ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – North Carolina Wesleyan University recently welcomed Dr. Jason Modlin as its new Dean of Students. Modlin comes to Wesleyan from Louisburg College, where he previously served as Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students.
Among his many accomplishments at Louisburg College, Modlin was instrumental in developing a Residence Hall Mentor program, an innovative approach to staffing residence halls with full-time professional relationship-builders. He also led a short-term retention effort that increased fall-to-fall retention by 7% over the previous year.
Modlin holds a Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. With a 25-year career in small, private higher education, he brings a wealth of knowledge to NCWC.
In his role as Dean of Students at NC Wesleyan, Modlin will be responsible for overseeing all student affairs operations, including the departments of Health & Wellness, Campus Life, Residential Life, Religious Life and Food Services. He will also serve as the Chief Judicial Officer of the College and the Title IX Coordinator and Adjudicator. Modlin assumes the role of Dean of Students from Dr. Molly Wyatt who had previously taken on the responsibilities of both Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of Students.
“NC Wesleyan is fortunate to have brought in a highly-qualified and experienced Student Affairs professional who is both familiar with the small private college environment as well as the Eastern North Carolina region, stated Dr. Molly Wyatt, Interim Provost. “Dr. Modlin is making a big impact already, having had a summer forum with the College’s traditional students and contributing to reopening plans and retention strategies.” Modlin is a long-time resident of Nash County and currently resides near Red Oak with his wife, Ami, and their three daughters.
President Duff to Participate in Educational Panel
Join us on a Webinar learn about the impact of COVID-19 on our local education systems and find out what the next steps will be for the Fall 2020 school year. All proceeds are going to Tackle the Tar which will support our local students for scholarships at Edgecombe and Nash Community Colleges and North Carolina Wesleyan University.
Webinar Panel Featuring:
Dr. Valerie Bridges, Superintendent, Edgecombe County Public Schools
Dr. Evan Duff, President North Carolina Wesleyan University
Dr. Steve Ellis, Superintendent, Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools
Dr. Lew Hunnicutt, President Nash Community College
Dr. Gregory McLeod, President, Edgecombe Community College
NCWC Board Announces Duff as College President
Contract Extended Through 2023
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – Dr. Evan D. Duff has been named the eighth President of North Carolina Wesleyan University. The announcement came early this month from Dr. Dan Crocker, Chair of the Board of Trustees for the College.
Duff was appointed as Acting President by the Board of Trustees on June 10, 2019 and later accepted a two-year contract as Interim President. Following recent discussions with faculty and staff, a consensus decision was made by the Board of Trustees in their May 29 assembly to appoint Duff as President and extend his contract for an additional two years. The extension positions Duff as President for the College through May 31, 2023.
In his statement to faculty and staff, Dr. Crocker, Chair of the Board, noted “the remarkable manner in which Dr. Duff took the reins since last summer, leading both efficiently and effectively.” He also mentioned “the extraordinary financial turnaround [of the College] in just one year with Evan at the helm.”
Over the last year, Dr. Duff has worked diligently with the Provost and faculty to develop new academic programs, namely Wesleyan’s new RN to BSN Program, set to begin this fall. In collaboration with faculty, staff and the Board of Trustees, he has been instrumental in developing a new vision, core values and a comprehensive strategic plan for the College, while providing significant leadership in the College’s efforts to finalize the educational space of Wesleyan’s new Indoor Sports and Education Facility, currently under construction.
The Executive Advisory Committee of the Board agreed to complete a yearly formal presidential assessment, which is currently in-process under the leadership of Dr. Andrew Stern, Chair of NC Wesleyan’s Faculty Council. Critiques from this assessment will be a valuable resource for both the Board of Trustees and Dr. Duff as he continues to lead the College.
“I am humbled by this opportunity that the Board has granted me, and I look forward to serving the faculty, staff, students, alumni, area churches and the community as we all continue to ensure the mission of the College is met. There is no greater time than the present to ensure our students are informed and educated citizens who are passionate about being positive change agents,” said Dr. Duff.
Wesleyan Welcomes New Admissions Counselor
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – North Carolina Wesleyan University continues to build upon its already robust Admissions Team by welcoming new Admissions Counselor, Ashley Anderson. Ashley began on June 1 and will represent the College in the local territories of Nash, Edgecombe, Wilson, Franklin and Halifax counties, as well as Wake county private schools, starting in August 2020.
Ashley is from Wilson, North Carolina and an alumna of NC Wesleyan. She graduated magna cum laude in 2018 with degrees in Psychology and Criminal Justice. As a student, she gained invaluable experience in the Admissions Office as a Tour Guide and Student Ambassador. Upon graduation, she went to work for Truist (formerly BB&T) as a Retirement & Institutional Services Support Specialist. In this role, she was cross-trained in multiple positions allowing her to obtain various skills in customer service through interacting with a variety of clients daily.
“We are excited to welcome Ashley back to NC Wesleyan! During the interview process, there were many worthy and qualified applicants; however, her experiences and passion for the College add great value to our office, as she will be a significant resource for prospective students,” stated Paige Price Wells, Assistant Director of Admissions-Recruitment. NC Wesleyan looks forward to welcoming students back to campus this fall and having the Class of 2024 join the Bishop Family.
Wesleyan Senior To Nationally Represent Eastern NC Democrats
Catherine Leake, a senior political science major, has been selected to represent North Carolina’s 1st Congressional District as a delegate to the 2020 Democratic National Convention! This is a great honor, as there are only about 4,000 delegates selected nationwide.
A Message from President Evan D. Duff
Dear Wesleyan Family,
Our country continues to struggle with equality, race relations, treating others with decency, respecting opinions different from our own and showing no regard for human life. We are mourning, grieving, and fighting for justice all at the same time. North Carolina Wesleyan University strives to provide an environment that is tolerant, inclusive and open to educating all students to make positive changes in the world. Let’s move full force with demonstrating our core values of: knowledge, understanding, integrity, accountability, patience, respect, empathy and kindness to create those positive changes.
We all have a voice, we all can take action and we all have the opportunity to make a difference. Let’s do our part at Wesleyan to create an atmosphere that is reflective of the society we should aspire to be.
To our African American friends and family, we are listening to you, we care deeply about you, and you can count on your Wesleyan peers and colleagues to stand with you.
Additional details will be shared soon with students about educational and support programs the College will be implementing for our students, faculty and staff to meet their needs as we navigate through this time together. I pray through these tragedies, states of unrest and pain, we learn to take better care of each other.
Live well. Stay strong. Be wise.
Dr. Evan D. Duff
Interim President
NC Wesleyan Offers RN to BSN Conditional Acceptance Policy
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – North Carolina Wesleyan University is working through the COVID-19 pandemic and meeting the needs of May 2020 graduates with an Associate Degree in Nursing who apply for Wesleyan’s new RN to BSN Program. The College recently received approval for a conditional acceptance policy, allowing graduates to be able to enter into the program in the fall without delay.
Due to COVID-19, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) has made changes to protect the safety of those taking the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination), as well as the staff working in testing centers. Therefore, students may be unable to obtain an NCLEX-RN test date prior to the August 2020 enrollment into Wesleyan’s RN to BSN Program.
NC Wesleyan recently received approval for a conditional acceptance policy for May 2020 RN graduates due to these changes. Graduates from a regionally accredited ADN program will receive conditional acceptance to NC Wesleyan’s RN to BSN Program. The conditional acceptance will only be given to those students who graduated in May 2020 and have applied for the fall 2020 start date. Applicants will be required to submit all other admissions criteria, including their transcripts, documenting the RN degree conferral.
Applicants who receive conditional acceptance will be required to submit RN verification and successfully complete the NCLEX-RN exam prior to starting NUR 330. Students who do not pass the NCLEX-RN exam will not be able to register for NUR 330 and may be required to reapply to the program.
Wesleyan’s 100% online RN to BSN program is designed to help registered nurses achieve the education necessary to broaden their skill set and advance their careers in nursing. This curriculum integrates new and innovative knowledge into daily nursing practices and includes 34 credit hours. In this program, professional baccalaureate nursing practice will focus on population health, nursing leadership and management, informatics, healthcare policy and evidence based research opportunities that will facilitate professional growth. RN to BSN students will be required to complete clinical practice experiences that will allow them to implement new knowledge into their nursing practice. The program features multiple start dates so students can begin when they are ready and finish in as little as 12 months.
NC Wesleyan Planning for Fall Reopening
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – North Carolina Wesleyan University announced on March 23 that the College would not resume face-to-face instruction for the remainder of the semester due to the COVID-19 pandemic and transitioned to online classes. On April 9, the College went into lockdown to protect its faculty, staff and remaining students, which meant that traffic in and out of the main campus would be closed except for essential employees. Now, the College is making plans to reopen for face-to-face instruction this fall.
“Although our spring semester abruptly moved to remote instruction, Wesleyan stood tall against a global pandemic and emerged stronger,” stated President Evan D. Duff. “As we transition our focus to the fall, we will implement what will be known as ‘Wesleyan Wise,’ adding “Together we are strong, together we are wise and together we will rise.”
Wesleyan Wise means that the College will:
- Intend to welcome returning and new students back to campus this fall, while being wise in its decisions, practices and procedures.
- Start the semester on August 19, forgo a fall break, finish the semester just before Thanksgiving holiday and hold Winter Commencement on December 5 at the Rocky Mount Event Center.
- Implement enhanced cleaning practices, utilize smaller class sizes, practice social distance between the students and faculty/staff, offer more hybrid and online options, create effective guidelines for students, and provide available face masks and hand sanitizer for all students, faculty and staff.
New procedures will be implemented within almost every office on campus, dining facilities, and office hours with faculty; however, the level of care and commitment for Wesleyan’s students will never change. More comprehensive details will be shared in the coming weeks about how the College will be Wesleyan Wise this fall.
Wesleyan Adds New Academic Programs
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – The faculty at North Carolina Wesleyan University recently passed the following new curriculum programs: a B.S. in Healthcare Administration, a B.S. in Sports Administration and three certificate programs in Human Resources, Executive Leadership and Healthcare Administration. These new programs will add to the exceptional array of academic offerings already at Wesleyan, giving students the ability to choose from over 45 undergraduate degree options, 32 minors and two graduate degree programs.
The Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration degree will prepare graduates to work in the business operations side of medical facilities. Students will learn the financial, human resources, legal and ethical aspects, as well as quality control within a healthcare setting. This degree will prepare students for careers in medical and health services management, healthcare administration and medical office management.
The Bachelor of Science in Sports Administration degree will prepare graduates to work at all levels within sports, facilities and recreation management. Students will learn about the administration of sports programs, sport facility and event management, sport communication and coaching theory among other topics. Graduates will be prepared to work as a coach, facilities manager, athletic director, sports coordinator or be prepared for graduate school. “We are excited to offer programs that will lead students to careers in growing industries such as sports and healthcare administration. Exciting features of these new programs will allow students to study and gain valuable experience during their program. The new certificates will help those looking to add specific skills in leadership, business, and healthcare administration,” stated Molly Wyatt, Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of Students.
Honor Students Receive Awards
NC Wesleyan University recently held the 2020 Honors Convocation Award Ceremony. These Awardees and Honor Society Members have displayed outstanding contributions inside and outside of the classroom. When you see these students, please take a moment to congratulate them.
Recipients of the 2020 NCWC Honors Convocation Awards
| STUDENT SUPPORT | |
| Supplemental Instruction Leader of the Year Award | Catelyn Cink |
| Peer Tutor of the Year | Gordon “Mitch” Layton |
| Internship Award | Kenneth Snyder |
| SCIENCE AND MATH | |
| Biology Award | Gordon “Mitch” Layton |
| Environmental Science Award | Jackson Doyle |
| Exercise Science Award | Alissa Avery & Jessica Diane Wall |
| Mathematics Award | Abigail Susannah Wooten |
| HUMANITIES | |
| Religious Studies | Savannah Jane Flanagan |
| Senior English Award | Mary Elizabeth Reynolds |
| EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SCIENCES | |
| John Paul Jones History Award | Joshua Wayne Strausser |
| History Major Outstanding Student Award | Savannah Jane Flanagan |
| Political Science Award | Courtney Grace Parker |
| SNCAE Award | Jadejah Robinson |
| Susan B. Taylor Excellence in Educational Practice Award | Cali Green |
| Psychology Outstanding Student Award | Jessica Diane Wall |
| Excellence in Sociological Studies Award | Jasmine Harrison |
| BUSINESS | |
| Business Administration Outstanding Student Award | Kevin Michael Berry |
| Marketing Outstanding Student Award | Nicole Halabi Rosillo |
| Organizational Administration Outstanding Student Award | Nicholaus Beaver |
| Computer Information Systems Outstanding Student Award | Kevin De Jesus Abarca-Mendoza |
