Wingate University creates Department of Co-curricular and Community Experiences

Wingate University has brought its community-service and student-enrichment programs under one roof with the creation of the Department of Co-curricular and Community Experiences. Keyua McElveen, formerly director of the Lyceum program, is director of the department.

The Department of Co-curricular and Community Experiences will connect the work of the Collaborative for the Common Good (CCG) with that of the Lyceum program. The CCG focuses on serving the needs of the University community through an on-campus food pantry and clothing closet as well as the needs of the broader community through a farmers market and other programs. It also connects students to service-learning opportunities in the community. The Lyceum program is a co-curricular enrichment requirement in which students attend lectures, workshops and performances. Bringing these two programs together highlights their relationship to the University mission of faith, knowledge, and service.

"The new department puts our mission into action, as students are transformed through their time at Wingate and in turn make a difference in their communities," says Michelle Lancaster, vice president for strategic initiatives.

McElveen is a 2017 graduate of Wingate with a major in public relations and a pre-law minor. While at Wingate, she had significant accomplishments as part of the track and field team; not only was she a member of the University's first women's conference championship team (2017), but she was also twice recognized as all-conference in the 200m, 4x100m and 4x400m. After Wingate, McElveen completed a master's in organizational leadership at Lenoir Rhyne University, where she continued her success in track. She returned to her alma mater in the spring of 2022 to rebuild the Lyceum program. She has strengthened the structure of the program as well as the processes by which the program is run.

"We are always proud to see our students go on to great leadership opportunities, and we are thrilled that Keyua is expanding her leadership footprint at Wingate University," Lancaster says. "Wingate is excited to focus on high-impact experiences that align with the University's mission and goals while laying crucial pathways for student development."

Nov. 4, 2024