Student finds passion for higher education, advocacy through leadership roles

When Estefany Gordillo-Rivas was deciding where she wanted to go to college, she knew she wanted to go somewhere that would give her a more personal experience with smaller class sizes.   

Nicole Kanupp | Day in the Life

Join us for an exhilarating day in the life of Nicole Kanupp, a dedicated member of the Pride of the Mountains marching band at Western Carolina University!  

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MFA graduate student paints mural in Sylva

Mia Loia, a graduate student in the Master of Fine Art program, just completed a mural on the side of Kountry Kupboard health food store in Sylva.  

Explore Further. Achieve Goals.

Born and raised in Western North Carolina, Jessica Gasperson-Shuford, a summer 2023 graduate of Western Carolina University’s Master of Science in Nursing-Family Nurse Practitioner program, knew she wanted to go into the health care field since she was in her teens.  

Forbes ranks WCU in top 10 of best online colleges in NC

WCU’s distance learning programs have been ranked among the best in North Carolina, making the top 10 on the Forbes list of best online colleges in the Old North State.   

Physical therapy grad student gets to see legislative side of health care

Ruby Dixon, a third-year student in WCU’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program, considers the entire state of North Carolina her home, having lived in different parts of the state throughout her life.   

WCU graduate finds a career through Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort internship program

Hannah Broyer is a talent acquisition coordinator at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort.   

MFA program checked all the boxes for WCU alum: culture, mountains and academic rigor

After earning a bachelor’s degree in sculpture from the Maryland Institute College of Art and a decade of work and life experience, Kentucky native Mo Kessler wanted to find a master’s program that checked all the boxes when it came to culture, experiencing the mountains of Western North Carolina and of course the master’s program itself.   

Call Me MiSTER program welcomes its largest cohort

WCU has tripled its cohort of Call Me MiSTER program participants, bringing in six new members who will start their four-year journey to becoming a teacher this fall.