Faculty and Staff
CarolinaLIFE faculty and staff are experts in the field of inclusive education who
are passionate about building intentional programmatic supports to assist students
in achieving their goals while attending college.
Maggie Baker
Program Support Coordinator
mfbaker@email.sc.edu
Maggie Baker is the Program Support Coordinator for CarolinaLIFE. She directly supervises
Living & Learning Lab Coaches, Social Engagement Coaches and coordinates all administrative
supports. Maggie handles the advising, scheduling, and registration for all CarolinaLIFE
students. Maggie graduated from The University of South Carolina Spring of 2021 with
a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education. While in school she completed the
add-on certification program for Special Education. Maggie is currently working to
earn her M.ED. in Special Education at the University of South Carolina.
Ruth Bollinger
Lead Coach
ruthtb@mailbox.sc.edu
Ruth Bollinger graduated from CarolinaLIFE in May 2020. Ruth serves as a representative
of CarolinaLIFE to various stakeholders both in the community and across campus. Ruth
supports students in the development of advocacy skills and works with AbleSC as a
disability advocate. During her time at USC and CarolinaLIFE, she served as a secretary
in Student Government and was the first CarolinaLIFE student to be initiated into
a sorority as a fully pledged member of Gamma Phi Beta. When Ruth isn’t at work, she
enjoys Gamecock sporting events, Soda City Market on Saturdays, Disney, and Pittsburgh
sports.
Jessie Guest, Ph.D.
CarolinaLIFE Personal Development Coordinator
jessied@email.sc.edu
Jessie Guest is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of South Carolina
in the Counseling and Supervision Program. She completed her doctoral studies at the
University of South Carolina. Jessie is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Supervisor
as well as a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor. Jessie is the Personal Development
Coordinator for Carolina Life supporting the personal development coaches and resident
coaches. Jessie’s research interests and publications consist of Social Emotional
Learning, mindfulness and well-being, play therapy, countertransference, and trauma.
Rebecca Smith Hill, Ph.D.
Assistant Director of Campus and Community Engagement
smithrb@email.sc.edu
Rebecca Smith Hill earned her Ph.D. in special education and her Master’s degree in
social work, both from USC. As a social worker, she worked for nine years with families
experiencing homelessness. She worked for nine years as a public school special education
teacher at the middle and high school levels, primarily teaching students with intellectual
and developmental disabilities (IDD). She has five years' experience working at CarolinaLIFE
in various roles including Personal Development Coordinator and Academic Support Coordinator.
Her research interests include self-determination, sense of belonging, dignity of
risk, identity development, and overall wellness for transition-age young adults.
She leverages her background in special education and social work to use tenets of
participatory and inclusive research methods with emerging adults with disabilities.
Becca has published over 19 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters.
Erica L. Milliron, M.S.
Program Director, CarolinaLIFE
emilliron@sc.edu
Erica is the Program Director responsible for the comprehensive oversight of the CarolinaLIFE
program. She joined the program in June 2023 and leads the continued growth and development
of all facets of CarolinaLIFE. She directly manages all administrative staff members
and CL instructors and helps manage student-led communications with family members.
Erica brings a wealth of experience to her role, having earned a dual B.S. In Elementary
Education and Special Education from Millersville University (PA) in 2003, and an
M.S. In Special Education from the University of Kansas in 2013 with a specialization
in Transition. She taught Special Education for 18 years in the public school system
in Pennsylvania and served as transition coordinator for 14 of those years. Additionally,
she served as a regional Transition Consultant in PA for one year and served many
years on various employment and independent living-focused councils.
Megan M. Whitaker, M.S.Ed.
Employment Coordinator, CarolinaLIFE
mwhitaker@sc.edu
Megan is the Employment Coordinator for CarolinaLIFE. She coordinates internship and
paid employment attainment of CarolinaLIFE students, oversees assessment and instruction
pertaining to employment, and supervises employment coaches. She also establishes
and maintains connections with local employers and employment-related service providers.
She started with CarolinaLIFE in June 2024. Megan graduated from Virginia Tech in
2016 with B.S. degrees in Psychology and Human Development and from Baylor University
in 2018 with a M.S.Ed. in Higher Education and Student Affairs. Prior to joining the
CarolinaLIFE team, Megan worked in the Division of Student Affairs and Academic Support
at USC and most recently taught Special Education in a local Columbia school district.
