Taking a risk in tough economy equals a new career

David Helms (B.S. in clinical research) will walk away from UNCW with a degree in one hand and a job in biopharmaceuticals in the other. The 32-year-old chose to return to UNCW and pursue a career in the new clinical research program after noticing unfavorable economic changes beginning to surface and realizing he was less than satisfied with his career in real estate. His hard work paid off when he was hired by Quintiles Transnational, Inc. as a clinical trials assistant during his junior year.

"I was able to start a great career with the largest contract research organization in the world. I've always been intrigued with medicine and wanted the opportunity to help people in time of illness. Clinical research does just that, and it is a specialized degree giving me skills that are in demand and attractive to pharmaceutical companies and the overall industry," he said.

The clinical research program at UNCW is a non-nursing program that can be completed entirely online, a perfect fit for Helms, who lives in Ocean Isle Beach, N.C., with his wife and 4-year old son, and serves as a local minister.

Excavating a passion for the talking to the Deaf

Leigh Stracke (B.A. in communication studies, minor in leadership studies) opened the door to a new career and a deep passion she never knew existed when she enrolled in her first Communication with Deaf and Hearing Impaired course at UNCW two years ago. Now, Stracke is a finalist for one of 10 slots for a master's degree in the American Sign Language interpreter program at the prestigious Gallaudet University. The Washington D.C.-based university is the world leader in liberal education and career development for deaf and hearing impaired students.

The 2008 UNCW homecoming queen noted that she can now move to a big city and tackle challenging graduate courses with confidence because "Classes and leadership experience at UNCW have molded me into a person who thinks critically, who is prepared for graduate school and who has discovered her passion."

During her four years at UNCW, Stracke's numerous campus leadership roles included resident assistant, orientation leader and cofounder of the Dub Idol campus singing competition, which has become a UNCW tradition. Stracke also is actively involved in the deaf community, she attends social functions with the deaf and hard of hearing and serves in leadership roles with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, the North Carolina Deaf Blind Associates (NCDBA) and Camp Dogwood for the deaf-blind.

Moving from the battlefield to a master's degree

Martin Hubner (B.S. in exercise science) can now add acceptance into graduate school to his five years of active duty in the Marine Corps. Only 25 years old, the veteran has been deployed twice to Iraq and earned multiple military achievement awards. Since he began his "tour" at UNCW in 2006, Martin has committed to spreading the word about the needs of veterans and supporting his campus comrades as an active member, and now president, of the UNCW Student Veterans Organization (SVO).

"My first semester here was hugely overwhelming. I went from a super-structured military to the complete freedom of college. The counseling center at UNCW and people like the SVO mentor Elaine Hogan really helped me get through obstacles, so I wanted to help other vets through SVO," he said.

After a practicum in the Seahawk Strength Training Center and guidance from faculty who challenged him to "think critically and work to the bone," Hubner can confidently enter the Appalachian State University master's program in exercise science and become an athletic strength and conditioning coach.

Students will be available for TV and print media interviews prior to May 8.

Media Contacts:
Joy Davis, Marketing and Communications, 910.916.8603 or davisjc@uncw.edu