麻豆原创 (NCWU) was one of three locations to host the and State Aid Training on Tuesday, October 1, 2024. The event offered financial aid professionals from across the state a valuable opportunity to deepen their understanding of state aid programs and recent changes for the 2024-2025 academic year.
The training focused on several key areas, including state aid program eligibility, updates to financial aid policies, and the processes for and the Grant Portal. The RDS is a centralized system that determines residency status for students applying to North Carolina public colleges and universities. It simplifies the process, allowing students to use a single residency determination when applying to multiple schools and qualifying for state aid programs at both public and private institutions.
The event was open to financial aid administrators and business office staff from community colleges and four-year public and private institutions across the state. Both new and experienced staff attended, ensuring that all participants had the chance to learn, network, and share best practices.
NCWU was proud to serve as a host for this important training, contributing to the ongoing development and support of the state鈥檚 financial aid professionals.
U.S. News & World Report Ranks NCWU No. 45
麻豆原创 (NCWU) has once again earned a spot in the prestigious reaffirming its commitment to providing exceptional value and a personalized private education experience. This year, NCWU was ranked No. 45 among Regional Colleges South, standing out from 131 colleges in the region.
The is widely recognized as a global leader in quality rankings, offering insights that help consumers, business leaders, and policymakers make well-informed decisions. With a reputation built on independent reporting, data journalism, and consumer advice across various sectors鈥攊ncluding education, health, money, and real estate鈥擴.S. News reaches over 40 million visitors each month, making it a trusted resource for millions of people worldwide.
Beyond its overall ranking, NC Wesleyan earned several additional distinctions. It was ranked No. 17 in the Best Value Schools category, an accolade that highlights the University鈥檚 focus on delivering high-quality education at an affordable price. In recognition of its support for military veterans, NCWU was ranked No. 11 among Best Colleges for Veterans. The University also placed No. 60 in Top Performers on Social Mobility, reflecting its efforts to ensure that students from diverse economic backgrounds can succeed and thrive.
NC Wesleyan鈥檚 continuous presence among the top 50 Regional Colleges South is a testament to its dedication to fostering academic excellence, social mobility, and a vibrant campus community. As the University moves forward, these rankings serve as a proud reminder of its growing impact and leadership in higher education.
Gun Violence Intervention Grant
The Governor鈥檚 Crime Commission has awarded one of 18 Byrne State Crisis Gun Violence Intervention Program grants to the North Carolina 7th Judicial District and NC Wesleyan University, totaling nearly $500,000. This funding will support critical violence intervention programs, including treatment courts, aimed at addressing community safety and reducing recidivism.
NC Wesleyan University (NCWU) has partnered with the 7th Judicial District as the fiscal agent for the grant, continuing a long-standing collaboration. Dr. Elizabeth Marsal, Associate 聽Professor of Criminal Justice at NCWU, will serve as the evaluator for the project and Dr. Jay Fortenbery, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice, will oversee student interns assigned to the court.
Halifax County Superior Court Judge Brenda G. Branch, an NCWU alumna, expressed her gratitude for the university’s ongoing support. “We were able to build upon the relationship that was already established with Wesleyan, and once again, their administrators answered our call for assistance by agreeing to serve as fiscal agent to assist with the distribution of the grant funds,” said Judge Branch.
Judge Teresa R. Freeman will lead the grant team, which includes Mr. Victor Marrow, program coordinator, as well as representatives from law enforcement, the district attorney鈥檚 office, public and private defense counsel, substance use and mental health providers, probation officers, and NCWU evaluator, Dr. Marsal. This grant will strengthen efforts to provide comprehensive violence intervention programs, reinforcing the commitment of both the 7th Judicial District and NCWU to enhance public safety and improve community outcomes.
NCWU Receives Funding from NSF
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 鈥 麻豆原创 (NCWU) has been awarded a significant grant of $251,835 from the for an innovative project titled “WESPATHS: Waterways for Environmental Science-Promoting Advancement and Training for Hands-On Supports.” This prestigious award marks NCWU鈥檚 first grant since 1972 and aims to bolster the university’s Environmental Science Program through strategic recruitment and retention efforts.
The grant, led by Principal Investigator Dr. Daniel Elias and Co-Principal Investigator Dr. John Temple, seeks to increase the number of students majoring and minoring in Environmental Science at NCWU. A primary focus will be on the recruitment and retention of students from historically excluded groups. This project advances NCWU鈥檚 marked successes in teaching students from under-represented groups aligns with the NSF鈥檚 goals for increasing diversity and inclusion in science related fields.
Dr. Elias elaborates on the project鈥檚 vision: “By integrating activities and creating a supportive environment that begins more than a semester before students matriculate, we will lower barriers to recruitment, retention, and graduation for a more diverse student body in the regional workforce and improve social mobility.”
The WESPATHS initiative aims to develop a geoscience learning ecosystem that will provide students with the skills and competencies necessary for career readiness. Central to the program is the use of project-based learning, where students engage directly with stakeholders to address pressing local water quality and quantity issues. This hands-on approach not only enhances learning but also fosters a sense of self-efficacy and belonging among students.
In addition to strengthening NCWU鈥檚 Environmental Science Program, the project is set to have a lasting impact on the Rocky Mount region. By establishing strong connections with area high schools, WESPATHS will offer high school students, teachers, and counselors鈥 greater opportunities to explore higher education and NCWU specifically. This outreach effort is designed to create a pipeline of local talent, encouraging students to pursue careers in environmental science and related fields.
The program鈥檚 emphasis on local problems and local solutions is particularly noteworthy. By focusing on regional issues and involving local organizations, WESPATHS aims to build a stronger, more skilled workforce that can effectively address the environmental challenges facing the community. This collaborative effort is expected to yield new opportunities for both students and stakeholders, enhancing social mobility and community resilience.
As NCWU embarks on this transformative journey with the support of the NSF, the university stands poised to make significant strides in environmental science education and community engagement. The WESPATHS project represents a promising step towards a more inclusive, skilled, and socially mobile future for the Rocky Mount region and beyond.
Dr. Shane Thompson Honored with Prestigious Kershaw Lectureship
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 鈥 Each year, the selects a distinguished group of scholars to deliver the esteemed Kershaw Lectures in Near East Archaeology. These lectures take place at various museums, society meetings, and universities across the nation. This year, Dr. Shane Thompson, Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at 麻豆原创 (NCWU), has been chosen as one of the Kershaw Lecturers.
The Kershaw Lectures were established in 1994 by Norma and Reuben Kershaw, thanks to a generous endowment from the Kershaw Family Trust. These lectures honor Norma Kershaw, an AIA Trustee Emerita and long-time supporter of Near East archaeology. The Kershaw Lectures cover archaeological research in the regions of present-day Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey, focusing on periods between 7000 B.C. and 400 A.D.
Dr. Thompson was recommended for this honor by the AIA Near East Archaeology Interest Group to the AIA Lecture Program Committee. His selection highlights his outstanding contributions to the field.
A rising star among NCWU’s faculty, Dr. Thompson has an impressive academic background. He earned his B.A. at Wake Forest University and holds multiple master’s degrees from Emory University, Brandeis University, and the University of Kansas. He completed his Ph.D. at Brown University in 2021 and has been serving as an Assistant Professor at NCWU since then.
Dr. Thompson’s research focuses on the material culture and political and cultural dynamics of the ancient Middle East. He has authored, co-authored, or co-edited fifteen books and published over a dozen articles and book chapters. His work in digital humanities, in collaboration with Associate Professor Jason Buel, recently received a National Endowment for the Humanities Spotlight on the Humanities Grant. He is also deeply committed to mentoring undergraduate students, having guided the second winner of the Undergraduate Research Award. In May 2024, Dr. Thompson was appointed to serve as the second Director of the Office for Undergraduate Research.
Dr. Joseph Lane, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at NCWU, expressed his pride in Dr. Thompson’s achievements: 鈥淲e are overjoyed that Dr. Thompson is receiving this well-deserved recognition for his groundbreaking work on the ancient Near East. He embodies the Wesleyan ideal of the engaged teacher-scholar. At NCWU, students have the opportunity to work directly with some of the most accomplished scholars in their field, and Dr. Thompson exemplifies the idea that great thinkers are also great teachers. We look forward to sharing his engaging and insightful stories about the ancient Near East with wider audiences.”
NCWU Awarded NCAA Grant
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 鈥 麻豆原创 has been awarded the . This grant is designed to provide financial assistance to the division鈥檚 member schools and conferences that are committed to enhancing ethnic minority and gender representation in entry-level, intercollegiate athletics administrative positions. These positions should include exposure to a variety of the following areas: strategic planning, budget management, fundraising, campus and NCAA compliance, sport oversight, student-athlete welfare issues and initiatives, academics, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and staff oversight/ management.
The is for $33,000 annually for a two-year contract totaling $66,000, including $3,000 for professional development.
NC Wesleyan鈥檚 specific grant position will start Fall 2024 and hold the title 鈥Assistant Athletic Director for Academic Intervention and Student-Athlete Support鈥. This position will work together with support services from across campus to serve student-athletes. A requirement will be weekly meetings with students, particularly focusing on academic success and strategies for first-year students. The position will additionally impact leadership opportunities and experiences to support student-athletes.
Aaron Denton, NCWU Vice President and Director of Athletics, expresses, 鈥淲e are appreciative the NCAA recognizes NC Wesleyan鈥檚 commitment to both supporting our student-athletes and to working hard to build experiences and opportunities for women and minorities in athletics. This funding will have an immediate impact on the academic success of our student-athletes. It is truly an exciting time at NC Wesleyan.鈥
Anyone interested in the position of Assistant Athletic Director for Academic Intervention and Student-Athlete Support, visit our careers page and apply.
NCWU Recognizes Outstanding Employees at 2024 Awards Ceremony
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 鈥 麻豆原创 recently held its 2024 Annual Employee Awards and Recognition Ceremony on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. The University鈥檚 Employee Awards ceremony provides recognition to coaches, faculty and staff for their years of service to the University and for exemplary service to the campus and community.
Wesleyan Service Awards
Recipients of the Wesleyan Service Award were Kimla Brandt, Carl Lewis, Margaret Love, Doreen Thierauf and Jay Quinan. These employees demonstrated outstanding service to the campus and/or community that was above and beyond their job responsibilities.
Kimla Brandt worked with Ascent Studios and their production of the locally filmed movie 鈥淩ENNER.鈥 She went above and beyond her job responsibilities to make sure the needs of their production crew and cast were taken care of during their stay at Wesleyan.
Dr. Carl Lewis donated a new bee hive to campus and went through the steps to become an affiliate university for Bee Campus USA. Through his efforts, NCWU is only 1 of 8 universities with this distinction in NC and only 1 of 170 in the nation.
Dr. Margaret Love, Dr. Doreen Thierauf and Dr. Jay Quinan are employees that donate much of their time practicing and performing with the Wesleyan Singers. The Wesleyan Singers not only perform at campus events, but they also perform in the community and have gone above and beyond their job functions.
Jefferson-Pilot Professorship聽Award
This year鈥檚 Jefferson-Pilot Professorship聽Award winner was Dr. Shannon Crowley who presented her Lecture on April 25th. Regarded as one of the highest honors and form of recognition a faculty member may receive, this award is designed for the faculty members scholarly contributions to their students, the campus, and their professional field of study. Nominations are made by Faculty Council and a grant is made available to the recipient for professional development.
Distinguished Staff Award
The Distinguished Staff Award was presented to Taylor Stone, Director of Student Success Services. This award is designed to honor those staff members who have exhibited outstanding work performance and/or service and dedication to the University or the community. Examples include, but are not limited to, outstanding program development, positive attitude in relationships with faculty, staff and students, noteworthy achievement or exemplary leadership on the campus or in the community.
Justin Clark was presented with the Inspirational Award honoring an employee who exemplifies a positive attitude and demeanor that is inspirational to students, faculty, staff, and the greater campus community. This person makes an extraordinary effort to support others whose efforts improve morale and positively impacts students, faculty, and staff as well as demonstrate the University鈥檚 core values.
Chuck Taylor Leadership Award
The Chuck Taylor Leadership Award was given to Mike Armbruster, Assistant Athletic Director, Internal Operations. This award is presented to employees who demonstrate and live the following: Principles of servant leadership; Building community by promoting a work environment that is respectful, collegial and supportive; Orienting goals and achievements in line with the University鈥檚 mission; Exhibiting strong stewardship of institutional resources (time, talent, financial); Developing a shared vision of institutional excellence; fosters an atmosphere of collaboration and creativity, which contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of productivity. This individual is also an effective leader of people.
Longevity Awards were also given to various full-time and part-time employees for their years of service. Recognition was awarded in 5-year, 10-year, 15-year, etc. increments of service to the University for the contractual or fiscal year.
Also, our very own Coach John Brackett received a framed jersey in honor of his 800th win at Wesleyan. Coach John Brackett’s journey has come full circle, as an alumnus of Wesleyan. With his unparalleled dedication, remarkable achievements and lasting impact on the softball program, his 800th career win stands as a testament to his unwavering commitment, exceptional leadership and the lasting legacy he has created within the University.
Congratulations to all employees who were honored and we thank each employee for your dedication and commitment to NC Wesleyan University! For more information regarding Faculty and Staff Awards or to nominate an employee, visit /faculty-staff-resources/faculty-staff-service-awards/.
NCWU Becomes First Institution to Host “Science of Reading” Observation with NCICU
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 鈥 麻豆原创鈥檚 (NCWU) Teacher Education Program was visited by three representatives of the (NCICU). The visit was an effort to review how the Science of Reading was being implemented into NCWU’s nationally and state-accredited Teacher Education program, where instructors teach pre-service teachers the science and art of how to teach Reading in the elementary school setting. The Science of Reading is a research-based methodology regarding the best practices to teach K-6 students how to read and comprehend. Dr. Lois M. Hart, Associate Professor of Education, explains 鈥淣CWU鈥檚 Teacher Education Program has restructured their reading classes to align with the Science of Reading research. Elementary education pre-service teachers are provided with teaching strategies and experiences that have been proven by research to result in producing readers who are able to read fluently and comprehend at high levels.鈥
Dr. Kelvin Spragley, Director of Teacher Education and Diversity and Inclusion Liaison, along with education faculty, arranged a breakfast, campus tour, and mock pre-service teaching demonstrations for the visit, making NCWU the first institution to host an observation visit with NCICU. Students and education faculty had the unique opportunity of paneling with the NCICU visitors and discussed all of the changes in the Reading curriculum. This followed observations of both EDU 210: Introduction to Foundations of Reading, and EDU 312: Teaching K-2 Literacy.
NCWU鈥檚 Teacher Education Program takes pride in knowing that learning to teach Reading starts in their classroom courses, and then it is the pre-service teacher鈥檚 responsibility to spread these practices, to the best of their ability, in the K-6 classrooms. Dr. Hart says 鈥淐hildren鈥檚 potential to become successful in school begins with learning to read and comprehend at high levels. Teachers鈥 abilities to effectively deliver strong reading instruction begins with ensuring all teacher preparation programs implement scientifically based reading instruction to pre-service teachers.鈥
NCWU Receives Grant for Digital Humanities Teaching & Learning
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 鈥 麻豆原创 recently received a $60K grant from . Over the two-year grant period, NCWU will expand the Digital Humanities Lab, create a new course (Introduction to Digital Humanities), improve faculty knowledge of the digital humanities, incorporate local history into digital humanities projects, and promote undergraduate student research projects using digital humanities tools and methods. The proposed expansion of NCWU鈥檚 digital humanities programming is aligned with the institution鈥檚 mission and commitment to the eastern North Carolina region and its emphasis on innovative teaching approaches to use new information technologies.
Project co-directors, Dr. Jason W. Buel (Communication/Media Arts) and Dr. Shane M. Thompson (Religious Studies) established NCWU鈥檚 first Digital Humanities Lab as a physical space on campus to raise the profile of the University鈥檚 humanities, with the goal to make them more exciting, accessible, and modern to the general student population.
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Joseph H. Lane, Jr., states 鈥淲e are very excited that Dr. Thompson and Dr. Buel have received this grant. Their work in the area of digital humanities is the perfect example of the ways that North Carolina Wesleyan enriches our students鈥 lives with innovative teaching approaches that take advantage of the amazing new tools that can enrich our classrooms and our contributions to the community.鈥
The National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965 created the as an independent federal agency. The law identified the need for a national cultural agency that would preserve America鈥檚 rich history and cultural heritage, and encourage and support scholarship and innovation in history, archaeology, philosophy, literature, and other humanities disciplines. The Endowment awards grants to top-rated proposals examined by panels of independent, external reviewers.
麻豆原创
Created in 1965 as an independent federal agency, the National Endowment for the Humanities supports research and learning in history, literature, philosophy, and other areas of the humanities by funding selected, peer-reviewed proposals from around the nation. Additional information about the National Endowment for the Humanities and its grant programs is available at: .
Pfizer Executive and Site Lead announced as NCWU Commencement Speaker
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 鈥 On May 4, 2024, 麻豆原创 will celebrate its Spring Commencement with more than 300 graduates. This year鈥檚 commencement speaker will be Dr. Kara Renai King who is the Vice President and Site Lead for – Rocky Mount facility.
As Vice President and Site Lead for Pfizer, is responsible for one of the largest sterile injectable facilities in the world, with more than 1.4 million square feet of manufacturing space on 250 acres in Eastern North Carolina. Nearly 25 percent of Pfizer’s sterile injectables used in U.S. hospitals are produced at the site.聽 A wide range of products are produced at Rocky Mount, including anesthesia, analgesia, therapeutics, anti-infectives and neuromuscular blockers. These products are available in small volume presentations, such as ampules, vials and syringes. More than 200 million units are processed at the Rocky Mount site annually to help treat patients around the world.
Dr. King holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Hampton University, a Masters’s degree in Cell Biology & Biotechnology from University of the Sciences, and a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Eastern University.
Dr. King is recognized as an expert on leadership who has extensive experience in the biopharmaceutical industry in both traditional and contract development manufacturing organizations. Her experience ranges from early drug product development to commercial operations.聽She has held leadership roles in Quality, Tech Ops and Drug Product Operations (from bulk product manufacturing to finishing).聽She joined Pfizer in 2021 following successful leadership roles with Minaris Regenerative Medicine and Merck.
Dr. King delivers value to organizations through her servant leadership style complimented by her strong foundation in science, strategic mindset, and the ability to create an environment that fosters joy, creativity and innovation. Hallmarks of her leadership are building high performing teams, elevating leadership capability, and delivering results.
鈥淲e are looking forward to Dr. King鈥檚 address to our Class of 2024. Under her leadership, Pfizer and NCWU have forged a strong partnership that provides extraordinary opportunities to Wesleyan鈥檚 students and graduates, and that partnership was made stronger by our shared efforts to overcome the devastation of last summer鈥檚 tornado. Dr. King鈥檚 approach to leadership and strategic vision will provide an inspiring example to our graduates,鈥 stated President Dr. Evan D. Duff.
鈥淚’m humbled and excited to stand before the talent of the future from NC Wesleyan University at this year’s 2024 Commencement,鈥 noted Dr. King.
Dr. King has long demonstrated engagement in and solicitude for the community in which she lives and works. She utilizes her skills, experience and resources to invest in the local community and help others achieve their dreams. Among her many community service activities, Dr. King sits on the boards of Eastern University and the International Leadership Association (ILA), and she serves as the Treasurer for Silver Lining Sports.
