ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – Renee Chou, news anchor and reporter for WRAL-TV, will be the spring Commencement speaker at North Carolina Wesleyan University. Chou will address NCWU’s Class of 2023 during their ceremony at the Rocky Mount Event Center on Saturday, May 6, 2023.
Chou is a three-time, Emmy Award-winning anchor/reporter for WRAL-TV News. You can wake up with her every weekday morning on WRAL from 4:30 to 7:00 a.m. and from 7:00 to 8:00 a.m. on Fox 50. She also appears on WRAL’s Noon Newscast, anchoring a total of 4.5 hours of live TV every day in addition to special assignments. She joined WRAL in October 2004 as a general assignment reporter. Over the years, she served as the weekend morning anchor and weekend evening anchor. Chou was promoted to weekday morning anchor in March of 2014.
“I look forward to having Mrs. Chou address our Class of 2023. As a distinguished news anchor with a wealth of experience, I’m confident that she will bring a fresh perspective and valuable insights to our graduates,” stated President Dr. Evan D. Duff.
In 2015, Chou won a Regional Emmy for General Assignment Reporting. Her coverage of Hurricane Sandy also earned her Regional Emmy in 2014, as well as the distinction of “Best Weather Reporting” from the NC Associated Press Broadcast Awards. She won her first Emmy in 2013 for her work on the Kathy Taft murder trial. Her reports have also garnered awards from the Radio Television Digital News Association of the Carolinas; Iowa Associated Press Broadcasters Association; and Missouri Broadcasters Association.
“I’m honored and humbled to speak to North Carolina Wesleyan University’s Class of 2023 on their momentous day to celebrate their amazing achievements. As a journalist covering North Carolina communities for nearly two decades, I look forward to sharing my experiences and insights about change, challenges and new chapters,” stated Chou. “Commencement is one of life’s biggest chapters and I’m excited to help the graduates mark the milestone.”
Prior to WRAL, she worked as an anchor/reporter for KCRG-TV in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and KOMU-TV in Columbia, Missouri. Chou earned her broadcast journalism degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She’s a founding member and past President of the North Carolina chapter of the Asian American Journalists Association. Chou enjoys making community appearances throughout the year, from emceeing fundraisers and special events to talking with, and helping, students aspiring to be journalists.
Originally from Michigan, Renee is happy to call North Carolina home with her husband, Mike, and daughter Elsa, who is 8.
About North Carolina Wesleyan University
North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU) is a small, private Methodist-affiliated institution with a liberal arts-based core curriculum that prepares students for professional advancement, life-long learning and responsible participation in their communities. NCWU offers liberal arts, professional and graduate degree programs for traditional, transfer and working-adult students. The skills cultivated by faculty and built into the curriculum include critical thinking and reflection, communication, collaboration, and information technology. North Carolina Wesleyan University delivers education that is personal, practical and purpose-driven. Personal…through mentoring and the connections that are provided. Practical…by helping students develop lifelong skills. Purpose-driven…by helping them fulfill their purpose in life. With students from all over the United States and more than 40 different countries, the University has immense cultural diversity. To learn more, visit ncwu.edu and follow on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok and Instagram.
NCWU Supports Nash County Emergency Services
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – On Thursday, February 9 leaders from North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU) and Nash County Emergency Services (NCES) met on the University’s campus to sign a partnership agreement offering educational opportunities to employees of NCES. The alliance allows employees and their immediate families to develop practical skills they can apply to their careers through certificate, undergraduate and graduate degree programs at NCWU.
“Much like our local law enforcement agencies, employees of Nash County Emergency Services play a vital role in our community,” stated Michael Drew, VP of Enrollment. “We’re honored to be able to assist these employees and their families in attaining their educational goals through a personal approach to learning.”
As the only certificate-awarding University in Nash County, Wesleyan offers a one-time, $250 University Award of enrollment in certificate classes to each NCES employee and their immediate family member(s). This one-time award is applied during their last semester of enrollment. North Carolina Wesleyan University has certificate programs in Executive Leadership, Healthcare Administration and Human Resource Management that can be completed in as little as 16 weeks.
For anyone interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree, NCWU will offer a $1,000 University Award at the end of the first semester of enrollment in undergraduate classes. Additionally, a second award of $1,000 will be presented at the end of their last semester, for a total University Award amount of $2,000.
Employees enrolling in NC Wesleyan’s Master of Business Administration (MBA) or Master of Criminal Justice (MSCJ) programs will receive a $500 University Award at the end of their first semester of enrollment in graduate classes. In addition, NCWU will award a second $500 at the end of their last semester, for a total University Award amount of $1,000.
The alliance mutually benefits both organizations, as NCES now has a new benefit offering for employees and NCWU receives an opportunity to promote these services. Nash County Emergency Services employees must remain employed with NCES in order for the employee and/or their immediate family member(s) to remain eligible for this award.
About North Carolina Wesleyan University
North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU) is a small, private Methodist-affiliated institution with a liberal arts-based core curriculum that prepares students for professional advancement, life-long learning and responsible participation in their communities. NCWU offers liberal arts, professional and graduate degree programs for traditional, transfer and working-adult students. The skills cultivated by faculty and built into the curriculum include critical thinking and reflection, communication, collaboration, and information technology. North Carolina Wesleyan University delivers education that is personal, practical and purpose-driven. Personal…through mentoring and the connections that are provided. Practical…by helping students develop lifelong skills. Purpose-driven…by helping them fulfill their purpose in life. With students from all over the United States and more than 40 different countries, the University has immense cultural diversity. To learn more, visit ncwu.edu and follow on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok and Instagram.
The Dunn Center Gets a Makeover
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – Over the last several months, The Dunn Center at North Carolina Wesleyan University has been the recipient of multiple grants that will allow for the renovation of various spaces in the facility. The Dunn Center was initially opened in 1996, with many of the spaces still in their original form.
The DeLeon Carter Foundation has donated $14,000 for the renovation of the Sweatt Courtyard, located adjacent to the Carlton Board Room. This will permit The Dunn Center to purchase new outdoor furnishings, heaters, art, lighting and an awning for the space. The DeLeon Carter Foundation was established by the late Myrtle Carter Henry in memory of her father, DeLeon Carter, for educational and scientific projects in Nash County. Since it began making grants in 1997, the DeLeon Carter Foundation has given approximately $900,000 in much-needed grants.
Additionally, The Honorable Phil Carlton has pledged $35,000 for the full redesign of the Carlton Board Room, which is named after him. Local interior designer, Leslie Bauer, has donated her time to assist with renovation. This will include paint, lighting, drapery, art, cabinetry, refinished tables and lamps.
“A Board of Trustees member, Thomas A. Betts, Jr., made the presentation to the Carter and Carlton Foundations that led to these awards. In 2022, he secured $30,200 from The Mims Foundation to renovate the Mims Art Gallery. That particular renovation is near completion with a formal reopening planned for early spring,” stated Greg Purcell, Art Curator.
These spaces are also available to the public to rent for board meetings, company gatherings, holiday parties and more. For additional information, visit ncwu.edu/event-venue-rentals.
About North Carolina Wesleyan University
North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU) is a small, private Methodist-affiliated institution with a liberal arts-based core curriculum that prepares students for professional advancement, life-long learning and responsible participation in their communities. NCWU offers liberal arts, professional and graduate degree programs for traditional, transfer and working-adult students. The skills cultivated by faculty and built into the curriculum include critical thinking and reflection, communication, collaboration, and information technology. North Carolina Wesleyan University delivers education that is personal, practical and purpose-driven. Personal…through mentoring and the connections that are provided. Practical…by helping students develop lifelong skills. Purpose-driven…by helping them fulfill their purpose in life. With students from all over the United States and more than 40 different countries, the University has immense cultural diversity. To learn more, visit ncwu.edu and follow on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok and Instagram.
U.S. News & World Report Ranks NC Wesleyan Among Best Online Programs
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU) has been ranked among the 2023 Best Online Master’s in Criminal Justice Programs by U.S. News & World Report.
U.S. News assessed schools in the Best Online Programs category based on a variety of objective factors, such as student engagement, faculty credentials, as well as services and technologies.
“We understand that many adults are looking to return to school, but may face challenges with balancing work, family and other responsibilities,” said Dr. Elizabeth Gail Marsal, Associate Professor and Program Coordinator for Criminal Justice. “This recognition by U.S. News & World Report demonstrates the quality education that NCWU provides for online adult learners through practical and purpose-driven experiences. I’m honored that NC Wesleyan was the only private, nonprofit University in NC and one of only three schools total in NC to receive this ranking.”
NC Wesleyan’s Master of Science in Criminal Justice program offers many benefits including: rolling admissions with 100% online classes starting every eight weeks, finish in as little as 12 months, one-on-one mentoring, supportive faculty who have real-world experience offering applied assignments and career assistance. The program offers concentrations in Criminal Justice Administration or Criminal Justice Practice. North Carolina Wesleyan University is the only private, nonprofit higher education school in the region to offer a Master of Science in Criminal Justice. To learn more about admission requirements and curriculum information, visit ncwu.edu/cjmasters.
Designed for individuals looking to complete or further their education, this year’s edition of U.S. News & World Report evaluates more than 1,800 online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. The Best Online Programs include rankings of bachelor’s programs as well as the following master’s-level disciplines: MBA, business (non-MBA), computer information technology (including computer science), criminal justice/criminology, education, engineering and nursing. While the methodologies are different for each discipline, they all incorporate metrics specific to online learning. The rankings only include degree-granting programs that are offered primarily online by regionally accredited institutions.
“Most of the undergraduate programs in the Best Online Programs rankings are degree completion programs, meaning the vast majority of their students already have some college credit,” said Liana Loewus, managing editor of Education at U.S. News. “The methodologies are developed with those students in mind, setting these rankings apart from those that are focused on recent high school graduates pursuing higher education for the first time.”
Prospective students can see how NCWU compares to other institutions and how the rankings are calculated on USNews.com.
About U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report is the global leader in quality rankings that empower consumers, business leaders and policy officials to make better, more informed decisions about important issues affecting their lives and communities. A multifaceted digital media company with Education, Health, Money, Travel, Cars, News, Real Estate and 360 Reviews platforms, U.S. News provides rankings, independent reporting, data journalism, consumer advice and U.S. News Live events. More than 40 million people visit USNews.com each month for research and guidance. Founded in 1933, U.S. News is headquartered in Washington, D.C.
About North Carolina Wesleyan University
North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU) is a small, private Methodist-affiliated institution with a liberal arts-based core curriculum that prepares students for professional advancement, life-long learning and responsible participation in their communities. NCWU offers liberal arts, professional and graduate degree programs for traditional, transfer and working-adult students. The skills cultivated by faculty and built into the curriculum include critical thinking and reflection, communication, collaboration, and information technology. North Carolina Wesleyan University delivers education that is personal, practical and purpose-driven. Personal…through mentoring and the connections that are provided. Practical…by helping students develop lifelong skills. Purpose-driven…by helping them fulfill their purpose in life. With students from all over the United States and more than 40 different countries, the University has immense cultural diversity. To learn more, visit ncwu.edu and follow on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok and Instagram.
NCWU President Installed for Additional Five Years
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – The Executive Committee of North Carolina Wesleyan University’s Board of Trustees has extended a five-year contract renewal to Dr. Evan D. Duff, expanding his tenure until May 31, 2028.
Duff was appointed Acting President by the Board of Trustees in June 2019, later accepting a two-year contract as Interim President. In May 2020, he was appointed as President extending his contract for an additional two years. That extension positioned Duff as President through May 31, 2023.
“I am enthusiastic and appreciative for the opportunity to continue to serve this great institution for an additional five years. Working with our faculty, staff, Board of Trustees, alumni and community to enrich the lives of the students we serve is extremely rewarding,” stated Duff. “I look forward to our continued growth in graduate programming, while strengthening our undergraduate programs to reinforce theoretical and practical knowledge. Our collective vision is to become a regional university of excellence that equips traditional and adult learners with skills that prepare them for any career or life challenge.”
Since becoming President in 2019, Dr. Duff has led the school from a $2M deficit to a positive change in net assets through 2022, along with securing the highest level of giving in the history of NC Wesleyan. To position the institution for the future, a new vision and core values was established in 2019 and a five-year strategic plan was created with initiatives to improve student success, the financial foundation and Wesleyan’s connection to the community. During his leadership, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools- Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) reaffirmed the accreditation of North Carolina Wesleyan University through 2030. The University also attained accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP).
Experiencing one of the most difficult times in higher education during the COVID-19 pandemic, Duff actively worked with faculty and staff to develop a comprehensive strategy to reopen for in-person classes in fall 2020. He has also created student engagement activities, as well as an advisory council on diversity and inclusion. In just over three years as President, Dr. Duff has helped establish new degree programs such as RN to BSN, Master’s of Public Health, Healthcare Administration, Supply Chain Management and concentrations in the University’s MBA program. In spring 2022, a strategic marketing plan was developed to transition the College to a University with a new identity of Personal. Practical. Purpose-Driven.
Since 2019 Duff has been named a Top 10 Most Influential Education Leader by The Education Magazine (2021), completed a certificate in Employment Law from Cornell University (2021), received the Outstanding Leadership Award from Education 2.0 (2022), as well as became a certified Global Career Development Facilitator (2021) and Certified Career Services Provider (2022). Dr. Duff earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Mount Olive College, a master’s in administration from Central Michigan University and a doctorate in organizational leadership from Nova Southeastern University. He has served in multiple leadership roles at the University since 2011, including Provost and Vice President of Adult Studies.
Dr. Duff and his wife of 24 years, Marcy, have three sons and a daughter – Tyson, Landon, Peyton and Chloe. Tyson graduated Magna Cum Laude from NC Wesleyan in December 2022 with a degree in Marketing and minors in Cybercrime and Computer Information Systems. Landon currently has NCWU on his short list of schools to attend in fall 2023 and is active in the theater program at Rocky Mount Academy (RMA). Peyton and Chloe also attend RMA in the 8th and 7th grades, respectively. The two are active in competitive cheer and dance, they both play soccer for RMA, and Chloe plays volleyball for RMA as well. Marcy is a Talent Acquisition Specialist at Syneos Health. Their family enjoys worshiping at the various Methodist churches in Rocky Mount and visiting Rise Church, adjacent to NC Wesleyan, from time to time. The Duff family enjoys living on campus and supporting all things Wesleyan.
About North Carolina Wesleyan University
North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU) is a small, private Methodist-affiliated institution with a liberal arts-based core curriculum that prepares students for professional advancement, life-long learning and responsible participation in their communities. NCWU offers liberal arts, professional and graduate degree programs for traditional, transfer and working-adult students. The skills cultivated by faculty and built into the curriculum include critical thinking and reflection, communication, collaboration, and information technology. North Carolina Wesleyan University delivers education that is personal, practical and purpose-driven. Personal…through mentoring and the connections that are provided. Practical…by helping students develop lifelong skills. Purpose-driven…by helping them fulfill their purpose in life. With students from all over the United States and more than 40 different countries, the University has immense cultural diversity. To learn more, visit ncwu.edu and follow on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok and Instagram.
NCWU Shaw Learning Center Now Open
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – Construction recently wrapped up on North Carolina Wesleyan University’s new Shaw Learning Center. This facility was made possible by funds the University received from the Nancy A. Shaw Trust. Dr. Shaw was a successful physician with ties to Nash County. Her trust’s primary focus was to benefit the health and care of cats.
Back in 2020, NCWU announced that it had received an initial $2,500,000 from the Nancy A. Shaw Trust to invest in its science and pre-vet programs. In total, NC Wesleyan received over $4,000,000 from the trust which allowed for the construction of the Shaw Learning Center and the Shaw Environmental Center, currently under construction. In addition, these funds also allowed for endowed scholarships for Pre-Vet students and NCWU’s first Endowed Professorship was established. The inaugural Nancy A. Shaw Endowed Professor is Dr. Emily Weber who started in 2022 as an Assistant Professor of Biology. Dr. Weber holds a B.A. in Biology from Augustana University and a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Rochester.
The approximately 5,000-square-foot Shaw Learning Center is located behind the Welcome Center in the middle of campus and contains four classrooms and four offices. The facility provides students with unique learning opportunities, scientific initiatives and innovative ideas towards the care of felines. A unique feature of the facility is the cat lounge centrally located as guests enter the building.
The cat lounge will house approximately six to eight rescue or endowed cats from owners who have passed away. In addition to offering a serene space for these cats to live, there will also be space for students to study and socialize. Multiple research studies have shown that cats help reduce anxiety, stress and depression.
Over the past 20-25 years, there’s been a huge explosion in canine cognition research; however much less is understood about cats. There are only a small handful of cat cognition labs in existence. Therefore, the field is ripe for areas of investigation and contributions to animal research.
Dr. Dimitri Blondel, NCWU Assistant Professor of Biology and animal behaviorist, is interested in non-human animals, why they do the things they do and how they perceive their own world. In his second year at Wesleyan, he wants to find ways to expand into different exploration areas, such as human-cat interactions. He also aspires to sponsor student-directed research. Teaching an animal behavior class with a lab opens the door for him to hold these labs in the new cat lounge.
“Some of the research that I plan to conduct includes student-directed cat cognition studies. Studies such as these look at animal intelligence, how they receive information through their senses, learn and process the information. Can they understand speech and things like sense of fairness? Intelligence tests such as pointing exercises have shown that they can understand human pointing gestures. This means they have the potential for understanding other areas of cognition as well. Do they know their name, can they choose between a toy and food, how independent are they? All of which can help with training, owner interactions and the way we communicate with felines in general,” stated Dr. Blondel.
Another type of research that will take place in the Shaw Learning Center is behavioral endocrinology, which considers how hormones affect behavior. This is the use of fecal hormone assay to detect levels of stress hormones to determine if there is a connection between these hormones and their personalities. This research will allow NCWU students to determine cat IQs by studying how they learn and process information.
Individuals who are interested in endowing a cat, supporting the cat lounge through supplies, toys and food, or for the naming rights of the lounge should contact Mark Hinson, Sr. Executive for Philanthropic Engagement, at mhinson@ncwu.edu or 252.985.5145. NCWU is planning an official ribbon cutting for the new facility later this spring and hopes to rescue their first cat by summer 2023.
To support the well-being of the cats in our Shaw Learning Center Cat Lounge, Click HERE.
About North Carolina Wesleyan University
North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU) is a small, private Methodist-affiliated institution with a liberal arts-based core curriculum that prepares students for professional advancement, life-long learning and responsible participation in their communities. NCWU offers liberal arts, professional and graduate degree programs for traditional, transfer and working-adult students. The skills cultivated by faculty and built into the curriculum include critical thinking and reflection, communication, collaboration, and information technology. North Carolina Wesleyan University delivers education that is personal, practical and purpose-driven. Personal…through mentoring and the connections that are provided. Practical…by helping students develop lifelong skills. Purpose-driven…by helping them fulfill their purpose in life. With students from all over the United States and more than 40 different countries, the University has immense cultural diversity. To learn more, visit ncwu.edu and follow on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok and Instagram.
NCWU Teacher Education Program Receives Grant from NCDPI
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – North Carolina Wesleyan University’s Teacher Education Program recently received a $30,000 Education Preparation Program (EPP) grant from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s (NCDPI) Office of Exceptional Children. This Special Education Student Teaching Stipend will support two NCWU special education student teachers during the spring 2023 semester.
To be eligible for the stipend, students must be engaging in a special education student teaching opportunity during the 2022-23 school year in pursuit of a special education license. NC Wesleyan students, Chlorinda Lafranque and Taylor Webb, are the grant recipients and will student teach, respectively, at Benvenue and Winstead/Englewood Elementary schools.
In addition, this grant intends to:
- Increase the diversity of the special education teaching profession
- Retain special education teachers in North Carolina after successful completion of an NC Educator Preparation Program (EPP)
- Provide ongoing support for early-career special education teachers
- Develop a community of practice among a diverse set of early career teachers and their mentors
Dr. Patricia Brewer, NCWU Professor and Coordinator of Special Education, continues to highlight the program’s 100 percent licensure passage rate on the North Carolina Licensure PRAXIS Exam: Special Education Core Knowledge and Mild-to-Moderate. Dr. Brewer also recognizes the impact of the Students Helping Students Award-Winning Afterschool Program that provides opportunities for diversity in teaching and service-learning.
“We are so excited about this grant,” stated Dr. Brewer. “The funds will supplement students’ living costs and related expenses during student teaching.”
As a condition of accepting a stipend, each special education student teacher recipient agrees through an assurance agreement to seek employment in North Carolina for at least one full school year and actively participate in the NC Early Career NCDPI/Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) partnership.
About North Carolina Wesleyan University
North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU) is a small, private Methodist-affiliated institution with a liberal arts-based core curriculum that prepares students for professional advancement, life-long learning and responsible participation in their communities. NCWU offers liberal arts, professional and graduate degree programs for traditional, transfer and working-adult students. The skills cultivated by faculty and built into the curriculum include critical thinking and reflection, communication, collaboration, and information technology. North Carolina Wesleyan University delivers education that is personal, practical and purpose-driven. Personal…through mentoring and the connections that are provided. Practical…by helping students develop lifelong skills. Purpose-driven…by helping them fulfill their purpose in life. With students from all over the United States and more than 40 different countries, the University has immense cultural diversity. To learn more, visit ncwu.edu and follow on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok and Instagram.
NC Wesleyan Launches New Master’s Degree Program
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – North Carolina Wesleyan University has submitted the substantive change application for its new Master of Public Health* and Certificate of Graduate Study in Public Health programs to its regional accreditor, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
The 100% online Master of Public Health* program, with a concentration in Physical Activity and Health, will equip graduate students with the knowledge and skills to incorporate physical activity into the core of public health practice in order to improve the health of individuals, communities and populations. It is comprised of 42 graduate-level credit hours, including 20 hours of core public health courses, 15 hours of concentration-specific courses, and 7 hours of experiential and integrated learning courses. Students will learn from world-renowned and accomplished faculty that mentor them through the latest research and practical applications in public health.
“We are excited to add our third graduate program, the Master of Public Health (MPH), and our first certificate of graduate study (Public Health) at NCWU. Wesleyan will be the first in the state of North Carolina to offer an MPH with an emphasis in physical activity and health,” stated Dr. Shannon Crowley, Associate Professor of Exercise Science and MPH Program Director. “Students in the program will learn the foundational concepts of public health, in addition to gaining the knowledge and skills necessary to integrate the health-promoting concepts of physical activity into public health programs, interventions and policies. Considering that physical inactivity is one of the leading risk factors for chronic disease, this program is uniquely poised to equip future public health professionals with the tools necessary to make significant positive impacts on the health of their communities.”
A major focus of the program is to connect students to practical, hands-on experiences in public health by working directly with community partners. In this manner, students have the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills gained in their MPH courses to real-world public health practice, while simultaneously helping to improve the health of their communities. During the MPH program, students will complete their public health practicum in one of a variety of public health-related sites such as community centers, parks and recreation departments, government and nonprofit organizations, grass-roots organizations, public health research, university wellness centers, large healthcare systems and schools.
Through the institution’s Integrated 4+1 MPH program, undergraduate students from North Carolina Wesleyan University can graduate with both a bachelor’s degree and a Master of Public Health degree in only five years. The integrated 4+1 MPH option is intended for highly motivated undergraduate students interested in pursuing an MPH degree after their undergraduate program. Students also save on tuition because they pay the undergraduate tuition rate for the first year of the MPH program. Students must apply to the integrated 4+1 MPH program during the Junior year of their undergraduate degree at NCWU and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 at the time of application.
The University will also offer a Certificate of Graduate Study in Public Health. This certificate provides students with an opportunity to broaden their understanding of public health, supplement another degree, enhance their current professional or clinical skills, or prepare for further graduate study. While the certificate program can be completed in two semesters, students have three years from the start of the program to finish.
For more information, visit ncwu.edu/master-of-public-health or contact the Office of Adult Studies, at adultstudies@ncwu.edu.
About North Carolina Wesleyan University
North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU) is a small, private Methodist-affiliated institution with a liberal arts-based core curriculum that prepares students for professional advancement, life-long learning and responsible participation in their communities. NCWU offers liberal arts, professional and graduate degree programs for traditional, transfer and working-adult students. The skills cultivated by faculty and built into the curriculum include critical thinking and reflection, communication, collaboration, and information technology. North Carolina Wesleyan University delivers education that is personal, practical and purpose-driven. Personal…through mentoring and the connections that are provided. Practical…by helping students develop lifelong skills. Purpose-driven…by helping them fulfill their purpose in life. With students from all over the United States and more than 40 different countries, the University has immense cultural diversity. To learn more, visit ncwu.edu and follow on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok and Instagram.
NC Wesleyan Receives Grant to Fund iBelong Male Mentoring Program℠
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – North Carolina Wesleyan University was recently awarded a grant from NC Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU) to help fund the iBelong Male Mentoring Program℠. The grant will be utilized to create opportunities for black male students to engage in a variety of activities that offer academic learning, emotional support, job readiness preparation, and cultural experiences such as field trips, movie nights and counseling sessions.
The NCICU iBelong Male Mentoring Program℠ provides funding to implement strategies designed to increase the retention and graduation rates of minority males at member campuses through mentoring, life coaching and educational forums. NC Wesleyan University joins 13 other NCICU campuses with iBelong Male Mentoring Programs. Dr. Kelvin Spragley, NCWU’s Director of Teacher Education and Coordinator of Diversity and Inclusion Programming is providing leadership for this initiative.
“Mentoring programs for college and university students have been proven effective at increasing engagement, as well as persistence and completion rates for participants. This is especially true for male students of color,” stated Dr. Kelvin Spragley. “Studies have shown that African-American students have very different experiences than their majority colleagues, among these are feelings of isolation and lower levels of campus engagement. I’m honored to help guide and mentor these young men through their college experience.”
The iBelong Male Mentoring Program℠ at NC Wesleyan University is working through Black Men Winning, a recently created student organization devoted to uplifting and assisting African-American males in a holistic manner. The Black Men Winning student organization has already scheduled activities for the spring 2023 term, including a field trip to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, a Motivational Speaker Forum, Interview Workshops, STEM Forum Participation, and a Policing and the Black Community Forum. Currently, the program has 21 participants. For more information about the program, including how to partner with the University in this initiative, please contact Dr. Spragley at kspragley@ncwu.edu.
About North Carolina Wesleyan University
North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU) is a small, private Methodist-affiliated institution with a liberal arts-based core curriculum that prepares students for professional advancement, life-long learning and responsible participation in their communities. NCWU offers liberal arts, professional and graduate degree programs for traditional, transfer and working-adult students. The skills cultivated by faculty and built into the curriculum include critical thinking and reflection, communication, collaboration, and information technology. North Carolina Wesleyan University delivers education that is personal, practical and purpose-driven. Personal…through mentoring and the connections that are provided. Practical…by helping students develop lifelong skills. Purpose-driven…by helping them fulfill their purpose in life. With students from all over the United States and more than 40 different countries, the University has immense cultural diversity. To learn more, visit ncwu.edu and follow on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok and Instagram.
NC Wesleyan Alumna Establishes New Endowed Scholarship
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – Nancy S. Parker, a 1970 graduate of North Carolina Wesleyan, has fully funded the new Nancy S. Parker Endowment at NCWU. The scholarship will be awarded to NCWU students, preferably majoring in Math or Education, from Halifax or Northampton Counties in North Carolina.
After graduating from NC Wesleyan with a bachelor’s degree in Math, Ms. Parker went on to become a middle school and high school Math teacher with the Roanoke Rapids Graded School District for 30 years. When asked why she established the Nancy S. Parker Endowment, she responded, “Back in 1966, I couldn’t afford to attend college. However, I arrived at NC Wesleyan because of the financial aid and other scholarships I received. I was able to fulfill my dream of attending a four-year college.” She further emphasized, “This is my way of paying it forward. I wouldn’t trade my time at Wesleyan for any other experience. I was able to live a very good life and I want to help other students have the same opportunity.”
In the event there are no students majoring in Math or Education, the Nancy S. Parker Endowed Scholarship will be available for other incoming freshmen and upper-class students to apply. The recipient should maintain good personal character, as well as an overall 2.5 GPA.
About North Carolina Wesleyan University
North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU) is a small, private Methodist-affiliated institution with a liberal arts-based core curriculum that prepares students for professional advancement, life-long learning and responsible participation in their communities. NCWU offers liberal arts, professional and graduate degree programs for traditional, transfer and working-adult students. The skills cultivated by faculty and built into the curriculum include critical thinking and reflection, communication, collaboration, and information technology. North Carolina Wesleyan University delivers education that is personal, practical and purpose-driven. Personal…through mentoring and the connections that are provided. Practical…by helping students develop lifelong skills. Purpose-driven…by helping them fulfill their purpose in life. With students from all over the United States and more than 40 different countries, the University has immense cultural diversity. To learn more, visit ncwu.edu and follow on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok and Instagram.
