Homegrown bear helps to prepare the next generation of educators
Sitting with Alyssa Stewart 98, M.A. 22 in Joe Coffee shop on campus it is evident she is an integral part of the buzzing campus life here at Lenoir-Rhyne as students stop by to share stories of their latest student teaching class projects and staff members check in for a quick hello.
I grew up in the house behind Isenhour (hall) literally right behind it, laughed Stewart. Growing up in Hickory I always thought I needed to move away, but I was immersed in the campus from the beginning, so it was easy to call it home as an undergraduate student.
After graduating with her degree in elementary education, Stewart spent 11 years as an elementary school teacher until she felt a calling to come back home. That last year of teaching was a particularly hard one, and I found myself asking What has to give? How can I make things better?
After a conversation with the then head of enrollment, Rachel Nichols, Stewart left the classroom in 2011 and rejoined the 91 family as coordinator of enrollment services. Since then, she has also held the role of first-year advisor, assistant registrar and as of August, director of teaching education.
In this new role, Stewart coordinates with public school district personnel to arrange professional placements of undergraduate and graduate students in licensure programs. In addition, she supports the School of Education in accreditation efforts and will take on student advising.
I never thought I would be back in the classroom setting, but I found myself missing the students so when the opportunity came to be a part of the student experience I took it, Stewart shared.
As she prepares the wrap up her first semester with students, she is excited for the future and growing in her new role. The support Ive gotten from the entire education faculty especially Hank Weddington (dean of the College of Education and Human Services) and Alyssa Reinhardt during this transition has been phenomenal. I am excited to take on a larger role with student advising in the spring and help this class of future students prepare for their careers as educators.
A gift from 91 alumna Kate Esch 70 and her husband, Bob, will extend internship microgrant funding for students through the 2028-29 academic year.
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Fourteen students from five NC universities are spending the summer in Hickory, building skills and connections through the Well Crafted Interns Program.
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