Tillman School of Business Hosts Southern Wayne Students for STEM East Program
April 28, 2026
Contact: Rhonda Jessup, Director of Public Relations
MOUNT OLIVE – The University of Mount Olive’s Tillman School of Business recently welcomed students from Southern Wayne High School to campus for a hands-on STEM East educational experience designed to introduce participants to career pathways in business, technology, and digital innovation.
Coordinated in partnership with STEM East and regional education leaders, the program offered high school students the opportunity to engage directly with University faculty through a series of specialized workshops while also experiencing campus life firsthand.
The day began with an introduction from Associate Professor of Management Dr. Norm Crumpacker, followed by interactive sessions led by Tillman School of Business faculty and staff. Topics included Excel applications with Assistant Professor of Accounting Waylon Woodall, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence with Associate Professor of Mathematics Dr. Robert Watson, and digital marketing strategies with Associate Professor of Business Strategy Dr. Bruce Hofmann. Students also participated in a campus tour led by the University’s Admissions team before concluding the visit with lunch on campus.
David Lewis of STEM East worked closely with the University to develop workshop opportunities that allow participating high schools to select educational sessions best suited to their students’ academic interests and future goals.
Dr. Kathy Best, Dean of the Tillman School of Business, said the program reflects the University’s commitment to preparing future leaders while building meaningful partnerships with regional schools. “Programs like this create valuable early exposure for students as they begin considering college and career opportunities,” Best said. “By connecting high school students with real-world business applications, emerging technologies, and university faculty, we are helping them better understand the possibilities ahead while supporting workforce development across eastern North Carolina.”
The event also highlighted the Tillman School of Business’s expanding role in providing experiential learning opportunities that bridge classroom knowledge with practical career skills.
Through partnerships such as STEM East, the University of Mount Olive continues to invest in outreach efforts that strengthen educational pipelines and encourage students to explore pathways in business, cybersecurity, data analysis, and marketing.
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.
