Our New Front Desk Workers

This month we welcomed our first transfer student front desk workers here in Admissions in James Hall. We love the opportunity to have a multitude of student types and diversity represented in our students and Darius and Drew are already outstanding members of our team. Here is a little bit more about them:

 

    My name is Drew (left), I’m 23 and was born and raised right here in North Carolina. I am a Communication Studies major focusing on Public Relations and minoring in History.  I transferred to UNCW last Fall and started working as a Transfer to Teal guide almost immediately.  More recently I became a mentor for our Teal Bridge program, as well as a worker here at the front desk of the Office of Admissions.  The University and my Department have been nothing but welcoming and inclusive.  I’ve enjoyed my time here at UNCW immensely, and am looking forward to seeing what the next year has in store for me!

 

    My name is Darius (right), I am a 24 year old North Carolina native as well as an avid outdoorsman.  I can usually be found out on one of Wilmington's many waterways or deep in the woods during the hunting seasons.  I chose the coastal life of Wilmington as a change of pace after growing up in the shade of the Appalachian Mountains.  I have served multiple tours of combat duty while enlisted in the United States Air Force and am now pursuing a degree in Geography now that I am off of active duty.  I chose Geography because I have always been mesmerized by the global crises I've encountered in my many trips abroad.  Satellite sensors allow for users to assess and solve problems from thousands of miles away without the need to step foot on ground.   I really enjoy the environment UNCW offers, not to mention the outreach it extends to veterans and their needs. 

Summer Fun in the Port City!

 Much like our campus, there is no shortage of unique activities to do here in the city of Wilmington.  Especially during the summer, Wilmington has a variety of things to do that are priced with the students in mind…..some events are even free!  So whether you are taking classes or just looking to spend a relaxing summer at the Dub, rest assured you will certainly be entertained. 

Take a look below at two of the most popular summer activities in the Port City!

Wilmington Sharks Baseball

Love enjoying the summer weather at the ballpark?  Every summer, the Wilmington Sharks take the field down at Legion Stadium.  The Sharks are a part of the Coastal Plain League, one of many collegiate summer leagues that allow college baseball players to hone their skills in the off-season.  The Sharks offer an exciting atmosphere and chance to see future major-leaguers. You can catch them beginning in the end of May and continuing until the beginning of August.  And the best part- general admission is only $6.50!  Take a bite out of summer with the Wilmington Sharks!

For more information, please visit www.wilmingtonsharks.com!

 

Downtown Sundown Summer Concert Series

 

If live music is your more your style, you’ll find no shortage of concerts in the Wilmington area.  Each summer, Wilmington Downtown, Inc. hosts a summer concert series called “Downtown Sundown.” Downtown Sundown occurs every Friday starting in late May and continuing through late August.  Each week features live music from an opening act beginning at 6pm, with the headliner taking the stage at 8pm.  The main acts feature amazing tribute bands that look, sound, and act like the real thing, and many of these bands specifically request to play Downtown Sundown each year thanks to the enthusiasm of local Wilmingtonians.  Downtown Sundown takes place at Riverfront Park in our historic downtown area, right on the water across from the Battleship North Carolina, and is completely free!

For more information on Downtown Sundown and other great summer activities, visit www.wilmingtondowntown.com/ or www.wilmingtonnc.gov/!

 

Bookstore Scholarship Winner!

Short answer contest winner Jaron Douglas receiving his
$100 UNCW Bookstore Scholarship from
admission coordinator  LaTasha Jones 

Jaron Douglas, an incoming freshman for Fall 2014, recently won a scholarship to the UNCW Bookstore worth $100!  Jaron's answer was the winner to the application short essay question of "Why Do You Want to Attend UNCW?"  He was awarded the scholarship during the spring visit day for admitted students, "Dare to Soar," held April 5.

Jaron is from Lumberton, North Carolina, and graduated from Lumberton High School on June 1.  We interviewed him to find out more about about this dynamic young man.

UNCW: When and how did you first discover UNCW?
Jaron:  Around age 16, during high school, I heard different students talking about UNCW, so it created my interest in learning more.

UNCW: When did you first visit the campus?
Jaron:  This past September, during my senior year.

UNCW:  How did you feel when you were notified that you won?
Jaron:  I was a little confused at first, since I didn't know about the contest and wasn't sure what I won, but then very excited when I found out!

UNCW:  What are your favorite academic subjects?
Jaron:  I like science a lot, especially biology. I'm also interested in chemistry, but mostly biology. And history, specifically World War II. It's interesting how different countries came together, how Germany got so far and then it came crashing down.

UNCW: What are your interests and hobbies?
Jaron:  Playing soccer and swimming.  My favorite soccer team is USA, of course!  And Spain. I was part of the swim team during my junior year, and now for the first time this summer, I'm a lifeguard at a community pool.

UNCW: Do you have any career areas you're thinking of exploring?
Jaron:  Biology since I've always wanted to be a doctor.  My family doctor has been a role model since he comes from the same family background that I do, with many challenges. He's an inspiration; I've job shadowed with him and done some volunteer work. He's a great doctor.

UNCW: Do you have a desire to study abroad?
Jaron:  Yes, in Germany, because of my interest in World War II. It sounds like an interesting place and I'm drawn to the entire culture.

UNCW: What organizations do you think you might like to join at UNCW?
Jaron: Club sports like soccer, Student Ambassadors, and maybe a fraternity.

UNCW: What are you most looking forward to about being a Seahawk?
Jaron:  Being a part of the UNCW atmosphere!  I got a strong sense of that at Orientation. The students are positive, friendly and upbeat -- it brings people out of their shell and makes you want to be involved and engaged.  It's a great place to grow.  And Wilmington is not just a college town, but also a beach town.  UNCW is the best college in North Carolina and has the most beautiful campus!

* * *

Congratulations Jaron!  We are looking forward to you joining the UNCW campus community in August!

"Green Zone"

My co-worker and I recently had the opportunity to make the trip up to Eastern Carolina University to attend their “Green Zone” training alongside representatives from other public 4-year and 2-year schools in the state. The intention is to encourage each institution to adapt the training to their own schools’ needs and implement at the earliest convenience.

So- What is Green Zone?

Green Zone training was created by the Student Veteran Services office at ECU to provide staff, faculty and students a strong foundation for understanding and serving military affiliated students. Being a military spouse myself, I understand the unique challenges of living the military life and dealing with the good and the bad that comes along with it. 

Schools across the country are facing an influx of military affiliated students as armed conflict comes to an end and each branch faces drawbacks and a reduction in force. North Carolina has the third largest concentration of veterans in the country (750K). The incoming class each year at UNCW has been consistently 20% military affiliated the last few years and we anticipate that number to grow. While we have many policies in place that make us a military-friendly institution, providing staff and faculty training is the next big step in continuing to provide the best service and fostering the success of military affiliated students across our campuses. 

The training included: military terminology, the military experience, the emotional cycle of deployment, suicide prevention, transitioning from military to academic life, PTSD/TBI, institution specific services, what veterans want us to know, how to welcome vets to campus, privacy, and what we can do as staff and faculty to support these students. While we had two presenters guiding us through the material, the main focus came from the panel of current ECU students with varying experiences in the military (active duty, National Guard, Army, Marine Corps, spouse, deployments, no deployments, medically separated, etc.). 

After our training we had the opportunity to have a round table discussion about issues and triumphs at our own institutions and were given a tour of the new Student Veterans Services office on their campus. The staff and faculty that work most closely with military affiliated students on campuses across the state were able to take away great information and ideas to better serve this student population and it is a testament to the fact that our schools are dedicated to Serving those Who Serve. 

Amanda Parkstone

Transfer Admissions Coordinator