Bryant Appointed Advisor for UMO Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholars

October 02, 2024
Contact: Rhonda Jessup, Director of Public Relations

MOUNT OLIVE– The University of Mount Olive has appointed Dr. Kimberly Bryant as the Advisor for the Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholar program. Bryant serves as the UMO Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Director of the Teaching Excellence Center. With over 14 years of educational experience in K-18 schools, she brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to this prestigious scholarship program.

Bryant’s career is rooted in education and mentorship. Before her tenure at UMO, she held several key roles at Shaw University, including Academic Division Head for Education, Child Development, and Social Work, Teacher Certification Coordinator, and Professor of Elementary Education. Her teaching journey began in Durham Public Schools, where she worked as a classroom teacher, reading interventionist, and gifted education specialist.

Bryant holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Winston-Salem State University, a master’s in education with a focus on instructional technology & online instruction, an education specialist degree, and a doctorate of education in curriculum and instruction with reading specialty licensure, all from Liberty University. Additionally, she obtained a gifted education certification from UNC at Charlotte and a special endorsement in computer education from East Carolina University. Her professional credentials include four active teaching certifications from the NC Department of Public Instruction.

As a first-generation college graduate from LaGrange, NC, Bryant is committed to supporting students, particularly young women with similar backgrounds. “I am deeply humbled to serve as an advisor for this remarkable group of young Christian women,” Bryant said.  “Mentorship is not a task I take lightly because I attribute much of my success to the many others who poured into my life. By fostering an environment of support and encouragement, we can improve educational outcomes for these students, ensuring that every recipient feels valued and inspired to pursue her goals with confidence and grace.”

Current Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholarship recipient Shelby Daw said, “This scholarship has enriched my skills and fueled my drive to advocate for my future students and contribute to meaningful change in the education system.  Daw is a senior social studies education major.

The Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholarship program at UMO provides crucial financial assistance to female Christian students from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. This past year, UMO received $90,000 in scholarship funds, benefiting 26 women.

As the Advisor, Bryant aims to cultivate a strong sense of community among the scholars and promote leadership, service, and academic achievement. She is already planning the first gathering for this year’s recipients, which will focus on Mrs. Whitehead’s legacy of leadership and service.

The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values.  The University was founded by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists.  For more information, visit www.umo.edu.

Dr. Kimberly Bryant