Karen Vuranch
Instructor of Theater and Communication Arts
Karen Vuranch brings decades of theater experience and extensive knowledge to Concord University. Vuranch has performed shows in every county in West Virginia, in 35 states and three foreign countries. She completed five performance tours of England and Wales, and toured China with 35 other storytellers. In 1982, she moved from Ohio to West Virginia to work for the Youth Museum of Southern West Virginia as a storyteller. Here, she met her husband and together, the couple eventually founded their own theater company, WV Enterprises. Vuranch has written many performance pieces, including Coal Camp Memories, a play she wrote based on oral histories she collected. She also has 12 living history characters – remarkable women in history – that she researched and performs. “Teaching is a culmination of my years of work,” Vuranch says. “I have had years of being on stage and accolades. Now, I am ready to share what I know and to see my students flourish.”
Faculty
Chelsea Goins '19
Development Coordinator
As a member of the advancement staff, Chelsea fosters relationships with university donors and researches new donor opportunities to support the Concord University Foundation. “Our alumni and donors are so important to the university,” Chelsea says. “They provide funding for scholarships and campus projects that keep Concord the special place it is.” Chelsea also helps coordinate special events like Alumni After Hours, Foundation dinners, and Homecoming festivities. She says these events “allow Concord alumni, donors, students, and community members to gather and stay connected to the university and each other.” A graduate of Concord herself, Chelsea understands the importance of staying connected to CU and supporting all the university does for its students. “Concord has become a second home to me. I truly love this place.”
Staff
Chaudlier Shepherd '18
Upper Marlboro, MD
Chaudlier came to Concord University on full scholarship leaving him with no student debt. During his time at Concord he was a student athlete playing football for the Mountain Lions. Successful both on the field and in the classroom, he pursued a degree in Business Administration. He believed it would be a great degree to obtain due to the diverse nature allowing him to go into just about any field of work. Chaudlier loved the city of Athens, WV and the campus community of Concord. After graduation Chaudlier believed he was well prepared for life after graduation, he has had experiences at Concord that has shaped his life and learned life lessons that he will carry with him for the rest of his life. It Starts With You.
“I've had a lot of experiences here that have shaped my life and life lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.”
Alumni