Multicultural Affairs Archives - �۶�ֱ�� University

�۶�ֱ�� Programs Highlight Service to Remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Office of University Communications — Tue, 10 Jan 2023 16:27:40 +0000

Week of Activities Includes Volunteering to Help Charlotte Area Agencies

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is known for his ideals and leadership, but he was above all, a servant. According to the , King traveled over 6 million miles from 1957 to 1968 and spoke over 2,500 times, appearing wherever there was injustice, protest, and action. For these endeavors, he was arrested more than 20 times, assaulted at least four times, and awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.

As the nation prepares to celebrate and honor his life, �۶�ֱ�� University will join the commemoration by remembering the Civil Rights leader with programs and a day of service.

Director of Diversity and Inclusion Dr. Lawrence Brinson planned the activities. He noted, “Each year, the third Monday of January marks MLK Day to honor the civil rights leader’s work and legacy to end racism, social injustices and all forms of discrimination. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is not just a commemoration; it’s a call to action.”

On this day, Brinson continued, we are challenged to reflect on what we can do to affect change and build a better world for the next generation. “‘I Have a Dream’ reminds us that the fight for equity and justice doesn’t end; it simply evolves,” Brinson affirmed. “As we commemorate his life on Monday, let’s remember his challenge to each of us to eliminate racism and to work every day through our words and actions to end hatred in all forms.”

Thursday, Jan. 12

9:30 to 10:30 a.m. – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration, Hope Hall, Tucker Student Center. Pastor Jairus Strong of Destiny Life Center will lead the program to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. A reception follows.

Friday, Jan. 13

Day of Service Drop-In

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Room 304, Tucker Student Center. Stop by the Tucker Student Center to receive information about upcoming service opportunities on MLK Day, Jan. 16.

Monday, Jan. 16

Day of Service – Volunteer in support of local community organizations to honor Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King’s dedication and commitment to justice, service, and equity.

Tuesday, Jan. 17

National Day of Racial Healing

A time to reflect and heal. On this day, individuals, organizations, and communities are encouraged to come together to explore their common humanity and build the relationships necessary to create a more just and equitable world. During Dimensions at 9:25 a.m., Chris Gash, lead pastor of New Ellis Baptist Church in Shelby, N.C., will speak on King’s lasting impact. Gash is a three-time graduate of GWU, where he starred on the men’s basketball team. Most recently, he earned his Doctor of Ministry.

Opportunities for service

Brinson offered the following list of suggestions for serving others, which will also be presented to �۶�ֱ�� students this week. “King lived his life serving others,” Brinson asserted “He once said, ‘Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, What are you doing for others?’ On MLK Day, millions of Americans honor Dr. King’s legacy by coming together for a national day of service and dialogue. Make it a day on, not a day off. I encourage you to find or host an MLK Day opportunity near you.”

Community Kitchen at Central United Methodist Church in Kings Mountain. To volunteer, call the church at 704-739-2471.

Keep Shelby Beautiful Inc. – Email walt.scharer@cityofshelby.com.

Find more events and volunteer opportunities at .

�۶�ֱ�� University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., �۶�ֱ�� prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at �۶�ֱ��.edu.

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�۶�ֱ�� Creates Welcome Page for Spanish-Speaking Families

Office of University Communications — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 18:50:22 +0000

Bilingual Admissions Counselor Available to Answer Questions and Guide Students

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—¡Bienvenidos! from �۶�ֱ�� University—Spanish-speaking families have a new resource on the GWU website to introduce them to the campus. This new page welcomes and provides access to admission and visit information for the growing number of Hispanic families living in North Carolina.

According to data, North Carolina’s Hispanic/Latino population is more than 1 million, an increase of 40% over the last decade. Also, a growing number of Hispanic high school graduates are college students, the first in their family to attend college.

“Here at �۶�ֱ�� University, we want to give every student an opportunity to have a valuable student experience by providing access to education, assure it’s affordable for them, and make sure every student has the support necessary to become successful,” stated Interim Vice President for Enrollment Management Mavia Lee.

Eloisa Sofia Puello Cabeza, right, holds a Loteria card, a game
similar to Bingo, that students played at a Hispanic Heritage
Celebration. Instead of a number, you match images and say
“Loteria,” when you win.

Eloisa Sofia Puello Cabeza, the new bilingual admissions representative, is available to answer any questions Hispanic students and their families have. “�۶�ֱ�� se ha convertido en mi segundo hogar (GWU has become my second home),” she affirmed.

Puello Cabeza came to �۶�ֱ�� in 2021 as a Fulbright Scholar Foreign Language Teacher Assistant (FLTA) and worked as a Spanish TA. The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government’s largest and most prestigious international educational and cultural exchange program, creating connections in 160 countries worldwide. She was one of three Colombians selected for the specific grant she received. At the end of her Fulbright year, Puello Cabeza decided to return to �۶�ֱ�� because of the friends she made on campus. She’s also enrolled as a graduate student in the School of Psychological Science and Counselor Education.

Blake Elizalde, right, a first generation Hispanic student, received
the 2022 Community Engagement Award from the Office of
Christian Life and Service, presented by Robbie Gaines, associate
minister to the University for Community Engagement & Athletic
Ministries.

Student Body President Blake Elizalde, of Matthews, N.C., is a first generation Hispanic college student. He said from his first visit to the GWU campus, he sensed the community atmosphere and felt at home. “Once I got here, the small class sizes and the intentional relationships with my professors and peers really helped me to flourish,” Elizalde reflected.

A double major in political science and Spanish, Elizalde graduates in May 2023. During his four years on campus, he participated in many activities and also held several jobs, including Campus Dining marketing coordinator, Student Recruitment Ambassador (SRA), Resident Advisor (RA) and Campus Recreation staffer.

Elizalde encourages other Hispanic students to visit �۶�ֱ�� and take advantage of every opportunity. He noted, “¡No te vas a arrepentir! Antes de venir a la universidad, no sabía qué esperar. Pero apenas llegué me involucré en diferentes grupos y empecé a crear muy buenas relaciones. Siéntete tranquilo al salir de tu zona de confort porque valdrá la pena. (You will not regret it! I had no idea what to expect when coming to college. I immediately got involved and made so many great relationships. Be okay with stepping out of your comfort zone because it will so worth it.)”

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�۶�ֱ�� Receives One of 12 Grants for Faculty-Student STEM Mentoring

Office of University Communications — Mon, 12 Sep 2022 15:33:51 +0000

North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities Awards $25,000 to Enhance Tutoring Programs

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—�۶�ֱ�� University’s Student Success Division has received a three-year grant totaling $25,000 from (NCICU). The N.C. GlaxoSmithKline Foundation provided the funds to establish faculty-student STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Math) mentoring programs, and NCICU awarded grants to 12 member institutions. The programs are designed to improve student retention and graduation rates among first generation college students, women, and students of color majoring in a STEM field.

“We are grateful for this new grant support from the NCICU, as it gives us the chance to do some innovative things in support of our first-generation students,” explained GWU President William Downs. “We know that students and employers are increasingly interested in STEM skills, and �۶�ֱ�� is intentionally stepping up to meet that demand.”

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Karen Aubrey said the award will enhance and strengthen �۶�ֱ��’s tutoring programs. “I’m thrilled and grateful that we’ve been chosen out of a few NCICU schools to receive this grant,” she praised. “It will aid us in our mentoring efforts in STEM areas that students often find challenging, and it will provide us with more avenues to support our students and better ensure their success in their studies. The award is affirmation of the power of combining a compelling idea with a need that exists, all to offer a solution to support a worthwhile goal.”

In addition to meeting one-on-one with students, peer mentors and staff will learn how to create video tutorials that can provide on-demand refreshers whenever students need to review a subject. The mentors will also learn how to produce two-minute video critiques of their mentees’ projects or papers.

The grant will also be used by faculty in health sciences to incorporate videos to help students master difficult concepts, such as science and math/dosage calculations. Funds will also support a student math tutor who could assist with dimensional analysis and calculations.

Student Success will also establish a new mentoring program to target probationary students. This initiative will be a structured program required for all students on academic probation. Students will be registered for a 14-week program that will combine in-person and online success mentoring. The focus will be on setting goals for academics as well as personal and career.

�۶�ֱ�� University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to six professional schools, 14 academic departments, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., �۶�ֱ�� prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at �۶�ֱ��.edu.

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�۶�ֱ�� Celebrates Record Year for International Students

Office of University Communications — Wed, 07 Sep 2022 18:56:24 +0000

Students Share Why GWU Was Their Choice

From the small island of Curacao to the large country of Canada and 44 other lands across the globe, a record number of 108 international students have made �۶�ֱ�� their college home this year. While many of these students will be away from their home country for several months, and even have to rely on others for transportation needs, �۶�ֱ�� is fast becoming their new home.

Recently, a group of eight international students gathered to talk about why they attend GWU. All of them shared that a recommendation from a friend or family member affected their decision.

The pull to attend GWU was so strong for Savannah Ward, of Hong Kong, that she came without actually stepping foot on campus. Her decision was made after an interview and a virtual tour. “I fell in love with the atmosphere, the campus and most importantly, the people,” she asserted. “I felt so welcomed and so at home, which was the ultimate reason that I chose to come to �۶�ֱ��. Also, for the fact that they have a very good biology program.”

Ward is a sophomore pursuing the biomedical science concentration. Originally from Cape Town, South Africa, she has also lived in South Korea. Her dad, who had been coming to the United States to minister, told her about a Christian university in Boiling Springs. “I love that there are so many outdoor places to go, and it’s so peaceful to just walk around or sit outside by the lake,” she described. “I thought that I would have trouble making friends, but I made friends before classes even started. I really love the faculty, because they are invested in the lives of their students. I am also thankful to be at a campus where I can openly profess my faith and meet with others to talk more about Jesus.”

Tina Earls, coordinator of International Student Services and Principal Designated School Official (PDSO), talks to a group of students in the International Student Lounge.

Cathal “Randy” Butler, of Ireland, also decided to investigate �۶�ֱ�� because of a recommendation. A member of the men’s tennis team, Butler is studying international business. When he began looking at schools in America, a GWU alumnus introduced him to Head Coach Mike Griffith. “It’s a small tennis community in Ireland, and everyone knows everyone,” shared Butler, a junior. “I ended up coming here and absolutely loved it. You meet a new person, and you are going to see them the next day. I remember my first night walking in to the Snack Shop. My first time in America, and they treat you like family. Everywhere you go it’s the same; they go out of their way to be nice.”

He also likes the team’s camaraderie. “We are all brothers and our coach is a great leader, a great man,” Butler affirmed. “Our coach would do anything for us. We work hard and we have fun.”

Klara Ovefelt of Stockholm, Sweden, is a member of the women’s soccer team. She discovered �۶�ֱ�� through an agency. “I had a really good feeling and they also had a Swedish girl here a couple years ago,” she related. “I talked with her, and I just got such a good impression.”

Ovefelt only planned to stay at �۶�ֱ�� for one year, but “I just realized that I love this life. It’s so much more than just soccer,” she asserted. “The best part is the people—100 percent. Like I love soccer here. I’ve never had so much fun, but I’ve also met people here that I think I’m going to like for the rest of my life.”

Lorenzo Bartolini, of Italy, plays on the men’s soccer team, but that’s only part of the reason he chose GWU. He was looking for a master’s program in strength and conditioning and discovered �۶�ֱ��’s. He was impressed with the courses offered and what people said about the program and decided to attend.

Jinwon Suh, of South Korea, is a freshman who was recruited to play soccer. He plans to major in exercise science. “I liked how they focus on the players to develop themselves,” he said. “I thought this place will help me become a better player. I thought it was really a quiet place and fresh air, good views. I will really need a car to drive.”

Eloisa Puello Cabeza, of Cartagena, Colombia, (second from right)
came to GWU last year as a Fulbright scholar and served
as a Spanish teaching assistant. This semester she is
back at �۶�ֱ�� as a graduate student enrolled
in the school counseling master’s program.

Connor Enslin of Australia is a senior economics/finance major and a member of the tennis team. He heard about �۶�ֱ�� from a student-athlete in Australia, who had come to America to play tennis at another college. The guy told him about playing �۶�ֱ�� and being impressed by the team and the coach. “He put me in touch with the coach, and we went from there,” Enslin recounted. “I was keen to come here to become the best tennis player I could be. It’s been a memorable experience.”

Luis Ramirez, of Venezuela, plays on the men’s soccer team. He described his freshman year as amazing. He appreciated the help and encouragement he received from his professors as he worked on improving his English. An economics/finance major, his decision to come to �۶�ֱ�� was also based on the reputation of the Godbold College of Business. “I did my research about �۶�ֱ�� and the business program and found it interesting,” he stated. “The professors are really nice, especially with internationals. They really help you.”

Although, Joao Espinheira, of Brazil, graduated from �۶�ֱ�� in December 2021 with a degree in international business, he came back for graduate school. A member of the men’s soccer team for four years, he’s pursuing an international MBA. He is GA (Graduate Assistant) in the Writing Center. He is no longer eligible to play, but he likes helping his former teammates and the new players. His reason for returning? “The people are Number 1,” he confirmed.

*Data reflects reported numbers as of Aug. 10, 2022.

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�۶�ֱ�� Sets New Records with Global Footprint of over 100 International Students from More Than 40 Countries

Office of University Communications — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 15:19:41 +0000

Students Bring the World and Rich Diverse Cultures to Campus and Community

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—For the 2022 Fall Semester at �۶�ֱ��, the student population includes 108 international students, the highest on record. According to the Office of International Student Services, they represent 45 countries on six continents. With a history of recruiting student-athletes from around the world, the University’s Division I athletics program is now home to 87 internationals. For student-athletes, the most popular majors are business administration and management, while divinity, ministry and missions appeal to non-student-athletes.

Other popular degree programs for both undergraduate and graduate international students are exercise science and kinesiology, criminal justice, math, biology, divinity, missions, and mental health counseling. These students are choosing �۶�ֱ��’s vibrant campus community from places like Ireland, Iceland and Italy, as well as Australia, Burma and China. The countries with the most students are France (10), Canada (9) and Brazil (7).

*Data reflects reported numbers as of Aug. 10, 2022.

“I don’t know if anyone who was part of the founding of our institution some 117 years ago could have imagined us growing into a university with this kind of global reach,” observed �۶�ֱ�� President William Downs. “Forty-five foreign countries represented in our college town…that is truly astounding! A strong 21st century university will connect local students with the world, and it will attract the rest of the world to its campus. We are achieving both goals right now and with impressive results, and GWU graduates heading into a global economy will be that much better prepared for success because of it.”

�۶�ֱ��’s Director of Diversity and Inclusion Lawrence Brinson noted that the presence of international students can create a wealth of authentic opportunities for cultural engagement and enrichment. “In today’s globalized economy, educational and social interaction with students from around the world can provide �۶�ֱ�� students with real world academic and career benefits,” Brinson affirmed. “Living and learning side-by-side with students from around the world helps all of us learn to avoid stereotyping and form more informed opinions. It gives us a better understanding of international issues and provides new opportunities for unique cross-cultural experiences.”

Coordinator of International Student Services Tina Earls enjoys getting to know the students and helping them adapt to campus life. She also serves as �۶�ֱ��’s Principal Designated School Official (PDSO), responsible for managing government compliance of student Visas. “When an international student comes in, we strive to encourage them throughout their education levels and as they become alumni,” she shared. “They are appreciative of all we do, and they are happy here. �۶�ֱ�� is not new to the international market nor to the global competition of international recruitment and continues to provide quality academics and social experiences. Most non-athletes choose GWU by word-of-mouth recommendations from a church or missions field or former or current students.”

*Data reflects reported numbers as of Aug. 10, 2022.

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Celebrating Motherhood, Maternity and Matriculation

Office of University Communications — Sun, 08 May 2022 08:00:00 +0000

�۶�ֱ�� Doctoral Student, Alexandra Arrington, ’22, Thankful for Family Support While Pursuing a Degree and Managing a Career

Wife, mother, academic and entrepreneur—Alexandra Arrington, of Charlotte, N.C., finds contentment and success in all these roles—and she and her husband are expecting their third child. She is also in her final year in the Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership (DEOL) program at �۶�ֱ�� University.

“I will be finishing in December 2022 with a newborn in tow,” she observed. “We don’t have to fit into a specific professional box. We can make opportunities that work well for us so that we are not completely sacrificing ourselves or completely sacrificing the needs and wants and desires of our family. I have been really grateful to be able to be in a position to hold all those things at once in a way that facilitates thriving for myself, for my family, for professional pursuits and for academic pursuits.”

To accomplish her goals in each area, Arrington relies on the support of her husband and two daughters. “I have a delightful spouse, who is good about helping us to organize our life in ways that are manageable,” she emphasized. “I couldn’t do it without their moral support and making space and room for me to be able to do things.”

She also receives support from her extended family and appreciates the legacy of her paternal great-grandparents. “They underpinned the value of education in our family,” she stated. “So it’s like even now, I think about GG Mama (paternal great-grandmother), and what she would say if I was not on top of my game like I should be and that undergirds me and helps me to push forward. My grandfather is really active in my academic pursuits, and we talk about what I’m learning and how I’m doing.”

Besides her love for learning, Arrington is also an educator. She’s an adjunct at Johnson C. Smith University; works part time at Queens University in teaching digital equity; and as a consultant, she provides diversity, equity and inclusion training for individuals and organizations.

Alexandra Arrington’s family are her greatest supporters.

The �۶�ֱ�� DEOL program appealed to her because of its flexible schedule and content, which aligns with her educational background in interpersonal and organizational communications, African American studies and career development counseling. Shortly after she began in January 2020, her mother and paternal grandmother passed away within a week of each other. In her grief, she wasn’t sure if she could keep going, but after talking with the DEOL chair and receiving his encouragement and the support of her classmates, she stayed in the program. “I also like to think that I was making my mom proud by continuing,” Arrington asserted.

Her doctoral consultancy/practicum project combines her interests. “I am looking at the impact of black leadership on organizational culture and practices,” she explained. “If you look at Fortune 500 companies over the last 50+ years, there have been 19 leaders of color and these are out of hundreds of CEOs, C suite (executive level) and board leaders. There are only five currently and two women out of the five that lead these top multi-billion dollar international companies.”

Her research analyzed the opportunities available for leaders who are African American or identify as Black. She also looked at the type of leadership practiced by leaders of color and how it differed from other top-level leaders. She partnered with in Charlotte, a local creative startup marketing and advertising firm led by three young, energetic African Americans. They strive to create opportunities for artists who identify as Black, Latino and other underserved or minoritized groups.

David Butler, one of the Hue House founders, said Arrington was instrumental in giving them the frameworks to think about the culture they wanted to create within the company. “She helped us delineate what traits we saw as part of our strategy for our for-profit business and how those things were aligned or different related to our non-profit organization,” he reflected. “She provided space and facilitated conversation that allowed for us to brand and shape our formal on-boarding processes alongside a code of ethics and conduct as well.”

Moreover, Arrington and her classmates saw firsthand how the concepts they were learning applied even during a global pandemic that nobody saw coming. “One of the prominent takeaways from our program is that leadership is an activity and not a role,” she assessed. “We have come to know and understand and connect with the fact that you can lead from wherever you are in an organizational hierarchy—in your home as a parent, a mother, or at any level, any position.”

They learned that leaders should focus on inspiring and influencing, having integrity and working ethically. “That has revolutionized how I understand, approach and cultivate leadership among folk that I work with and work for,” she affirmed. “I am ever grateful for the many concepts that I have been able to bring out of the academic learning and the book reading and apply to practice. It’s been an exciting journey.”

Learn more about the DEOL program.

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Sigma Delta Pi Spanish Honor Society Inducts New Members

Office of University Communications — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 16:12:17 +0000

Faculty Invites Seven Students for Membership

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—The �۶�ֱ�� University Tau Omega Chapter of Sigma Delta Pi Spanish Honor Society inducted new members on April 19. The ceremony was held in the Lisa Tucker Library inside Hamrick Hall.

Dr. Charles Moore, professor of Spanish, is the faculty sponsor.

To be invited by the Spanish faculty for membership, inductees must have excelled in at least one upper-level Spanish course. They must show a love for the Spanish language and Hispanic culture and be present at the induction ceremony to be members in-full.

Photos by Bryant Potts II / GWU Photo Staff

The 2022 inductees are:

Tiara Sherlin, junior nursing major.
Ulises Martinez, senior biology major.
Chloe Townsend, senior Spanish major.
Paula Harvie, junior world languages, literature, and cultures major.
Leah Carpenter, junior nursing major.
Brooklyn Tretter, junior nursing major.
Kyndal Jackson, sophomore, major undecided.

Learn more about the Department of World Languages, Literature and Cultures.

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�۶�ֱ�� Announces Lawrence Brinson as New Director of Diversity and Inclusion

Office of University Communications — Fri, 11 Mar 2022 20:26:25 +0000

Chosen After a Nationwide Search, Brinson Brings Over 20 Years of Experience as an Educator and Leader

Lawrence Brinson

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—�۶�ֱ�� University officials have announced that Lawrence Brinson has accepted the position of Director of Diversity and Inclusion. Brinson, of Huntersville, N.C., was chosen after a nationwide search and will begin his new role on April 4.

He reports directly to Vice President for Student Development and Dean of Students Lesley Villarose, who noted that Brinson’s two decades of achievements in the areas of equity and diversity made him the perfect choice. “The Director of Diversity and Inclusion is a very important leadership position for the University community,” she stated. “We are fortunate to have found someone as talented, accomplished and dedicated as Lawrence, who brings to �۶�ֱ�� over 20 years of professional experience working in the field of diversity and inclusion.”

Brinson’s various professional positions include Education Policy and Practice Facilitator with the National Education Association (NEA), Instructional Specialist with Discovery Education, K-12 educator with Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, Youth Services Coordinator with the Charlotte Housing Authority, and Program Manager with the Salvation Army of Mecklenburg County. In all of these roles, he implemented initiatives that promoted diverse and inclusive communities.

“�۶�ֱ��’s student body is populated by an increasingly diverse mosaic of backgrounds, reflecting the dynamics of our broader American society,” noted GWU President William Downs. “In the United States, our country’s motto (E pluribus unum—’out of many, one’) speaks directly to the importance of finding unity in diversity. Here at �۶�ֱ��, we affirm our mission as one that serves God and Humanity (Pro Deo et Humanitate), and by that we mean all humanity. I’m grateful to have Lawrence Brinson join us in this essential mission.”

At �۶�ֱ��, some of Brinson’s responsibilities include providing strategic vision and leadership for University initiatives that will strengthen campus unity and enhance respect for diversity in its many forms. He will engage students, faculty and staff to further behaviors, attitudes and policies that support diversity, equity and inclusion on campus. He will also lead the identification, planning and implementation of educational programming and training to create a more diverse, equitable and inclusive University community.

Brinson expressed his excitement over joining the GWU community and getting to know the people of Boiling Springs. “It is an honor to be selected to lead the diversity and inclusion efforts at �۶�ֱ��,” he asserted. “My goal is to bring to the forefront a community-developed vision for diversity and inclusion ensuring that all members of the �۶�ֱ�� community feel valued. I will work to build strong relationships based upon trust, transparency, and honesty in order to move this meaningful work forward.”

Since 2006, Brinson has taught social studies and Achievement Via Individual Determination (AVID) with Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. In addition to teaching courses in social studies, public history and contemporary law and justice with an emphasis on African American History and Culture, he is an advisor for the Minority Achievement Club, the Multicultural Club and Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) Club. He also works with Upward Bound, a program that strives to increase the rate at which students complete secondary education and enroll in and graduate from institutions of postsecondary education.

For the past seven years, Brinson has also contracted to work as the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Facilitator for the NEA Education Policy and Practice center. As a member of the senior management team, he has led the strategic vision, planning and implementation of DEI initiatives. A highlight of his career was working with the Human and Civil Rights Department and the Office of Strategic Alliances, to develop the “Leaders for Just Schools” (LJS) program. This initiative works to create learning environments that respect and celebrate diversity, foster equity for all students, and strengthen cultural competence.

He also developed a five-year, first-of-its-kind plan with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals for administrators and educators from various school districts across the United States. Brinson founded the Instruction and Professional Development Academy (IPDA), which develops action programs that work with educators in one-on-one settings to provide guidance and focus on practical DEI strategies to increase student engagement and learning. He also led the first partnership of 20 service organizations taking concrete steps to address inequity using plans from the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

A native of North Carolina, Brinson has a bachelor’s degree from Johnson C. Smith University in economics with a minor in business administration. Additionally, he attended Shaw University School of Divinity from 1999 to 2001. He and his wife, Patricia, have been married 24 years, and they have three children.

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�۶�ֱ�� School of Divinity Hosts Award-Winning Author, Dr. Barbara Peacock

Office of University Communications — Fri, 11 Mar 2022 15:15:40 +0000

Event on April 11 Includes Two Lectures on ‘Soul Care in African American Practice’

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Award-winning author, Dr. Barbara Peacock, will present “Soul Care in African American Practice” on April 11 at �۶�ֱ�� University. In her book by the same title, she examines the lives and soul care practices of 10 significant men and women―Frederick Douglass, Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Darrell Griffin, Renita Weems, Harold Carter, Jessica Ingram, Coretta Scott King, James Washington, and Howard Thurman. The publication received the “Christianity Today” Award of Merit.

Hosted by the GWU School of Divinity and the Bonnie Price Chair for Christian Formation and Leadership, the event begins with lunch at 11:30 a.m. in Faith Hall of Tucker Student Center. The first lecture is from 12:15 to 12:50 p.m. and the second one is from 1 to 1:35 p.m. A time of Q&A will be held from 1:35 to 1:45 p.m. The cost for lunch is $10.

Prior to initiating , Peacock served as minister of Discipleship and Prayer at The Park Church in Charlotte, N.C. Her 14 years of servant leadership included oversight of numerous ministries. These experiences enriched her praying, preaching, teaching, facilitating, counseling, coaching, spiritual directing and mentoring. Peacock is also the author of “Psalm 119 Scriptural Journal,” and “Called to Teach.” Her academic credentials include degrees from North Carolina Central University, Princeton Theological Seminary, and Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary.

Her influence includes being a board member currently or in the past at True Value of a Woman, Energy Committed To Offenders, Charlotte Awake, Women in Ministry International, Mid-Atlantic Christian Education Association, and In His Presence Global Ministry. In addition, she has served as Christian Education Director for American Baptist Churches of the South and Chaplain for the WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association). She has also ministered in Kenya and at the Hampton’s University Ministers Conference Women’s Luncheon.

She and her husband, Gilbert, have been married for 43 years, and together they own Freedom Financial Advantage LLC, which serves numerous organizations, churches, and individuals with Safe Money Strategies. Their greatest prize is being parents to Vernee, who married Michael, and grandparents to Eden and Eliah.

Registration for the event is available here.

For more information, contact Lisa Hollifield at lhollifield@gardner-webb.edu.

Auxiliary aids will be made available to persons with disabilities upon request 10 working days prior to the event. Please call 704-406-4270 or email disabilityservices@gardner-webb.edu with your request.

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Award-Winning Authors from Carolina African American Writers’ Collective Visit �۶�ֱ��

Office of University Communications — Fri, 11 Mar 2022 14:44:52 +0000

Darlene J. Gravett Visiting Writer Series Hosts Lenard Moore and Bridgette Lacy on March 31

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Lenard D. Moore, founder of the (CAAWC), along with a founding member, Bridgette A. Lacy, will be featured guests for the Darlene J. Gravett Visiting Writer Series at �۶�ֱ�� University on March 31 from 4 to 5 p.m. Hosted by the Department of English Language and Literature, the free program is open to the public and will be held in Hamrick Hall’s Blanton Auditorium.

Moore is the editor of the Collective’s anthology, “.” Lacy is a contributor to the book. The CAAWC has aided in the development of many celebrated writers such as Evie Shockley, the 2018 Pulitzer Prize finalist in poetry; Camille T. Dungy, a 2019 winner of a Guggenheim Fellowship for Creative Arts; and Fred Joiner, the Carrboro poet laureate and winner of a 2019 Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellowship.

Lenard D. Moore (photo by Bob Karp)

The selection committee chose these authors because of their successful careers, contributions to the anthology and leadership of the CAAWC, said Committee Co-chair Matthew Duffus, who is an assistant professor of English and director of the GWU Writing Center. “The committee was struck by the range of pieces and subject matters in this anthology, which includes fiction, poetry, and nonfiction,” he informed. “We also wanted to highlight the wonderful work of the longstanding Carolina African American Writers’ Collective.”

An internationally-known haiku writer, Moore has received numerous awards, including an appointment as the honorary curator of the American Haiku Archives at California State Library in Sacramento. He was also the recipient of the Haiku Museum of Tokyo Award in 2003, 1994 and 1983 and was the first African American president of the Haiku Society of America, a post he held in 2008 and 2009. He has also received the North Carolina Award for Literature; the Sam Ragan Award in the Fine Arts; and the Margaret Walker Creative Writing Award.

Bridgette Lacy (photo by John T. Jones)

Lacy is an award-winning journalist and author. She served as a longtime features writer for the “News & Observer” in Raleigh. She’s the author of “Sunday Dinner,” a part of the Savor the South series by UNC Press and a finalist for the Pat Conroy Cookbook Prize. Lacy is also a contributor to “All the Songs We Sing” and “27 Views of Raleigh: The City of Oaks in Prose Poetry” (Eno Publishers, 2013). Her work has appeared in “Southern Living,” “Our State,” “Salt,” and “O. Henry” magazines.

Moore will discuss both the Collective’s history and the selection and editorial processes that went into the development of the anthology. Lacy will share about her work and her history with the organization. Both writers contributed their own work to the anthology—Moore in the form of haiku and Lacy in nonfiction. The authors will also participate in a Q&A with the audience and book signing. Earlier in the day, Moore and Lacy will meet with a small group of students to discuss writing and editing.

The Darlene J. Gravett Visiting Writer Series Fund was established to provide annual funding for the Department of English Language and Literature to host a visiting writer. This endowed fund was initiated by a gift from Gravett, associate provost emerita of �۶�ֱ�� and professor of English. The fund expresses Gravett’s commitment to the Department of English Language and Literature.

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