Some students come to college with a plan. Kelsi Oyer came to North Carolina Wesleyan University ready to make the most of every opportunity. And if her college résumé is any indication, she hasn’t wasted a minute.
Originally from Chillicothe, Ohio, Oyer made the move to North Carolina on her own, bringing with her a love for lacrosse, an interest in forensics, and a willingness to try something new. Fast forward to her senior year, and she’s become a familiar face across campus as captain of the women’s lacrosse team, president of Wesleyan’s Morgan’s Message chapter, a Head Resident Advisor, and, most recently, the university’s 2026 Homecoming Queen.
But for Oyer, being a Bishop has never been about collecting titles. It’s about finding her people, getting involved, and making sure others feel like they belong, too.
Morgan’s Message Responsibility
That passion shines through in her work with Morgan’s Message, an organization dedicated to raising awareness about mental health among student-athletes. As chapter president, Oyer works to create opportunities for honest conversations and remind students that they don’t have to navigate life’s challenges alone.
Having experienced her own mental health challenges, the mission is especially meaningful to her.
“I think mental health should get the same attention as physical health,” Oyer said. “I want other students to know they don’t have to have everything figured out or go through tough times alone.”
It’s a message she hopes resonates throughout the athletic community, too. Between classes, practices, games, and everything else college life throws your way, Oyer knows how easy it can be to put pressure on yourself to keep pushing.
“Student-athletes are people first, and their worth isn’t based on how they perform in sports or in class,” she said.
Importance of Community
And when she’s not on the lacrosse field or helping lead conversations about mental health, you might find Oyer supporting students in her role as a Head RA, spending time with friends, or celebrating another memorable Homecoming.
After being nominated for Homecoming Princess in 2024 and 2025, Oyer was named the 2026 Homecoming Queen. For her, the recognition was about more than a crown. It was a reflection of the relationships she’s built and the community that has supported her along the way.
One person who’s been there through it all is her best friend, Jillian Stine. From encouraging Oyer to become a Resident Advisor to returning to campus to escort her as Homecoming Queen, Stine has been a constant source of support. It’s one of those friendships that reminds you just how special the college experience can be.
What’s Next?
Of course, Oyer’s next chapter is already taking shape. A double major in Criminal Justice and Biology, she hopes to pursue a master’s degree and build a career in forensics. So while she may be trading her Homecoming crown for a lab coat someday, her desire to make a difference isn’t going anywhere.
Looking back on her time at Wesleyan, Oyer credits the experience with helping her become more independent, confident, and willing to step outside her comfort zone.
Her advice to students just starting their college journey? Say yes to the opportunities. Meet new people. Get involved. Don’t be afraid to try something that feels a little intimidating.
After all, sometimes moving halfway across the country leads to a whole lot more than a college degree. Sometimes, it leads you to a place you can call home.
Think You’re Too Busy for Graduate School? NC Wesleyan MPH Student Kailyn St. John Shows What’s Possible
From the elementary classroom to community health initiatives, Kailyn St. John is discovering how a Master of Public Health can open doors to meaningful work while making a difference in the lives of others.
When Kailyn St. John decided to pursue her Master of Public Health (MPH), she knew she wanted to build on her interest in health and wellness. What she didn’t know was just how many ways public health would connect to her everyday life.
Originally from Hinsdale, New Hampshire, St. John graduated from Keene State College in May 2025 with a bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences before beginning her graduate studies at North Carolina Wesleyan University. Today, she balances several responsibilities: working as a first-grade teacher in Kinston, serving as a graduate assistant for NC Wesleyan’s MPH program, and completing a public health internship with Carteret County Health and Human Services.
It’s a full schedule, but St. John is working toward a goal that matters to her: helping people and communities live healthier lives.
“I would never say that it is easy, but it is possible,” St. John said of balancing graduate school with a busy life. “If earning the degree is something that is truly important to you, being busy does not automatically mean you cannot do it.”
Connecting the Classroom to Community Health
St. John chose NC Wesleyan’s MPH program in part because of its flexibility and its concentration in Physical Activity and Health, an area that first captured her interest during her undergraduate studies.
The online format allowed her to continue her education while gaining professional experience. Just as importantly, she found a program where she could build meaningful relationships with professors and classmates, even from a distance.
“I never expected to feel as connected as I do to an online graduate program, but NC Wesleyan has given me that experience,” she said.
Through her studies, St. John has also discovered that public health extends far beyond hospitals and healthcare facilities. In her first-grade classroom, she sees how nutrition, physical activity, emotional well-being, access to resources, and family circumstances can affect a child’s ability to learn and thrive.
Her internship provides another perspective, allowing her to gain hands-on experience with community health initiatives, health promotion, outreach, and connecting people with programs and resources.
Together, these experiences have changed the way she thinks about health.
Rather than focusing only on individual choices, St. John has learned to consider the circumstances surrounding them, including access to healthcare, transportation, income, healthy food, and opportunities for physical activity.
That broader perspective is one she plans to carry throughout her career.
A Degree That Opens More Than One Door
For St. John, one of the most valuable parts of earning an MPH is discovering how many directions a career in public health can take.
Her interests include children’s health, health education, chronic disease prevention, and improving access to health resources. After graduating in December 2026, she hopes to continue building her experience and explore opportunities to develop programs that improve health outcomes, particularly for children, families, and underserved communities.
She is also considering pursuing a doctoral degree in the future.
Her journey is a reminder that students do not need to have every step of their careers mapped out before beginning graduate school. Sometimes, the experience itself helps reveal new interests and possibilities.
“I certainly did not!” St. John said when asked what she would tell someone who feels they need to have their entire career figured out before pursuing an MPH.
Instead, she encourages prospective students to remain open to new opportunities and the different ways they can make a difference.
Your Next Step Starts Here
For anyone considering graduate school but wondering whether they have the time, St. John understands the hesitation. Between teaching, coursework, her graduate assistantship, an internship, and everyday responsibilities, she knows firsthand that balancing everything takes planning, prioritization, and persistence.
Her advice? Take things one week at a time, remember why you started, and don’t let a busy schedule automatically convince you that graduate school is out of reach.
An MPH can build on your existing experience while helping you explore new career opportunities and develop the knowledge to make a difference in your community.
Ready to take the next step toward your future? Explore North Carolina Wesleyan University’s Master of Public Health program and discover how flexible online graduate study can help you turn your passion for helping others into meaningful opportunities.
After 25 Years of “Someday,” Bonnie Parrish Is Finishing What She Started
For more than 25 years, Bonnie Parrish carried a goal she had yet to accomplish: earning her bachelor’s degree. Despite building a successful career in financial services and technology, advancing into senior leadership, and balancing the responsibilities of work and family, completing her degree remained something she wanted to do for herself.
Now, Parrish is turning that long-held goal into reality at North Carolina Wesleyan University, where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership.
“I’m proud of the career I’ve built, but not having my degree was always something I felt was missing,” Parrish said.
With 27 years of experience in financial services, Parrish built her career in technology through hard work, professional opportunities, and the support of people who believed in her potential. Her journey took her from starting as a bank teller to becoming a senior vice president in technology, demonstrating the value of experience, relationships, and leadership.
But even with those professional accomplishments, one personal milestone remained unfinished.
Turning “Someday” Into Now
The opportunity to return to school came when Parrish enrolled in NCWU’s Executive Leadership Certification program to strengthen her leadership skills. During the program, she spoke with her advisor, Katherine Hensley, about her desire to earn a degree and the feeling of being among professional peers who had completed theirs.
Hensley encouraged her to reconsider what was possible and helped her recognize that coursework she had already completed for the certification applied toward the Organizational Leadership degree requirements.
“She told me, ‘If you truly want to obtain your degree, it is possible,’ and showed me how I could make it happen,” Parrish said.
Realizing she had already made progress toward the degree helped Parrish see a path forward. After years of postponing the goal, she decided it was time to take the next step.
“So, I guess the short answer is that I finally realized that ‘someday’ could actually be now,” she said. “After putting it off for more than 25 years, I decided it was time to stop looking at my degree as something that was out of reach and finally finish what I started.”
Balancing Career, Family and Education
Returning to college as an adult brought a new set of challenges. With a demanding career, family responsibilities, and the everyday commitments of life, Parrish had to find time for assignments and studying wherever she could.
There were late nights, weekends, and even middle-of-the-night study sessions. At times, balancing professional deadlines with academic responsibilities left her wondering how she would manage it all.
Yet being an adult learner also gave her an advantage. Years of professional and leadership experience allowed her to connect classroom concepts with situations she had encountered throughout her career.
“I came back with years of real-world and leadership experience, so I was able to connect what I was learning in class to situations I had actually experienced,” she said.
Parrish credits her husband and her faith with helping her persevere throughout the journey. Her husband provided encouragement and support at home, giving her the time and space she needed to focus on her education. She also credits God’s grace with giving her strength during stressful moments.
“There’s no way I could have done this without my husband and God’s grace,” she said.
Her experience reflects an important reality for adult learners: returning to school requires commitment and sacrifice, but the knowledge and experience gained outside the classroom can be just as valuable as what is learned within it.
A Degree With Personal Meaning
For Parrish, earning her degree is about more than professional advancement. Although she has built a successful career without a bachelor’s degree, completing her education represents the fulfillment of a personal goal she has carried for decades.
“I feel blessed to have built a career that took me from starting as a teller to becoming a senior vice president in technology without a bachelor’s degree, and I know I earned what I’ve accomplished along the way,” she said.
“Completing it has given me the satisfaction of finally accomplishing a goal I had carried with me for more than 25 years.”
The experience has also reminded her that learning and personal development do not have to stop at a certain age or career stage. She hopes to continue growing as a technology leader while dedicating more time to developing other leaders.
She has even begun considering graduate school, a possibility she might not have imagined before returning to college.
“More than anything, this experience has reminded me that growth doesn’t have an expiration date,” Parrish said. “At this stage of my career and life, I’m still learning, still growing, and still discovering what I’m capable of.”
Her Advice to Other Adult Learners
For adults who have considered returning to college but worry that too much time has passed, Parrish understands the hesitation. She spent years telling herself that earning her degree could wait.
Her advice is straightforward: stop assuming it is too late.
She acknowledges that returning to school is not always easy. Adult learners may need to rearrange priorities, sacrifice free time, and balance assignments with work and family commitments. But she encourages others not to underestimate the knowledge and experience they already bring to the classroom.
“You’ve already lived, worked, succeeded, failed, and learned a lot along the way, and all of that comes with you into the classroom,” she said.
“It may not happen exactly the way you pictured it years ago, but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen. Give yourself a chance. Be willing to make some sacrifices, stay committed, and keep going even when it gets hard. You might be surprised by what you’re able to accomplish.”
Through its Online programs, North Carolina Wesleyan University provides educational pathways for students balancing their studies with professional and personal responsibilities. Parrish’s journey illustrates how returning to college can be about more than earning a credential. It can also mean revisiting a long-held dream, recognizing what is possible, and making the decision to move forward.
For Parrish, the goal that once seemed perpetually out of reach is finally within view. And as she looks toward what comes next, she carries a lesson that extends well beyond the classroom: it is never too late to keep growing.
NC Wesleyan Criminal Justice Students Work Alongside SBI on Active Cold Case
At North Carolina Wesleyan University, criminal justice students are getting an opportunity that goes far beyond the classroom: working directly with an actual cold case provided by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI).
Dr. Jay Fortenberry, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice, leads the course, which is offered each fall and is limited to 15 students to provide an in-depth, hands-on experience.
How the Class Works
Students work with the SBI’s Cold Case Unit and the originating local agency throughout the semester. After signing confidentiality agreements, students receive access to case reports and documentation. The current case includes more than 1,500 pages of investigative material, including interviews, crime scene photographs and laboratory reports.
Each student is assigned different sections of the investigation and works to identify potential leads. As a class, students then come together to analyze the information, brainstorm investigative possibilities and develop recommendations.
At the conclusion of the course, students present their findings and recommendations to the SBI and local agencies, with the hope that their work can contribute to the successful clearance of the case.
Exclusive Experience
“This course gives our students the opportunity to apply what they are learning in a very real-world setting,” Fortenberry said. “They are working with actual investigative materials, collaborating as a team and seeing how the different pieces of an investigation come together.”
This is the third time NC Wesleyan has offered the course, and Fortenberry plans to continue offering it every fall.
The course is currently offered exclusively in a traditional, face-to-face format because of the confidential nature of the case materials. The limited enrollment also allows students to engage closely with the investigation and with one another throughout the semester.
For NC Wesleyan students, the experience offers a unique look at what it means to put criminal justice knowledge into practice, while potentially making a meaningful contribution to an ongoing investigation.
NCWU MPH Student: Theory to Practice
For Allan Sessoms, pursuing a Master of Public Health at North Carolina Wesleyan University is about more than earning another degree. It is about preparing for the work he hopes to do in the communities he cares about.
A Bertie County native and longtime professional with more than 20 years of experience in leadership, operations and problem-solving, Sessoms returned to the classroom with a clear purpose: to build the knowledge and skills needed to eventually establish a nonprofit focused on HIV/AIDS education, advocacy and resource navigation throughout Eastern North Carolina.
“I wasn’t pursuing an MPH just to add letters after my name,” Sessoms said. “I wanted to better understand the challenges facing the communities I care about and gain the tools to become part of the solution.”
Connecting the Classroom to the Community
Sessoms chose NC Wesleyan’s MPH program in part because it allowed him to continue working full-time while pursuing his degree. The program’s Social Epidemiology concentration also aligned with his interest in understanding the social and environmental factors that influence health outcomes.
That connection between classroom learning and real-world challenges has become one of the most meaningful parts of his experience.
During a summer internship, Sessoms worked directly with community members, conducted surveys, identified community needs and developed resources designed to address those needs. The experience allowed him to apply concepts from the classroom, including community engagement, health disparities, social determinants of health and public health planning, to work in the community.
“The internship helped me connect theory to practice,” he said. “It showed me how public health is not just about collecting data but about listening to communities, understanding their challenges, and developing solutions that are meaningful and sustainable.”
The experience has also changed the way Sessoms looks at public health challenges.
Rather than focusing only on the immediate problem, he has learned to examine the factors behind it, including transportation, housing, education, income, employment opportunities and access to resources.
“The program helped me move from looking at individual problems to looking at systems, root causes, and long-term solutions,” Sessoms said.
A Purpose Beyond the Degree
For Sessoms, that perspective is especially important as he works toward his long-term goal of creating a nonprofit focused on HIV/AIDS education, advocacy and resource navigation.
His passion for that work is personal. Living with HIV has given Sessoms firsthand insight into the challenges people can face when navigating healthcare systems, finding support and accessing accurate information and resources.
He hopes to use his public health education, professional experience and community connections to help others navigate those challenges.
“The goal is to help people access information, find support, and know that they don’t have to navigate their journey alone,” he said.
Sessoms also plans to pursue a Doctor of Public Health degree, continuing to build his knowledge and leadership abilities as he works toward making a lasting impact throughout Eastern North Carolina.
It’s Never Too Late to Keep Learning
Returning to school after building a career has given Sessoms a new perspective on lifelong learning.
He credits his NC Wesleyan professors and classmates as some of the most valuable parts of his experience. His cohort has brought together people with different backgrounds and perspectives, while his professors have challenged him to look beyond surface-level problems and consider the broader factors influencing health outcomes.
As a working professional balancing school and other responsibilities, Sessoms knows pursuing a graduate degree requires commitment. But he also believes waiting for the “perfect” time can mean waiting forever.
“Growth often happens in the middle of the chaos, not after it,” he said.
For Sessoms, the journey has reinforced a perspective he plans to carry throughout his career and one that perhaps best captures what he hopes to gain from his NC Wesleyan education.
NCWU Awarded $2.9 Million Federal Grant to Launch COMPASS Student Success Center
North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU) has been awarded a four-year, $2.9 million Title III Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP) grant from the U.S. Departments of Education and Labor to support a comprehensive student success initiative known as COMPASS (Career and Opportunity Mentorship for Personal, Academic, and Student Success).
The federal grant will enable NCWU to expand student support services, strengthen retention and graduation outcomes, enhance career readiness programs, modernize technology infrastructure, and create innovative approaches to student success through the establishment of the new student support services hub featuring the COMPASS Center.
“This award represents a tremendous investment in our students and our future,” said Dr. Anne Aichele, Director of the COMPASS Center. “The COMPASS Center will create a more connected and comprehensive support system that helps students navigate their personal and academic journey, identify meaningful career pathways, and develop the skills necessary to thrive after graduation.”
The COMPASS Center will serve as a centralized hub where students can access academic advising, tutoring, mentoring, accessibility services, career development resources, academic coaching, and retention support in one location. The project is designed to strengthen institutional capacity while improving outcomes for first-generation, low-income, and academically at-risk students.
Major project initiatives include:
- Renovating library space to create the COMPASS Center.
- Expanding first-year transition and orientation programming.
- Increasing peer mentoring and student engagement opportunities.
- Enhancing career coaching, experiential learning, and employer partnerships.
- Implementing advanced student success technologies and analytics tools.
- Providing faculty and staff professional development in student success and Life Design practices.
- Advancing artificial intelligence literacy and AI-enhanced student support services.
The project also aligns with national priorities related to innovation and emerging technologies in higher education. Through faculty, staff, and student development programs, NCWU will promote responsible and effective use of artificial intelligence while preparing graduates for a rapidly evolving workforce.
The initiative builds upon NCWU’s longstanding commitment to personalized education and student-centered learning. By integrating support services, strengthening academic and career planning, and leveraging technology to improve student outcomes, the University aims to create a sustainable framework for student success that will continue well beyond the grant period.
Funding for the project begins October 1, 2026, and continues through September 2031. The first year of funding totals approximately $1.66 million and will support renovation, technology modernization, staffing, professional development, and implementation of student success initiatives.
NC Wesleyan Earns Top 50 Ranking Among Private Universities in the South
North Carolina Wesleyan University has earned a spot among the Top 50 private universities in the South in the latest U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings, ranking No. 6 among private universities in North Carolina in the Regional Universities South category.
The recognition is especially significant as NC Wesleyan enters the Regional Universities South category for the first time. The University’s growing number of graduate programs moved NCWU into a larger and more competitive classification, where it is now evaluated alongside universities with broader graduate-level offerings.
NC Wesleyan was also recognized as a Top 5 university in North Carolina for Social Mobility, reflecting the University’s impact in helping students from a wide range of backgrounds access and complete higher education.
“These rankings reflect the growth of North Carolina Wesleyan while affirming what has always been central to our mission, creating opportunities for students to achieve their goals,” said NCWU President Dr. Evan D. Duff. “We are proud to be recognized among the leading private universities in the South and especially proud of the impact our students and graduates continue to make.”
The latest recognition builds on NC Wesleyan’s continued momentum in academic growth, student outcomes and national recognition as the University approaches its 70th anniversary.
CIS 210 Students Bring Computer Hardware Concepts to Life
Students in NC Wesleyan University’s Computer Information Systems (CIS210) course recently took a hands-on approach to learning computer hardware by assembling miniature, 3D-printed desktop computer models.
The activity gave students the opportunity to move beyond diagrams and terminology and physically explore how major computer components—including the motherboard, memory, storage, graphics card, cooling system and power supply—fit together within a computer.
Designed as a low-risk introduction to computer assembly, the project allowed students to manipulate and assemble components without the complexities of working with full-size hardware. The hands-on experience supported tactile learning while encouraging curiosity, discussion and peer collaboration.
Beyond reinforcing technical concepts, the project helped students build confidence as they prepare to work with actual computer hardware. Students also received their miniature computers as keepsakes they can display, reassemble or use to share what they learned with friends and family.
The project is one example of how experiential learning in the classroom can make technical concepts more approachable, engaging and memorable.
NC Wesleyan Celebrates First Graduating Cohort of Applied Reproductive Biology Program with Strong Career Placement
North Carolina Wesleyan University is celebrating a milestone in its growing academic offerings and its commitment to workforce development with the completion of its inaugural Applied Reproductive Biology Laboratory (ARTLAB) cohort.
The first cohort of 11 students has completed NC Wesleyan’s Applied Reproductive Biology certificate program, designed to prepare students for careers in the rapidly growing field of assisted reproductive technology and in vitro fertilization (IVF) laboratory science.
And the results are already translating into careers.
Of the 11 students in the inaugural cohort, seven have confirmed job offers in the field, while the remaining four are currently in various stages of the interview process. Based on the progress of those students, the program projects 100% employment placement within the next month.
For NC Wesleyan, that early success represents more than the completion of a first class. It demonstrates the potential of ARTLAB to connect specialized education directly to workforce demand while creating new career opportunities for students and contributing to economic development in a growing industry.
“This is the first class — the first of many — to complete the nation’s finest training for positions in IVF labs across the nation under the auspices of North Carolina Wesleyan,” said Dr. Joe Lane, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at NC Wesleyan University. “We look forward to working with Dr. Schenkman and her colleagues to continue growing this program and to launching new programs in related fields.”
The Applied Reproductive Biology certificate is an accelerated, specialized program that provides students with hands-on training and academic preparation aligned with the needs of assisted reproductive technology laboratories. Students are prepared to pursue opportunities within IVF laboratories and related reproductive science settings.
The program was developed under the leadership of Dr. Eva Schenkman and her colleagues, whose expertise has helped establish NC Wesleyan as an emerging destination for specialized training in reproductive biology.
The inaugural cohort’s career outcomes underscore the value of that industry-focused approach.
Building a Workforce for a Growing Industry
The demand for professionals trained in assisted reproductive technology continues to create opportunities for individuals interested in laboratory science and reproductive health. NC Wesleyan’s ARTLAB program is designed to help meet that demand by providing focused training for students seeking a pathway into this specialized field.
For the University, the program also represents a broader commitment to creating educational opportunities that have a direct impact beyond the classroom.
Students gain specialized skills. Employers gain access to trained talent. And communities benefit when graduates are able to transition into meaningful careers.
The inaugural cohort provides an early example of that workforce-development model in action.
With seven students already holding confirmed positions and the remaining four actively interviewing, the first ARTLAB cohort is poised to achieve a 100% placement rate shortly after completing the program.
Applications Open for 2027 Cohorts
With the success of its first cohort, NC Wesleyan is preparing to welcome the next group of students interested in entering the field of applied reproductive biology.
Applications are now being accepted for two 2027 cohorts:
- Spring 2027 Cohort: January 18 – March 26, 2027
- Summer 2027 Cohort: May 24 – July 30, 2027
The University encourages individuals interested in pursuing careers in IVF laboratory science and applied reproductive biology to learn more about the program and apply for an upcoming cohort.
The first cohort may have been the beginning, but NC Wesleyan sees it as just that, the beginning.
As the University continues to expand its offerings in applied reproductive biology and related fields, ARTLAB is positioned to become an important part of NC Wesleyan’s commitment to innovative education, career preparation and workforce development.
To learn more about NC Wesleyan’s Applied Reproductive Biology program or apply for an upcoming cohort, visit ncwu.edu.
NC Wesleyan and Rocky Mount Academy Establish Partnership to Expand Teacher Education Experiences
North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU) and Rocky Mount Academy (RMA) have entered into a new partnership that will provide NC Wesleyan teacher education students with expanded opportunities to gain hands-on experience in a private-school setting.
Through the agreement, NC Wesleyan students pursuing teacher education will have opportunities to participate in field placements, practicums and student teaching experiences at Rocky Mount Academy. Students may also engage in classroom observations, tutoring, mini-lessons and other educational activities alongside experienced educators.
The partnership represents a new dimension of experiential learning for NC Wesleyan’s Teacher Education Program. The university has previously established formal partnerships with traditional public-school systems and public charter schools, but this agreement marks an opportunity for teacher candidates to gain experience within a private-school environment.
“This MOU represents a creative and important partnership for both NC Wesleyan and Rocky Mount Academy that will allow our candidates for teacher education to gain valuable experience in the RMA classrooms and activities while strengthening our relationship to RMA,” said Dr. Joe Lane, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at NC Wesleyan University. “We look forward to strengthening these institutional connections as well as the many opportunities for our students to gain valuable experiences with RMA students and classes.”
Accreditation Specific
The agreement also provides NC Wesleyan students with the opportunity to learn from fully licensed teachers while experiencing the distinct instructional environment of a private school.
“While our program accreditation with the North Carolina State Board of Education and our national accreditation agency, AAQEP, both require official agreements with school systems and schools for pre-service teachers to gain experience, this one is different,” said Dr. Kelvin Spragley, Director of Teacher Education and Chief Diversity Officer at NC Wesleyan University.
“This agreement is with a private school, which provides a great opportunity since we do have graduates who will decide to teach at private, and not public, institutions upon graduation.”
Under the agreement, NC Wesleyan teacher education students will be able to complete placement activities at Rocky Mount Academy while gaining experience through activities such as tutoring students, observing teachers and teaching mini-lessons. The agreement also establishes expectations for cooperating teachers, student teachers and college supervisors throughout the placement experience.
Meet Lily Taylor
Lily Taylor, NCWU rising junior, is a Special Education major who is currently taking prerequisite Teacher Education courses prior to formally applying for entry into the program. She will be the first to participate in this opportunity.
April Whitehead, Director of Exceptional Children at RMA, shares “Rocky Mount Academy is excited to partner with North Carolina Wesleyan University to help enhance the educational experiences of future educators. We are thrilled to welcome Lily to RMA and provide her with the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills she has gained through her coursework in a real classroom setting.
We are excited to watch Lily grow as an educator, build meaningful relationships with our students, and gain valuable hands-on experience. We are honored to have Lily learn alongside some of the best educators in the business and become part of the RMA community. We look forward to supporting her as she continues to develop the skills, confidence, and passion needed to make a difference in the lives of her future students.”
Program Distinction
For NC Wesleyan, the partnership adds another important perspective to the preparation of future educators.
“During my five-year stint at NC Wesleyan, we have only partnered with traditional public-school systems and public charter schools,” Spragley said. “This MOU provides an opportunity for our Teacher Education students to gain valuable experience in a high-quality private school. As a result, our students will be able to concretely compare and contrast their respective experiences between a traditional public, public charter and private school. To say I am excited is an understatement.”
The partnership reflects a shared commitment to connecting future educators with authentic classroom experiences while building stronger relationships between NC Wesleyan and the Rocky Mount community.
For NC Wesleyan students, the experience will offer an opportunity to broaden their understanding of the educational landscape and explore the different environments in which they may ultimately build their teaching careers.
