Facilities Is In Good Hands With Will Goins
Jonah Turner | Feb. 24, 2026
Photo of a sign reading “Facilities Management” in front of the Warren Wilson College (WWC) Facilities complex in Swannanoa, N.C.
Will Goins leans forward onto the patio table outside Warren Wilson College’s (WWC) Cowpie Cafe, the temperate Friday afternoon air punctuating a long week of meetings and emails.
As of fall 2025, Goins is the director of facilities management and technical services. His role oversees the assets of Facilities and the operations of the Facilities work crews, like Construction, Paint, Maintenance and Carpentry. For these crews, Goins has many aspirations and operational plans to streamline facilities in the Warren Wilson College (WWC) campus community.
Facilities work crews have historically struggled with support from the college to meet high expectations. Goins remains confidently aware of the role that facilities work plays in WWC campus life and the magnitude of effort required to improve the efficiency of facilities operations.
“Within campus, I think getting a clear picture of what we have asset-wise is a good place to start,” Goins said. “Learning what we have, figuring out their conditions and their lifespans and creating a realistic goal for replacement and getting funding support to make that happen.”
Goin’s work does not stop at facilities management, however. He understands through experience that every space is valuable.
“I'm interested in rooms that I didn't know existed and what [is] behind certain doors,” Goins said. “There's a lot of underutilized spaces, [and] I’m really interested in activating those spaces.”
Goins also understands the rich potential for education within the work program crews he oversees, and due to his prior experience, is familiar with the types of programs and outreach that could benefit students in the long run.
“There's work to be done in the educational space of crews, which could look like clear learning goals, certification opportunities, internship opportunities [and] partnerships with local and regional vendors,” Goins said.
This, he believes, could lead to job opportunities for students after graduation.
While originally from Columbia, S.C., Goins’ childhood familial ties to Buncombe County run deep. After acquiring an undergraduate degree in philosophy from the College of Charleston, Goins lived in NYC for several years before eventually attending the Maryland Institute College of Art, (MICA). There, he met his wife, Chelsea Goins, who is now a professor of creative arts at WWC.
Heading to Black Mountain following his master’s education, Goins began working for the YMCA of Western North Carolina. There, he became a senior property director after climbing the organization’s ladder for 13 years.
Goins reflected on his new role positively. His family, already integrated into life in Buncombe County, is now more tied to the valleys than ever. Even before beginning his employment, he frequented the Garden Trail, and enjoyed campus events like Fiddles and Folklife and the Swannanoa Gathering. Nearly six months into his new role, Goins has embraced his position.
“These transitions are uncomfortable, and I would not have left the YMCA if this would not have been the right opportunity for me,” Goins said, before adding, “I like a challenge. Good things take time.”