Campus Visit: University of North Carolina Wilmington
This February, Global UGRAD Program Officer Jordan Ferrick had the pleasure of visiting the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) in Wilmington, North Carolina. Throughout the visit she explored UNCW’s campus and engaged with the welcoming and accommodating staff who support the Global UGRAD students.
UNCW is a public research institution known for its coastal location and vibrant campus life. UNCW has a student body of nearly 18,000 undergraduate and graduate students, including several hundred international students from various countries. Situated in the coastal region of southeast North Carolina, the campus conveys a small city atmosphere, bustling with growth and activity while seamlessly integrated with the surrounding natural beauty and smaller community feel. The Global UGRAD students enrolled at UNCW this semester come from a multitude of backgrounds, enhancing the campus community with their distinct viewpoints and life experiences.
The university consistently earns acclaim for its academic excellence, providing undergraduates with numerous research opportunities and impactful learning experiences across its diverse range of programs and schools. UNCW’s academic pathways include approximately 250 undergraduate majors that cater to varied interests and aspirations, with notably strong offerings in business, marine biology, engineering, computer science, and education. The university provides students with opportunities for hands-on learning experiences, supported by state-of-the-art facilities and dedicated faculty members. Additionally, UNCW places a strong emphasis on student engagement, offering numerous extracurricular activities and organizations for students to participate in, including many opportunities for community service and service learning. Notably, the International Student Office is well-equipped to support international students.
Global UGRADs expressed great satisfaction with their experience on campus, particularly highlighting the smaller class settings and the individualized support provided by faculty and staff, who are both dedicated and approachable. They specifically expressed their gratitude for Amy Lekeu, Assistant Director for International Students and Scholars, who goes above and beyond to support the students and make them feel at home on campus. They appreciate the sense of camaraderie within the Global UGRAD cohort and the broader community of international students.
We thank UNCW, and specifically the Office of International Students & Scholars, for being such generous hosts during this campus visit. We truly appreciate the hospitality and unwavering support of this semester’s Global UGRAD cohort. UNCW’s dedication to student achievement and international education has undeniably enriched the experiences of the Global UGRAD students throughout their time in the United States.