Dr. Pillar most recently served as Associate Provost for Academic Affairs at Gardner-Webb University, where he provides strategic leadership across a broad portfolio of academic units, including academic innovation, digital learning, faculty development, undergraduate research, and continuing education. With more than 15 years of academic leadership experience and over 20 years in higher education overall, he has demonstrated a strong ability to advance institutional effectiveness, enhance academic quality, and support student success.

At Gardner-Webb, Dr. Pillar has played a central role in advancing academic strategy, strengthening accreditation processes, and expanding workforce-aligned academic offerings. He serves as the institution鈥檚 liaison to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), guiding accreditation efforts and institutional readiness for reaffirmation. His leadership has emphasized data-informed decision-making, cross-campus collaboration, and the development of innovative academic programs designed to meet the needs of a diverse and evolving student population.

Before joining Gardner-Webb University, Dr. Pillar held senior leadership roles at Queens University of Charlotte, including Associate Provost for Academic Affairs. In that role, he led major institutional initiatives focused on student engagement, retention, and academic outcomes, and successfully directed the university鈥檚 accreditation reaffirmation process with no recommendations for follow-up actions.

In addition to his administrative leadership, Dr. Pillar is an accomplished faculty member and scholar. He has taught extensively in environmental science and chemistry, mentored student research, and led international experiential learning programs in locations such as Italy, Vietnam, Costa Rica, and Micronesia, emphasizing global engagement and sustainability. His academic background includes a Ph.D. in Agronomy (Environmental Chemistry) from the University of Georgia, along with degrees from Kansas State University and the University of Minnesota.

鈥淒r. Greg Pillar has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and an unwavering commitment to student success.聽During his tenure at Gardner-Webb University, he has provided effective leadership across Academic Affairs, guiding faculty, staff, and administrators through opportunities and challenges with professionalism, integrity, and collaboration. I am confident that Dr. Pillar will bring the same level of excellence and innovation to Pfeiffer.聽Although his presence and expertise will be missed at Gardner-Webb University, we are extremely proud of this promotion in his professional journey!聽鈥� 鈥� Nicole Waters, DNP, RN, CNE, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Gardner-Webb University.

黑料专区 recognizes Gardner-Webb University as an outstanding institution with a strong commitment to academic excellence, student success, and leadership development. Dr. Pillar鈥檚 work within that dynamic environment reflects both the strength of the institution and his ability to contribute meaningfully to its mission.

鈥淒r. Pillar comes to us after dozens of applicants were narrowed to a small pool of outstanding finalists who visited our campus. By the end of the process, we knew that had discovered in him a person who could not only nurture our traditional, liberal arts-based programming in Misenheimer and nurture the wonderful faculty and staff helping us deliver that programming, he is also capable of innovating within and around that space. We knew that we had discovered an academic leader who understands and appreciates the outstanding work that has been accomplished in our online graduate programming and in the Center for Health Sciences in Albemarle, but also someone who will help add to that growth by asking 鈥� alongside area CEOs and other thought leaders 鈥� 鈥榳hat鈥檚 next?鈥欌�� I know that I speak for the members of the search committee and others who interacted with Dr. Pillar in the search process when I say that we are excited to collaborate with him.鈥� 鈥� Dr. Scott Bullard, President of 黑料专区

Dr. Pillar鈥檚 appointment reflects 黑料专区鈥檚 continued commitment to advancing academic excellence, innovation, and student-centered learning. His extensive experience in accreditation, faculty development, and program innovation will further strengthen the university鈥檚 mission and position it for continued growth and impact. Dr. Pillar will begin his role at 黑料专区 on August 1, 2026

A graduate of the Pfeiffer College Class of 1963, Grady built a respected career in the practice of law, conducting his work in a manner that enhanced the reputation of his alma mater and reflected deep integrity. Over the course of many decades, he remained a steadfast advocate for 黑料专区, devoting more than fifty years as a member of the Board of Trustees. After becoming one of the youngest board members in Pfeiffer鈥檚 history in 1972 鈥� less than a decade after his graduation 鈥� Grady鈥檚 leadership was especially notable during his tenure as Chair of the 黑料专区 Board of Trustees from 1996 to 1999, a period marked by significant growth and prosperity for the institution.

鈥淭om Grady was an exceptionally intelligent man who never lost his desire to learn and grow. For those fortunate enough to know him, he exemplified the values of faithful living, deep love for family, and a deep love for 黑料专区. His gift of humor and joy lifted those around him, even during life’s most difficult moments, and his influence will continue to be felt by all who knew and loved him. I am among those who felt Tom鈥檚 influence nearly every day. Over more than 60 years of friendship, he taught me the true meaning of loyalty, kindness, generosity, and unwavering support.  Tom was a gift to me that can never be replaced.鈥� said Bob Brietz, Grady鈥檚 Pfeiffer College roommate and former chair of the University鈥檚 Board of Trustees.

Known for his unwavering commitment, Grady championed educational advancement and community development, representing Pfeiffer at professional gatherings and public forums across North Carolina for many years. In recognition of his extraordinary contributions, the Grady Board Room at 黑料专区 was named in his honor, ensuring that his legacy of service and dedication continues to inspire future generations. The naming of the board room as well as improvements to the space was a project initiated by The Cannon Foundation, another deeply impactful non-profit organization that Grady served as a board member.

鈥淭om Grady will be remembered for his enduring impact, his generosity of spirit, his great and sometimes self-effacing sense of humor, and his lifelong commitment to the institutions and communities he served. He made an incredible difference for 黑料专区, and in the lives of everyone who knew him. He served as an advisor and mentor to me, and Pfeiffer presidents from decades past have said the same thing. Simply put, there was no topic that was off limits, and there was no hour of the night that he would not answer my call.聽 I will miss him, he will be deeply missed by so many others associated with Pfeiffer, and he will be deeply missed by so many in our region who are not associated with Pfeiffer,鈥� said President Scott Bullard.

A will be held at St. James Lutheran Church in Concord, NC, on June 13, 2026, at 3 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Cannon Foundation, 黑料专区, or St. James Lutheran Church in Grady鈥檚 memory.

The project, titled 鈥淎dvancing Purpose: Building a Community of Shared Vocational Exploration,鈥� will strengthen Pfeiffer鈥檚 commitment to purpose-centered education by reframing vocation and leadership as shared, community-centered responsibilities rather than solely individual pursuits. Through campus-wide engagement, reflection, and dialogue, the initiative will help students more intentionally explore questions of purpose, meaning, and calling in relation to their academic, co-curricular, and community experiences.

The NetVUE Program Development Grant is administered by the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) and made possible through the generous support of Lilly Endowment Inc. NetVUE (Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education) is a nationwide network of colleges and universities dedicated to fostering vocational exploration and discernment among undergraduate students.

鈥淭his initiative reflects 黑料专区鈥檚 mission to prepare students for lives of purpose, service, and leadership,鈥� said President Dr. Scott Bullard. 鈥淲e are grateful for the support of the Council of Independent Colleges and Lilly Endowment Inc. as we deepen our work of vocational exploration across the university and within our surrounding community.鈥�

During Year One, Pfeiffer will host a year-long, campus-wide series of purpose-centered gatherings known as an 鈥淎dvance,鈥� intentionally named to emphasize forward-looking engagement. These gatherings will bring together faculty, staff, coaches, and student leaders to develop a shared vocabulary and vision for integrating vocation and purpose across academic programs, advising, athletics, and campus life.

In Year Two, the initiative will expand beyond campus through a community survey and facilitated focus groups with local leaders, organizations, and stakeholders. These conversations will help align student service-learning opportunities with community-identified needs while deepening students鈥� understanding of vocation through real-world engagement. Additional campus focus groups will guide reflection, assessment, and long-term integration of this work.

鈥淏y embedding vocational reflection into the university鈥檚 general education curriculum, advising practices, and co-curricular programming, Pfeiffer aims to ensure that the impact of this initiative extends well beyond the grant period,鈥� said Dr. Ted Royston, planning team co-chair.

Outcomes will include clearly defined vocation-focused learning goals, community-engaged learning models, and a shared institutional language that helps students articulate who they are becoming and how their education prepares them to contribute meaningfully to the world.

鈥淲e all worked together, but Diane was our glue, our counselor (we were all young and fresh out of college), our mother in many instances, and our therapist. She even had a nickname鈥� In admissions from 8 to 5, she was sometimes known as Dottie, and to me, if you had a nickname, you knew you were loved,鈥� remembered former Vice President of Enrollment Management Steve Cumming 鈥�92.

鈥淭he stories about what Diane meant to our students are absolutely true,鈥� said David M. Smith 鈥�70, former Vice President for Enrollment Management and University Trustee. 鈥淪he acted as a mentor, a stabilizer, and a balancing force for our whole office,鈥� he said. 

Chris Parker, former Vice President for Enrollment Management said, 鈥淚 knew right away that I had someone special,鈥� recalling that Martin was the person everyone gravitated toward. 鈥淚t didn鈥檛 matter what the problem was, they were going to counsel with Miss Diane. They were going to get her wisdom, her experience, and her knowledge. When you talk about passion and an individual who cares, that is what she embodies,鈥� he said.

In making the gift in honor of Martin, her son and daughter-in-law, Blake and Jamie Livingston Martin, said they hoped to honor her incredible legacy of service, noting that she rarely goes anywhere that a Pfeiffer alumnus doesn鈥檛 thank 鈥淢iss Diane鈥� for the difference she made in their lives.

鈥淲e鈥檙e all made up of interactions, relationships, and moments in our lives, and Diane Martin has touched thousands of students over the years. We are extremely proud of her legacy, and Jamie and I find no greater pleasure than to honor her in this way,鈥� said Blake Martin.

Both Pfeiffer alumni themselves, Blake and Jamie Martin have continued their family鈥檚 Pfeiffer legacy. Blake Martin completed an undergraduate degree in History in 2008 and earned his Master of Health Administration from Pfeiffer in 2015. He worked as a member of the University Advancement Division after graduation and now serves as President of Monarch. Blake also currently serves as Vice Chair of 黑料专区鈥檚 Board of Trustees.

A standout student-athlete in women鈥檚 lacrosse, Jamie Martin earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology in 2010 and her Master of Science in Leadership in 2020. She is a certified human resource professional and currently serves as a Talent Acquisition leader with Lucet. She is also a former member of the 黑料专区 Alumni Board.

鈥淚n so many ways, Diane Martin has made the people of the 黑料专区 community feel seen and welcomed, and she has become an underlying part of hundreds, if not thousands, of student success stories. In many quiet ways, she used her position and talent to lift others up, and we are honored that Blake and Jamie have recognized and celebrated that outstanding legacy by naming the Diane T. Martin Welcome Center. There is not a more fitting tribute,鈥� said President Scott Bullard. 

The counselor had told Poe that the country needed more engineers. Poe wouldn鈥檛 become one of them. After his sophomore year, he showed his father his poor grades and told him that he hated engineering. 鈥淚 think it hates you back,鈥� Poe鈥檚 father said, showing a sense of humor that Professor Poe not only inherited but would also make an attractive hallmark of his lectures at Pfeiffer.

Ava Lowder 鈥�28, a rising junior at Pfeiffer from Mt. Pleasant, N.C., is a psychology major who took several courses taught by Poe. She said that he communicated not only with humor in the classroom but also with 鈥減assion and authenticity.鈥�

鈥淗e captured people鈥檚 attention when he spoke,鈥� she added. 鈥淗e had many unique stories that people genuinely wanted to listen to, and he knew how to connect those stories to classroom material as well as meaningful life lessons. He also created an environment where students felt comfortable participating rather than being afraid of making mistakes.鈥�

Poe鈥檚 move away from engineering to psychology took hold during an excellent introductory course in psychology at Duke, from which he earned a B.A. degree in the subject, in 1968. The course included six hours of research and several experiments, for which Poe was the subject. 鈥淚 fell in love with it,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 concluded that studying people was great because I love people.鈥�

Poe also holds two advanced degrees in , which he earned after a stint in the U.S. Navy: a master鈥檚 degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and a doctorate from Cornell University, which he earned in 1980.

He tried very hard to make his introductory courses at Pfeiffer, where he began teaching in 2004, just as appealing as that very first Duke course. And in large part he has succeeded: psychology consistently ranks fifth or sixth at Pfeiffer, in terms of the numbers of students majoring in the subject. They鈥檙e drawn to it for several reasons: It can be really interesting, its required semester hours (40) enables students to make it part of a double major, and, as Poe became adept at communicating, it is , not just counseling and experimental psychology.

鈥淚鈥檓 just trying to show them again and again that all this stuff that we talked about isn’t just for the exam,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou can use it.鈥�

The students contemplating careers involving research could find an excellent example in Poe, who has published numerous papers and given invited addresses on a range of subjects, from 鈥淐ustoms Officials and Their Search Decisions鈥� to 鈥淭he Salem Witch Trials.鈥� 

The piece on the search decisions of (1980), written with Robert Kraut, has been described as 鈥渁 landmark study鈥� examining how people evaluate truthfulness in real-world scenarios, specifically analyzing the behaviors that influence decisions to search people going through customs. Among other things, it found that search decisions were driven less by actual guilt than by perceived comportment (nervousness, demeanor).

Although Poe can point to numerous academic accomplishments at Pfeiffer, he says he鈥檚 most proud of the social relationships he has forged with his students and colleagues. He loves singing and playing the guitar, for example, having become a mainstay of a faculty bluegrass band called Brain Trust.

He recently spent an hour or so with Lowder talking about her interests and recommending books she might read to learn more. He鈥檚 an inveterate reader himself, mostly of nonfiction. One of the books he suggested was Poe鈥檚 own , which she described as 鈥渟imilar to a trivia book but it includes short stories, not just questions and answers.鈥� 

Poe has attended the weddings of five or six students. He has 398 Facebook friends and guarantees that at least 95 percent of them have a connection to Pfeiffer. 鈥淚鈥檓 accepting applications for a couple of more Facebook friends from the Pfeiffer family,鈥� he joked recently. 鈥淧feiffer grows on you,鈥� he added. 鈥淲e call ourselves a family, and after a short while, I came to believe it. Basically, all of my friends are at Pfeiffer. It鈥檚 just been the perfect fit for me.鈥�

鈥淛erry Shelby models the values of servant leadership in so many ways,鈥� said JoEllen Newsome, vice president for institutional advancement at 黑料专区. 鈥淲e are proud to honor him in this way, and we hope that those who use this space will be inspired by his example.鈥�

Shelby, a 1990 master of business administration graduate of 黑料专区, resides in Salisbury, North Carolina. He has also established the Jerry L. Shelby Business Endowed Scholarship, which supports 黑料专区 business majors.

Shelby says his hope is that his contributions will encourage others to invest in the future of the University. 鈥淚 believe in the value of education,鈥� he said, 鈥渁nd in using one鈥檚 gifts to make the world a better place. I hope that the work I have done in my community and the investments I have made in my own education and in the education of others will inspire future generations to follow in my footsteps.鈥�

Shelby embraces education as a lifelong process. He continues to take classes and complete certifications through his volunteer work and has earned three professional certifications in the field of supply chain management.

Early in his career, Shelby was deeply influenced by the Jaycee Creed, which states, 鈥淪ervice to Humanity is the Best Work of Life.鈥� That influence led him to develop three personal philosophies that have guided his life and work:

• If you see a problem, you own it until it is fixed鈥攅ven if you are not responsible for it;
• If you are going to do something, commit to doing it better than it has ever been done before; and
• Continue to improve yourself and the organizations with which you are involved.

These principles have led Shelby to serve as president or chairman of nearly every organization with which he has been involved. His leadership has been recognized locally, regionally, and nationally through numerous awards and honors.

A volunteer for more than 60 years, Shelby has been a passionate advocate for victims鈥� rights, judicial reform, seniors, individuals with disabilities, and underserved populations. He has dedicated countless hours to giving a voice to thousands of people in need.

Shelby is the author of Victims Have No Rights: A Victim鈥檚 (Pro Se) Experience with Insurance Companies and the Unjust Judicial System, and maintains a website at www.victimshavenorights.com.

鈥淚 hope my legacy will be that people see me volunteering and helping others and feel inspired to get involved themselves,鈥� Shelby said. 鈥淚 hope people will say, 鈥業f Jerry can do this, so can I.鈥欌�� Pictured are 黑料专区 President Dr. Scott Bullard and JoEllen Newsome, vice president for institutional advancement, as they present the conference room naming to Shelby. The space is intended to inspire continued learning, service, and support for 黑料专区.

鈥淓arly literacy is foundational to educational success, and rural communities face unique barriers in providing teachers with the training and resources they need,鈥� said Dr. Scott W. Bullard, president of 黑料专区. 鈥淭his investment allows Pfeiffer to respond to a critical regional need by supporting today鈥檚 educators while preparing the next generation of teachers to enter the classroom ready to meet the needs of early readers.鈥�

The new Literacy Training Center will focus on strengthening evidence-based reading instruction for kindergarten through fifth grade, addressing one of the strongest predictors of long-term student success: the ability to read proficiently by the end of third grade. The Center is designed to meet the distinct challenges faced by rural school districts, including limited access to sustained professional development and ongoing instructional support.

鈥淭his partnership represents an exciting opportunity for our district and the entire region. Strengthening literacy instruction remains one of our most important priorities, and this investment supports the kind of sustained, high-quality professional learning our teachers need to continue growing in their craft. Just as importantly, it strengthens our ability to recruit and retain high-quality educators who are committed to serving our communities. When we deepen literacy in all its forms, we open doors for our students 鈥� not only in school, but in life,鈥� said Stanly County Schools Chief Academic Officer Lynn Plummer.

Strengthening Teaching and Learning Across the Region

The Regional Literacy Training Center will provide hands-on, practical training grounded in the science of reading. For current teachers, the Center will offer workshops, coaching, and shared learning opportunities focused on classroom-ready strategies rather than one-time professional development sessions. This sustained approach will help educators build confidence, refine instruction, and implement consistent reading practices across schools and districts.

The Center will begin work with Stanly County in the first year, followed by Randolph and Montgomery counties in subsequent years. This model will allow participating districts to learn from one another while addressing challenges specific to rural communities.

Preparing Future Teachers for Rural Classrooms

In addition to supporting current educators, the Literacy Training Center will strengthen Pfeiffer鈥檚 undergraduate and graduate teacher education programs by embedding high-quality literacy instruction directly into coursework. Education students will receive enhanced preparation in early literacy strategies, ensuring they graduate with practical skills needed to teach reading effectively from day one.

The initiative also includes student scholarships for education majors who complete literacy-focused classroom experiences and commit to teaching in one of the partner counties for three years after graduation. This component is particularly impactful for Pfeiffer students, more than half of whom are Pell-eligible and many of whom are first-generation college students.

鈥淲ith this support, 黑料专区 is creating a practical, sustainable resource that benefits both educators and students,鈥� Bullard said. 鈥淏y investing in early literacy where the need is greatest, we are helping ensure that more children learn to read well, early, and for life.鈥�

鈥淎fter my first year here, I remember thinking, 鈥業 just really enjoy waking up and doing that,鈥欌�� he said recently during a break in his busy schedule. 鈥淚 like to learn about animals, about what life is, and, maybe, how to use those things to advance medical care.鈥�

Rauer鈥檚 enthusiasm for biology has manifested itself in a knack for research, which was highlighted at this year鈥檚 George Pfeiffer Research Symposium, a campus event showcasing the innovative research being conducted by Pfeiffer鈥檚 undergraduate science students in collaboration with faculty mentors.

Named in honor of George R. Pfeiffer, former university trustee and past president of the Gustavus and Louise Pfeiffer Research Foundation, the 2026 event was expanded to include what Reichenberg called 鈥渙utstanding research from across the university,鈥� including Honors Program, Nursing, and Psychology students. All told, 60 students presented posters at the event.

鈥淭his was the largest symposium we have ever hosted and a true reflection of the breadth and quality of research at 黑料专区,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t is also now part of our new Week of Falcon Achievement initiative.鈥�

The keynote address was provided by Dr. Ryan Girts, assistant professor of health & exercise science. He spoke on 鈥淟essons Learned as a Researcher: The Real Important Discoveries.鈥� The keynote also featured guest alumni speakers, including Josh Turner 鈥�25, Kaylee Ollis 鈥�25, and Julia Barbato 鈥�24, who shared how their undergraduate research experiences helped shape their careers.

Rauer is both a Milton Rose Research Fellow at Pfeiffer and a member of its Honors Program.

Broadly speaking, Rauer鈥檚 research has reflected his interest in learning more about how microplastics affect terrestrial invertebrates, as opposed to how they affect their aquatic counterparts, which has attracted more attention from researchers. Microplastics emerge from several sources, including tire runoff, synthetic fabric, and, of course, plastic waste.

Rauer鈥檚 symposium poster was titled 鈥淢icroplastic Exposure Reduces Innate Immune Function in Pill Bugs: A Phenol Oxidase Biomarker Study.鈥� It illuminated his development of a phenol oxidase enzyme assay in an Armadillidum vulgare (a terrestrial isopod more commonly known as the pill bug) to determine its immune and stress responses to microplastics in the environment. He explained that a pill bug is a detritivore, meaning it obtains nutrients by consuming detritus. It then excretes these nutrients, aiding processes such as plant or fungi growth.

鈥淓ssentially, we need these detritivores to do well,鈥� Rauer said. 鈥淲e need them to not be stressed so that the ecosystem can thrive, because all ecosystems are like a connective web basically. If you have parts of this web missing, that affects the whole system. When certain animals are not really healthy or if they are really stressed because of factors that are human-induced, like microplastics, that can have tremendous effects on all the other organisms.鈥�

As Rauer prepares to graduate and return to Europe, where he hopes to study bioengineering in a graduate program, he looks back on his time at Pfeiffer with gratitude for several reasons.

Scientific communication in English (including classroom instruction) is universal, posing challenges for fledgling scientists who are not native speakers of that language. Studying at Pfeiffer has given Rauer a leg up: 鈥淢y English has improved so much. I feel very comfortable reading and writing scientific papers. I鈥檓 not scared anymore.鈥�

Rauer also notes how much he benefitted from the one-on-one attention he received from Reichenberg and others; such mentoring not only enhanced his learning but also equipped him with skills he鈥檒l need to conduct research at the graduate level (e.g., making an oral presentation, writing a paper, and creating an effective poster).

Reichenberg isn鈥檛 surprised by Rauer鈥檚 success, noting that he 鈥渉as a genuine passion for science and a curiosity that drives him to explore new questions and challenges.鈥�

鈥淗e began his research career as a freshman working with nematodes and has since expanded his work to investigate microplastics, demonstrating impressive growth and adaptability. It has been a true pleasure watching him grow and adapt as a scientist.鈥�

Mrs. Eargle, alongside her husband, President Emeritus Zane Eargle, leaves an enduring imprint on 黑料专区. During their years of service, Joan played a significant role in shaping the physical and cultural identity of the institution, an impact still evident today.

Perhaps most visibly, Eargle helped envision and build Pfeiffer鈥檚 distinctive landscape design. From the crepe myrtle-lined highway that welcomes students and visitors to the greenery that defines the campus, her influence created a sense of place that has become a hallmark of 黑料专区.

Also a passionate advocate for the University鈥檚 intellectual and cultural life, she played a leading role in initiatives supporting Pfeiffer鈥檚 library, including the formation of the Friends of the Library, strengthening engagement with the University鈥檚 academic mission. Her commitment to the arts and to Pfeiffer鈥檚 heritage was further exemplified through her involvement in the creation of the now-iconic sculpture of Emily Prudden, Pfeiffer鈥檚 founder, as well as other sculptures located in the Brian Honeycutt Plaza.

In recognition of her lasting contributions, the Reading Room on the second floor of the Pfeiffer Library bears her name. Dr. and Mrs. Eargle were present when the Reading Room was rededicated following renovations that incorporated the Ascot Society Collection, a moment that reflected Joan鈥檚 enduring connection to the University and her deep appreciation for learning and community.

鈥淛oan Eargle will be remembered by the Pfeiffer community, not only for what she helped build, but for the quiet care, creativity, and commitment she brought to 黑料专区 and all who were part of it. Her legacy continues in the beauty of the campus, the strength of its traditions, and the generations of students and scholars who benefit daily from her vision,鈥� said Pfeiffer President Scott Bullard.

Memorial gifts may be directed to the Zane and Joan Eargle Endowment at Pfeiffer, in honor of Mrs. Eargle鈥檚 life and lasting impact on the University. Service arrangements will be announced by the Eargle family at a later date.

When he toured Pfeiffer as a prospective first-generation college student from nearby , Palmer met an admissions officer intent on demystifying the application process for him. As the first in his family to pursue a college degree, he was largely unfamiliar with the usual tasks required for admission, as were members of his family.

鈥淭here were so many different small steps,鈥� Palmer said, referring to everything from filling out a to uncovering scholarships. 鈥淭he admissions officer walked me and my family through all of them.鈥�

Palmer had not encountered anything like the help he received from Pfeiffer admissions during his visits to several other North Carolina colleges. That Pfeiffer had gone the extra mile for him figured prominently in his decision to attend the University.

Palmer also gravitated to higher ed administration as a result of the influence of Dr. Russ Sharples 鈥�75, an alumnus of Pfeiffer College. Sharples鈥� tenure as an administrator at Pfeiffer, where he served as VP of Student Development and Dean of Students from 2009 to 2016, overlapped with Palmer鈥檚 two-year stint as a science teacher in the public schools of Rowan (N.C.) County (2010-2012).

During his deanship, Sharples occasionally called Palmer with the aim of bringing him back to campus as an employee, having recognized that he possessed the skills and background to work effectively behind the scenes for the betterment of the University鈥檚 students.

One of those calls resulted in Palmer running a summer program called Pfeiffer Readiness Education Program (PREP).  PREP — the latest iteration of which will take place in June over 10 days on Pfeiffer鈥檚 campus in Misenheimer, N.C. — equips mainly first-generation freshmen with study, writing, and time-management skills as they take and earn credit for a course called English 101. PREP also engages its students in team-building activities and acquaints them with Pfeiffer鈥檚 resources.

When Palmer ran PREP over two summers during his time as a science teacher, he related well to the first-generation students who participated, because he was one himself. Under Palmer鈥檚 guidance, PREP leveled the playing field for first-generation students, whose metrics (e.g., GPAs, graduation and retention rates, and the pace at which they earn degrees) came to match those of their multigenerational peers.

Sharples was impressed. He placed another call to Palmer after he had resumed teaching middle schoolers during the regular school year.

鈥淒r. Sharples was very blunt,鈥� Palmer said. 鈥淗e said, 鈥業 need you to quit your job and I need you to come work at Pfeiffer.鈥欌��

Palmer鈥檚 response: 鈥淲hat day do I start?鈥�

Palmer closed out his stint in teaching and began working full-time at Pfeiffer the following summer as a Learning Assistance Coordinator, a post he鈥檇 hold until 2020, when he became Director of Learning and Academic Success (2020-2022). As Coordinator, he assumed two principal duties: running PREP and overseeing the peer tutoring program at Pfeiffer.

Peer tutoring remains a pillar in the offerings of Student Support and Success. Some 20 students, each certified by the , are paid to assist their peers for between five and seven hours a week. Peer tutors often pursue master鈥檚 degrees or attend professional schools after graduating from Pfeiffer, and tutoring is a way for them to retain material they will need for graduate-level studies.

鈥淲e normally tutor 100 to 125 students a semester,鈥� Palmer said. 鈥淲e have a tutor for nearly every class on campus.鈥�

Palmer鈥檚 work with the Student Support and Success Center also helps ensure that a Pfeiffer education remains accessible to students with disabilities or injuries. He ensures the completion of updates to important paperwork needed for foreign students to enter and leave the country legally. And he helps American students arrange study abroad experiences. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the Pfeiffer way for professors to prioritize student needs by offering them extra help after class or mentoring them,鈥� Palmer said. 鈥淪tudent Support and Success builds on that important part of our culture, and I am proud to be a part of that work.鈥�