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Matthew Gilliland
Director of Enrollment Management and Strategic Initiatives Davidson College—B.A. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill—M.B.A. Appointed 2020 Matthew leads our Admission and Financial Aid team and works on school-wide strategic initiatives that support long-term planning and institutional growth. He holds an M.B.A. from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and a B.A. in Political Science from Davidson College. Matthew comes to North Cross after a three-year tenure at his alma mater, Asheville School, where he served as a coach, dorm parent, and Assistant Director of Admission and Director of International Recruitment. |
Jamiel Allen
Assistant Director of Admission
Roanoke College—B.S.
Appointed 2021
Jamiel has recently joined the Admission Office as Assistant Director of Admission and serves as the primary contact for any students interested in Grades 9-12. With a warm and welcoming presence, he has been an advocate for North Cross over the last several years. In addition to serving as our boys’ varsity basketball coach, Jamiel oversees the basketball program at North Cross. During the winter of 2024, he stepped in as Interim Director of Residential Life for our boarding program to support our students there. Jamiel brings with him independent school experience as both a graduate of and former coach for the Steward School in Richmond, Virginia, and as graduate and four-year athlete at Roanoke College. He also has an extensive professional background in sales. Jamiel's son is a student at North Cross.
Assistant Director of Admission
Roanoke College—B.S.
Appointed 2021
Jamiel has recently joined the Admission Office as Assistant Director of Admission and serves as the primary contact for any students interested in Grades 9-12. With a warm and welcoming presence, he has been an advocate for North Cross over the last several years. In addition to serving as our boys’ varsity basketball coach, Jamiel oversees the basketball program at North Cross. During the winter of 2024, he stepped in as Interim Director of Residential Life for our boarding program to support our students there. Jamiel brings with him independent school experience as both a graduate of and former coach for the Steward School in Richmond, Virginia, and as graduate and four-year athlete at Roanoke College. He also has an extensive professional background in sales. Jamiel's son is a student at North Cross.
Kelsey Yardley
Assistant Director of Admission, Lower School Counselor
Virginia Tech—B.S.
University of Georgia—M.Ed.
Old Dominion University—M.S.Ed.
Appointed 2018
Kelsey is the School Counselor for our junior kindergarten through fifth-grade students, and she also serves as the primary contact for any families interested in junior kindergarten through eighth-grade. Kelsey holds a B.S. in Business from Virginia Tech, an M.Ed. in Education Administration from the University of Georgia, and an M.S.Ed. in Counseling from Old Dominion University. She joined the North Cross School faculty/staff in 2018 and is the parent to three current North Cross students.
Assistant Director of Admission, Lower School Counselor
Virginia Tech—B.S.
University of Georgia—M.Ed.
Old Dominion University—M.S.Ed.
Appointed 2018
Kelsey is the School Counselor for our junior kindergarten through fifth-grade students, and she also serves as the primary contact for any families interested in junior kindergarten through eighth-grade. Kelsey holds a B.S. in Business from Virginia Tech, an M.Ed. in Education Administration from the University of Georgia, and an M.S.Ed. in Counseling from Old Dominion University. She joined the North Cross School faculty/staff in 2018 and is the parent to three current North Cross students.
Susan Baker
Assistant to the Director of Enrollment Management/Registrar/International Student Coordinator
Skidmore College—B.S.
Appointed 2008
Susan Samarasinghe Baker comes from a North Cross family. Her brothers Mark Samarasinghe ’99 and Michael Samarasinghe ‘06 are proud alums. She was appointed in 2008 as Upper School Division Assistant. She has worked as Assistant to the Head of School, 2016-2022, and as a staff member in the student dormitory. She currently serves as SEVIS PDSO/International Student Coordinator, Registrar for both Roanoke and Shanghai campuses, and as the Assistant to the Director of Enrollment Management and Strategic Initiatives. An Ancient of Miss Porter’s School, Susan earned a B.S. in theater from Skidmore College. She brings her love of performing arts to North Cross as lead costumer for the fall and spring musical productions. Susan is mother to North Cross student Sophie Baker ’30.
Assistant to the Director of Enrollment Management/Registrar/International Student Coordinator
Skidmore College—B.S.
Appointed 2008
Susan Samarasinghe Baker comes from a North Cross family. Her brothers Mark Samarasinghe ’99 and Michael Samarasinghe ‘06 are proud alums. She was appointed in 2008 as Upper School Division Assistant. She has worked as Assistant to the Head of School, 2016-2022, and as a staff member in the student dormitory. She currently serves as SEVIS PDSO/International Student Coordinator, Registrar for both Roanoke and Shanghai campuses, and as the Assistant to the Director of Enrollment Management and Strategic Initiatives. An Ancient of Miss Porter’s School, Susan earned a B.S. in theater from Skidmore College. She brings her love of performing arts to North Cross as lead costumer for the fall and spring musical productions. Susan is mother to North Cross student Sophie Baker ’30.
Melissa Hammond
Director of Communications and Marketing Washington & Lee University—B.A. Appointed 2022 Melissa considers herself first and foremost a storyteller and is passionate about communicating messages that are both impactful and informative. She began her career as Director of Communications and Marketing at North Cross in 2022 after previously working for ten years as the communications manager for a large non-profit organization that serves clients throughout the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. Past experience also includes years of freelance public relations and marketing work, and over a decade in the design industry. Melissa’s husband graduated from North Cross, and they both enjoy spending time with their two little white dogs and exploring new locales. |