IV. Staff Elaine Morrison continued to do exceptional work as our Administrative Support Specialist. She handled all of her diverse responsibilities with great skill. She provided essential support to her professional colleagues, and supervised our work study students. She led a Village In Action group in the Fall, and volunteered her time to assist during New Student Orientation. Elaine will retire this summer after 13 years of service to the university. Chester Brewer has proven to be a wonderful addition to our staff since he joined us in November 2011. Smart, innovative, organized and tireless, Chester works very hard and achieves exceptional results. His work with our Scholars Village Assistants and our Outdoor Explorations Series have been outstanding. He planned and led six Outdoor Explorations trips this year, including a spring break trip to Costa Rica. His skills with technology and social media have also had a real impact on the way we deliver services to our students. This year Chester completed the Wilderness First Responder recertification with the Wilderness Medical Institute. He also served on the DASA Assessment Committee and the Peace Lunch Forum Planning Committee. Ken Johnson continued to manage a range of successful and critical small group activities for USP students. He also managed essential logistics associated with our Scholars Forum. In addition to his regular USP responsibilities, Ken taught one of our 200-level USP courses in Fall 2012 and Spring 2013. Ken planned our annual Fall Break trip to New York City, and co-led our Spring Break trip to Ireland and Scotland. He also co-directed the the Florence Study Abroad Program. Ken advised the Scholars Council and directed our Commencement Marshals for the December and May Commencement ceremonies. Ken also served on the GLBT Center’s Advisory Board, the SECC Advisory Board, and as Team Captain for the 2012 SECC Campaign. Allison Medlin continues to do exceptional work for the University Scholars Program. She manages essential program processes, including admissions, program completion, and communications. With Chester Brewer, she designed and launched the new USP website. She co-led the Spring Break trip to Ireland and Scotland. She represented the USP at many university and college visitation days and the Park Finalists weekend. She also led program outreach efforts for advisers and administrators from NC State’s colleges. In addition, Allison served on the DASA Communication Working Group, the DASA Technology & Communications Council, the Teaching Fellows Advisory Council and the USP Advisory Committee. This spring, Allison was accepted into NCSU’s Ph.D. program in Educational Research and Policy Analysis. In addition to his work as Associate Director, Sean Cassidy served on the Harrelson Committee, which he will co-chair in the upcoming year. He also served on the International Operations Council, the DASA CCC, the USP Advisory Committee and assisted with the planning for the session for high achieving students at Open House. With Ken Johnson, he coordinated the USP’s Fall Break trip to New York City and co-directed the Florence Study Abroad Program (which he led this Summer 2013). Sean also taught one of our 200-level USP courses in Fall 2012 and Spring 2013. Sean was promoted to Senior Associate Director in May 2013. In conjunction with and in addition to his work as USP Director and Vice Provost, Alex Miller served on the following in 2012-13: USP Advisory Committee; Arts Village Advisory Board; Student Center Board of Directors; Friends of ARTS NC STATE Board; Talley Building Committee; Gregg Museum Building Committee; Arts Gala Planning Committee; University Standing Committee on University Housing; NC State Capital Improvement Task Force. He also represented ARTS NC STATE at NC State Foundation Board meetings. Alex served as the Director of the Oxford Study Abroad Program (which he led this Summer 2013). After 28 years of exceptional leadership of the University Scholars Program, Alex stepped down as Director in May 2013.
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“I really enjoyed being involved in the University Scholars Program. It gave me a lot of cultural and global experiences that I wouldn't have otherwise been able to have. I learned an incredible amount in a short period of time and had a really great time in the process. I also made a lot of friends through the program who I still stay in touch with today. I've always felt honored to be a part of this program and it has helped encourage me to always do my best in my classes as well as how to seek new opportunities with confidence and excitement.” Christa Dolan, English