First Engagements Team

Mattie Dunn
(she/her/hers)

Graduation Year: 2023
Majors: Art History and English

About Me: Hi everyone! My name is Mattie Dunn. I am from a small town in western Kentucky. I chose to join the Transylvania family because Lexington offered me the ability to experience a bigger city, but campus still felt like home. With the the closeness of the community, I was able to step past my comfort zone while still making so many new and genuine connections. I can’t wait to welcome our new students and show them just how special this community is.

Caroline Shutt
(she/her/hers)

Graduation Year: 2023
Major: Writing, Rhetoric, and Communications

About Me: Hello! My name is Caroline Shutt. I’m originally from Owensboro, Kentucky, and I decided to come to Transy because I loved the personal connections made with everyone I encountered as a potential student! I’m so excited to help lead the scholar team and work to make Transy a welcoming place for the Class of 2026!

Maggie Spencer
(she/her/hers)

Graduation Year: 2023
Major: Biology

About Me: Hi! My name is Maggie Spencer, and I’m from Rockville, Maryland. I decided to come to Transy because of the opportunity for academic challenges and balancing personal passions. I can’t wait to assist new students in getting to know the Transy community!

Elyse Blue
(she/her/hers)

Graduation Year: 2023
Major: Biology

About Me: Hey! I’m Elyse Blue, and I am from Evansville, Indiana. I came to Transy for its excellent academics and athletics and because it was a small school in a really fun city. I am really looking forward to meeting and helping the incoming students at Transy!

Joko Bojang
(she/her/hers)

Graduation Year: 2023
Major: Health and Exercise Science

About Me: Hello! My name is Joko Bojang. I am from Lexington and have lived here my whole life. I was eager to attend a school like Transy because of the close-knit community and opportunity-filled environment that it provides. I come from a very big family that has always prioritized helping the people around us. Therefore, I am extremely excited to aid incoming students in transitioning into being a Pioneer. I am hoping to be a great resource to new students in getting to know our community better!

Josh Cain
(he/him/his)

Graduation Year: 2023
Major: Health and Exercise Science

About Me: Hello, my name is Josh, and I am originally from Springfield, Kentucky. I chose to come to Transy to further my athletic career while pursuing an opportunity to be accepted into physical therapy school after graduation. I look forward to meeting the new students and helping them out!

Paige Catron
(she/her/hers)

Graduation Year: 2024
Major: Psychology

About Me: Hi! My name is Paige Catron, and I am from Frankfort, Kentucky. I decided to come to Transy because of the small campus, high regard for academics, location and the numerous ways to be involved. I’m so excited for First Engagements!

Linley Dawson
(she/her/hers)

Graduation Year: 2024
Major: Economics

About Me: Hi! My name is Linley, and I am from Cincinnati. I decided to come to Transy because the moment I arrived on campus I felt included and part of a family, and I knew everyone had my best interest at heart. I am so excited to help the new students get to know the Transy community better this year!

Scottie Gussler
(they/them/theirs)

Graduation
Year: 2023
Major: Theater

About Me: Hello! My name is Scottie Gussler, a theater and creative writing student from Lexington. I came to Transy for the focus on individuality and because I wanted to experience a liberal arts education, rather than a limited conservatory lifestyle. I can’t wait to encourage new students to be themselves and create a blossoming, inclusive community on campus.

Caroline Hughes
(she/her/hers)

Graduation Year: 2024
Major: Elementary Education

About Me: Hi! My name is Caroline Hughes, and I am from Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. I decided to come to Transy because I wanted a small campus where I could get really involved! I’m so excited to be a part of new students’ experiences getting to know Transy!

Aubrey Knop
(she/her/hers)

Graduation Year: 2024
Major: Biology

About Me: Hi! My name is Aubrey Knop and I’m from Greeneville, Tennessee. I decided to come to Transy because of the amazing atmosphere created by students and faculty. I’m looking forward to helping new students get to know the Transy community!

Ysa Leon
(they/them/theirs)

Graduation Year: 2024
Majors: WRC and Social Advocacy (self-designed!)

About Me: Hey, y’all! My name is Ysa, and I’m from Louisville, Kentucky. Transy has been my home for the past two years, and I can’t wait to share it with the incoming first -years students!

Lali Lucero
(she/her/hers)

Graduation Year: 2023
Majors: Biology and Psychology

About Me: Hey, y’all! My name is Lali Lucero, and I’m from Paris, Kentucky. Transy has become one of my favorite places and is a great community to be a part of. I am so excited to be a First Engagement scholar again and help students acclimate to college life.

Emma Mantooth
(she/her/hers)

Graduation Year: 2024
Major: Psychology

About Me: My name is Emma Mantooth, and I am from New Orleans. I came to Transy because my dad is a Kentucky native and convinced me to take a tour my senior year of high school. I immediately fell in love with the small, close-knit community and knew this was the place I needed to be. I am so excited to help new students become familiar with the Transy community, especially as an out-of-state student myself.

Lauren McGarvey
(she/her/hers)

Graduation Year: 2024
Majors: Health and Exercise Science and Psychology

About Me: Hi! My name is Lauren McGarvey, and I am from Cincinnati. I decided to come to Transy because of the acceptance rates into medical school and the close relationships you can form with faculty.

Langley Sebastian
(she/her/hers)

Graduation Year: 2024
Major: International Affairs

About Me: Hello, my name is Langley Sebastian, and I am from Ashland, Kentucky. I decided to come to Transy because I saw the value in creating relationships with my professors and knew that this institution would allow me to grow in a close-knit and productive learning environment. I’m looking forward to sharing everything I love about the Transy community with new students and showing them how they can make the most of their time here.

Kailie Settles
(she/her/hers)

Graduation Year: 2024
Major: WRC

About Me: Hi there, my name is Kailie Settles, and I’m from right here in Lexington. I love being a part of Transy because it’s a school that fosters community and creativity. I can’t wait to help first-year students make the transition into college and share what I’ve learned through my own experiences.

Caitlin Sullivan
(she/her/hers)

Graduation Year: 2023
Major: Biology (Pre-PA track)

About Me: My name is Caitlin Sullivan, and I am from Owensboro, Kentucky. I decided to come to Transy because I love the sense of community I felt the minute I stepped on campus. I’m looking forward to helping new students get to know the Transy community!

Abi Waldron
(she/her/hers)

Graduation Year: 2023
Major: Business Finance

About Me: What’s up! My name is Abi, and I am from Louisville, Kentucky. I decided to come to Transy for sports and the family feeling I got when I walked through the doors! I’m excited to help the new students adjust to college and Transy life!

Porter Watkins
(he/him/his)

Graduation Year: 2023
Major: Political Science

About Me: Hi! My name is Porter Watkins, and I’m from Owensboro, Kentucky. I decided to come to Transylvania because I knew that I wanted both the academically rigorous, small liberal arts college experience and to attend a college in a city — and Transylvania is unique in that it provides both. I’m looking forward to my role as a First Engagements scholar and to helping first-year students come to know and love the Transylvania community!

Maggie Whaley
(she/her/hers)

Graduation Year: 2024
Majors: Biology and Psychology

About Me: Hi! My name is Maggie Whaley, and I am from Henry County, Kentucky. I decided to come to Transy because I love the small school atmosphere; plus my mom and two older sisters graduated from here. I am planning to double-major in biology and psychology with a minor in chemistry. I have dreams to attend medical school after Transy and, hopefully, become a doctor of some kind. I enjoy hanging out with friends, working out, going to the lake, going snow skiing and watching Netflix! I am super excited to be working with you all as a First Engagements scholar, helping new students get to know the Transy community!