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

Assistant Director

Maggie Baker is the Assistant Director for CarolinaLIFE at the University of South Carolina. She joined the program in Fall 2022 as the Program Support Coordinator, serving in that role for three years before stepping into the Assistant Director position. In her current role, Maggie coordinates the application and interview process, manages advising, scheduling, and registration for all CarolinaLIFE students, and supervises and trains Living & Learning Lab Coaches and Social Engagement Coaches. She also partners with campus offices to foster inclusive and meaningful opportunities for CarolinaLIFE students. Maggie earned her B.A. in Early Childhood Education from the University of South Carolina in 2021, and  earned her M.Ed. in Special Education with an emphasis in Multicategorical Disabilities from USC in 2025. She is passionate about helping students grow in independence and thrive in the college environment.

Jessie Guest, Ph.D.

CarolinaLIFE Personal Development Coordinator

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

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

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

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.