Making a Career of Counseling

His family had some reservations about him studying psychology. “They saw it as a fringe career path – one that was reserved ‘for others,’” James Zanker '01 said.

He worked and paid for all of his schooling without having to take out any student loans. In addition to earning a bachelor’s in psychology from UNCW, he received a Master of Arts Service Agency Counseling Degree from UNC Pembroke and is now the proud owner of Zanker Counseling Services, located in downtown Wilmington, NC.


“I had known for my entire cognizant life that I was talented at subjects related to human services and psychology,” he said. “I chose UNCW because of its fine reputation, the fact that is was part of the reputable UNC system and because of UNCW’s excellent psychology department.”

While at UNCW, he was inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society and Psi Chi Psychology National Honor Society. He also served as a Student Ambassador and was a member of the UNCW Crew Team.

A licensed professional counselor, nationally certified counselor and licensed clinical addiction specialist, Zanker loves what he is able to give others through mental health counseling, life coaching or music arts therapy through a related business, Zanker Music Arts Therapy.

“They are all a continual thrill for me and I am working on improving and increasing the level of services that I can provide within each format,” he says.


Read more at We Are UNCW.

UNCW Provided the Perfect Path

As a Pender County native, Stephania Bloodworth ’00 didn’t have to travel far for her college education – there was a place within commuting distance that fit her needs exactly.

“As I look back to my senior year in high school, really not knowing where I wanted to go to college, I think I had a fear of leaving home,” Bloodworth said. Nevertheless, she was determined to pursue a degree in accountancy, a field she was first introduced to in high school.


“The first and only college I applied to was UNCW, and it was the best choice that I have made,” she said. She attended classes in the Cameron School of Business as a commuter but also immersed herself in campus activities: the gospel choir, the Association for Campus Entertainment and more. “UNCW was small enough to feel like one big family, but also big enough to feel like you could meet people from various places.”

Read more at We Are UNCW.

Building UNCW's Culture of Philanthropy

Keith Fraser ’13, assistant director of annual giving, has the privilege of helping build a culture of philanthropy among the UNCW community.

“As a proud alumnus, I understand the importance of investing in UNCW,” he said. “Our investment in one another sends an important message to the Wilmington community, alumni and the state that we are accomplishing great things here.”

Prior to his current role, he served as a first-year admissions coordinator. While traveling and meeting prospective students and parents, he learned firsthand the importance of educational access and affordability for all students, regardless of their background or financial situation, which provides a rich context for his role in the Division for University Advancement.

“UNCW had a record-breaking year in fundraising. Nearly $15 million in gifts and commitments were made during 2015-16. Of those gifts made, 50 percent were less than $50. This is an incredible reminder that no gift is too small to make a big impact for our current and future students.”

Read more at We Are UNCW.

An Adaptable Anchor in UNCW's Growth

In a way, some stately old trees found on the UNCW campus are a metaphor for Wesley Padgett’s outlook on life.

“Having grown up here, I have had the opportunity to watch the university change in so many ways, but one of the constants that has always provided me peace were the majestic live oaks that adorn this campus,” said Padgett ’04, a Wilmington native and networking specialist in the Information Technology Services department.


“Through time, trends, fashions and movements, those oaks have always reminded me to remain anchored but also be adaptive. They are truly a treasure to this campus and a constant reminder to me to try to be the best that I can be without being the focal point of attention.”

As an ITS employee whose job is to keep the university’s voice and cable infrastructures working, Padgett considers himself part of the “backdrop” of UNCW. On the other hand, his work allows him to connect with many people daily in all departments and functions.

Read more at We Are UNCW.

Increasing International Perspective with the Peace Corps

Serving as an education volunteer with the Peace Corps was a life-changing experience for Chris Cardona ’14. Not only did he immerse himself in a new culture, Chris also helped students in China build their confidence in speaking the English language.

Chris traveled to China after graduating from UNCW to teach English as a second language at a vocational high school in Wulong, China. For two years, he aided students in mastering English language competency and conversational skills while also serving as a mentor.

UNCW’s campus provided an atmosphere for meaningful conversations and to build genuine connections with professors, he added. “It’s also big enough that I could meet new interesting people every day. The growing international student population and the opportunity to study abroad made my experience enriching.”

Chris hopes to take what he learned from his Peace Corps experience to help youth in the North Carolina. 

Read more about Chris' story at We Are UNCW.

Changing Course & Paying it Forward

Cecil Reynolds ’75 had two desires as a youth – to attend the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis and to play professional baseball. In the summer of 1969, he had to choose between his two passions: He earned a presidential appointment to the Naval Academy and was drafted by the Mets.

Two weeks before Reynolds was to report for duty at Annapolis, he withdrew from the Naval Academy and signed with the Mets. After four years toiling in the minor leagues and making several all-star teams, Reynolds suffered a career-ending injury the year of his first major league contract, which set him on a new career path – research and child development.

It was a psychology course at UNCW that sparked his interest in the field, he recalled.

Today, Reynolds is a leader in the fields of school and educational psychology. He is a distinguished research scholar, and professor emeritus of educational psychology and neuroscience at Texas A&M University. He’s also the editor-in-chief of Archives of Scientific Psychology and associate editor of Journal of Pediatric Neuropsychology. He is the author of more than 300 scholarly publications and author or editor of 55 books.

Reynolds was named the 1984 UNCW Distinguished Alumnus of the Year and a 1998 UNCW Razor Walker Award recipient for his contributions to the field. In an effort to help future researchers pursue their passion, Reynolds endowed a scholarship honoring psychology professor Robert Brown, whom he described as an excellent teacher, mentor and lifelong friend.

“We want to support opportunities for post-secondary and graduate education where and when we can. One of our hopes is that by modelling such support by giving back and not just talking about it, others will be inspired to give back as well. Giving back creates a rising tide, and it is true, a rising tide lifts all boats.”

Read more at We Are UNCW.

Transfer, Temp to Full Time

In just six years, Lauren Auton ’12 has gone from a UNCW transfer student to a full-time staff member and graduate student at the university.

“I started out in the Office of the Dean of Students as a work-study student, became a temp after graduation and then a full-time staff member,” she says. She currently serves as the assistant for student conduct and community standards in that office.

Auton graduated with a degree in sociology and criminology and is currently working on a master’s in conflict management and resolution. She credits her education from UNCW for preparing her to work well with diverse populations – a big part of her role now.

Read more at We Are UNCW.