Meet the Goodnight Scholarships Staff

Allison Medlin, Ph.D.

Executive Director | Goodnight Scholarships Office

Allison Medlin joined the Goodnight Scholars Program in January 2015. She previously worked with the University Scholars Program since 2004. She has a comprehensive background serving students from varied backgrounds and majors. In 2021 Allison was promoted to Executive Director of the newly expanded Goodnight Scholarships office. In this role, she also oversees the Community College Collaboration (C3) program. Allison earned both her B.S. in Family and Community Services and M.A. in Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education from Michigan State University. She completed her Ph.D. in Educational Research and Policy Analysis through NC State’s College of Education in 2019. Her dissertation research focused on foster care alumni in higher education. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, reading science fiction, watching movies and hanging out with her family.

Jill Zalewski

Director | Goodnight Scholars Program

Jill Zalewski joined the Goodnight Scholars Program as the Assistant Director in 2017, became an Associate Director in 2021, and was promoted to the Director of the Goodnight Scholars Program in 2025. She graduated from Roger Williams University, with a Bachelors in Communications, and then left New England to pursue her M.Ed in Higher Education Administration at NC State. Before coming back to NC State she worked in residence life at George Mason University and Duke University. In her free time, Jill enjoys running, hiking, paddleboarding and virtually any activity that can get her outside. She is currently on a quest to visit every state park in North Carolina and has visited 35 of the 41 parks.

Anthony Olaiya Wright

Director | Goodnight Transfer Scholars Program

Anthony Olaiya Wright joined the Goodnight Scholars Program as the Assistant Director in April 2021, became an Associate Director in September 2022, and was promoted to the Director of the Goodnight Transfer Scholars Program in 2025. He graduated from The University of Wisconsin-Madison with his Bachelor’s of Business Administration and then pursued an M.S.Ed in Higher Education Administration from Indiana University. After graduation he returned to Wisconsin to work as a career advisor in the Wisconsin School of Business, and then worked in Leadership Development at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. In his free time, Anthony enjoys listening to and creating podcasts, playing fantasy sports with friends, grilling out in his backyard, and exploring nature with his wife and dog. 

Sierra Willix

Assistant Director | Goodnight Scholars Program

Sierra Willix joined the Goodnight Scholars Program as a Program Coordinator in October 2021, and became an Assistant Director in June 2022. She graduated from Meredith College with a Bachelor’s in Dance Studies and Communication and then pursued a M.A in Higher Education from Elon University. After graduation she returned to Raleigh to serve as the Program Specialist for College Programs in the Shelton Leadership Center at NC State. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, watching shows and movies, attending sporting events, and trying new sushi restaurants with her husband. 

Joselyn Barrientos Chapman

Assistant Director | Goodnight Scholars Program

Joselyn Barrientos Chapman joined the Goodnight Scholars Program as a Program Coordinator in October 2021. She was later promoted to Assistant Director in December 2023. She graduated from NC State University with her B. A. in International Studies and her M.Ed. in Higher Education at University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Joselyn has previous work experience with the NC State College Advising Corps, as well as NC State’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions. In her free time, she loves traveling, reading and spending time with her husband and their dog.

Carson Anderson

Assistant Director | Goodnight Scholars Program

Carson Anderson joined the Goodnight Scholarships office as an Assistant Director in May 2025. She graduated from the University of South Carolina with her B.A. in Elementary Education and then NC State University with her M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction. After graduation, Carson taught in Wake County Public School and then became an Academic Advisor at the University of North Carolina, before coming to NC State. In her free time, she loves cooking, watching reality TV, and hanging out with her husband and two dogs, Izzy and Kaya. 

Gaige Cogswell

Assistant Director | Goodnight Transfer Scholars Program

Gaige Cogswell is a North Carolina native from Holly Springs, NC. He is a double alumni of Appalachian State University where he received his Bachelors in Sociology and my M.A. in Student Affairs Administration. Before coming to NC State, Gaige worked in Academic Advising and Orientation at Appalachian State University as well as in Student Leadership and Service at Meredith College. Gaige also had an awesome opportunity to work in tech at UKG. In his free time, he loves to play volleyball, tennis, and pickleball. His favorite thing to do though is to travel and see the world. 

Emily Purdy

Assistant Director | Goodnight Transfer Scholars Program

Emily Purdy joined the Goodnight Scholarships office as an Assistant Director in May 2025. She earned her B.A. in Psychology from Bellarmine University, and her M.Ed. in Higher Education and Student Affairs from the University of South Carolina. After graduation, she worked at NC State University as a Coordinator for the New Student Programs Office before transitioning to her role with the Goodnight Transfer Scholars. In her free time, she loves to read, try new recipes, go on hikes, play kickball, and travel to see friends and family.