Davis & Elkins College Upward Bound Program

05/20/2026

Our next employee spotlight: Wyndsor Aumann!

“My name is Wyndsor Aumann and I currently serve as an Academic Advisor for Randolph, Barbour, and Tucker counties through the Upward Bound Program and Davis and Elkins College, primarily working with students in Randolph County. I began working at D&E in January 2026, and I absolutely love having the opportunity to help students prepare for college, build confidence in themselves, and explore their future goals and careers. Being able to support students throughout such an important stage of their lives is one of the most rewarding parts of my job.

I earned both my bachelor’s degree in Organizational Communication Studies and my master’s degree in Communication Studies from Marshall University, completing my M.A. in December 2025. My academic interests have always centered around communication, student success, motivation, mentorship, and the ways strong support systems can positively impact students’ lives.

I’m originally from Franklin and currently live in Elkins with my fiancé, Nick, and our cat. Nick and I are getting married in September, so a lot of our free time is spent balancing wedding planning with everyday life and projects around our house. We both enjoy staying busy, whether that means working in home improvement projects, spending time outdoors, or finding new things to do around the area.

Outside of work, I love gardening and spending time outdoors. During the warmer months, you can usually find me outside working in my garden, golfing, or enjoying time with family and friends. I’m also a huge fan of building LEGOs and reading psychological thrillers, which are some of my favorite ways to relax after a busy week.

One fun fact about me is that I also run the social media pages for our Upward Bound Facebook accounts. I really enjoy creating posts, highlighting student and alumni accomplishments, sharing program updates, and finding ways to connect with students, families, and the community through social media. It’s been a great creative outlet and another way for me to combine my passion for communication with the work I do every day.”

Thank you, Wyndsor, for all that you do for our students and this program! We are grateful for you every day!

05/15/2026

Next on our employee spotlight: Tessa Randolph!

Tessa Randolph is the Assistant Director of the Pendleton and Pocahontas County grant with our Davis & Elkins College Upward Bound program. Tessa grew up in Elkins, West Virginia. An active singer in her high school Madrigal Choir, she went on to attend West Virginia Wesleyan College, where she earned a B.A. in Arts Administration. After graduating, Tessa toured and performed in Europe with the Concert Chorale, where she met her husband, Chris, a fellow West Virginia college musician who was also part of the tour.

Before becoming Assistant Director of Upward Bound, Tessa spent 11 years as Associate Director of Financial Aid at Davis & Elkins College. Through her work helping students find and secure funding for college, she developed a strong passion for guiding students through the complexities of the college selection process.

Tessa and her husband, Chris, have one son, Harrison, and a cat named Feebee. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and remains active in the arts by playing bells at her church. Tessa welcomes the opportunity to be a friendly face for any student in Upward Bound and continues to love helping students achieve their college dreams.

Thank you, Tessa for all that you do for our students and this program! We are grateful for you every day!

05/11/2026

Next up on our employee spotlight: Sarah DiBacco!

“Hello! My name is Sarah DiBacco, and I am proud to serve as the Assistant Director of the Randolph, Barbour, and Tucker Upward Bound Program. I have been in this role for almost two years now.
I was raised in Tucker County, so I understand firsthand both the strengths and the challenges that come with growing up in a rural community. Like many of our students, I come from a hardworking family. My dad runs a small family business, and my mom—who was a first-generation college student and a young parent—showed me the power of perseverance. Despite those challenges, she earned two bachelor’s degrees and two master’s degrees, which has always inspired me to value education and never limit what I believe is possible.

Throughout my life, I’ve stayed involved in sports, which taught me discipline, teamwork, and resilience. Today, I’m proud to continue that passion as an Assistant Softball Coach at Tucker County High School, where I enjoy mentoring students both on and off the field.

I earned my Bachelor of Science in Sociology with a concentration in Social Work from Fairmont State University and continued my graduate-level social work studies at Concord University. My career has consistently focused on supporting at-risk youth, including work in juvenile corrections and with the Department of Health and Human Resources. These experiences have strengthened my commitment to helping young people overcome obstacles and build successful futures.
Upward Bound is especially meaningful to me because I see so much of myself—and my family’s journey—in the students we serve. I know what it’s like to grow up in this community, to navigate uncertainty about the future, and to work toward opportunities that might feel out of reach. My goal is to ensure that every student feels supported, encouraged, and confident in their ability to succeed in college and beyond.

I’m honored to be part of this program and to work alongside our students and families!”

Thank you, Sarah, for all that you do for our students and Upward Bound! We are so lucky to have you.

05/08/2026

Next up on our employee spotlight: Jared VanMeter!

Jared VanMeter serves as an Academic Advisor for the Pendleton/Pocahontas grant for the TRIO Upward Bound program at Davis & Elkins College, where he is dedicated to helping students build the skills, confidence, and direction needed to pursue higher education. As an Upward Bound alumnus himself, Jared credits the program as a foundational part of his own success and is passionate about paying that forward by guiding students through their academic and personal journeys.

Before transitioning into education, Jared spent 15 years working as a professional geologist in the energy industry. That experience shaped his analytical mindset and problem-solving approach, which he now applies to helping students navigate college and career pathways.
In addition to his work in education, Jared is also an entrepreneur and community leader, involved in multiple local business and development initiatives. His entrepreneurial experience allows him to connect classroom learning with real-world opportunities, encouraging students to think broadly about their futures and the impact they can have in their communities.

Jared is deeply committed to expanding opportunities for first-generation and income-eligible students. He believes in meeting students where they are, building meaningful relationships, and providing the guidance and support needed to help them succeed in college and beyond.

Thank you for all you do to help your students succeed, Jared! We appreciate you and your efforts every day!

05/04/2026

Over the next few weeks, we will be introducing our full-time staff for Upward Bound! First up is Melissa Cartlidge! Melissa is one of our two academic advisors for the Randolph, Barbour, and Tucker grant, working primarily in Barbour and Tucker counties with students.

“I’m excited to share a little about my journey and the path that led me to Upward Bound. I earned my Master’s in Social Work from Rutgers University and have spent the past 13 years working with children with special needs—a role that has shaped both my career and my passion for supporting our youth. I am also a Spanish speaker, which has allowed me to connect with and support a more diverse range of students and families.

I was born in Brooklyn, New York, and spent most of my life in New Jersey, with a brief but unforgettable chapter living in paradise on Maui. Last summer, my husband of 16 years and I made the decision to move our family—along with our two sons, ages 10 and 11—to West Virginia.

The beauty of this place—both in the stunning scenery and in the hearts of the people—has brought a sense of grounding and peace that we were missing. We’re so excited to start this new chapter and to raise our boys surrounded by such love, nature, and community spirit.

I feel incredibly grateful to be part of the Upward Bound program, working alongside such dedicated colleagues. Supporting and guiding high school students as they pursue their goals is truly meaningful work, and I feel fortunate every day to be part of their journey.”

Melissa just began working with Upward Bound in January, but is already making a huge impact on our students! Thank you for all you do, Melissa!

04/15/2026

On Saturday, April 11, we met on the Davis and Elkins campus for our April challenge session! Students had a great time catching up with one another. We had Mr. Mike Kesecker, who heads operations at the City of Elkins, come speak with the students about professionalism and best practices for interviewing and preparing themselves for their future professional careers. He taught our students so much and gave an excellent presentation! Thank you, Mr. Kesecker, for taking time to come speak with our group of students! After our presentation, we had lunch, then students broke into groups (sophomores & juniors and seniors). Sophomores and juniors worked in groups on self-advocacy and how they can best advocate for themselves in different scenarios. Seniors attended a financial aid workshop that covered how to understand their financial aid packages for college and answered questions about financial aid. Then, all students met up at the end of the day to play dorm bingo! All prizes were dorm-related and the students all had a great time playing! We loved having our students back on campus and we all had such a great day!

04/11/2026

A seminar on professionalism📝

“You get one chance to make a first impression” - Mike Kesecker, Operations for the City of Elkins

04/10/2026

Calling all alumni..we must be heard

A special meeting for all TRIO alumni to provide an update on the latest threats impacting TRIO and how you can help defend current students and programs.

04/07/2026

01/15/2026

🎓 Future college students (and parents!)
What’s one thing every student should know before college?
It could be about: • Classes
• Money & financial aid
• Mental health
• Time management
• Choosing a major
• Living away from home
• Asking for help
There’s no “right” answer — just real advice from real experience.
💬 Drop one thing you wish you had known in the comments.
👥 Tag a student who’s heading to college soon.
Your advice could make a bigger difference than you realize.