Summer school in Charlotte
Sophomore Christa Harris (’16) originally planned to spend her summer living at home and taking courses at another university. But when she learned that Wake Forest is offering classes in her hometown, enabling her to study and pursue internship opportunities at the same time, she changed her plans.
“I’m definitely really excited,” said Harris, an English and psychology double major who has been looking forward to the program since receiving an interest survey about it last fall. “I answered the survey and followed up with an email soon after. I was pretty eager.”
While Wake Forest has always provided a variety of summer school options on the Reynolda Campus, this is the first time the College has offered undergraduate summer school courses outside of Winston-Salem. This summer, students will have the opportunity to enhance their studies in communication, psychology, and English in Charlotte.
The program is especially attractive to students and faculty from the Charlotte area, as well as students working or interning in the city over the summer. Outside the Triad, more Wake Forest alumni live in the Charlotte area than any other geographic region. Randall Rogan, Dean of Academic Programming and Planning, said adding undergraduate summer school classes from the College to the business school offerings already available is a natural extension of the University’s commitment to students, faculty, staff and alumni in the area.
Marina Krcmar, an associate professor of communication, looks forward to the opportunity to teach where she lives. “This allows me the ability to teach for a summer to both Wake and non-Wake students close to home,” she said. “Summer school has always been a great option for Wake Forest students,” she added, “but the location of Charlotte opens a whole slew of new opportunities.”
Rogan is also excited about the program, which will run from June 2-27, 2014. “Summer school has been primarily on the Winston-Salem campus,” he said. “Charlotte offers convenience and an exciting setting for learning. Our summer school schedule will allow students to take classes and arrange their own internships for a rich and diverse experience.”
The location will also allow students convenient access to various internships and other opportunities for work. Harris plans to take advantage of the city’s offerings. She is interested in law and plans to shadow attorneys and judges while simultaneously advancing her academic studies. Students can also structure their class schedule to allot time for a part-time job.
Not only does Charlotte provide a convenient location, it also offers a vibrant city with fun attractions and activities, such as those at the nearby Epicenter.
“The city is full of unique people and there’s always something to do,” Harris said. She said this ability to receive a Wake Forest education while living in an exciting environment is yet another benefit of the Charlotte summer program that students will not find elsewhere. “After classes I will probably spend a lot of time uptown, just walking around and enjoying the scenery and the people.”
“I really like that this is offered because you get a Wake education and don’t have to live on campus,” Harris added. “A Wake education is unlike any other.”
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