Fall 2021, Volume 46, Number 3
The Promise of Meredith. The Power of Change.
How the Meredith Community Has Banded Together in the Fight Against Racism
Features
Improving the Workplace, Changing the World
By Cailyn Whitman, ’18
Meredith’s I-O Psychology Graduates are Helping Organizations Adapt to Rapidly Changing Workplace
Alumnae Reunion Weekend 2022 –
Save the date
Learn more
the president’s column
Lessons learned through disruption
A few years ago, an adviser suggested higher education needed to engage in “intentional disruption,” a business buzzword meaning to turn everything – budgets, personnel, standard operating procedures, etc. – upside down and reimagine the whole educational enterprise. I remember thinking that considering we are dealing primarily with 18-22 year olds, we typically do all we can to prevent disruption. So how do we chronicle the disruption that has been the COVID-19 pandemic thus far?
News
Meredith Faculty Members Earn National Institute of Mental Health Grant
By Melyssa Allen
Two Meredith College faculty members have received a $350,000 multi-year grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to fund research examining the benefit of support systems on maternal mental health.
By Melyssa Allen
A special event was held on August 3, 2021, to recognize the support Meredith College has received from IME Becas (Institute for Mexicans Abroad) through a grant that provides scholarships to students of Mexican origin.
By Melyssa Allen
Meredith College has received a grant from the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations to support equitable pedagogical practices in STEM higher education.
Meredith travel is back!
Northern Italy, from Sea-to-Shining-Sea
AND
The West Country: England at its Very West (Best)
Learn more
Meredith Welcomes Governor’s School East Back to Campus
By Melyssa Allen
After a year’s hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Meredith College welcomed Governor’s School East (GSE) students and staff back to campus in June.
By Melyssa Allen
Meredith Dining Services employee Mary Massenburg has served generations of students in Belk Dining Hall. On August 25, 2021, it was Massenburg’s turn.
By Emily Parker
The Meredith Lake is an integral part of the experience for students and a place that holds many memories for alumnae. It is the site of classes, productions, small gatherings, and a valuable on-campus resource for students conducting undergraduate research.
By Cailyn Whitman, ’18
As of Fall 2021, Meredith College is offering a post-baccalaureate licensure in the arts. This new program offers an A-Level license in K-12 art, dance, or theatre to anyone who has an appropriate undergraduate degree or completed a formal review by the designated departments.
By Melyssa Allen
Meredith College will require students and employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19, the College announced on September 16, 2021. The requirement will go into effect at the beginning of the spring 2022 semester in order to provide those who are not yet vaccinated time to become fully vaccinated.
Study Abroad Program Returns After COVID Suspension
By Melyssa Allen
After a hiatus caused by COVID-19 restrictions, Meredith College’s study abroad programs have returned in a limited capacity during the fall 2021 semester.
By Melyssa Allen
Meredith College’s Board of Trustees has approved the Meredith College has signed an articulation agreement that will allow students in the Teaching as a Profession Program (TAAP) at participating North Carolina high schools to seamlessly transfer and complete their degree in education.
By Gaye Hill
This summer, a small group of students with a wide range of professional and academic backgrounds came together for a week-long summer intensive course: Digital Media Convergence.
Meredith Experts in the news
Meredith College experts have recently been featured in media outlets discussing topics including how COVID has changed the workforce, North Carolina’s strategic economic development plan, the impact of the U.S. Census results on North Carolina, and car insurance costs.
“The type/make of car one drives can play a big role in their insurance premiums (along with other factors). If one drives a car with a very fast engine, or a very expensive car, this can drive up insurance rates. In addition, many people are unaware that credit scores can have a negative effect on insurance rates. If you are seen as a bad credit risk, your premiums could be higher. If you have had an auto infraction in recent years, this could also lead to higher premiums.”
— Assistant Professor of Accounting Brian Routh, in a MoneyGeek feature on car insurance costs.
“Twenty and 30 somethings understand the technology better and they’ve just gone through (working at home) and they say: I really like this. I’ve had students who graduated and companies have told them they’ll never have to work from an office … We forget how much of our day is spent stopping to talk to people. If we don’t somehow build that in when we are working remotely, that can be a negative.”
— Associate Professor and Program Director for I-O Psychology Joseph Mazzola in a News & Observer piece about the impact of COVID on the workforce in North Carolina.
“It just makes us more of a plum for the presidential candidates. They’ll spend more time here and North Carolinians will see more ad dollars spent here, so if they didn’t like the number of ads they saw in 2020, just wait until 2024.”
— Professor of Political Science David McLennan in a CBS-17 story on the impact of North Carolina gaining a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives as a result of the 2020 Census.
“It seems to be a fairly comprehensive plan that makes a good point that without workforce development first, we won’t be able to attract employers to our state. No amount of tax incentives can offset not being able to find the workers a business needs to succeed.”
— Professor of Economics Anne York in a WRAL Techwire story on the N.C. Department of Commerce’s strategic economic development plan.
Strong Stories
Tylena Brown
From the Marines to Meredith College
By Melyssa Allen
Serving in the U.S. Marine Corps helped Tylena Brown, ’22, refine her professional interests and attending Meredith College helped her identify her strengths. Now she’s on her way to a career in human resources.
2021 Pewter Christmas Ornament
Available for a Limited Time | ONLY $25
Making an Impact.
RAISED IN MAJOR, PLANNED, AND ANNUAL GIFTS IN 2020-21
Alumnae Connection
By Cailyn Whitman, ’18
Meredith Alumna Receives Fulbright Award to Study in Cyprus
By Cailyn Whitman, ’18
Meredith Alumna Named Granville County Principal of the Year
Alumnae Reunion Weekend 2022 | Save the Date (May 20-22, 2022)
Learn More
Honor Roll
24 Hour Giving Challenge | Honor the Strong Women in Your Life
Learn More
Meredith Magazine
Volume 46, Number 3
Fall 2021
Kristi Eaves-McLennan, '14, MBA
Executive Editor
Melyssa Allen
Managing Editor
Karen T. Dunton
Managing Editor
Gaye Hill
Assistant Editor
Emily Parker
Writer
Kaylin Tsukayama
Videographer and Photographer
Vanessa Harris
Art Director
Katie Bryant, '07
Senior Graphic Designer
Liza Bunce
Web Designer and Developer
Charlotte Claypoole McKinney
Videographer and Photographer
Hilary Allen, '01
Alumnae Connection Editor
Other Writers:
Cailyn Whitman, ’18
Other Photographs by:
Flyboy Photo & Media
Marissa McCauley, ’21
Steven Roten
David Timberlake
Christina Webb
Meredith College Students, Faculty & Staff
Kristi Eaves-McLennan, ’14, MBA
Executive Editor
Melyssa Allen
Managing Editor
Karen T. Dunton
Managing Editor
Gaye Hill
Assistant Editor
Emily Parker
Writer
Hilary Allen, ’01
Alumni Connection Editor
Vanessa Harris
Art Director
Katie Bryant, ’07
Senior Graphic Designer
Liza Bunce
Web Designer and Developer
Kaylin Tsukayama
Videographer and Photographer
Charlotte Claypoole McKinney
Videographer and Photographer
Other Writers:
Cailyn Whitman, ’18
Other Photographs by:
Flyboy Photo & Media
Marissa McCauley, ’21
Steven Roten
David Timberlake
Christina Webb
Meredith College Students, Faculty & Staff