News in Education
Haywood Community College Foundation expands Haywood Strong Scholarship
The Haywood Community College Foundation has expanded the Haywood Strong Scholarship program to support current Haywood Community College students who have been impacted by Hurricane Helene.
The Haywood Strong Scholarship was initially established in 2023 to support the employees impacted by the Pactiv Evergreen mill closure. Funds from this scholarship were used to help mill employees who were looking to return to school. Now, our community is facing another significant need resulting from the impacts of Hurricane Helene.
The HCC Foundation board overwhelmingly agreed to continue this scholarship and expand it to support students facing an emergency financial need from hurricane impacts. Scholarship funds can be used for household supplies, gas and transportation, groceries and much more.
The application for this scholarship is easy to complete and can be found at haywood.edu/helene.
Julie Miller Denesha joins WCU Advancement to support College of Engineering, Technology
Julie Miller Denesha, former associate director of athletics for development at Western Carolina University, has joined the WCU Division of Advancement as director of development and corporate partnerships for the College of Engineering and Technology.
Denesha comes to the Division of Advancement with more than 14 years of experience in development and fundraising. She previously served as associate director of athletics for development at WCU since August 2021, overseeing the Catamount Club and serving as the Division of Athletics’ primary contact for numerous donors, corporate partners and local businesses.
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She also focused on the discovery, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of donors to Catamount Athletics, with an emphasis on leadership gifts in support of WCU’s ongoing “Fill the Western Sky” comprehensive fundraising campaign. An effort to raise a minimum of $75 million in support of the university’s academic, student engagement and athletics programs, the campaign has a significant emphasis on raising money to support enhancements to athletics facilities.
Denesha returned to WCU after a stint at Arizona State University, where she served as director of major gifts for the Sun Devils athletics program from February 2015 until December 2017. She was promoted to senior director of major gifts and engagement at Arizona State in December 2017, continuing in that role before rejoining the Catamount athletics administration in August 2021.
She previously worked in the WCU Division of Athletics from 2011 to 2015, first as assistant director of development for athletics and later as associate director of development. Denesha, who first came to WCU in 2010 as an intern, earned her bachelor’s degree in communications at the University of South Carolina-Upstate where she was a member of the women’s golf team.
After ranking expansion of its engineering programs as its top legislative priority, WCU received $95.3 million for a new engineering building from the North Carolina General Assembly in the 2023-2025 biennial state budget and another $3.5 million in recurring funds to expand programming in the College of Engineering and Technology.
DAR essay contest scholarship opportunities available
Members of the Hugh Rogers Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution have been delivering information packets to local elementary, middle and high school teachers over the past few weeks. These packets outline upcoming essay and video contests for fifth through twelfth graders, and DAR scholarship opportunities for rising high school seniors and college students.
All fifth through twelfth graders in Haywood County are invited to participate in the essay and video contests, whether they attend public school, charter school, private school or are home-schooled. For additional information teachers, parents or students can visit the Hugh Rogers Facebook page at facebook.com/hughrogers dar or reach out to Maureen O’Brien at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The deadline for all contest submissions is Nov. 4, 2024.
In addition to the local contests, the national organization of Daughters of the American Revolution offers 26 different scholarships for high school seniors and college students. To learn more about what’s available and how to apply for a DAR scholarship, students should visit their website at dar.org/national-society/scholarships.
Haywood Community College welcomes new trustees
The Haywood Community College Board of Directors is made up of 12 members who provide oversight for the college. Each are appointed by a governing body for a four-year term. During the August board meeting, two new members were sworn in to join the board, and one member was welcomed to serve a second term for the college.
Jon Overbay is welcomed to the board, having served on the HCC Foundation board for nine years, seven of those as board chair. He was appointed by the North Carolina Senate. Jon considers himself a native of Haywood County, and after leaving the area only for a short time to attend college, found himself back in the area in 2010 to start his business.
John Wadsworth has been a resident of North Carolina for over 35 years and was appointed by the North Carolina House. He began his educational journey at a Community College before obtaining his bachelor’s degree and encourages others to follow a similar path to gain college experience, especially if students aren’t sure about their future direction.
Tammy Hall McDowell was appointed by the Haywood County Board of Commissioners after completing her first term by another appointing agency. She has served on the HCC Board of Directors since 2020 and looks forward to continuing her service. She is excited to be part of the excellent endeavors that HCC is embarking upon.
Haywood schools receives state recognition
On Aug. 1, Haywood County Schools received special recognition during the State Board of Education meeting by North Carolina’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, Catherine Truitt. In her address, Mrs. Truitt presented statewide data for DIBELS 8 testing in grades K-3.
DIBELS 8th Edition consists of short (one-minute) fluency measures used for universal screening, benchmark assessment and progress monitoring from kindergarten through fifth grade. These measures provide educators with benchmarks to assess the status and progress of all students (source: University of Oregon).
Haywood County Schools was one of eight districts highlighted for outstanding student achievement. HCS surpassed state benchmark percentages and demonstrated growth across all grade levels and subgroups. Notably, there was significant growth from the Beginning of the Year to the End of the Year in the K-3 overall composite, with 75% of students at or above benchmark by the year’s end — a 30% increase.
Additionally, North Carolina’s Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Heather Smith from Waynesville Middle School, was recognized by the State Board of Education for being named the 2024 Burroughs Wellcome Fund Teacher of the Year.
WCU Chancellor Brown announces changes in Advancement leadership
Western Carolina University Chancellor Kelli R. Brown has announced that Jamie T. Raynor will transition from her current position as vice chancellor for advancement into a new role as special campaign adviser, effective immediately.
In a special called meeting Tuesday, Aug. 20, the WCU Board of Trustees approved Ben Pendry as the new vice chancellor for advancement, as recommended by Brown. His appointment is effective immediately.
As special campaign adviser, Raynor will focus on key aspects of the “Fill the Western Sky” comprehensive fundraising campaign, which includes a busy upcoming year with the public launch phase taking place this fall.
Pendry takes on his new role after serving as the associate vice chancellor for development. Pendry received his bachelor’s degree in political science and history from WCU in 2007.
State Employee’s Credit Union donates to SCC Workforce Con Ed
The N.C. State Employees’ Credit Union Foundation recently gave Southwestern Community College $18,000 to financially assist students who enroll in Workforce Continuing Education programs.
Thirty different students will receive $500 scholarships to enroll in short-term workforce programs that lead to a state or industry-recognized credential such as Basic Law Enforcement, Emergency Medical Technician, Real Estate, Phlebotomy or Nurse Aide.
The funding is through the SECU’s Bridge to Career scholarship program. To qualify for the funding, students must be North Carolina residents who are unemployed — or underemployed — adults, military veterans or members of the National Guard.
The funds can be used to offset the costs of registration fees, required books, uniforms, instructional materials, transportation, childcare and credentialing.
Upon receiving the award, recipients are tracked to determine the number of credentials earned, entry into employment and enrollment in further education.
To inquire about these scholarship opportunities, contact Latresa Shuler — SCC’s Coordinator of Workforce Continuing Education at 828.339.4425 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
WCU POTM band director Jack Eaddy accepts position with University of Georgia
Jack Eaddy, director of Western Carolina University’s athletic bands and Pride of the Mountains marching band, has accepted a teaching position in the Hugh Hodgson School of Music at the University of Georgia.
Eaddy, who has led POTM since 2021, will step down as the leader of the “Baddest Band in the Land” Aug. 1 before assuming the new role at his alma mater.
During Eaddy’s tenure, POTM went on its first international trip, performing in the 2024 St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland.
Eaddy extended his gratitude to the welcoming community to which he and his family became a part of.
“I thank POTM, the university and the community for embracing my family and welcoming us,” he said. “It is hard leaving an organization with such a rich legacy and supportive community. A special thank you to my colleagues who helped me become a part of the Catamount family. POTM members: don’t forget the special entity POTM is. Cherish it and honor the tradition of the Long Purple Line.”
HCC offers seminar for Haywood farmers
The Small Business Center at Haywood Community College is presenting a seminar series specifically geared towards Haywood County farmers. The series, AgriTourism for Working Farms Tours, takes participants on instructional tours of five unique working farms at which the farmers have added agriToursim to increase their farm income.
This tour series is not meant for “tourists” but rather for farmers with working farms seeking to add agritourism to their income stream.
• Smoky Mountain Mangalitsa, Aug. 6, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
• Sustainabillies, Aug. 13, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
• KT’s Orchard, Aug. 20, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
• Jehovah Rah Farm AND Ferguson’s Supply and Glamping, Aug. 27, 5:30-8 p.m.
The tours will take place every Tuesday in August, and attendance is free. To participate, individuals must send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and should register for each farm they would like to visit. Once individuals register, the SBC will share tour addresses and other pertinent tour information.
SCC honors EMS graduates
The next generation of professionals who’ll respond to emergency situations were honored with a pinning ceremony during the final week of their two-year program at Southwestern Community College.
Elijah Kennedy of Franklin, Kaitlyn May of Franklin and Kobie Brooks of Sylva all received their pins at the event, which was held on May 15 on Southwestern’s Jackson Campus. Scott Buchanan of Sylva was unable to attend the event, but also graduated from the program and will be entering the profession.
Graduates of Southwestern Community College’s Emergency Medical Science program are pictured here with instructor Eric Hester (far left). From left (standing beside Hester): Elijah Kennedy of Franklin, Kaitlyn May of Franklin and Kobie Brooks of Sylva. Not pictured: Scott Buchanan of Sylva. Donated photo
All graduates are eligible to take state and national certification exams, and they can find employment with providers of emergency medical services, fire departments, rescue agencies and a wide range of other employers.
SCC is now accepting applications for prospective EMS students. For more information, contact program coordinator Eric Hester at 828.339.4277 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Project SEARCH interns celebrate graduation at SCC
A dance party always tends to break out at the end of Project SEARCH commencement ceremonies at Southwestern Community College.
It seemed especially appropriate this year considering all four graduates seemed to savor every moment of their studies and internships on Southwestern’s Jackson Campus.
Launched in 2014, SCC’s Project SEARCH program has empowered dozens of students to exceed all expectations — with many securing employment and learning to live more independently. The program allows young men and women (ages 18-30) with disabilities to gain marketable employability skills through classes and hands-on internships.
“Every year, I always look forward to this particular graduation ceremony because of the joy it brings to our graduates and their families,” said Devonne Jimison, SCC’s Director of College & Career Readiness. “This year’s Project SEARCH interns never failed to brighten the day for everyone they came across on our campus, and I have no doubt the future will be brighter and more fulfilling for each one of these graduates.”
This year’s graduates were Josiah Bjerkness of Bryson City, Johnathon Collier of Franklin, Kody Kirkland of Sylva and Hope Lafleur of Waynesville.
They served internships in the Business Office, Café ’64, Holt Library, the Public Relations office as well as other departments across campus.
SCC’s Project SEARCH program is made possible through partnerships with WestBridge and Vocational Rehabilitation.
Applications are being accepted now for the 10th class of SCC’s Project SEARCH program. For more information, contact Jimison at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Ceremony recognizes Radiography graduates’ achievements
Over the past two years, students in Southwestern Community College’s Radiography program have been attending classes and training in clinical settings in preparation for becoming professional medical radiographers.
Earlier this month, family and friends of those nine students attended a pinning ceremony to celebrate their completion of that rigorous program.
Upon successfully passing their national certification exam, these SCC graduates will be ready to accept employment with area healthcare providers: Nkayla Corry of Hendersonville, Kiara Dewey of Otto, Kameron Duncan of Sylva, Kaitlyn Henry of Franklin, Justin Hussey of Franklin, Emily Liner of Clyde, Blake Robertson of Sylva, Lauren Swann of Cullowhee and Michael Winchester of Bryson City.
“Our program is not easy, and that’s on purpose,” said Meg Rollins Petty, SCC’s Radiography Program Director. “We want our graduates to be ready to succeed on the job from day one, and I am confident we have prepared them the right way. I could not be more grateful to all of the hospitals who allow our students to undergo their clinical rotations in our region, and I’m very proud of these students for all their had work and dedication.”
For more information about the Radiography program at SCC, contact Petty 828.339.4320 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit SouthwesternCC.edu.
SCC honors high achievers
The highest-achieving students at Southwestern Community College were honored in the annual Academic Awards Ceremony on April 16 in Myers Auditorium on the college’s Jackson Campus in Sylva.
Among the honorees were 74 students who received “high honors” for maintaining a perfect 4.0 cumulative GPA.
Jonathan Mallard, a Franklin resident enrolled in the Associate Degree Nursing — RIBN program, was named the N.C. Community College System Academic Excellence award recipient.
The Charles McConnell New Century Scholar Award went to Makahla Chandler of Franklin, and David Coulter of Whittier received the Dallas Herring Achievement Award — given annually in honor of one of the state’s earliest advocates for community colleges.
Glenn Barnett of Robbinsville won the Bob Scott Leadership Award, named after the former N.C. governor who also served as president of the state’s community college system for 12 years.
The following “Students of Distinction” were also honored: Ginger Alfrey, Barnett, Sarah Jane Blackburn, Katlin Bradley, Amber Brown, Whitney Coggins, David Coulter, Tina Cronberger, Elizabeth Crowe, Jacob Eilers, Madilynn Franklin, Ariel Giles, Ashlye Johnson, Dalton Jones, Tazanna Jones, Mark Kaserman, Lauren Kirby, Jessica Koch, Stacey Lindsay, Jo Loewy, Diane Mahoney, Heather Mallard, Jonathan Mallard, Brittany Martin, Michael Sherman, Lindsey Stephens, Kathryn Sumrell and Linneah Taylor.
To qualify for the “Academic Honors” portion of the program, each student had to earn a minimum of 30 semester hours of credit within the last four years by the end of the fall semester at SCC, be enrolled in the spring semester and have a cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.5 or above.
For more information about SCC, call 828.339.4000, visit southwesterncc.edu or drop by your nearest SCC location.
HCC hosts Bobcat College
Enroll your rising 6th, 7th or 8th grader at Bobcat College June 17-21 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Haywood Community College in Clyde.
Students will be emersed in interactive and educational sessions with college instructors including topics of STEM, biology, nursing, virtual reality, forensics, IT, EMS, fiber and more. Students will be able to participate in each opportunity. The day is packed and will keep students engaged all day. They should bring traditional outing items such as sunscreen and weather-appropriate clothing.
Students will need to provide their own lunch and water bottle. Cost of the class is $215 per week. Register online at hcc-register.fundfive.com/course/section/10256.
WCU Chancellor again on Business NC Power List
For the fourth year in a row, Business North Carolina magazine included Western Carolina University Chancellor Kelli R. Brown in its Power List of the state’s most influential leaders.
The recognition comes in the current issue now on newsstands. The magazine made selections based on interviews with businesses and community members, research and reader suggestions, for candidates in categories for education, health care, economic development, finance and others.
Brown took office in 2019, making her the first permanent female chancellor of WCU. She has garnered attention for making the top priorities for the university as academic excellence and quality, economic development and regional engagement, and campus diversity and inclusive excellence.
Business North Carolina noted that since her arrival, there’s been a continued student-centered focus and innovation in teaching.
Brown holds a doctorate in education from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale; a master of science and education in public health degree and bachelor of science degree, both from the University of Toledo in Ohio; and an associate in applied sciences degree in dental hygiene from Michael J. Owens Technical College in Toledo.
Jackson County NAACP announces scholarship
The Jackson County Branch of the NAACP announces the 2024 Leroy Jackson Memorial Scholarship, which was established by the branch to honor the contributions of Mr. Jackson in promoting an equitable and inclusive society.
The Jackson County NAACP Diversity Scholarship is a one-time scholarship awarded to public high school seniors planning to attend a college or university in preparation for a professional career beginning in fall 2024.
Preference will be given to those who demonstrate that they are committed to promoting a diverse, equitable, inclusive and just society and who exhibit a financial need. In 2024, the Jackson County NAACP will award two winners.
The winning recipients will each receive $3,000 for first-year college expenses.
The application deadline is Feb. 28, 2024, and award notifications will be sent out by March 28, 2024.
A link to the online scholarship application can be found at the Jackson County NAACP website at jacksonncnaacp.org.
WCU spring enrollment shows positive growth, retention rate
For the first time since 2020, total headcount enrollment climbed at WCU, with the spring semester total enrollment numbers topping out at 10,742, which is an increase of almost 200 students compared to spring 2023.
In the inaugural fall 2018 and 2019 terms of N.C. Promise, WCU enrolled its two largest first-year cohorts ever and successive years of record-setting enrollment elevated those levels, but then the COVID-19 pandemic ushered in a recruitment and retention drought.
Total spring enrollment crested in January 2020 and total fall enrollment crested in August 2020. Headcount enrollment began receding in 2021, fueled in part by the record-setting, pre-pandemic entering classes that began graduating in record numbers.
Fall first-year enrollment bottomed out in fall 2021 (1,745) but rose in Fall 2022 (1,947). In fall 2023, WCU enrolled the second largest first-year cohort ever (2,108), second only to the inaugural year of N.C. Promise which was fall 2018 with 2,237 students.
As the pandemic abated, the flow of new undergraduate enrollment tributaries began to swell.
WCU has experienced increases in transfer student enrollment for four successive fall semesters and four successive spring semesters. Fall-to-spring, first-year retention rates have rebounded for successive spring semesters as well with spring 2022: 86.5%; spring 2023: 87.1%; and spring 2024 with about nine out of ten students returning at 89.9%.
Mars Hill University announces new trustees
Mars Hill University begins 2024 with new leadership on its governing body. The university’s board of trustees welcomes two new trustees, two trustees serving their second consecutive term, and two former trustees returning to service following required time off the board.
Don Icenhower of Weaverville, North Carolina, is one of the new trustees. He is an alumnus of Mars Hill’s class of 1980 and was a standout on the basketball team, scoring more than 1,000 points. He also holds two master’s degrees from Western Carolina University. He retired from the North Carolina public schools as the principal at Enka High and the South Carolina public schools as the chief operations officer in Lexington School District Two.
Also joining the board is Paula Kahn of Bristol, Virginia. Paula Corbin Kahn attended Mars Hill on a basketball scholarship and graduated in 1979 with a degree in education. She subsequently attended Western Carolina University and received master’s and education specialist degrees. Kahn spent several years as a teacher, coach and school administrator. She was elected to the Halls of Fame at Mars Hill College and Franklin High School for playing basketball, and the Jackson County, North Carolina, Hall of Fame for coaching.
Trustees Wayne Higgins of Weaverville, and Gene Holdway of Greer, South Carolina, are beginning their second consecutive four-year terms, while Mike Cranford of Fuquay-Varina, and Mike Kelly of Mason, Ohio, are returning to board service.
Brent Townsend of Tyrone, Georgia, begins a term as chair of the board. Other officers are Anna Renfro of Gastonia, as vice-chair; Higgins as treasurer; and Paul Powell of Greensboro as secretary.
STEAM receives grant for after-school program
The SkillSet program at UNC Asheville’s STEAM Studio received its largest grant to date from Dogwood Health Trust, amounting to $499,860 over five years, in order to expand the reach and impact of the program’s out of school-time programming.
SkillSet was founded in 2018 and hosted its first after-school programming in 2019, with the focus of addressing the gender gap in science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) fields and trades. The program has since expanded to include a wider audience of learners but is still underpinned by the idea that under-represented people should be taught STEAM skills so communities can be designed and built by the diverse people who live in them.
The grant will allow Skillset to expand off-site by funding the purchase of a cargo van for the purpose of bringing equipment and staff to local schools for classes and after-school programming.
SkillSet currently works with Partnership for Appalachian Girls Education at Madison County Middle, hosts an elective class at Hanger Hall Middle and works with In Real Life (IRL) after-school programming at Asheville Middle.
The grant will also go toward funding a bilingual full-time employee to work in collaboration with SkillSet Coordinator Amanda Simons in expanding programming to migrant and English-learning communities.
Several student employees who will help develop curriculum and teach the classes will also be funded by the grant, with the hope of training future educators.
Being employed with SkillSet allows UNC Asheville students to solidify their own understanding of material relevant to them by engaging with younger students and learn short-term programming organization and teaching skills, all while being paid a competitive wage.
Having student workers assist with the classes not only engages college students with the community but also gives younger students someone to connect with and see their future in.
To find out more about SkillSet visit steamstudio.unca.edu/programs/skillset/.
Free tuition opportunity at SCC
North Carolina residents from households making $80,000 or less may qualify for a new scholarship opportunity that covers all tuition and fees at Southwestern Community College starting this fall.
The Next NC Scholarship is a financial aid program that helps qualified individuals by providing $3,000 – enough to cover all tuition and fees for a full year at SCC with enough left over to assist with books, food or housing.
To become eligible, current and prospective students need only fill out the FAFSA form.
“One of the best things about this is students won’t have to repay any of the money they receive,” said Dr. Mark Ellison, dean of students at Southwestern. “It’s also nice that students aren’t required to complete any additional paperwork other than the FAFSA, which is something they’re required to fill out anyway. Upon filling out the FAFSA, if students are eligible, they will receive the Next NC Scholarship.”
Anyone interested in taking advantage of this opportunity can fill out the FAFSA at tinyurl.com/yr69t7pp.
To learn more about the Next NC Scholarship, visit nextncscholarship.org. To learn more about Southwestern and the career fields it offers, visit southwesterncc.edu, call 828.339.4000 or drop by your nearest SCC location.
Moses family endows scholarship for BLET students at SCC
Back when George Moses first became Macon County’s Sheriff in the 1970s, the entire department consisted of two full-time deputies and one part-timer.
That small crew also covered the jail, which included just six cells and was located at the courthouse at the time. Even then, Sheriff Moses recognized the need to have high-quality law enforcement training nearby.
Now that the Macon County Sheriff’s Office includes a roster of 59 sworn full-time deputies, the former sheriff — along with Margaret, his wife of more than 70 years — has endowed a scholarship to make it easier for future generations to enter the field through Southwestern Community College’s Basic Law Enforcement Training program.
Former Macon County Sheriff George Moses and his wife, Margaret, endowed a new scholarship fund for Basic Law Enforcement Training through the Southwestern Community College Foundation. Pictured behind the couple are, from left: Dr. Thom Brooks, Curtis Dowdle and Brett Woods.
The former sheriff and Mrs. Moses formally signed off on the fund that has since been named the “The George Moses Family Endowed Scholarship” earlier this fall. One factor in the Moses’ decision to support Southwestern’s program is his longtime friendship with Curtis Dowdle, who oversees SCC’s public safety training.
A lifelong Franklin resident, Dowdle got his start in law enforcement when Moses was sheriff.
“He was always like a dad to us,” Dowdle recalled. “He’d bring us in if we did something wrong and explain to us how he wanted us to police. I always drive cautiously, and I always wave at people because he had always taught me to communicate with the public and acknowledge people when we were in that patrol car. He also taught me to be fair, and to have empathy. Those were some of the lifelong lessons that I’ve carried with me.”
The scholarship will be awarded annually to a deserving recruit at SCC starting in the spring of 2024.
For more information and to learn more about other ways to support students at Southwestern, contact Brett Woods, director of the SCC Foundation, at 828.339.4241 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
