Winston-Salem State University recently honored 20 staff members for their contributions to the goals of the school’s strategic plan and 189 employees who represented 1,990 years of service to the State of North Carolina.

Dr. Claudia Warren, a professor of education and coordinator of the university’s Birth through Kindergarten Education program, was the longest serving employees recognized.  During her 40 years at the university, she also has been at the forefront of early child education efforts including Smart Start.

“In addition to honoring our employees for their service to the state and to the university, we also began the Chancellor’s Achievement Awards last year in an effort to recognize staff members who demonstrate exceptional performance and service,” said Chancellor Donald J. Reaves.  “This year, we had more than 50 nominees representing all areas of the campus.  Because we had so many nominees, we expanded the number of employees to be recognized.”

Seven employees received $1,500 as the winners of the Chancellor’s Achievement Awards for the 2012-2013 academic year.  Theresa Parks, administrative support in the Department of Nursing was honored for leading her area to operate more efficiently and effectively. Pamela Baucum, business and technology application analyst in the data center, was recognized for process improvements for the Student Accounts Office.  Andrea Thompson, a purchasing agent, played a crucial role in transitioning to a web processing system.  Nissa Vonghakdy, administrative assistant in the Department of Physiological Sciences, was recognized for her support in moving her area into department status.  Peter Blutreich, associate director in housing and residence life, was honored for his work to create a safer student environment.  Sandra Scales, a housekeeper, was recognized for commitment to quality and Michael Frye, a university librarian, was selected for creating a model information literacy course for the School of Arts and Sciences.

Staff members who received $500 in recognition of their accomplishments were:  Kevin Byers, assistant dean for administrative services in the School of Health Sciences; Kathy Amos, housekeeper; Nathan Thompson, assistant controller and interim director of business services; Tori Edmonson, business manager in the Public Safety Department; Shea Gilliam-Davis, program coordinator at the Biomedical Research Infrastructure Center; Tarina Whitfield, web developer in IT; and Terry Timmons, plant facilities supervisor.

Six employees received a $200 award for the work and they were:  Jean Scales, business systems analyst in financial systems; Trena Eaton, administrative assistant in the Division of Nursing; Stephen Kelly, building environment services technician; Thomas Flynn, librarian and archivist; Elizabeth Ackman, area coordinator for housing and residence life; and Sandie Pegues, student services manage for the Student Accounts Department.

Dr. Aizeez Aileru

Dr. Charles Ebert

Dr. Dennis Sherrod

Dr. Dwedor Ford

Dr. Megan Edwards

Dr. Yolanda Edwards

Six professors at Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) have been named to top 20 lists of professors in North Carolina by StateStats.org and Online Schools North Carolina based on recognition received for excellence.

Dr. Azeez Aileru, a professor who serves as director of the WSSU’s Biomedical Research Infrastructure Center, and Dr. Charles Ebert, assistant professor of chemistry, were both listed among the Top 20 Science and Technology Professors in the state.  Dr. Dennis Sherrod, a professor who holds the Forsyth Medical Center Endowed Chair of Recruitment and Retention in the Division of Nursing, was named to the Top 20 Medical and Nursing Professors list.  Three professors were included among the Top 20 Women Professors in North Carolina.  They are Dr. Dwedor M. Ford, coordinator of the Virtual Writing Lab; Dr. Megan Edwards, associate professor in occupational therapy; and Dr. Yolanda Edwards, Chair and Program Coordinator for the master’s program in Rehabilitation Counseling.

Aileru has spent more than 15 years in neuroscience and cardiovascular disease research with an emphasis on examining racially linked health disparities.  He was honored last year by the N. C. Biotechnology Center with an award for excellence in the area of biotechnology research and development, as well as his collaborative efforts among area universities.

In addition to his work as an educator, Ebert has also received a grant from the National Science Foundation for a research project to improve the understanding of peripheral nerve regeneration.  He is investigating whether keratin isolated from human hair may support the repairing of damaged nerves.

Sherrod, who joined WSSU in 2001, has more than 30 years of nursing and nurse educator experience, as well as over a decade of recruitment and retention expertise.  He also recently was selected by the Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina to receive one of the 19^th Annual Awards for Excellence in Teaching.

One of three people selected for a scholarship to attend the International Writing Centers Association’s 2012 Summer Institute, Ford teaches writing at WSSU. She has a strong commitment to encouraging the use of computers for writing, giving the students the opportunity to build technology competencies.

Megan Edwards was awarded the 2012 Faculty of Distinction Award for her outstanding contributions to the WSSU occupational therapy program.  The award, which is selected by graduating students, recognizes individual faculty for a sustained performance of excellence as a teacher.

Yolanda Edwards received the Sylvia Walker Education Award from the National Association of Multicultural Rehabilitations Concerns, the division of the National Rehabilitation Association that promotes ethical and state-of-the-art practices in rehabilitation.  She was recognized for her innovative curriculum developments that have increased student certification as rehabilitation counselors.

StateStats.org is a nonprofit organization that builds free, open source tools to increase accessibility to educational information and OnlineSchoolsNorthCarolina.com provides information on alternative post-secondary education options.

Congratulations to the Winston-Salem State University family, raised more than $4,200 during its Campaign for Arts.WSSU’s effort is part of a wider corporate effort to raise more than $2.5 million dollars.

Thanks to all who contributed to the WSSU Campaign for the Arts and know that your contribution is helping to keep the arts alive and well in our community.

For those who may still want to contribute, you will have until the end of May to do so. Please contact London Mickle in the Office of the Provost if you are interested. Again thank you.

Cynthia Strine

Cynthia Strine recently joined the Winston-Salem State University family as Director of University Recreation.

Strine has more than fifteen years of award-winning, student-centered, and progressively responsible experience in administrative leadership and the delivery of services, programs, employee development and events in diverse educational settings.   She is originally from the Chicago area and has lived in Kentucky, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and Missouri.  She holds a BS in Recreation and Business Management and an MAE in Student Affairs from Western Kentucky University.  She is a graduate of the Disney Institute’s Disney Approach to People Management.

Prior to her appointment to WSSU, Strine served as the Associate Director for Programs at University of Missouri and the Director of Campus Recreation at Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi.  She has worked in a variety of different roles during her tenure in Student Affairs including student activities, orientation, first year experience programs, campus conduct, student government and leadership.  Her specialties include program development, employee development and risk management.

She holds a Personal Training certification from the American Council on Exercise (ACE), Group Fitness certification from the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFFA) and her Registered Yoga Teacher 200 (RYT 200) from Yoga Alliance through YogaFit.  Strine is a Red Cross CPR/AED/First Aid instructor and is active in the National Intramural and Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA).  She has served on the faculty of the Student Organization Institute in 2011 and 2012.  She loves teaching yoga, working out and playing flag football.

When not at work Strine enjoys volunteering in the community.  She was active with Red Cross Disaster Relief and the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).  She is an avid sports fan, sporting blue and orange on Sundays for the Chicago Bears.  Listening to music is one of her passions, including blues, jazz, and classic rock.  She loves finding new artists.  She is a fan of The Voice and American Idol, enjoying the artist development.

Coach Bobby Collins

Winston-Salem State University head men’s basketball coach, Bobby Collins, has been selected for two local community service awards.

Collins will receive the YMCA Black Achievers Distinguished Service Award on Thursday, May 9th at 6:30 pm at the Sundance Plaza. Collins was chosen in large part due to his leadership abilities, strong values and the service that he has rendered to the community.

The YMCA Black Achievers Program is a nationwide YMCA movement that strives to prepare teens for college and a profession. The YMCA of Northwest North Carolina Black Achievers Program is administered by the Winston Lake Family YMCA and is one of the largest Achievers Programs in the southeast and one of the premier programs in the nation.

Collins will also be honored by the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc., Beta Lambda Chapter at the 10th Annual Excellence in Education Awards Vital Issues Scholarship Breakfast on June, 1, 2013 at St. John CME Church in Winston-Salem.

The National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc Beta Lambda Chapter, is an organization of African American females educators with several purposes. They are committed to stimulating professional growth among teachers, fostering a true spirit of sisterhood, promoting the highest ideals of the teaching professionals and encouraging the development of the potential of our youth.

“I feel this is an honor and a privilege for someone to recognize your service and dedication to core values. It is who I am and I want to continue to help and guide our youth,” says Collins of the awards and recognition.

Winston-Salem State University Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Brenda Allen, has been named as a 2013 “Women in Business” honoree by The Business Journal.
For the 14th year, The Business Journal sought to find the Triad’s top women business leaders whose influence extends well beyond their professional roles.
As you can see from the list [...]

As high school seniors and their parents start preparing for college this summer and fall, it’s not too early to establish a college success strategy plan — which will increase the likelihood of graduation, says a Winston-Salem State University faculty member who has written a book offering tips for college success.
In this current economic climate, [...]

Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) has hired Dr. Jamie B. Slater to be assistant provost for institutional effectiveness, assessment and sponsored research.
“Dr. Slater has the combination of education, skills and experience that will certainly support the university’s efforts to measure our success in the areas of student learning and to ensure that we are using our [...]

A January 18th resolution make its clear that UNC faculty members want more control in determining curriculum for the system in the new strategic plan. The resolution has the backingbof more than half of the sytems’s institutions. Learn more here.