Admissions

I grew up in the small town of Lilesville, NC. I am the first generation in my family to attend a University. I graduated from Anson Senior High School in Wadesboro, NC where I graduated 3rd in my class. I participated in the National Honor Society for 4 years and was elected President my senior year. During my junior year I was selected to attend Governor’s School East at Meredith College in Raleigh to study Mathematics. I also played volleyball and coached a cheerleading squad throughout high school. Outside of High School I volunteered at a Methodist church after school working with small kids, and tutored peers in mathematics before the start of school each day. The activities that I stayed dedicated to helped me in reaching the greatest achievement my senior year, being chosen as a North Carolina Teaching Fellow. Since graduating, I have been attending UNCP for three semesters taking full-course loads, and exceeding my requirements for Teaching Fellows. I was hired in January 2008 as a Telecounselor for the Admissions Office, and in September 2008, was given the Supervising Telecounselor position. While being a student here at UNCP, I have developed a lasting relationship with many professors and peers that never would have happened, if I had not chosen UNCP.

During my junior year of high school I decided I wanted to become a teacher. While tutoring a girl one day; once our tutoring session was complete she asked what I wanted to do in life. I answered, “I am really not sure at this point” she then said, “Heather I think you should go into teaching, I have never had someone who was able to explain topics to me and make them enjoyable.” After that conversation, I realized that my dream was to help educate children. I wanted to be the teacher who brought a smile to all her students and was the reason they wanted to learn. When considering schools, I found Pembroke to be most suitable for my needs. I wanted to attend a smaller school, with an “excellent” education program. UNCP was the only school to fit the requirements I had in mind.

UNCP was the best choice for me because of the exceptional Education program, the small class sizes, and good student-professor relationships. I wanted to attend a university where I was known by name, not number. Here if I ever have a question, I do not feel intimidated to go and ask my professor.

Upon graduating, I plan on continuing my education at UNC-Pembroke and pursuing a Masters Degree. My dream is to one day receive a Ph.D. in Education, and work for a University teaching education courses and hopefully instilling in my students what UNCP has implanted in me.