2021 Inaugural Bronco Pride Magazine

INAUGURAL ISSUE August 2021

RES NON VERBA. DEEDS NOT WORDS.

Fayetteville State University Bronco Pride Chancellor Darrell T. Allison

Editor Tina Raines Director of Marketing and Strategic Communications Graphic Designer/Project Manager La’Won D. Williams Director of University Publications Writer Janet Gibson Photographers Ezekiel Best, Cindy Burnham Graphic Designer/Illustrator Mariano Santillan Proofreader Lisa Joyner

CONTENTS

3 Innovation and Excellence: The Bronco Way

7 Debt Relief: FSU Clears $1.6 million in Student Balances

Welcome to the Inaugural Issue of this bimonthly magazine which celebrates all FSU accomplishments and successes. Our stories are designed to showcase YOU – students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of the university. To share story ideas with us, email: traines1@uncfsu.edu.

8 Back in Business, Safely 10 Setting the Stage for Success: Enhancements to Our FSU Campus from the Inside, Out

Listening. Learning. Leading.

13 Forever Begins at FSU

Innovation and Excellence:

The Bronco Way

14 Provost: Ensuring our diverse students graduate ‘market-ready’ 16 Bronco One Stop: Centralized services for students’ needs

1200 Murchison Road Fayetteville, NC 28301 Phone: (910) 672-1377

www.uncfsu.edu Fayetteville State University is proud to be a constituent institution of the University of North Carolina System.

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18 Britanica’s Story 19 Get Involved!

Gaining invaluable feedback from Sydney Harris, Student Government President 2021-22

On the cover: Turning an eye to the future. A proud Bronco, “dressed for success,” reflects on the wonder of the Monument to Leadership on campus. Photo by Cindy Burnham.

A letter from the Chancellor

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n March 15, when my journey as Chancellor began, I made a commitment to listen to you and to learn from you. I also made a commitment to honor our proud history and lead this institution through shared governance with a great understanding that, together, we can take Fayetteville State University into a brighter future.

All of us – students, faculty, staff, and

alumni – play vital roles in ensuring our success and are important partners in the future of this university. In just a short time, we have made great progress.

Faculty and staff have joined together to bring about innovative and transformational opportunities that impact student success. We have enhanced communication and are 3

From left: Students Tjaden Gaddy ’24, Aaliyah Leslie ’23, and Demetrius Scarborough ’22 enrolled in the Free Summer School Program.

On his first day as Chancellor, Allison gives FSU’s National Alumni Association President Richard Kingsberry a $1,000 donation to become a member of the Association.

“I’m so thankful for everyone who has taken the time to tell me about their ideas, voice their concerns, and share their dreams.”

Chancellor Darrell T. Allison

working diligently to make critical decisions regarding our strategic plan. We have hired dynamic leaders, including our new Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Dr. Monica Terrell Leach. We have met with elected officials and have expectations of more equitable funding for this fiscal year.

Many dedicated alumni have reached out and pledged their support and

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leadership to FSU and its students.

Today, I am proud to announce that four members of our 13-member Board of Trustees are Bronco alumni.

Students and their families asked for enhancements on campus, a renewed commitment to safety, especially during the pandemic, and more opportunities to engage in academic and co-curricular activities to invigorate their college experience

and prepare them for great careers.

We are well positioned to make our great FSU a school of excellence with students who will become tomorrow’s visionary leaders. In this inaugural issue, you will read about many important developments that have transpired over the past five months as well as initiatives that are set to launch this fall—all with one goal in mind: student success!

In April, news broke with three powerful words: FREE SUMMER SCHOOL. FSU utilized $4.7 million in emergency relief funding to provide free summer classes for up to 1,400 undergraduate students.

This opportunity helped ensure more students graduate on time and with less financial stress.

After a year of living through the pandemic, our graduates asked 5

Debt Relief

Board of Trustees 2021-2022

Alumni labeled in blue

Val Applewhite

Stuart Augustine, Chariman

FSU clears $1.6 million in student balances

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Glenn Adams

ayetteville State students with balances on their university accounts had those debts wiped clean just before Independence Day. The criteria? They simply had to attend FSU at any point during the pandemic between Fall 2019 through Spring 2021.

Jonathan Charleston

“Go show the world what it means to be a Bronco!”

John Douglas English

Dr. Warren G. McDonald

Dr. Brandon Phillips ’04

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Dr. Kimberly Jeffries Leonard ’86

John McFadyen

Gregory Pinnix ’95

Sydney Harris Ex-Officio

Frederick Nelson Jr. ’98

William R. Warner

FSU leaders utilized federal funding to make it happen. The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III), part of the American Rescue Plan, provided $39.6 billion

to institutions of higher education in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“On this Independence Day weekend, it gives me no greater joy than to know we have been able to assist in our students’ financial independence by completely wiping the slate clean of their university debt,” announced Chancellor Darrell T. Allison.

ZaMetria Wall is scheduled to graduate in the fall with two master’s degrees and a graduate certificate. In 2014, she

also earned her bachelor’s degree from FSU. Owing nearly $10,000 in tuition, ZaMetria said she was humbled by the university’s decision.

As a wife, mother of two, graduate student and full-time employee, she said balancing family, college and work could be overwhelming at times.

Sharing the debt-free news on social media, she summed up her excitement: “Just another set of blessings to add to the list!”

Chancellor Darrell T. Allison

for the opportunity to attend Commencement in-person, and on May 8 we delivered. We hosted two ceremonies for more than 1,200 students from the classes of 2020 and 2021, along with their proud families, in Luther “Nick” Jeralds Stadium on campus. We are so proud of our students who not only graduated but had the strength and perseverance to do the hard work necessary to earn their degrees during a global pandemic.

As we rolled into the early days of July, we were thrilled to announce that FSU would be clearing $1.6

million in University debt for nearly 1,500 students with funds from the American Rescue Plan. Imagine that.

We wiped the slate clean.

This is the dawn of a new day at Fayetteville State University. This is our time.

Res Non Verba. Deeds Not Words.

Chancellor Darrell T. Allison

“It’s absolutely amazing that I can say I will have two MBAs, a graduate certificate and SAP certification at no cost! It’s wonderful and I still don’t know if it has set in ... maybe when I turn the tassels and never receive the email about paying for the tuition, then it’ll all be real.”

ZaMetria Wall ’21

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SAFELYSAFELY Broncos are Back on Campus,

Broncos are back on campus,

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Life is good at FSU.

There is something for everyone.

Residence halls near full capacity

New Living Learning Communities (LLCs)

Multiple housing options

Creating a more normal campus life experience

Bringing students together into unique living and learning environments

Offering students a range of exciting choices

Co-curricular programs

Intramural & recreational sports

Outdoor seating and basketball courts

Making enriching activities and learning experiences available to all

Creating fun opportunities to compete and secure ultimate bragging rights

Fostering friendships, fitness, and fresh air

Mostly face-to-face classes

Retailers open for business

Student Center

Facilitating hands-on learning and improved interactions

Offering more options for students’ ease and convenience

Providing a place to gather, hang out, or watch movies

Life is good at FSU. There is something for everyone.

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Enhancements include: » A total $2.2 million investment in renovations and repairs to seven residence halls ($1.5 million) and University Place Apartments ($700,000) » The redesign of the East Campus Gazebo Quad into a vibrant area for gathering » The creation of Greek Plots to brand each fraternity and sorority (“The Divine Nine”) and also serve as places to assemble proudly, especially during Homecoming » The construction of two top-quality, outdoor basketball courts adjacent to Capel Arena » An investment of $600,000 to install a new turf at the football stadium

Setting the Stage for Success Enhancements to our campus, from the inside, out

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hen first-time and returning Broncos arrive on campus this fall, they will be “welcomed home” to a vast array of enhancements that are designed not only to make their Fayetteville State experience comfortable and safe, but also to set the stage for creating memories and lifelong success.

“At the end of the day, we want this 10

to be a transformative experience,” said Dr. Juanette Council, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.

Dr. Council said the improvements were driven by students who provided input during meetings and campus tours this past spring with Chancellor Darrell T. Allison and representatives from FSU’s Facilities Management Department.

“We want this to be a transformative experience.”

Dr. Juanette Council, Vice Chancellor For Student Affairs

“The Chancellor asked for our input and found a solution for every issue that we brought to him ...”

Ahmahd Moore ’21

Ahmahd Moore is one of the students who appreciated the opportunity to take the campus tour a few months ago and offer feedback. “The Chancellor asked for our input and found a solution for every issue that we brought to him,” Ahmahd

said, adding that he especially looks forward to seeing more expressions of “Bronco Pride” in the use of the school’s colors and logo in common spaces. “That will make the campus feel way more alive,” he said.

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“We shared so many experiences together on campus, and that helped us to create a lifelong bond.”

Tiffany Graham ’03 O’dell Graham ’01

Then Now

The new Greek Plots, in an area designated “Greek Plaza” behind Lily Gym, feature individual pedestals for each of the nine Greek organizations on campus, and plaques are slated to be added to each of the monuments.

Sidewalks are being cleaned and prepared and, as of press time, artists are slated to paint and decorate sidewalks to represent each of the fraternity and sorority walkways, designated to celebrate “The Divine Nine.”

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“The Greek Plots will bring unity back to campus. It’s good for students, and it’s good for alumni, because it represents our history and is also a unique gathering place.”

Michael Randall ’86, Business Administration, and proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. A retired Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army, Randall is currently the CEO of Safeguard Security Solutions, LLC, in Atlanta, Georgia.

Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and O’dell is a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Forever Begins at FSU

Today, Tiffany is a business teacher for a middle school and also has her own small enterprise, working as a wedding and events planner. O’dell, a licensed family counselor, works as a Military Family Life Counselor for Magellan Federal.

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The Grahams are parents to a daughter, Malia, 10, and 5-year-old twin boys, Carter and Cameron. The family lives in Leland, just outside of Wilmington.

hen Tiffany and O’dell Graham speak about “making lasting bonds” at Fayetteville State, it’s personal for them.

Rewind to 1999: That’s when their eyes first met in the campus cafeteria.

“I wouldn’t say it was love at first sight for either of us,” Tiffany said, “but a friendship developed.” And, from there, a relationship and marriage began.

What is it about FSU that makes love blossom?

“FSU provides a lot of diverse activities and events for its students to participate in,” the Grahams agree.

“We shared so many experiences together on campus, and that helped us to create a lifelong bond.

Finding love during such a formative time in our youth was an amazing experience. Our time together at FSU was incredibly special for us.”

The Grahams believe that involvement in Greek life, in particular, strengthened their connection.

Tiffany is a proud member of Alpha

Tiffany and O’dell travel back to FSU often for special happenings, including Homecoming games and festivities.

Once a Bronco, always a Bronco.

Did your love story begin at Fayetteville State University? We would like to hear from married alumni about how you met at FSU and where you are now. Email Tina Raines at traines1@uncfsu.edu.

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Provost

Ensuring our diverse students graduate ‘market-ready’

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id you know that 52 percent of Fayetteville State University students are classified as “adult learners,” which means they are age 24 and older? Nearly one in three is military-affiliated. That is, these students are either active-duty, reservists, guardsmen, veterans, or spouses and children of those who are serving our country.

Some of our students are traditional, meaning they’re just getting out of high school, transferring from community college, or they’re younger than 24 years of age. Others are part of the trending generation of adult learners who are returning to finish a college degree or even earn another one. Regardless of our students’ age or stage, FSU leaders, faculty, and staff are here and ready to serve.

Serving FSU’s diverse student population is a major focus for Dr. Monica Terrell Leach, who started on June 1 in her role as Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.

“Through academic and cocurricular experiences, we are preparing students to graduate, gain successful employment and be productive, engaged citizens.”

Dr. Monica Terrell Leach, Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs 14

Provost Leach, who brings nearly three decades of academic affairs experience to FSU, speaks with passion as she describes how crucial it is to engage and support all students from the moment they matriculate into the university until the day they leave FSU: “Through academic and co-curricular experiences, we are preparing students to graduate on time, gain employment and be productive, engaged citizens.”

“Beginning freshman year, we need to talk about career readiness,” she said. To that end, the new Living Learning Communities are a step in the right direction with an

immersion into the “holistic” college experience. New this fall, the concept brings together students with shared affinities into unique environments that promote knowledge, creativity and success.

The Living Learning Communities (LLC) – which are located in Hackley Honors Hall – reinforce skills that will make students more “market-ready” after they graduate.

The LLCs provide programs and activities to promote development and increase student competencies in critical thinking, problem solving, communication skills, teamwork and collaboration, leadership and professional development, civic engagement and social responsibility, and wellness.

FSU is piloting three LLCs this fall: The Sister-Hood, The Brother-Hood, and Readiness in STEAM. Chancellor Darrell T. Allison ensured there was shared governance in the hiring of the new provost. In addition to the great work done by the search committee, he opened the interview process to include representatives from all stakeholder groups. When the finalists came to campus, they met with students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Those who participated include: Students

Tyshawn Adams, Gregory Brooks, Kenyon L. Butler, Shanae Ingram, Zachary H. Kellum, Shamore A. Lowery, Maya V. Martin, Niayah M. McFadden, Shawn K. McNeill, and Ahmahd E. Moore.

FSU’s Career Services Center plays an important role in preparing students to be market-ready. The Center partners with businesses and stakeholders to provide internship opportunities for students and offers workshops, information sessions, career fairs, and more.

The success of the 2021 Free Summer School Program, utilizing federal pandemic funds, served both traditional and nontraditional students in staying on-track toward graduating on time, according to Provost Leach.

The program offered free summer classes, room and board, and textbooks for eligible students. The Summer School program provided undergraduate students an opportunity to close learning gaps by earning credits. For some seniors, it provided the opportunity to graduate on time.

Faculty Dr. Murat Adivar, Dr. Cevdet Akbay, Dr. Sambit Bhattacharya, Dr. Paul Boaheng, Dr. Jennifer Bushelle-Edghill, Dr. Chandrika H. Johnson, Dr. Shirley Chao, Dr. Miriam Chitiga, Dr. Dennis Corbin, Dr. Laura Coyle, Dr. Sherree Davis, Dr. Perry Gillespie, Dr. Caroline Glackin, Dr. Danielle Graham, Dr. Shubo Han, Dr. Avis Hatcher-Puzzo, Dr. Tanya M. Hudson, Dr. Theodore Kaniuka, Dr. Dorrance Kennedy, Dr. Connie Lightner, Dr. Juan Ma, Milton Johnnie Marshburn, Dr. Terri Moore-Brown, Dr. Radoslav Nickolov, Dr. Tyechia V. Paul, Dr. Cynthia Shamberger, Dr. Melanie Shorter, Dr. Jane Smith, Dr. Mohsen Souissi, Dr. Misty Stone, Dr. Angela Taylor, Dr. Kelli Cardenas Walsh, Dr. Carole Weatherford, and Dr. Thomas Williams.

In June, another big boost arrived when Fayetteville State became one of the first Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the state to be selected as a partner institution for the North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program, said Provost Leach. The honor, she adds, is fitting, given FSU’s beginnings as a teachers’ college and the institution’s long-term commitment to producing top educators. The mission of the program is to recruit, prepare and support students attending North Carolina’s top education programs for preparation as highly effective STEM or special education teachers in the state’s public schools.

Provost Leach explains, “We utilize a variety of strategies to equip our students with employable skills.

We are living in a new normal and we must prepare our students to be market-ready upon graduation.”

Staff Kristen Aube, Shelia Buskey-Allen, Kay Faircloth, Jasmine Frowner, Roderick D. Fullwood, Samantha Hargrove, Wanda Jenkins, Sandra Jones, DeSharon Kersey, Timothy Lloyd, Terra B. Poole, Paula Y. Sampson, Sylvia L Tigs, Minda Watkins, and Gloria Wells.

Alumni Sandra Bryant, Demetrius Haddock, Elliot Jackson, Katrina Johnson, Cindi McCormic, Dr. Donald Moore, Vedas Neal, and Dr. Shawn Odom.

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“Our goal is to enhance the student experience with the application process, academic records, financial aid, billing questions, speaking with an advisor to register for classes, gaining assistance with degree planning, receiving academic support, and navigating university resources. This pipeline of student services … creates an ecosystem to support the enrollment, persistence and graduation rates for FSU students.”

The Bronco One Stop experience begins on the first floor at “the hub,” or the former reference desk, just to the right upon entering the library.

Admissions, financial aid, registrar, and student accounts are occupying the first floor in early fall.

Bronco One Stop Centralized services for students’ needs

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tudent convenience is at the core of the new Bronco One Stop, which is housed in the Charles W. Chestnutt Library on campus.

Have questions about financial aid?

What about academic advising? Or do you just need to pay a bill?

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The Bronco One Stop is a centralized space for students to access common student services to strengthen their ability to navigate Fayetteville State University, according to Dr. Teresa Thompson-Pinckney, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Access & Student Success.

The second floor will be dedicated to 30 academic advisers in the new centralized advising center. The projected time frame for completion is late fall, according to Facilities Management.

One Stop workers receive extensive training in customer service to further enhance the student experience. Extended business hours are being explored to best serve adult learners and military students. “By centralizing services, increasing services online, and utilizing new channels of service delivery or communication, FSU is creating another strategy to improve student success throughout the student lifecycle,” explains FSU’s Provost, Dr. Monica Terrell Leach.

“Our goal is to enhance the student experience with the application process, academic records, financial aid, billing questions, speaking with an advisor to register for classes, gaining assistance with degree planning, receiving academic support, and navigating university resources.”

Dr. Teresa Thompson-Pinckney, Vice Chancellor for Access & Student Success

FSU is your spot for the COVID-19 vaccine shot.

FSU is committed to returning to campus safely. We encourage all Broncos to wear a mask and get vaccinated.

Questions about the vaccine? Contact Student Health Services at (910) 672-1259, Healthservices2@uncfsu.edu or visit the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services website at covid19.ncdhhs.gov/vaccines.

Find FSU’s Covid-19 protocols, updates, and testing and vaccine information at www.uncfsu.edu/covid-19-update.

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be a nurse one day. And I would tell her, ‘Grandma, I’m your voice.’”

But sometimes life has a way of taking us down a different path.

For Britanica, that meant a stint in the Navy, where she received some nursing training and also earned an Associate degree in Accounting.

Afterward, she went on to receive Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Accounting, thinking that a career crunching numbers might be the best for her family and she would grow to love it.

Britanica’s Story

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ayetteville State nursing junior Britanica Williams will never forget the pain in the widow’s eyes. “How she looked at me, and I felt like, if I don’t help her, who will?

Fluid was building up … and she was pleading to have her legs wrapped. I always ask myself, ‘What if this was my family member? What if this was my grandmother?’”

Britanica said that moment in time—a chance to help someone in need—captured what she has long known to be her life’s purpose. As part of VACOM, or veterans in the

Community Project, FSU nursing students like Britanica are paired with faculty mentors who are also Veterans and peer tutors. Their patients – Veterans or their spouses – are recovering at home after being discharged from Cape Fear Valley Medical Center.

When Britanica was only 16, she sat at the bedside of her own grandmother who was hospitalized for multiple health problems. “I’d have her repeat to me exactly what the doctor told her, and then I’d play Dr. Google. I promised her, ‘I’m going

In 2018, she was still longing to be a nurse. “The time was finally right,” she said, and she enrolled full-time at FSU’s School of Nursing. Britanica, 33, is married to a retired disabled veteran, and the couple have two children. She juggles full-time classes with her busy home life and a fulltime accounting job on Fort Bragg.

Britanica laughs easily – and cries tears of joy, too – after she has helped someone in need on her rounds.

“Many of these patients have no voice,” she said.

Finally, she is inching closer to pursuing her passion with a projected graduation date of 2022. She believes her late grandmother would be proud. A promise is kept.

Britanica Williams’ story is one of several featuring FSU students in a series titled “Experience This!” From the marching band to theater to forensic science and more, these experiences can be found at www.uncfsu.edu/experience-this.

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Get Involved!

Giving to Fayetteville State University has the power to transform the lives of our students. Whether you give time, an opportunity, or a financial donation, you are influencing the next generation of leaders and ensuring our students’ success.

Partner with Career Services Career Services welcomes friends of the university and supporters to partner with our office to provide professional, internship, and job opportunities to students—or networking services and career coaching. We offer a variety of partnership and engagement opportunities for you to work with us. Be a part of our next professional workshop, information session, or career development event. To become a partner, please fill out the interest form: bit.ly/engagewithFSU

Donate Your financial donations support our ambitious and bright students in achieving their very best.

Give online Visit www.uncfsu.edu/give-to-fsu.

Mobile Text FSU to 41444 to give on your mobile device using your credit or debit card.

Contact Reach Michelle Hocker at (910) 672-1311 for assistance with making a gift by phone.

Stay Connected Text FSUINFO to 51555 to join our text list.

Stay Connected Text FSUINFO to 51555 to join our text list.

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Non-Profit Org. US Postage PAID Fayetteville, NC Permit No. 247 1200 Murchison Road Fayetteville, NC 28301 www.uncfsu.edu

Chancellor Darrell T. Allison and Anthony Bennett, FSU Athletic Director

Homecoming Week is October 10-16, 2021 Saturday, October 16: Parade begins at 10 am.

Game starts at 2 pm: FSU vs. Johnson C. Smith To purchase tickets, visit: bit.ly/2VyhXwg