CULLOWHEE, N.C. – Western Carolina's 2022-23 All-Southern Conference Faculty-Staff Team members, Dr. Cyndy Caravelis and Brian Boyer, were presented plaques by SoCon Commissioner Jim Schaus at Saturday afternoon's men's basketball game.
Dr. Cyndy Caravelis, Western Carolina (faculty)
Dr. Cyndy Caravelis, a professor of criminology and criminal justice at Western Carolina, merges her teaching, research and service in ways that have benefited on-campus and off-campus communities. An award-winning teacher, she has led students on study abroad classes to Europe, South Africa and New Zealand. A certified victim advocate, Caravelis serves on the Board of Directors for the local Center for Domestic Peace and provides legal and emotional support to domestic violence victims. Such work drives her on-campus commitment “to educating all students on issues of interpersonal violence with a focus on destigmatization.” Her peers note that “perhaps her greatest impact to the betterment of student life comes in the form of the creation of the Peacekeeper training program,” which helps “all faculty, staff, and students learn how to respond to trauma and victimization on campus.”
Brian Boyer, Western Carolina (staff)
As a residential case manager at Western Carolina, Brian Boyer has shaped the lives and enhanced the experiences of countless students. His impact stretches across campus and beyond, as he has promoted athletic events, organized community and civic oriented learning programs, and provided immeasurable support to students throughout their four or more years in Cullowhee. According to one of his many fans, Boyer “creates a great sense of community amongst the on-campus students,” giving them the resources and instilling in them a confidence “to help them succeed.” Others have noticed that in addition to all his other duties and responsibilities, “Brian is always throwing together informal meetings and gatherings, things that are not part of his job requirements, but play a role in our students experience as Catamounts.”