since 1960 “of, by, andfor the Wesleyan community.” October 14,2016
NORTH CAROLINA WESLEYAN COLLEGE, ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 27804
Goalkeeper Ashley Major has helped the
Bishops to an early lead in the USA South
Conference, posting a sub-1.00 GAA. In other
action, the men's team has opened 4-0 in the
conference, the volleyball team finds itself
in the middle of the pack, and the football
team has split its opening two conference
matchups. After a 41 -31 upset of last year's
conference champ, Huntingdon, the football
team fell to Maryville, 31-17, on the road last
Saturday. See sports on page 3. si photo
Kitchin To Focus on Addiction, Other Counseling Services
Lindy Kitchin has joined the Student
Affairs Department as Director of
Counseling & Disability Services.
A 38-year-old native of Rich Square,
North Carolina, she succeeds Alan Harper,
who left the college to enter private practice.
Kitchin earned a BA in psychology from
UNC-Chapel Hill and a masters in social
work from East Carolina University. Since
2009, she has been a Licensed Clinical So
cial Worker, a credential that has allowed her
to identify and treat mental health disorders.
With her LCSW, a primary focus has been
community mental health and advocacy for
social equality. In 2010 Kitchin became a
licensed clinical addiction specialist
Prior to joining the Wesleyan staff, Kitchin
waked for mere than 10 years as a therapist
in private practice, providing clinical intake,
long-term therapy services to adults, families,
and children with mental health and addiction
disorders. Trained in cognitive behavioral
therapy, she has administered and supervised case
management services under the auspices of the
state Departmait of Health & Human Services.
Regarding her hiring, Dean of Students
Edward Naylor said he was impressed by
Kitchin’s “varied background in private
practice and mental health education and
her work with college-age individuals.
Her professionalism and her desire to
engage and help students grow in their
thought process make her an excellent fit
for Wesleyan and our students.”
Jessica Brys-Wilson, director of
Health Services, likes Kitchin’s “well-
rounded approach to patient care.”
Noting that the two have already begun
to collaborate, Brys-Wilson said, “With
her emphasis on counseling and me
providing medical follow-up, we’re re
ally able to offer optimal mental-health
care right here on campus.”
Kitchin and her husband, Rich, live in
Scotland Neck with their three daughters—
Deborah Hall, 14, Law, 12, and Jayme,
7—and two dogs, a schnoodle and a golden
retriever. In her free time, she enjoys travel
ing, reading the Bible, running, and watching
her children participate in sports. A Carolina
basketball fan, she likes musicals and the
novels of Karen Kingsbury.
The Decree conducted a recent
interview with Kitchin soon after she
assumed her post.
Q. What attracted you to the job at
Wesleyan?
A. During the last five years in my private
counseling practice I worked closely with the
ECU student counseling center and provided
long-term treatment for students and families
with mental health and substance abuse
disorders. I enjoyed working with the college
students and was excited about the opportunity
to apply for the Director of Counseling position
and serve college students full time. From a
personal perspective I have three children that
attend school in Rocky Mount and I needed a
position that would allow me to reduce travel
Most Students
Enrollment rose again in 2016, with
940 students in the day program, an all-
time high, and 290 more than in 2013.
Looking at the past three years, President
Dewey Clark said that the college is progress
ing toward its long-term enrollment goals.
“Our founders envisioned a college with 2,000
students,” he said. “We’re well on our way.”
The new student cohort includes 307
freshmen, 68 transfers and 15 who were re
admitted to the college. Females amount to
37 percent (144) of new students. According
to figures provided by the provost’s office,
98 first-year males, or 25 percent, came to
play football. Other Bishop teams accounted
for 83, or 21 percent, of the cohort.
The college has reported steady improve
ment in the SAT scores of new freshmen.
Average scores have risen from 869 in
2013 to 913 in 2016. In 2013,19 percent
scored more than 1,000,21 percent between
900 and 990, and 59 percent below 900.
By contrast, in 2016,44 percent exceeded
1,000,24 percent were in the 900-990
range, and 32 percent were below 900.
Many upperclassmen have been de
lighted at the recent growth. Of 16 students
surveyed, 14 said they were pleased, while
one was not happy with the change and
time to work. This position is a perfect fit for
my professional and personal needs.
Q. So far, what’s impressed you most
about the Wesleyan community?
A. I’ve noticed a strong sense of support
and genuine interest for student success
among the staff. I feel my colleagues really
enjoy serving and meeting the needs of our
students. The students are awesome and take
pride in their school and support each other. I
look forward to coming to campus each day.
Q. How can you use your past profes
sional experiences in your new position?
A. Being a therapist has given me the
opportunity to work with clients from diverse
cultures and backgrounds. Regardless of
our backgrounds, all human beings want
to understand the connection between their
thoughts, emotions and behaviors. I’ve
counseled children, adults, families and couples.
Therapists often spend most of their time
helping patients resolve relationship conflict
We’re social beings and cannot exist without
relationships, but we all straggle with managing
our emotional responses. Within the counseling
department, our services are more than a
diagnosis or management of symptoms. I’m
trained to help students learn healthy ways of
problem solving, communication and coping
with their emotions. Social, emotional and
spiritual growth is a constant process throughout
the life span. I hope students enter and leave the
counseling center feeling empowered to take
charge of their personal growth.
Q. Since your past positions have not been
in a college setting, what areas have you been
researching to increase your knowledge?
A. Dean Naylor has been a tremendous
supporter with information about federal laws
and guidelines for college campuses related to
Title IX, Bystander Intervention, etc. I’m reach
ing out to other professional colleagues/friends
who work in other college counseling centers
and trying to learn more about resources and
possible mental health awareness and education
that may be beneficial on the college campus.
Q. What are the most common psychologi
cal issues faced by today’s college students?
A. Isolation, depression and generalized
anxiety are always concerns for college students.
This is a huge transition time in life and most
experience feelings of isolation and being
overwhelmed with the expectations of college.
However, for the 18-25 population my biggest
concern is related to substance abuse. Alcohol
and marijuana have always been an issue on
college campuses. During the last 10 years, I’ve
specialized in treatment of addiction disorders
and I’ve seen the statistics rapidly increase for
misuse, abuse and dependence of prescription-
based opiates, benzodiazepines and stimulants.
The Centers for Disease Control reports that
overdoses related to opioid-based medication
and heroin have become the leading cause of
death among the 18-25 demographic in the last
live years, surpassing even motor vehicle ac
cidents. This is a grave concern for our society
and one that goes beyond college students. I’m
thankful I’ve had the opportunity to provide
treatment and restore hope for many straggling
Delighted with Wesleyan Enrollment Growth
one, a new transfer student, said he wasn’t students each, followed by Argentina (3), Japan Wesleyan Boulevard, south of campus; it’s
in a position to comment.
David Chang, ajunior, expressed a
common sentiment when he noted that
increased enrollment means “that the
school will be able to improve its services
and activities. There’s a more active
atmosphere with new faces, which gives
Wesleyan more of a true college feel. In
the past campus felt emptier and dull.”
Courtney Moss and Toni Collins pointed
to the proliferation of new organizations on
campus and the overall rise in student involve
ment ‘Everyone can play a part in bringing a
fun environment to campus,” Collins said.
Hunter Staylor, Mo fallow and Pristine
Saekhou like the continued emphasis on
diversity. The three enjoy the opportunity
to mingle with students from various
cultures. “You get students from Africa,
Asia, and South America,” Staylor said.
“You can experience different hfestyles
without leaving (the country).”
Twenty-eight new internationals have joined
the Wesleyan community, with almost half
coming from Asia including 10 students from
Nepal and Wesleyan’s first-ever Cambodian
student Venezuela and Nigeria were the
second most represented countries with 4
with addiction disorders. Prevention and
education are the key to addressing this
issue. I plan to offer education to students
and staff about this
growing epidemic in
our society.
Q. From your
perspective, in what
ways have social media
made it more difficult
to be a college student?
A. I think social media
is a great tool for expres
sion and staying connected
with others. Socialization
is part of our existence. I
think comparing oneself
to others is likely the
biggest issue for college
students and that can have
Lindy Kitchin
both positive and negative
consequences. Comparison is the thief of joy.
Social media creates an environment where we
have constant access to the success and failures
of others. This can distract us from developing
an understanding of our own unique strengths
and talents. I encourage students to focus on their
own success and failures and not to measure
success based on what a peer has accomplished.
Learn to celebrate accomplishments of self and
others. Practice celebrating uniqueness rather
than comparison.
Q. I imagine some students see you of
their own volition. Others get referred to you
by Jessica Brys-Wilson or other staff and
faculty. How else do students come to you?
A. Word of mouth is my best source of
referrals. Most students email or stop by
my office to set up an appointment. Most
enjoy the psycho-education and support
I can provide and they share with friends
what they’ve learned in counseling. I do
coordinate with our departments like student
health, athletics and residence life to make
sure we identify students who need support.
ASPIRE Students Give
College a Second Try
Kenneth Williams
Kenneth Williams said a near-death
experience, a strong desire to learn, and
support from his wife have put him months
away from achieving a dream—a degree
from a four-year college.
The Decree interviewed Williams, 67,
about his experiences in education, the
ASPIRE program in particular. The Rocky
Mount native is a religious studies major.
Q. Describe your current job and your
career plans.
A. I’m retired. I plan to obtain my masters
after graduating from Wesleyan. A graduate
degree wasn’t on my bucket list, but the
learning experience here has given me the
desire to learn more.
Q.Tellus about your first attempt at college.
A. I have two Associate of Science degrees.
I earned my first associates degree from
(2), Cambodia (1), Ecuador (1), Sweden (1),
Canada (1) and the United Kingdom (1).
Desire Strong hopes the recent growth
will lead to new majors, while Ebonee
Robinson wants to see the continued
updating of old facilities and the addition
of new ones, such as the recent construc
tion of Bradley Hall.
To meet the growing demand for
on-campus housing, the college will build
a new residence hall on the south side of
Bradley. The new facility will open in time
for the fall 2017 semester and include 40
single rooms, President Clark said.
“We’re aiming for May 31,2017,” the
president said, “but we can’t control
hurricanes, snow storms, rain, short
age of construction materials, or the
litany of obstacles that might occur
during construction.”
On-campus occupancy has risen from
93 to 94 percent, as 666 students now live
in Wesleyan residence halls, up 14 from last
year, according to data furnished by Jessie
Langley, Associate Dean of Students for
Residence Life. The Wesleyan Inn is now
home to 110 students after the college added
23 beds to the facility located on North
Q. Doubtless some students feel
apprehensive about receiving counseling.
What stigmas exist? And what’s your message
to students who are hesitant
to visit the counseling center?
A. College is one of the
hardest transition times in
life. Most students experi
ence a range of positive and
negative emotions when they
enter the college environ
ment for the first time.
Counseling can help them
get control of their emotions
and focus on their strengths
and ways they can contribute
to their life and peers.
Q. You’re still new to
your job. But describe
G. Wallace photo y our typical day.
A. I try to check email and
messages first, since many students contact
me in the evening hours about appointments
or concerns. I welcome as many students to
my office for counseling sessions as I can each
day. I keep my door open so students can drop
by the office and meet me before setting up a
counseling session. I participate in other training
and education programs for staff and students
as needed.
Q. What do you find most rewarding
in your work? What drives you?
A. I find it rewarding that I can help clients
understand why we have difficulty managing
our emotions and behaviors. I like to empower
them to care for their emotional health and
tap into their strengths and abilities. We’re all
different, but we all have positive attributes
we can contribute to our lives and the lives of
others. In my professional work, one highlight
has been the ability to support a client with
an addictive disorder maintain a period of
abstinence and grow spiritually in recovery.
Serving others is my internal driver and I feel
that God placed me in the perfect career.
Wingate College in 1970.1 was married after
my freshman year. I didn’t obtain my BA as it
was necessary to work full time after the birth
of my first child. In 20041 earned my second
associates degree in respiratory therapy from
Edgecombe Community College.
Q. What did you do between the time
you left college the first time and then
decided to re-enroll at Wesleyan?
A. I was in sales and marketing until 1990.
I ran my own business in transportation broker
age until I closed it in 2001 .It was at this time
I enrolled in ECC and obtained my second
associates degree in respiratory therapy. Upon
graduation I worked at an area hospital.
Q. What brought you to Wesleyan?
A. In February 2013 I had back
surgery and remained hospitalized until
August due to complications. During that
See ASPIRE on pg. 2
91 percent full, Langley said.
While students gave overwhelming
approval to the hike in enrollment,
many described the downsides to the
recent growth. Some pointed out the
increased congestion in common areas
such as the library and cafeteria. Many
complained about a parking shortage.
“The worst part is trying to find
parking spaces,” said Jerman Clark.
Some students have been frustrated at
not finding a spot close to the classroom
building, the cafeteria and the library.
Wayne Sears, director of Campus Secu
rity, debunked at least some of the parking
concerns. He said he’s heard Collins
residents complain about not finding spots
near the cafeteria and Edgecombe residents
lament the limited number of slots at the
libraiy. “This isn’t a parking problem,”
Sears said. “It’s a convenience issue for
students who don’t want to walk.”
Noting that the college provides 1,052
spots on campus, Sears said that additional
parking has been made available in recent
months. Forty-three new spots were cre
ated along the Dunn Center driveway loop.
Near the library and Hardees Buildings,
Sears said, two areas were converted into
five slots for motorcycles.
The college is continuing to study the
parking issue, in part due to concerns raised
by the SGA Safety Committee. Sears said
that the college re-issued parking stickers
this semester to help it collect data on users
and peak parking times.
“Last year’s data wasn’t complete
enough for us to determine if we need
assigned parking or more space,” or if
the status quo was sufficient, Sears said.
He did report that the college is in
the early stages of establishing a gravel
lot—room for about 70 vehicles—next to
Bradley Field House to alleviate parking
problems at sporting events. And it is eye
ing about 20 new spots along the rear drive
near the Taylor Center, Sears reported.
Despite the parking issues and other
growing pains, many Bishops underscored
the transformation that has occurred
around campus.
Expressing satisfaction with the college’s
growth over the past three years, President
Clark recalled that enrollment stood at 650
in fall 2013. The pace slowed from last
year, as enrollment rose from 900 to 940
students. The college attracted 30 fewer new
students than it did in 2015 (390 vs. 420),
but experienced an overall rise of 40 due to
a higher number of returning upper-classmen.
“It’s really hard to call this a ‘down year,’”
the president said, stressing that the 390 figure
represents the second largest class in the
college’s history. ‘From day one, our plan has
been to grow about 100 students per year.”
President Clark noted that even with
the decline in new students, Wesleyan is
up 290 students over fall 2013. “We’re
off our objective by only 10 students,” he
said. “That’s nothing short of remarkable.”
The president would like to see the col
lege raise enrollment by 100 for fall 2017
and believes it’s a realistic goal. He noted
that next year will see the introduction of
the communication major, greater participa
tion in ROTC, as well as the reinstatement
of the lacrosse team, whose coach, Bridget
Walker, is already recruiting.
President Clark was effusive in his praise
of the admissions and coaching staffs. “The
entire team has done a tremendous job,” he
said. Referring to Judy Rollins, vice presi
dent of Enrollment Services and Marketing,
the president said, “Mrs. Rollins came with
a tremendous marketing background, but
no admissions experience. In 2 l /i years
she’s become the best admissions executive
we’ve ever had at Wesleyan. The numbers
speak for themselves.”
About the coaching staff, the president
said, “Our coaches are great recruiters in
their own right. They’re tireless workers
and fine ambassadors of the college.
We’re fortunate to have an athletic
department and admissions office that
work well together.”
Optimistic about next year, President
Clark said he expects enrollment to reach
1,050 students. “We’re expecting our
largest class ever for the fall,” he said.
“Our best days are still ahead of us.”