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At Wesley, we strive to help college students connect, contribute and celebrate. 

About Us

The Wesley Foundation at WCU has been in operation since 1946. For over 70 years, college students have been part of a loving church community that connects with each other, contributes to the world around them and celebrates God.

416 Central Drive, Cullowhee NC

We are located inside Cullowhee United Methodist Church

Mailing: PO Box 2345, Cullowhee NC 28723

Help Us

This ministry can't happen without support from generous people like YOU! 

Consider donating to the Wesley Foundation to help college students during this time of growth in their lives. 

Meet Our Staff

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JAY HINTON

Campus Minister/ Director

828-508-7026     jay@wcuwesley.com

Jay has been serving as the director of the Wesley Foundation since 2008. Before that, he served in the same role for 5 years at Ohio University. Jay is a graduate of Georgia Southern University with a B.S. in Recreational Therapy and an M.S. in Health Administration. He can often be found watching the English Premier League, editing Wesley videos, going for long runs, mountain biking, kayaking or hiking with his family. He enjoys making an environment where ALL students feel welcome and safe in their pursuit to know Jesus and love each other. He is especially glad to work in a non-traditional environment where things such as holding an annual haunted house, biking trips and delivering meals on wheels are ministry.

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HANNAH VAN HOOSER

Associate Director of Missions & Ministry Support

828-508-1921     hannah@wcuwesley.com

Hannah has been serving as Associate Director at the Wesley Foundation since 2017. She graduated with a B.S. in History from Western Carolina University in 2016 and with a Masters Certificate in Nonprofit Management from UNC-Greensboro in 2020. While a student at WCU, she was an active member in the Wesley Foundation: her favorite Wesley event has always been and always will be the Haunted House each October. In her spare time, she can be found reading, playing volleyball on the church team or planning her next trip. When she was in college, Wesley was a core part of her college experience and she's really excited to be creating that experience for the next generation of college students (and scaring more people each year at the Haunted House)!

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SCARLETTE PLESS

Associate Director of Worship, Connections & Discipleship

704-797-1603     scarlettepless@gmail.com

Scarlette has been serving as the Associate Director of the Wesley Foundation since 2018. She is a graduate of Western Carolina University (B.A. in Religion & B.S. in Communications) and Pfeiffer University (M.A. in Practical Theology). She is now the associate pastor at Cullowhee United Methodist Church, focusing on Christian education, children & youth's ministry, and the Wesley Foundation. When she was at Western, she was also involved with Wesley! She was invited by a friend and instantly fell in love with the worship and culture of Wesley. Now that she's back, she looks forward to walking alongside the students and getting to know them on their faith journey. When not at the church, she has fun with her 3 adorable dogs and 1 cut kitty (oh and her husband too). 

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SUE HECKERT

Administrative Assistant

wcuwesleyfoundation@gmail.com

Sue has been employed at Cullowhee UMC since 1996, first as a teacher for the 4 year olds and director in the church’s Cullowhee Kids Preschool and then as an Administrative Assistant for the church and the Wesley Foundation. She has a B.S. in physical education from Frostburg State University, Maryland and a M.S. in physical education with a concentration in  special education from the University of New Mexico. Sue lives by the Girl Scout motto of “To help where I am needed." Outside of church Sue enjoys her horse, taking the family dog Thea on walks, Zumba, quilting and going on Wesley Foundation and Cullowhee UMC service trips.  Two of Sue’s quilted wall hangings are in the church office.

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ABBY LAWRENCE

Abby is a senior psychology and social work major from Franklin. When she first got to WCU, she was nervous to come to Wesley and got her friend Ashleigh to go with her to Crazy Week events. After going, they knew they had found their home and never left! Her favorite Wesley event is the haunted house because she loves running the ticket station with the walkie talkies. Abby was a member of Freshley and is one of the current leaders of Women's Group. She also works at the Cullowhee Kids preschool downstairs! In her spare time, she's hanging out with friends, helping her family out with their farm in Franklin or reading Harry Potter through for the first time.

Jay/All Staff
Hannah
Scarlette
Intern
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