UNC-system happenings for April 7-11, 2014

WSSU chancellor to resign

Winston-Salem State University’s chancellor, Donald Julian Reaves, will step down from his position at the end of 2014.

After eight years as chancellor, Reaves wants to return to the classroom, said Nancy Young, spokeswoman for the university. Reaves plans to return to his position as a tenured political science professor at the university.

“He was going to have to make a decision to stay several more years, and at his age, he’s always wanted to go back to the classroom,” Young said.

Reaves will continue his current projects, such as searching for a new athletic director but will not start any new projects in his role as chancellor, Young said.

Young said Reaves made a difference through his long-term efforts.

“To be a chancellor and make a difference, you have to be willing to commit — nothing happens quickly.” 

UNC-W gives flight to autistic children

UNC-Wilmington is partnering with the local airport and other organizations to help children with autism navigate the stress of air travel.

UNC-W’s applied behavioral analysis master’s program will collaborate with Wilmington International Airport, Coastal Autism Solutions and Cape Fear Applied Behavioral Analysis to provide training for families with children diagnosed with autism. 

The program aims to make air travel easier for children with autism and their families.

“Traveling to the airport is a challenge for most families, and even more so for families that have children with autism,” said Melanie Bachmeyer, the clinical coordinator for UNC-W’s ABA program.

The program will provide autistic children and their families practice with checking a bag, going through security and picking up their bags at baggage claim. 

Students in the Applied Behavioral Analysis program at UNC-W will volunteer throughout the day.

High Point partners with UNC-G for centers

UNC-Greensboro partnered with the city of High Point to help open the High Point Center for Children and Families and the Victims' Justice Center last week. 

The centers will provide resources for at-risk children and their families, as well as victims of domestic violence. 

Until the centers opened, the city of High Point did not have centrally located resources for at risk children and victims of domestic violence. 

Chris Payne, director of the UNC-G Center for Youth, Family and Community Partnerships, will direct the centers. She said that she hopes there will be internship and volunteer opportunities for students.

“We are very appreciative to the city of High Point for the opportunity to bring together a lot of resources that will help fill the gap for some needed services,” Payne said. “We can do a lot more together than we can do alone.”

NCCU installs chancellor 

NCCU’s 11th chancellor was formally installed last week. 

The UNC-system Board of Governors appointed Chancellor Debra Saunders-White last year, but the official ceremony was was announced in a press release Friday. 

Saunders-White said in a press release that obtaining funding for new programs and raising retention and graduation rates are the challenges she will face as chancellor. 

She said NCCU, as a historically black university, can help low income and traditionally underrepresented students receive an affordable, high quality education.

“I see NCCU as the gateway to opportunity, a place where our students can catch hold of a vision and have the life of their dreams."