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WCU Stories

Elizabeth Watson in her classroom

‘Gifted’ graduate grateful for opportunity to maximize her students’ learning

When Elizabeth Watson decided she wanted a master’s degree in education to better serve her gifted students, she didn’t have to look far for inspiration. “My sister attended Western Carolina University and graduated with a degree in special education. To this day, she is the best special education teacher I've ever seen,” said Watson, who graduated in May with a master’s degree in special education with a focus on gifted education. “I chose to attend WCU for the simple fact that I thought, ‘Well, they must be doing something right at this university.’”  

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New online art and wellness magazine is a real Masterpeace

Filled with photographs, paintings and artwork supplied by students from across Western North Carolina, “Masterpeace” was created to celebrate student art while delivering mental health and wellness information.  

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The Catamount School teachers are adjusting, but still miss their students

Rewind to pre-COVID-19 pandemic days when life was normal and one would be hard-pressed to find a middle school student who wouldn’t welcome having a month off from school. Now fast-forward to today, and what most middle school teachers are finding is that their students are not only missing their classmates, but also their teachers.  

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General Assembly renews grant for WCU's school leadership training program

With a recent grant renewal, Western Carolina University’s College of Education and Allied Professions has now received $1.8 million to date from a General Assembly program for training school administrators and leaders.  

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Master's degree program in experiential and outdoor education gains accreditation

WCU's new master's degree program in experiential and outdoor education recently gained accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.   

Students studying counseling

Pandemic Forces Counseling Students to Find New Ways to See Clients

There is nothing like a pandemic to change the rules of work, making us to pivot on the fly, then hope for the best, while simultaneously providing opportunities to learn when we least expect it. David Wynn, a second-year graduate student in Western Carolina University’s counseling program, was forced to change the way he counsels clients after COVID-19 shuttered nonessential businesses across the country. Wynn was dubious, at first, of a new delivery system that was the antithesis of his beliefs regarding counseling.   

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Political science professor Jennifer Schiff named one of UNC System's top teachers

Jennifer Schiff, associate professor of political science and public affairs, has been named one of the top educators in the University of North Carolina System.  

Students Studying outside

A Unique, Experiential Master's Program

Western Carolina University has announced a new master’s degree in experiential and outdoor education that will be offered through the College of Education and Allied Professions beginning with the fall semester. The program is designed for professionals and those seeking careers in positions such as environmental educators, camp directors, wilderness therapy instructors, park rangers and outdoor adventure instructors.   

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Organization ranks WCU's early education program among best for teaching how to teach reading

A team of literacy experts examined all elements that a program requires in early reading instruction and awarded an “A” to WCU’s bachelor of science degree program in elementary education.  

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