Courtesy of NC Central Athletics
DURHAM, N.C. — Saturday, Dec. 14, will be a big day for the graduating student-athletes at North Carolina Central University. However, before the student-athletes receive their bachelor’s degrees on Saturday afternoon, seven NCCU Athletics Department representatives (staff, coaches, interns) will be graduating with master’s degrees during the university’s 134th Commencement Exercises on Saturday morning.
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The seven individuals include senior associate athletics director for strategic communications Kyle Serba, assistant volleyball coach Emma Celentano, assistant softball coach Cat Tarvin, men’s basketball operations assistant Michelle McLeod, and Athletics Department interns Shaquillia Murphy, Morris Jones and Andre Frank.
NCCU Director of Athletics Dr. Ingrid Wicker McCree has high praise for her excelling team members.
“I am so proud of our staff members who have shown not only their dedication to our student-athletes, program, and university but their commitment to their education and careers,” McCree said. “I admire them for balancing their personal and professional lives while pursuing a graduate degree.”
The seven new graduates join a list of current athletics staff members and coaches that have earned a master’s degree from NCCU. That list includes head men’s basketball coach LeVelle Moton, director of tennis and head men’s tennis coach D. Curtis Lawson, chief of staff Jonathon Leach, head athletic trainer Sean Thomas, life skills coordinator Kia Robinson, scholarship coordinator Donald Jack, business office assistant Michael Robinson, and director of men’s basketball operations Garrett Bridges.
McCree proudly pointed out the impact her staff has had in guiding graduating student-athletes, graduate assistants and interns to various occupations.
“I am proud of how our athletics program has served the university as an experiential learning classroom setting,” McCree said. “We have mentored and helped groom numerous professionals in various fields to include athletics administration, coaching, business, mass communication, and sports medicine. The students who have the opportunity to work in our program are able to put practice to pedagogy which produces a more well-rounded individual for which industry leaders respect and desire.
“I am thankful for all of our team members who teach, mentor and coach our students,” McCree added. “It is important we continue to support the university’s goal of student success and this is just one way for which NCCU Athletics assists in this endeavor.”
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