Williams-Wheeler Receives UNC BOG 2023 Excellence in Teaching Award

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (April 25, 2023) – The University of North Carolina Board of Governors has selected North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University’s Meeshay Williams-Wheeler to receive a 2023 Award for Excellence in Teaching.

The board annually chooses outstanding faculty members at each University of North Carolina System institution for the prestigious honor.

A member of the N.C. A&T faculty since 2004, Williams-Wheeler is an associate professor and program coordinator of child development and family studies as well as coordinator of the Child Development and Family Studies Program in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, housed in the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, where she also coordinates the minor in child development and family studies. She is a Certified Family Life Educator and serves as co-advisor of the nationally approved Family Life Education Certification program – the only one at a state-supported historically Black college or university.

Additionally, Williams Wheeler serves as advisor for the Family and Consumer Sciences Club and 252 Aggies Club and is a former state advisor for the North Carolina Association of Family and Consumer Sciences student unit.

Williams-Wheeler respects the diverse learning styles of her students and constantly encourages them to be and to do their best. She genuinely cares about her students’ learning and well-being, demonstrating passion and concern for them inside and outside of the classroom. With a strong focus on classroom management, her teaching style is engaging and cooperative – encouraging students to participate in thought-provoking, content-driven discussions.

A former student noted, “Dr. Wheeler had an aura that was welcoming and nurturing. I looked forward to attending her class every week due to her innovative, creative and interesting teaching style. There never was a dry moment; the course was filled with meaningful discussions and projects which enhanced students’ learning ability.”

Williams-Wheeler’s students also describe her class as “always a breath of fresh air.” They indicated she brings great energy to every class and consistently makes everything relatable to their everyday lives as well as their future careers. She serves as a mentor, coach and advisor to students and inspires them to be successful in every way. Her continuous professional development in teaching has resulted in skills that are meaningful, active and inclusive.

“Dr. Williams-Wheeler’s dynamic and impactful teaching is evident in her course planning, her classroom techniques, her engagement with students, and the relationships she establishes with students as well as junior faculty,” wrote Chancellor Harold L. Martin Sr. in her nomination letter. “Dr. Williams-Wheeler is a model for teaching, not only in methods but in her disposition, empathy and respect for students … She is a fitting example of the exemplary teaching that we strive to achieve at North Carolina A&T State University.”

Established by the board in 1993 to highlight the importance of teaching, the awards recognize the extraordinary contributions of faculty members system-wide. Each of the winners will receive a commemorative bronze medallion and a $12,500 cash prize.