Alumni

Winston-Salem State University ranks high on a diverse group of national lists, especially in the areas of value, affordability, and student success.

Here is a list of some of WSSU’s notable rankings for 2022-2023.

Winston-Salem State University alum actor Chris Greene portrays an assistant chaplain in the Netflix hit true crime drama “DAHMER – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.” In the limited series, viewers are walked through the upbringing of one of the most notorious serial killers in history, the warnings neighbors made concerning his behavior, how he lured his victims, his capture, and ultimately, his trial.

Here’s what you need to know.

Inspiration and encouragement often come from the unlikeliest of places. Take the case of Sharandica Midcalf. She had chance meeting with entertainer Nick Cannon three years ago. His words of encouragement that day emboldened Midcalf to attack her dream of going to Winston-Salem State University.

Awardees are recognized during the annual MLK celebration event that is co-sponsored by WSSU and Wake Forest University. The awards are presented to a professor or administrator and a student from each institution who exemplify Dr. King’s spirit of justice and equality for the betterment of the community as well as the institutions.

Rod Isom has been elevated to chief audit risk and compliance officer at Winston-Salem State University, effective immediately.

Haley Gingles has been appointed chief marketing officer (CMO) at Winston-Salem State University.

Thesha Woodley has been appointed director of alumni engagement for Winston-Salem State University, where she will lead the creation of programs and services to effectively manage and sustain relationships with the over 30,000 alumni.

Winston-Salem State University has partnered with Barnes & Noble College to implement BNC First Day® Complete, a course material delivery model that will drive student success by ensuring all students are prepared to begin learning on the first day of class.

First Day® Complete, an innovative course material delivery model, addresses equitable access, convenience, and affordability across all courses at an institution by bundling the cost of course materials into tuition and ensuring students have all their materials for the semester available on or before the first day of class. WSSU will cover all associated expenses so that no additional costs will be passed on to students.

Back in the fall of 2019, LaMonica Sloan Wilhelmi and senior staff members at Winston-Salem State University were brainstorming, searching for ideas to help provide more career development options for students.

The innovative ideas from that session laid the groundwork for what turned into a $1.2 million Job Corps Scholars Program on the WSSU campus that will provide intensive two-year career preparation for 40 community members a year.

It is no secret that underserved segments of the population … minorities and the disabled … face serious barriers when it comes to health care in this country.

A team of Winston-Salem State University faculty members – Dr. Tammara Thomas, Dr. Keisha Rogers, and Dr. Felicia Simpson – recently concluded research that showed those barriers were even more pervasive during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sometimes to move forward, you need to look back, or at least that’s according to the old adage.

It certainly rings true for Laura Garner, aquatics director at Winston-Salem State University.

Taylor Adams is a big fan of Coming To America, the 1988 comedy blockbuster starring Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall.

The Winston-Salem State University senior may be an even bigger fan of Coming 2 America after getting to interview the stars of the recently released sequel.

WSSU alum Tristen Johnson'16 becomes first lieutenant in the newly minted United States Space Force. 

The S.G. Atkins Community Development Corporation has been awarded a grant by the Small Business Administration to establish the 6th Women’s Business Center in North Carolina and the second at a North Carolina historically black university.

WSSU-Novant Health Physical Therapy Neurologic Clinical Residency Program receives full accreditation from the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education. WSSU is the first HBCU in the nation to offer a fully accredited PT residency program.  

Marquia James became a part of history when she added her makeup artistry to Vice President Kamala Harris’ Vogue cover look last month. Read more as James gives an inside look at her evolution as a makeup artist, her memories of WSSU and what’s in store for 2021.  

Former teacher, mentor, school administrator, school board member and Winston-Salem State University alumnus Victor “Vic” Johnson Jr.’61 dies of COVID-19 at age 85.

Mona Zahir, WSSU’s 2016-17 student body president, was recently awarded the U.S. Department of State Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship.

As the first year of this new decade comes to an end, here’s a look back at some of the year’s most memorable WSSU news stories.

WSSU receives $30 million gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott.   

WSSU welcomed over 60 new Heritage Society members during a virtual induction ceremony on Dec. 3.

WSSU and North Carolina A&T education departments held a joint virtual town hall meeting to discuss the implication of racial trauma on educator preparation on Oct. 27.

NBA star and WSSU student Chris Paul teamed up with WSSU Student Government Association to organize “March to the Polls Pt. 2,” on Oct. 27.

Dr. Ereka Williams had several goals when she stepped into her new leadership role as the associate dean of education. WSSU News caught up with her to discuss her mission, goals and personal experiences. Here are eight questions with... Dr. Ereka Williams.

Elizabeth Barker Johnson’49, World War II Army Veteran and the first woman to enroll in the university on a GI Bill, passed away on Aug. 23 at the age of 100.

Based on guidance from public health officials, feedback from our alumni, and our overriding concern for the health and well-being of the Ram Family, WSSU has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Homecoming event.

WSSU is competing for up to $50,000 in grants as part of Home Depot’s 2020 Home Depot Retool Your School Campus Improvement Grant Program.

Twelve future soldiers took the oath of enlistment on Winston-Salem State University’s campus during a mass Future Soldier Swearing-in Ceremony administered from space by Army astronaut Col. Andrew Morgan on Feb. 26.

Haley Gingles will be joining WSSU’s Office of Integrated Marketing Communications as the Director of Communications and Media Relations effective March 2, 2020.

A community commemoration vigil will be held in downtown Winston-Salem to mark the 60th anniversary of the event. The event is free and open to the public.

Business 40 reopens as Salem Parkway after being unavailable to motorists for nearly two years. 

WSSU Chancellor Elwood L. Robinson has been named one of the ten most dominant leaders of 2020 by HBCU Campaign Fund (HCF).

Alexis McCrea ‘17 will make history as the first WSSU student to earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree through the Early Assurance Program.  

WSSU is again joining thousands of organizations across the globe in participating in Giving Tuesday on Dec. 3. Here are five things you should know. 

Here are 8 questions with ... Weyling White. White will be sworn in next month as the first African American mayor of his hometown of Ahoskie, a northeastern North Carolina town with a population of about 5,000. 

Between the parties, the reunions and the game, Forever Red: Homecoming 2019 at WSSU had its share of unforgettable moments. As we close the book on this year’s event, WSSU News presents 10 must-see moments.

ESPN "First Take" celebrates HBCU Week with a live show featuring the Red Sea of Sound, and WSSU surprises alumnus Stephen A. Smith with a scholarship.