Class of Fall 2022 Where Are They Headed

Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) Fall Commencement is upon us, as graduates depart to serve. Here's a glimpse of where a few students from the Class of Fall 2022 are headed. 

Name: Ava Avedikian
Major: Interdisciplinary Studies – Justice Studies & Sociology
Hometown: Raleigh and Greensboro

What student activities/groups were you a part of at WSSU? I am a distance learning student, so I wasn’t a part of any WSSU groups/activities. However, I continued to work full-time for a law firm while attending full-time at WSSU and was involved in several volunteer opportunities through various courthouses.

What has your experience been like at WSSU? I came in to WSSU as a transfer student from FTCC and had previously attended a few other colleges in the Triad. However, WSSU was the absolute best experience for me; even as a virtual student it was the most rewarding college experience I have ever had.

How has WSSU helped to develop you as a person? When I first started at WSSU I had a very specific picture of what I thought my future educational and professional path would be. Through the support of my advisor, and several professors, I was able to carve a new path that better aligned with my passion. Trying to juggle full-time work and full-time school has not always been easy, but it has helped me gain useful skills that carry over into my personal life as well.

What motivates you to succeed? My inner child. I lost my dad when I was really young and that was a difficult thing to navigate through as I grew up. He briefly attended college but dropped out and never got his degree. I always told myself that I would work hard, no matter what obstacles were thrown my way, to achieve a higher education. After WSSU I’ll be working on my Master’s in Child Advocacy and then Ph.D., and he’s been my motivation ever since.

If you could give advice to the freshman version of yourself, what would it be? It’s okay to take your time. Don’t just rush through school to finish, but make sure you choose a college that helps you grow as a person as well. Make connections, get involved in your community, but most importantly – enjoy your college experience because there is nothing else like it.

Are there any faculty or staff members who made a significant impact on your WSSU experience? Dr. Nation was the most influential professor during my time at WSSU. Her courses not only challenged me, but she personally took the time to meet with me to review my resume and discuss graduate school and what I should focus my future Ph.D. on. She also provided me with additional resources for my personal enrichment and professional career goals. Her courses were always engaging, and she helped me evolve not only as a student but as a professional and individual as well.

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about attending WSSU? Don’t think about it, just do it! You won’t regret it.

How has WSSU prepared you to achieve your ultimate goals? My professors and advisor have connected me with past WSSU alumni that had similar passions and goals as myself. The courses I took were directly related to my current profession and what I hope to transition into. I felt completely supported my entire time I was at WSSU.

What will you miss most about WSSU? The community. Even though I was an online student, I made lifelong connections with other students, professors, and even previous alumni that have helped me navigate this chapter of my life. 

What’s next for you after graduation? I will be attending Montclair State University in the Spring to start my Master’s in Child Advocacy and Policy. I’ll also continue to work full-time for the law firm I’ve been at for over a year, and hopefully transition into a Child Advocacy Center Director position in the very near future.

Name: Jordan Chamblee
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Charlotte, NC

What student activities/groups were you a part of at WSSU? I was an MSEN Assistant for the NC Math and Science Education Network Program, the program here at WSSU is run by Mr. Joseph Baker and Mr. Keith Penn.

What has your experience been like at WSSU? My experience at WSSU for the most part has been pleasant due to the people I have met and the staff members that helped to assist me on my academic journey.

How has WSSU helped to develop you as a person? WSSU has helped me to develop as a person due to the small community that the campus is. There is always a resource available to help assist students with any problem we may have.

What motivates you to succeed? My biggest motivation to succeed is my family. They always told me that I could do anything I set my mind to and helped to guide me in the right direction.

If you could give advice to the freshman version of yourself, what would it be? If I could give advice to the freshman version of myself, I would tell her to make more of an effort in coming out of her shell. There were a lot of opportunities I missed when I first came to WSSU due to me simply not speaking up about my interest in them. I am glad that I am improving in this area.

Are there any faculty or staff members who made a significant impact on your WSSU experience? Yes, there are three. Dr. Rachelle Barnes, Mr. Joseph Baker and Mr. Keith Penn. I worked as an MSEN Assistant for Mr. Baker and Mr. Penn in the NC Math and Science Education Network Program (NC MSEN). I started assisting with this program during my freshman year and have loved it ever since. I took several classes taught by Dr. Barnes during my time here but, the independent research study I did with her was truly my favorite experience due to the knowledge I gained about the topic, grad school and just life in general.

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about attending WSSU? If you are thinking about coming to WSSU, do it. The staff here genuinely cares about you and there are countless opportunities and resources available to you. All you have to do is look for them or ask about them. Anyone will be more than happy to help assist you through your time at WSSU.

How has WSSU prepared you to achieve your ultimate goals? WSSU has prepared me to achieve my ultimate goal by having amazing professors in the Psychological Sciences and Behavioral Sciences departments that are always ready to answer any question you have.

What is your fondest memory of your time at WSSU? My fondest memory of my time at WSSU are the study sessions I spent with my friends in the library that sometimes lasted until the library closed. This is the place where we sometimes got work done but mostly goofed off.

What will you miss most about WSSU? I will miss how open and kind the staff is to anyone that comes and speaks to them. They gave anyone a chance to help them improve in any area they may have been struggling in.

If you have done an internship, research, study abroad or other activities how have those experiences shaped you? The research study that I conducted this semester with Dr. Barnes has broadened my knowledge about the various tests that can be run in IMB SPSS. Before doing the study, I knew the basics of how to run SPSS but now I feel a lot more comfortable with using the software altogether. The experience of doing this study will help me greatly in grad school when it comes to future studies.

What’s next for you after graduation? After graduation, I will be attending graduate school for School Psychology to get my master’s degree. I am currently in the process of applying to schools and am unsure of where I will be attending.

Name: Tyrone Davis II
Major: Sport Management, Concentration in Marketing and Promotions
Hometown: Rocky Mount, NC 

What student activities/groups were you a part of at WSSU? Here at WSSU I was a part of Free Hugs Organization and a part of the athletic department on campus as a volunteer and intern. 

What has your experience been like at WSSU? My overall experience at WSSU was good in my opinion, and I don't have any regrets. I did what I thought was best for me at the moment.  

What motivates you to succeed? The things or people who motivate me are my parents and the people who support me. Also, the way I see myself, meaning the kind of life I want to live and the dreams that I have. 

If you could give advice to the freshman version of yourself, what would it be? If I could advise my freshman self, I would say you are just fine as you are. 

Are there any faculty or staff members who made a significant impact on your WSSU experience? Yes, I would like to thank Ms. Parker and Mrs. Polk-Bethea for all their help. 

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about attending WSSU? I would say to anyone who is thinking about attending coming to WSSU is, it's an amazing institution but stay focused and know why you are here. 

What is your fondest memory of WSSU? The fondest memory here at WSSU would be me finding out that I am graduating early. 

How has WSSU prepared you to achieve your ultimate goals? WSSU has prepared me to achieve my goals by never giving up and doing what's best for me.  

If you have done an internship, research, study abroad or other activities how have those experiences shaped you? The internship that I did with WSSU had taught me how to be a leader and how to lead while being respectful at the same time. 

What’s next for you after graduation? After graduation I will take some time to just breathe and see what the world has to offer. 

Name: Essence Newkirk 
Major: Sports Management 
Hometown: Wilmington, NC 

What student activities/groups were you a part of at WSSU? I am part of the Track and Field team, Vice President of National Council of Negro Women, and I also represented WSSU at the NCAA Career in Sports Forum this summer in Indianapolis,  

What has your experience been like at WSSU?  My experience at WSSU has been great. I was a transfer student, and I really did not know what to expect before I got on campus. But once I got here everyone was so welcoming and willing to help. I have met so many great people and have built lifelong friendships.

How has WSSU helped to develop you as a person? WSSU has changed me in so many ways. I can confidently say I am not the same person I used to be before I got here. I have gained leadership skills, professional development, public speaking experience and I cannot thank WSSU and everyone else involved enough.  

What motivates you to succeed? What motivates me to succeed is my family and friends, knowing that they believe in me pushes me harder to achieve my goals and aspirations.  

If you could give advice to the freshman version of yourself, what would it be? I would tell the freshman version of myself to not be so shy and get out of your comfort zone.

Are there any faculty or staff members who made a significant impact on your WSSU experience? My coaches, Antonio Wells and Cierra Pridgen, April Reid, and the Sport Management Department Dr. Felder, Coach Conley, Dr. Stowe. 

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about attending WSSU? I would tell them it is definitely an atmosphere you want to experience. The campus has so much to offer. I would also tell them to stay involved and find organizations or groups that best fit you. 

How has WSSU prepared you to achieve your ultimate goals? I have been provided numerous athletic and professional opportunities that have helped me to move forward with my ultimate goals. WSSU has helped me to gain necessary skills that will take me further in life and I am beyond grateful for this experience

What is your fondest memory of your time at WSSU? Winning CIAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship! 

What will you miss most about WSSU? I will definitely miss the family atmosphere! 

If you have done an internship, research, study abroad or other activities how have those experiences shaped you? My internship has taught me so much. It gave me the chance to get hands-on experience within my career field. It also allowed me to get more comfortable with managing events and managing people. I have got more confidence in my leadership skills, and I am ready to see where this journey takes me.

What’s next for you after graduation? After graduation I plan on going back to school to get my MBA.