Staff Spotlight: Charletta Sims, Director of Commuter Life and Diversity Programs
By Jacqueline Stalls, '06
Charletta Sims, recipient of the Presidential Staff Award, was honored at the Meredith College Faculty and Staff Awards and Recognition Ceremony. Sims, who has been employed at Meredith College for four years, serves as the director of commuter life and diversity programs.
Sims develops and maintains supportive events for the development and advancement of commuter students and diverse populations. Sims says that her position "serves as an advocacy role."
Coming from Shaw University, Sims was lured to Meredith College by a personal need to simply change her career and challenge herself. Sims says her position at Meredith College gives her "the opportunity to work with a variety of students in numerous capacities," and also the opportunity "to develop close relationships with students."
Sims, who loves to read, travel and listen to music, says that she was "shocked" when she received the Presidential Staff Award.
"I felt honored and blessed that my efforts have not gone unnoticed," says Sims.
When asked about what makes her the perfect candidate for the award, Sims says "I have a passion to see students be successful. So many young women don't know their potential. Seeing them transition into confident and empowered women is so rewarding."
The Presidential Staff award, established in 2002, recognizes exemplary service to the Meredith community by a staff member. The Meredith College president chooses and presents the Presidential Staff Awards; nominations are received from faculty, staff and students. Previous recipients are Sam Carothers, Galdino Avila-Vega and Rick McBane.
Faculty Spotlight: Carol Finley, Assistant Professor of Dance
By Jacqueline Stalls, '06
Carol Finley, recipient of the Harry & Marion Eberly Faculty Development Award, was honored at the Meredith College Faculty and Staff Awards and Recognition Ceremony. Finley, who has worked at Meredith College since 2001, serves as assistant professor of dance in the Department of Dance and Theatre.
Finley says that she "creates opportunities for students to study dance intellectually, creatively and physically." She also acts "as a facilitator between dance faculty, students, administration and the wider community, ensuring that performances are produced, classes are scheduled, curriculum is up to date, and new students are recruited."
Finley enjoys the "thrill of concert week with her students and colleagues each semester." Her favorite moments in teaching at Meredith College involve watching her students present the "culmination of (their) artistic and technical work."
Finley came to Meredith College from North Carolina State University, working as a part-time instructor and a guest artist. Finley said that she "knew that she would like working in the Meredith Dance Program very much, and was happily surprised when this full-time opportunity became available."
Finley, who loves working at Meredith College, enjoys "the feeling that the entire community here is working together toward a common goal." She also adds that, after working at NCSU, she really likes her parking space.
Not only does she dedicate tons of personal time to her job, she also balances several hobbies including "reading, legally downloading music, swimming and cooking." When asked about her reaction in receiving the award, Finley simply said that she was "extremely honored."
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Williams will be responsible for planning recruitment events, supervising student admissions ambassadors and for recruitment in areas including the Research Triangle of North Carolina, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and the western United States. She will continue to coordinate Open Days for high school seniors, and will also coordinate the President's Reception for local accepted students and the Triangle Counselors' Breakfast.
Lee will be responsible for coordinating school counselor relations programs, planning recruitment events and for recruitment in areas including the piedmont region of North Carolina, parts of South Carolina, and the northeastern United States. 
Meredith senior Laura Ashley Lamm spent her summer working as an intern in the office of North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Beverly Perdue.