher education working in their admissions office and assisting with new student orientations. She then went to Arizona State University and completed her Master’s of Education focusing on higher and postsecondary education. Following her program, she worked with the School of Engineering at Arizona State as an academic advisor and retention coordinator.
Hannah’s passion for helping students find their strengths and becoming academically successful grew in this role. Her goal is to make sure each student is given the tools they need to excel in and out of the classroom. Missing North Carolina, she made her way to Raleigh to be closer to family. Outside of work, Hannah enjoys exploring new restaurants, traveling and hanging out with her cute pup, Finnegan.
Traci Figura
Graduate Services Coordinator
Traci moved to North Carolina from the New England area in 2008. It was that same year that she began working at NC State at the College of Veterinary Medicine before joining the Wilson College of Textiles in 2010. In her role as graduate services coordinator for the college’s doctoral programs and the textile chemistry and textile engineering master’s programs, she serves as the principle administrative liaison between the student, the graduate program director and the Graduate School.
Traci is committed to providing students with excellent guidance and support as they navigate through their graduate school journey. She appreciates the rich cultural diversity that the graduate students bring to Wilson College of Textiles and enjoys the opportunity to gain a better understanding of other cultures.
Merica Petteway
Associate Director of Student Recruitment and Engagement
Merica joins NC State from her alma mater, William Peace University, where she worked as a senior admissions counselor, the assistant women’s volleyball coach and an adjunct instructor of first-year seminar.
She is passionate about assisting prospective students and their families through the college selection process and connecting current, at-risk students with the appropriate campus resources to aid in their success.
Merica earned a Bachelor of Art in psychology from William Peace University in 2016 and a Master of Education focused in higher education leadership from Liberty University in 2020.
When she is not working, Merica loves being with her family, watching basketball games and volleyball matches and learning new things.
Read more about Merica Petteway
Alyssa Garner
Academic Advisor
Alyssa is a Raleigh native and NC State alumna, having earned two master’s degrees in higher education administration and English, rhetoric and composition.
As an academic advisor for the Wilson College of Textiles, Alyssa’s foremost goal is to ensure that students and their families feel equipped and empowered with the necessary knowledge, resources, and support systems to thrive in all aspects of their college experience.
This passion to serve and support students is also reflected in her professional experiences prior to her current role, which span undergraduate first-year and transfer admissions, academic support services, first-year experience initiatives, and postsecondary teaching.
When she’s not working with students, Alyssa enjoys exploring Raleigh’s many locally-owned restaurants, watching the latest movies at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, and spending time with her two fur babies (cats named Zeus and Hagrid).
Heather Lyerly
Senior Director of Academic Services
Heather has been working at NC State since 2005 and has been in the Wilson College of Textiles since 2016. Her main responsibilities include oversight of advising and recruiting staff, advising transfer students, serving as co-director of the Textiles Scholarships Program and liaising with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
She served as the associate director of advising and admissions and director of academic services before assuming the role of sr. director of academic services in Nov. 2022. Heather began her NC State career as an assistant director in the academic support program for student-athletes before transitioning to an assistant director role in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions in 2011.
Prior to coming to NC State, Heather served in several academic advising roles in academic support programs for student-athletes at the University of Richmond, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Heather earned a Bachelor of Science in exercise and sports science with concentrations in psychology and sports medicine from East Carolina University and a Master of Arts in counseling from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She currently resides in Holly Springs, NC with her husband, Wayne and fur baby, Daisy.
Read more about Heather Lyerly
Meggie Metcalf
Associate Director of Academic Services
Meggie joined the Wilson College of Textiles in May 2018 and previously worked with first-year undecided students in the Exploratory Studies program at NC State.
She grew up in the NC mountains, and has lived all over the state. After teaching high school science for three years, Meggie found her passion working with college students through academic advising.
Meggie has been advising students since 2011, first at East Carolina University and at NC State since 2015. She enjoys supporting students as they adjust to campus and helping them find ways to enhance their educational experience through one-on-one conversations.
Outside of work, Meggie enjoys being outside, traveling and spending time with her family. Meggie earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2007, and a master’s degree in education from Wake Forest University in 2008.
Read more about Meggie Metcalf
Kara Price
Coordinator of Recruitment and Educational Outreach
Kara started her journey with the Wilson Collège of Textiles as a student in the fall of 2017. She completed a Bachelor of Science in fashion and textile management, graduating in 2022. Following graduation, she began to work for the college in Oct. 2022. Throughout her time as a student she discovered a passion for human sustainability and ethical business practices within the fashion industry.
Her passion for the Wilson College fuels her professional goals to assist in the continuation and longevity of textile education among new generations of students. She enjoys welcoming students and their families into the college and educating them on everything there is to experience on campus.
When she is not working, Kara can be found trying new restaurants, shopping at local thrift stores, or hanging out with her cats, Chai and Theo.
Jeff Sackaroff
Director of Career Services
Jeff joined the Wilson College of Textiles in March 2018, bringing with him over 15 years of experience helping college students in NC identify and achieve their career goals.
In his previous role, he served as the associate director of career services at UNC-CH for over 10 years, overseeing both the employer relations and career counseling functions of the office.
Prior to that, Jeff was the director of career services for the Poole College of Management at NC State University from 2003-2007. He also has experience in human resources, recruiting, and retail management.
Jeff is originally from New Jersey and lives in Cary with his wife and two children. He has a B.A. in psychology from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and an M.Ed. in college career counseling from NC State University.
Read more about Jeff Sackaroff
Lucas Wier
Lucas Wier serves as the coordinator of recruitment and educational outreach for the Wilson College of Textiles. He joined the Wilson College of Textiles in 2023 after spending two years in the Undergraduate Admissions office at NC State University where he served as an admissions counselor. Lucas received a B.A. in political science from NC State University in the spring of 2021.
Selina Williams
Selina is the executive assistant to the associate dean for academic programs and faculty excellence. She has a degree in political science from NC State and has worked at the college since 2014. Selina is proud to be part of the ACSS office, thankful for the daily opportunities to assist and enhance the college experience for our students.
Read more about Selina Williams
Jenna Clayton
Jenna joins NC State from her alma mater of East Carolina University, where she earned her undergraduate degree in 2022, and most recently earned her Master’s of Science in counselor education with a concentration in student affairs and college counseling in May 2024. Throughout her time as a student, she was heavily involved in on campus experiences and organizations, sparking her interest in higher education, advising and student support services.
As an academic advisor for the Wilson College of Textiles, Jenna is passionate about connecting students to appropriate campus resources, fostering student success, and helping students develop the confidence to thrive during their time at NC State.
When she is not working, Jenna can be found serving in her community, both as a high school cheerleading coach and as a board member of the Roxboro Jaycees.