New Student Convocation

 

Keynote Address: Jacquelyn D. Hallum, MBA, MHA 

Western Carolina University is proud to welcome new students each year with an inspiring keynote address, delivered by prestigious nationally renowned speakers.

Jacquelyn D. Hallum is the director of Health Careers and Diversity Education at the Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) and the program director for the Minority Medical Mentoring Program (MMMP) and serves on the leadership team for equity, diversity and inclusion.  She is a native of Asheville and has been employed with MAHEC for more than twenty-five years. Her healthcare background spans nearly forty years.  She is an adept presenter in workforce equity including microaggressions and social determinants of health. She is an advocate for social, gender and economic justice and mentors youth; especially BIPOC youths with an interest in the health professions.  She does whatever is necessary to help students and families achieve their goals. 

Jacquelyn graduated from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University (Aggie Pride) with a degree in Business Administration & Marketing and did her graduate work at Pfeiffer University where she received a dual Master’s degree in Business Administration and Health Administration. Jacquelyn has served on numerous boards and commissions including the Asheville City Schools Board of Education, Asheville City Schools Foundation Board, AB Tech Board of Trustees, and currently serves on the Buncombe County Health and Human Services Board, Buncombe County Child Fatality Task Force and the Southern Region National Association of Medical Minority Educators. One of her guiding quotes is “If people knew better, they would do better.”