The impact of a great teacher lasts a lifetime, and at North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU), aspiring educators are gaining the experience, knowledge, and values to make that impact from day one. Colleges of Distinction has honored NCWU with the 2025-2026 Education College of Distinction award, recognizing its proven ability to graduate confident, compassionate, and classroom-ready teachers.
“In a field where the stakes are high and the landscape constantly evolving, NCWU has built a program that blends strong academic foundations with real-world practice,” said Tyson Schritter, Chief Operating Officer at Colleges of Distinction. “They’re equipping future educators with the tools and heart to lead diverse classrooms with care.”
This national recognition is based on the institution’s demonstrated excellence in key areas, including:
- Stability – The School of Education has a longstanding presence, operating for at least 10 years with consistent enrollment and an established number of degrees awarded annually.
- Accreditation – The NCWU Education Programs holds regional accreditation from AAQEP, or the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation. Additionally, the NCWU Teacher Education Program is accredited by the state of North Carolina
- Multidisciplinarity – The Education Program offers students the opportunity to specialize in three or more distinct disciplines (Specifically, students can earn a license to teach in one of the following content areas: Elementary Education, K-6; Middle Grades, 6-9 (Math, Science, Social Studies, or English/Language Arts), Secondary, 9-12 (Math, Biology Social Studies, English), and Special Education, K-12).
- Practical Experience – Starting from the first year, students in the Education Program engage in real-world teaching experiences, including urban and rural settings, diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, and different school sizes.
- Non-Education Specialization – The Education Program requires students to graduate with a minor, emphasis, specialization, or related credential in a subject they intend to teach professionally.
- Dedicated Advising and Counseling – The Education Program provides high-quality academic advising, major-specific advising, and career advising tailored to Education majors.
- High-Impact Practices – Students in the Education Program enhance their undergraduate studies through high-impact practices such as common intellectual experiences in methodology and content, undergraduate research, diverse learning opportunities in and out of the classroom, common first-year experiences such as seminar attendance and field placement experiences of at least 30 hours in a respective school, writing-intensive courses, collaborative assignments and projects, service-/community-based learning like tutoring in our Award Winning After School Program, living-learning communities, internships, and capstone courses and projects.
- Industry Connections – Students enrolled in the Education Program have numerous opportunities to establish professional connections in their field through job placement, internships, co-op opportunities, advisory councils, and networking activities.
Dr. Kelvin Spragley, NCWU Director of Teacher Education and Chief Diversity Officer, states “The NCWU Teacher Education program has consistently proven that the personal and professional relationships developed between faculty and students are our formula for success. It is with this model in mind that we will continue our efforts at producing the next generation of quality, licensed teacher”.
Through these program elements, students are learning how to inspire, adapt, and lead. The Education Program at NCWU reflects the core belief that teaching is both a profession and a calling.
To learn more about NCWU’s award-winning programs, visit https://collegesofdistinction.com/school/north-carolina-wesleyan-university/.
About Colleges of Distinction
Since 2000, Colleges of Distinction has been committed to recognizing schools across the United States for their exceptional contributions to higher education. Member institutions within the Colleges of Distinction consortium distinguish themselves through their unwavering focus on providing an outstanding undergraduate experience. Their website offers dynamic college profiles, customized tools, and valuable resources for students, parents, and high school counselors. For more information and to discover how to become a College of Distinction, visit CollegesofDistinction.com.
Wesleyan Donors Provide “Heaven Sent” Initiative
In the spirit of compassion, generosity, and belief in second chances, North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU) is proud to share the profound impact of a new Angel Donor Initiative supporting adult learners through the University’s Adult Professional Studies (APS) Scholarship Fund.
Over the past two weeks, the initiative, sparked by the generosity of NCWU supporters, has helped 13 adult students overcome financial barriers that threatened to derail their education. These timely gifts allowed students to pay current or future balances, register for upcoming courses, and remain on track toward graduation.
Over the past two weeks, the initiative, sparked by the generosity of NCWU supporters, has helped 13 adult students overcome financial barriers that threatened to derail their education. These timely gifts allowed students to pay current or future balances, register for upcoming courses, and remain on track toward graduation.
For many recipients, this support arrived at a critical moment. More than 75% of the students who were assisted had exhausted their federal financial aid eligibility due to life interruptions, prior enrollment attempts, or unforeseen hardships. Others were navigating deeply personal crises, including homelessness, the loss of a parent, recovery from a massive stroke, or job loss tied to a government shutdown.
“These gifts were not just scholarships; they were lifelines,” said Katie Farrell, Dean of Adult and Professional Studies. “They met students where they were and provided exactly what was needed at exactly the right time.”
Turning Deferred Dreams into Degrees
The immediate outcomes of the Angel Donor initiative are powerful and measurable:
- A Healthcare Administration student described the support as “Heaven-sent,” allowing her to complete the final course needed to graduate in May 2026.
- Multiple Educational Studies and Leadership students were able to overcome financial barriers. This funding not only prevented delays but also accelerated degree completion and career trajectories, allowing future educators to enter the classroom sooner, helping address critical workforce gaps in education across the region.
Stability During Life’s Hardest Moments
Some stories speak not only to academic persistence, but to human resilience:
- A Leadership student, also a retired grandmother, unexpectedly assumed custody of three grandchildren and experienced temporary homelessness. She used the funds to secure housing, cover tuition, meet basic needs, and create a modest holiday for her family.
- A Criminal Justice student experiencing homelessness was able to remain enrolled and complete her final credits.
- A police officer finishing a Criminal Justice degree received support during the loss of his father.
- A Leadership student, a recently elected Town Commissioner recovering from a massive stroke, was able to continue his education while focusing on recovery and community service.
While this summary highlights selected stories shared with permission, additional funds continue to be distributed to other deserving students whose privacy is being respectfully protected.
A Season of Hope
The Angel Donor initiative affirms NC Wesleyan’s unwavering commitment to adult learners, students who balance education with work, family, and life’s unexpected challenges. Through strategic, compassionate support, the University is proving that persistence paired with opportunity can change lives.
As the holiday season approaches, these gifts stand as a reminder that generosity can be transformational, not someday, but today.
NC Wesleyan extends its deepest gratitude to the Angel Donors whose belief in students made these life-altering moments possible.
NC Wesleyan Marks Historic 100% edTPA Success
North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU) is proud to announce a major achievement within its Teacher Education program: every NCWU student who submitted the edTPA assessment this semester earned a passing score, marking a 100% pass rate on one of the most rigorous teacher preparation assessments in the nation.
This milestone follows a 10-month institutional transition to edTPA, a nationally benchmarked performance assessment used to evaluate teacher readiness. Despite the challenges of implementing a new system, both traditional and Adult & Professional Studies (APS) students excelled—demonstrating the strength, resilience, and adaptability of Wesleyan’s future educators.
“Our students met an incredibly high standard, and they did it with determination, professionalism, and heart,” said Dr. Kelvin L. Spragley, Associate Professor of Education and Director of Teacher Education. “This accomplishment reaffirms that NC Wesleyan’s Teacher Education program is equipped to meet the needs of all learners and to prepare exceptional teachers for North Carolina’s classrooms.”
Dr. Joe Lane, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, emphasized the broader impact of this achievement on the region and state:
“Our Education faculty and students are truly building an extraordinary record. North Carolina Wesleyan University is committed to filling the much-publicized teacher shortage in our region’s public schools with inspiring and fully credentialed teachers who will raise the bar for classroom instruction in North Carolina.”
For some students, passing edTPA brings them one step closer to earning a clear North Carolina teaching license; for others—including Samantha Winstead, Grant Harrell, and Geovanni Dixon—it represents the completion of their final licensure requirement.
Dr. Spragley also recognized the collective effort behind the success, praising faculty and staff across departments who supported students throughout the demanding assessment process—from academic mentoring to technical assistance and data coordination.
Dr. Spragley praised not only the students’ perseverance but also the collaborative effort of faculty and staff who supported them throughout this demanding semester. He acknowledged:
- Dr. Hart for designing the internal edTPA infrastructure and supporting a dual-responsibility student;
- Drs. Brewer and Collins for guiding the first cohort, including APS students and those completing the Special Education portfolio;
- Dr. Gary and Mrs. Credle for serving as portfolio readers;
- Dr. Sundbom, Ms. McKinney, and Allen Meszaros from IT for hands-on assistance during the submission process—twice;
- Mrs. Lamm for her stewardship of edTPA data and communications.
“This semester stretched all of us,” Spragley noted. “But our shared commitment to excellence carried us through. As we celebrate this accomplishment, we also look ahead to next semester with optimism and a continued dedication to preparing great teachers.”
NC Wesleyan University congratulates its students, faculty, and staff on this exceptional achievement—a powerful testament to the University’s growing reputation for academic rigor, professional preparation, and student success.
NCWU Celebrates 10th Anniversary of an Award-Winning Afterschool Program
North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU) hosted a special celebration on Saturday, March 29, to mark the 10th Anniversary of its Award-Winning Afterschool Program. The event, held on the Southern Bank Green at the heart of campus, brought together community members, faculty, students, and program supporters to recognize a decade of impact in education.
The celebration featured an invocation, greetings, and reflections from esteemed speakers, including Deon Bailey, Joylette Whitaker, Dr. Chad Ross, Sarah Turner, Dr. Patricia Brewer, and Dr. Kelvin Spragley. In addition to the esteemed speakers were testimonials from the students and their parents, covering their challenges and successes in the program. Attendees also enjoyed games, activities, and a parade to conclude the event.
The Afterschool Tutorial Initiative was launched in February 2015 through NCWU’s Teacher Education Program in collaboration with the Association for the Learning Disabled and Handicapped (ALDH). The initiative was created in response to the growing need for intensive, specialized services for K-12 students with learning differences. Through strong partnerships with parents, Nash and Edgecombe County Schools, and ALDH, the program quickly became a vital resource for students and their families.
Over the years, the program has evolved into an integrated clinical lab, utilizing research-based practices in math and reading. NCWU students enrolled in the Introduction to Exceptional Children (SPE 300) course work directly with K-12 students, providing individualized training and resources to enhance learning outcomes. These pre-service educators gain valuable experience by applying social learning strategies, tracking progress, conducting parent-student conferences, and developing accommodations tailored to each child’s educational plan.
Dr. Patricia Brewer, Executive Director of the Afterschool Program, plays a crucial role in coordinating instruction and providing advocacy training for parents. These advocacy sessions equip families with tools and strategies to support their children’s academic success, including simulated parent conferences and specialized training modules.
Since its inception, the program has celebrated numerous student achievements. Two high school graduates have already launched successful career paths—one securing employment at Amazon in Cary, N.C., and another completing welding training at Wayne Community College in Goldsboro, N.C. Additionally, many participating students have earned local, state, and national recognition for their academic, social, and emotional growth. In April 2024, the Award-Winning Program was featured in the national newspaper Education Week, addressing educator preparation programs on parent and family engagement.
The Afterschool Program was designated as an award-winning initiative by the National Education Association and the NC Student Association of Educators in 2016. Over the past decade, 31 students have participated in the program, with seven publications showcasing its impact.
NCWU remains committed to fostering student success through innovative and inclusive educational programs. The University is proud to celebrate this milestone and looks forward to continuing to make a difference in the lives of students for years to come.
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.
NCWU Collaborates with Rocky Mount Prep
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU) has partnered with Rocky Mount Preparatory School (Rocky Mount Prep) to offer educational opportunities to their employees who are pursuing their Teaching License with NCWU’s Teacher Education Program. This opportunity is available to those seeking teacher licensure as a Residency Student, as a bachelor’s-only student, those pursuing a second bachelor’s degree, or for those seeking tutoring support for licensure exam preparation.
“This partnership with Rocky Mount Prep provides an invaluable opportunity to support our local school systems and the teachers that have a direct impact on future generations,” noted Katie Farrell, Associate Dean of Strategy, Partnerships & Assessment at NC Wesleyan. “We have enjoyed witnessing the support the Rocky Mount Prep administrators provide to their teachers and look forward to helping these teachers grow in their profession.”
Rocky Mount Prep staff who apply to North Carolina Wesleyan University in pursuit of a degree and/or teacher licensure, must do so via the University’s Adult & Professional Studies Program. Those who are accepted will receive a discounted tuition rate through one of two scholarships: a Public Service Scholarship equating to 10% of the total semester tuition or NC Wesleyan alumni will receive a scholarship equivalent to 50% of tuition. In addition, Rocky Mount Prep is supporting their employees’ pursuit by offering a $4,000 per year tuition reimbursement.
“We know the importance of having highly-qualified and well-supported teachers in our classroom. We pride ourselves on a strong culture of support for our team members. At Rocky Mount Prep, we have an amazing team that serves diligently every day and shares invaluable experiences with our scholars in support of their academic attainment,” said Dr. Chaunte Garrett, Rocky Mount Prep Superintendent. “We are delighted to partner with NCWU to support the teacher development pipeline in this region and to offer our current team members, and any new team members who want to become highly-qualified teachers, the opportunity to do so. It is a win for Rocky Mount Prep and NCWU, but most importantly it will have a great impact on our region.”
North Carolina Wesleyan University’s Teacher Education Program will provide exclusive tutoring assistance at a rate of $35 per hour for Rocky Mount Prep staff. Tutoring services will be provided face-to-face or virtually via a third party or by NCWU Teacher Education faculty.
In addition, Rocky Mount Prep will promote the partnership to all staff and provide the option for NCWU Teacher Education students to gain practical training experience and observe live classes. Dr. Garrett mentioned that “Team Rocky Mount Prep is a diverse family of educators with several of our teachers scoring in the top 25% of teachers in the state in scholar academic growth. We are glad to share this wealth of knowledge with future educators.”
“This seamless partnership provides a wonderful opportunity to enlarge the pool of licensed and highly-qualified teachers to educate North Carolina’s K-12 students,” stated Dr. Kelvin Spragley, NCWU’s Director of Teacher Education.
During their time observing live classes and teaching techniques at Rocky Mount Prep, NC Wesleyan’s Teacher Education students will also have the chance to be trained as North Carolina Education Corps tutors for Rocky Mount Prep. North Carolina Education Corps partners with local public school units to recruit, train, and support corps members to accelerate learning and provide support for students. Corps members are employed by schools to work part-time as high-impact literacy tutors grounded in the science of reading and reading instruction.
About Rocky Mount Prep
Rocky Mount Prep is a tuition-free public charter school. Rocky Mount Prep educates scholars from Kindergarten to 12th grade from school districts across the Eastern North Carolina Region. Our instructional model serves the whole child in alignment with our mission “to educate, equip, and empower each scholar to excel.” The school is accepting applications for enrollment for the 2022-2023 school year. To learn more, visit rmprep.org.
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 University Earns National Accreditation of Teacher Education Program
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – The Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) has awarded full 7-year accreditation to North Carolina Wesleyan University’s Teacher Education program.
After reviewing the evidence collected through a process of self-study and peer review, the AAQEP Accreditation Commission issued the decision at its June 10 meeting along with the following rationale:
The Commission evaluated the program’s evidence for each AAQEP standard and determined that all four standards are met. Completers of the program are prepared to work effectively as professional educators who are able to adapt to different contexts and to grow professionally. The Teacher Education Program analyzes evidence of its effectiveness and makes revisions to benefit candidates, maintaining a high level of quality in a small and personalized program. In addition, the program engages with stakeholders and partners to strengthen the local P-20 education system.
North Carolina Wesleyan University’s teacher candidates learn to engage in data-driven decision making and become action-oriented, culturally responsive professionals. The program deploys evidence-based practices to support and empower P-12 students and their families while developing candidates’ growth as educators.
“Congratulations to NC Wesleyan and to all of the faculty, staff, and stakeholders who have achieved their goal of national accreditation by AAQEP,” said AAQEP President and CEO Mark LaCelle-Peterson. “The University’s commitment to this program’s strength supports the deep engagement of faculty with families and communities and personalized guidance for teacher candidates.”
National accreditation assures the quality of professional preparation programs through a nongovernmental, nonregulatory process of self-study and peer review. This standards- and evidence-based process serves two broad aims: accountability and continuous improvement. The AAQEP model is also designed to honor local context and foster innovation and collaboration among institutions. AAQEP currently has members in 30 states and other jurisdictions with over 180 educator preparation providers participating in the accreditation system.
“Being accredited by AAQEP ensures our Teacher Education program candidates that they are going to receive high quality preparation as they journey into the profession. As an agency, AAQEP requires that we provide evidence that our students are prepared to work with diverse populations, external partners, and are grounded in content knowledge and education theory,” stated Dr. Kelvin Spragley, Director of Teacher Education at NC Wesleyan. “As a result of meeting these requirements, our graduates have a 100% pass rate on licensure tests and 100% job placement.”
About AAQEP
Founded in 2017, AAQEP is a membership association and quality assurance agency that provides accreditation services and formative support to all types of educator preparation providers. The organization promotes excellent, effective, and innovative educator preparation that is committed to evidence-based improvement in a collaborative professional environment. AAQEP is nationally recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Visit aaqep.org for more information.
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.
