Lenoir County CTE Students Explore Future Paths at UMO
April 17, 2026
Contact: Rhonda Jessup, Director of Public Relations
MOUNT OLIVE – The University of Mount Olive Tillman School of Business recently welcomed Career and Technical Education (CTE) students and educators from Lenoir County Public Schools for a day built around exploration, conversation, and a closer look at what comes after high school.
The visit began at UMO’s aviation facilities at the Mount Olive Municipal Airport, where students toured the flight school and learned about opportunities in aviation. From there, the group traveled to campus for a student-led tour, giving them a feel for daily life at UMO and a chance to see classrooms, gathering spaces, and key campus landmarks up close.
Students gathered in Southern Bank Auditorium for a “Charting Your Path” session led by Tillman School of Business faculty and student ambassadors. The presentation highlighted programs such as accounting, business management, and cybersecurity, while focusing on how interests and skills can translate into real career options. It also included a question-and-answer panel featuring the student ambassadors and an interactive, career-focused exercise for the entire audience. The day wrapped up with lunch in the Holmes and Lois K. Murphy Regional Center, where students had time to ask questions and connect more informally with faculty and current students.
“For many of these students, this is one of the first times they’ve been able to picture themselves in a college setting,” said Waylon Woodall, Assistant Professor of Accounting and Tillman School of Business Social Media Coordinator. “Once they start asking questions and making those connections, you can see the shift. It becomes less about ‘if’ and more about ‘what could this look like for me?’”
The event is part of UMO’s ongoing effort to connect with area schools and create opportunities for students to explore careers in a hands-on, approachable way.
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
