UMO Hosts CTE Day for Wayne County Students

October 09, 2025
Contact: Rhonda Jessup, Director of Public Relations

MOUNT OLIVE – The Tillman School of Business at the University of Mount Olive (UMO) recently welcomed approximately 90 students and staff from Wayne County Public Schools (WCPS) for a Career and Technical Education (CTE) Day designed to connect classroom learning with real-world career opportunities.

The visiting students participated in a variety of hands-on activities, including tours of both UMO’s main campus and the University’s aviation facilities at the Mount Olive Municipal Airport. The event also featured an interactive “elevator pitch” session and group discussions led by UMO faculty and student ambassadors. Through these experiences, students explored programs such as accounting, business management, and cybersecurity while gaining valuable insight into how their classroom studies can translate into future career paths.

“Hosting these CTE days means a lot to us at the Tillman School of Business and UMO,” said Faculty CTE Day Lead Waylon Woodall. “It’s always a win-win when we can help the next generation find their path toward a successful, rewarding career, one that will make a lasting, positive impact on our communities and beyond.”

The event offered a glimpse into college life, fostering excitement for higher education while reinforcing the importance of workforce readiness. “By engaging local high school students in meaningful, career-centered experiences, UMO continues to demonstrate its strong commitment to workforce development and lifelong learning,” Woodall said.

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