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WCU Stories

Lisa Briggs (right) works with a HRD K-9 and handler at a WCU training.

WCU human remains detection expert Lisa Briggs debunks false HRD K-9 information surrounding Hurricane Helene recovery efforts

Lisa Briggs, director of Western Carolina University’s Human Remains Detection K-9 training program and Emergency Disaster Management program, and Edwin Grant, an HRD K-9 program instructor and long-time law enforcement officer, have been deployed with their HRD K-9s since the start of the recovery process for missing persons in Western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene's devastation.   

Tammy Barron in Colombian classroom

WCU professor shares co-instruction expertise with teachers in Colombia

Western Carolina University has been engaged with Central and South American schools since 1978. Faculty travel and hold classes in various regions of Colombia, focusing on leadership in international schools. Tammy Barron, an associate professor in Western Carolina University’s College of Education and Allied Professions, has continued that long-time relationship by taking her expertise in co-teaching and instruction abroad.   

Julie Miller Denesha

Julie Miller Denesha joins WCU Advancement to support College of Engineering, Technology

Julie Miller Denesha, former associate director of athletics for development at Western Carolina University, has joined the WCU Division of Advancement as director of development and corporate partnerships for the College of Engineering and Technology.  

Alumni tower

1889 Impact Grants application deadline extended to Nov. 8

Because of the ongoing impacts of Hurricane Helene, Western Carolina University’s Division of Advancement and the WCU Foundation have extended the deadline for applications from faculty and staff interested in obtaining funding for projects through the 1889 Impact Grants Program.  

Jamie Wallen (left) works with a chemistry student

Two faculty members receive competitive grants from the National Institutes of Health

Two Western Carolina University faculty members have received coveted R15 grants from the National Institutes of Health, which will significantly enhance research initiatives in the region.  

Alex Fields and Travis Frazier

Sense of community inspires WCU staff member to establish annual scholarship fund

The sense of community discovered by staff member Alexandra M. Fields upon her arrival at Western Carolina University seven years ago inspired her to establish an annual scholarship fund to help attract future students from her hometown to WCU.  

WCU STEM day

WCU hosts second annual STEM event for WNC students

Western Carolina University recently held its second annual STEM Outreach Day for students from around Western North Carolina.  

WCU homecoming parade in downtown Sylva

WCU to paint downtown Sylva purple, kick off Homecoming weekend Nov. 1

Western Carolina University alumni will paint the town purple Friday, Nov. 1, during a downtown Sylva Catamount takeover to launch Homecoming 2024 weekend.  

Aaron Hoyle-Rivera poses for photo on campus at WCU

Family heritage inspires SGA president Aaron Hoyle-Rivera to dream big, work hard

Western Carolina University student Aaron Hoyle-Rivera, a senior from Shelby studying psychology, criminal justice and criminology, hit the ground running when he came to campus in fall 2022.   

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