Class of Fall 2024 Success Stories: Where Are They Headed?
Winston-Salem State University is committed to preparing students to excel and lead, to act compassionately and to rise above challenges with the strength and spirit of a true Ram.
On Dec. 13, WSSU celebrated its Fall 2024 graduating class as they departed to serve to make an impact on the global society. Here is a glimpse of where a few students are headed:
Paige Way
Major: Therapeutic Recreation
Hometown: Homewood, Ill.
Activities: Therapeutic Recreation Club, Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society
How has WSSU helped to develop you as a person: The person I have become with my time here at WSSU is learning academic self-efficacy after making the Dean’s List. Additionally, I learned to create and foster connections with my peers and professors that will last a lifetime.
How has WSSU prepared you to pursue your ultimate goals: WSSU has prepared me for reaching my ultimate goal of graduating through practical experiences. For instance, my recent internship for a nonprofit organization that services people with disabilities; real-world experiences in the classrooms; and for teaching me how to problem solve and further develop my critical thinking skills.
What would you tell a high school senior or transfer student who is thinking about attending WSSU? I would tell a high school senior or transfer student to remain focused on their goals while at WSSU and to be uniquely yourself as more doors of opportunity will open with genuine authenticity.
Who has encouraged you on your college journey: My son has been the biggest motivation of encouragement to complete my college education so that I can build a better future for the both of us. Also, both my sisters and friends have given me love, support, advice and continued encouragement. Lastly, I will give myself credit for balancing motherhood, grades and personal development throughout this demanding role while on this journey.
What is your next step? After graduation, I will take my National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification Board Exam to obtain my licensure in the field of therapeutic recreation. Additionally, I will take a sabbatical and travel through Asia, with the first stop being Vietnam. Lastly, I will continue my education with a doctorate degree in occupational therapy.
Michael Bass
Major: Doctor of Physical Therapy
Hometown: Greensboro
Activities: I worked with the GEAR UP programming, which supports efforts to increase the number of low-income students that attend college. I worked with mentorship programming on campus that helped foster relationships between graduate students and faculty with current students at WSSU interested in the field of physical therapy and various STEM-related fields. I have been a panel speaker for the WSSU graduate school on several occasions and also enjoyed playing intramural sports.
How has WSSU prepared you to pursue your ultimate goals: WSSU has allowed me to become more comfortable as a leader and develop the skills I needed to be a professional. I have also gained a greater perspective for various walks of life while attending WSSU, which empowers my goals in healthcare because I feel more well-rounded as a result of my experiences.
What will you miss most about WSSU: I will miss the community and ‘Ramily’ feeling that I found there. I loved being able to walk around campus and see so many familiar faces and get to know a little more about everyone’s stories.
What would you tell a high school senior or transfer student who is thinking about attending WSSU: Coming to WSSU is an amazing opportunity to find yourself not only as a student but also as a person. Embrace the challenges and the successes that are on your horizon.
Faculty or staff who supported or inspired you: I owe a huge debt of gratitude to the entire Department of Physical Therapy for supporting me every step of the way. Without each and every person there, I wouldn’t be here. Dr. Ingram in Occupational Therapy was always a supportive voice, and Dr. Foster and Dr. Maness were really supportive of my leadership goals as well.
What advice would you give the freshman version of yourself: I would tell the freshman version of myself that it’s OK to be unsure, try to find comfortability with uncertainty and change in plans because usually something great is on the other side of the unknown.
What is your next step: I’ve accepted the position to be the oncology physical therapy clinical resident for Atrium Health - Levine Cancer Institute.
Takiya Dixon
Major: Adult Teaching Services
Hometown: Burlington, NC
Activities: I was a resident advisor for Housing and Residence Life.
How has WSSU helped to develop you as a person: WSSU has helped me grow by teaching me leadership, critical thinking and communication skills while providing a supportive community to achieve my personal and academic goals.
How has WSSU prepared you to pursue your ultimate goals: WSSU has prepared me by giving me knowledge, hands-on experiences and support to stay focused and work toward my dreams.
What will you miss most about WSSU: I will miss the supportive teachers, close friends, exciting events and the caring campus community.
What would you tell a high school senior or transfer student who is thinking about attending WSSU: I’d tell them WSSU is a great place to learn, make friends and grow. The supportive teachers and welcoming campus make it special.
What is your next step: My next steps are to become an elementary school teacher then go to graduate school to get my master’s in business.
India Person
Major: Therapeutic Recreation
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
Activities: Initiated into the Rho chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc.
How has WSSU helped to develop you as a person: WSSU has taught me to be confident, supportive and very social. When I was a freshman, I was introverted and hyper focused on being independent knowing that this was my first time on my own, but staff, volunteers and other individuals showed me that it was OK to get help. My sorority also helped me find a forever family people that can motivate, support and understand me.
How has WSSU prepared you to pursue your ultimate goals: It taught me resilience. During my last semester, I had an internship in Asheville, NC. Within a month of me being there, Hurricane Helene caused total destruction. I was stuck there for three days with no power or water. I witnessed many people at the hospital injured, devastated and trying to contact their family. I could say it was a very traumatic experience, but I was able to come home and talk to several faculty at WSSU that helped me mentally and emotionally. Then I started my new location in Huntersville NC. I was completely supported and due to my experience, it made me more focused, motivated to finish what I had started because no matter what may have happened, I can’t let it control my future.
What will you miss most about WSSU: I will miss the welcoming and loving feel of Winston. You are surrounded by individuals that treat you like family and will be there for you even if they don’t know you.
What would you tell a high school senior or transfer student who is thinking about attending WSSU: I would tell them that this is an amazing choice. When I was a senior, I toured Winston and the energy on campus felt totally different from any other school. I could tell that they cared about the students and their organizations.
Who has encouraged you on your college journey: My family has encouraged me the most, making sure that I was always in a good mental and physical state. They also pushed me when times was hard and for that I am forever grateful.
What is your next step: My next big step is getting my certification and licensure as a recreational therapist. Then finding a job at a hospital, rehabilitation center or other organization helping individuals with and without disabilities.
Lexis Tatum
Major: Business administration with a concentration in corporate finance
Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
Activities: Volleyball, National Association of Black Accountants, Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Adobe Student Ambassador, Research on Student Concerns.
How has WSSU helped to develop you as a person: The first organization I joined at WSSU was the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA). This played a big role in my journey. Being a part of this organization was my first opportunity to engage deeply with the business world through professional development conferences and networking events. I gained valuable insight into the business landscape and developed connections with industry professionals and my cohort members who share similar aspirations. My first semester here, I was given the opportunity to participate in the Kerusso Capital Management Internship, which allowed me to apply classroom knowledge to real-world situations, deepening my understanding of what a potential career would look like and learn more about investments and markets. I also developed strong leadership and teamwork skills by being a part of the school’s volleyball team.
How has WSSU prepared you to pursue your ultimate goals: I’ve never experienced professors believing so much in me. I was encouraged and motivated by my outstanding professors who just knew I would be a dominant force in my career, so having that motivated me to accomplish all my goals. WSSU’s Career Services Office provided invaluable guidance through mentorship, resume workshops, consistent check-ins with faculty and interview prep, which contributed to preparing me for my career. These experiences have not only strengthened my confidence but also equipped me with the skills and mindset needed to achieve my goals.
What will you most miss about WSSU: I will miss the family-oriented atmosphere. I’ve never felt so much at home away from my true home. I felt so supported, welcome, valued and understood. You can’t get that feeling everywhere.
What would you tell a high school senior or transfer student who is thinking about attending WSSU: Take the risk and do it. After graduating high school, I was scared to go more than four hours away, so I played it safe and went to a school closer to home. Graduating from WSSU, I wonder why I didn’t do it sooner. There is so much more in store for you outside of where you are now, and you will never know until you take that risk and go for it.
Faculty or staff who supported or inspired you: Dr. Gosavi, Dr. Stewart, Dr. Cherik, Dr. Karagiannis and Dr. Cain.
What is your next step: I am working at Verizon as a revenue assurance analyst and participating in a research program working with real-time data and contributing to a small business in what ways they can grow. I am so excited about both of these opportunities as I step into the corporate world.
