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As the westernmost institution in the UNC system, Western Carolina University provides educational opportunities to residents of the state’s western region and attracts students from around the globe to explore the area’s vast resources.

About Western Carolina
At Western Carolina University, we view our admissions process as our opportunity to build the community that defines our institution. We look for people eager to explore and ready to redefine success.

Admissions and Financial Aid
Programs and courses at Western Carolina are designed to provide hands-on, applied experience. Students engage with communities across the region as they practice their profession in real-world environments.

Academic Programs & Support
Western Carolina’s unique mountain location helps fuel a vibrant campus community with more than 170 student clubs and organizations as well as a busy performing arts calendar and the campus’s own adventure guide service.

Student Life & Services
Western Carolina is home to 16 Southern Conference athletic teams with more than 375 student athlete competitors. WCU strives to inspire student-athletes to compete like champions on the field and in the classroom.

WCU Athletics
Western Carolina was founded to serve the region it calls home, and that has not changed. WCU continues to focus on regional development initiatives, engaged service and community programs. It also partners with alumni and donors to ensure access to higher education for deserving students in the region and beyond.

Community and Alumni Engagement

Academic Programs & Support

Academic Programs & Support

Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning Staff

	Lane Perry, PhD - Executive Director laneperry@wcu.edu - 828.227.2643 Publications, Presentations, and CV Personal website Focus Areas: faculty development programming including workshops, the Faculty Institute on Community Engagement, one-on-one consultations; Ripple Effect Learning Community; strategic planning; assessment (measuring & monitoring); fundraising and development; and CCESL staff and budget oversight.
	Jennifer Cooper - Associate Director jacooper@wcu.edu - 828.227.2595 Focus Areas: community partner engagement and development including partner consultations, networking opportunities, and Community Coffee Conversations; volunteer fair; social media marketing, volunteer calendar, and student listserv.
	Amanda Hanson - Assistant Director ahanson@wcu.edu - 828.227.2592 Focus Areas: student community engagement, including alternative breaks, awareness weeks, and days of service; Student Democracy Coalition; Lily Community Engagement Award; CCESL student staff oversight; and development of marketing, promotional, & recruitment materials.
	Brian Garland - Operations Coordinator garlandb@wcu.edu - 828.227.7184 Focus Areas: CCESL budget and reports, purchase ordering, managing service vans, scheduling meetings, check requests and reimbursements, coordinating and booking travel.
	Angela Biggs - Community Coordinator abiggs@wcu.edu - 828.227.2091 Focus Areas: community coordination for parents and students in the UP Program, with a focus on successful transition to independent living and competitive employment. Assists with the Growing Minds partnership with local schools.
	Emily Freeze - Graduate Assistant eafreeze1@catamount.wcu.edu - 828.238.7190
	Jamar Martin - Student Service Corps Member jomartin@wcu.edu - 828.227.7184
	Veronica Surer - Student Service Corps Member vsurer@wcu.edu - 828.227.7184
	Jemaria Watford - Student Service Corps Member jwatford@wcu.edu - 828.227.7184