MPA Alumni on the Front Line of Response to COVID-19

Locally executed, state-managed and federally supported. That’s how the Federal Emergency Management Agency has long described the ideal way to respond to major disasters. Graduates of WCU’s MPA program are on the front line of this‘locally executed’ response to COVID-19.  

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Graduates of WCU's MPA program on front line of 'locally executed' response to COVID-19

Locally executed, state managed and federally supported. That’s how the Federal Emergency Management Agency has long described the ideal way to respond to major disasters.  

An abbreviated Spring Literary Festival moves online

Originally scheduled with events on campus, the Spring Literary Festival's presence will now completely be digital during the COVID-19 pandemic, with live and recorded interviews and book readings.  

Highlands Biological Station stays on task, provides learning resources to region

With 'stay home, stay safe' orders in place and even the great outdoors seemingly closed, Highlands Biological Station, an installation of Western Carolina University, remains at work to meet the conservation and educational needs of the community during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Alumni Spotlight: Sue Lynn Ledford

Sue Lynn Ledford learned to care for sick people as a young nursing student at Western Carolina University. Today, she uses the same approach as director of population health and field services for WellCare of North Carolina, a provider health plan for Medicare and Medicaid.  

Forensic anthropologists provide fire investigation training to federal, state, local agencies

The Department of Forensic Anthropology recently hosted a two-day continuing education class created in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and attended by 24 federal, state and local fire investigators.   

Biology professor Mack Powell discusses finding a COVID-19 vaccine

As a professor in Western Carolina University’s Department of Biology who specializes in immunology and infectious diseases, Mack Powell finds the COVID-19 pandemic particularly interesting.  

Biology Professor Mack Powell Discusses Finding a COVID-19 Vaccine

As a professor in Western Carolina University’s Department of Biology who specializes in immunology and infectious diseases, Mack Powell finds the COVID-19 pandemic particularly interesting. The virus has rapidly spread across the world, shutting down many countries along the way, while killing thousands in the process.  

Saving A Dying Language

Graduate History student working to translate Cherokee language from native newspapers. Constance Owl’s master’s degree thesis is more than a means to a graduate degree in American history. It’s a portal to understanding and perhaps saving, a disappearing language.