UMO Prepares Beasley to be Ready and to Rise
WILMINGTON- Monica Beasley, a student at the University of Mount Olive (UMO) at Wilmington, loves working with children. The way that she impacts children’s lives has changed throughout the years, but her passion remains the same.
From a young age, Beasley dreamed of playing softball at the collegiate level. However, a high school injury changed those plans. Instead of going to college, Beasley working in the family business, Beasley Insurance and Retirement Advisors. To fulfill her softball passion, she also began coaching high school and recreational ball. “I took several teams to the Babe Ruth World Series and regional championships,” she said.
Coaching and having an impact on the lives of young people inspired Beasley to want to go into the field of education. Determined to get a college degree, Beasley enrolled at the University of Mount Olive in Wilmington in the summer of 2017. Her goal was to become a teacher.
“Professor Kelly Henry was truly an inspiration to me during my time at UMO,” Beasley said. “She got on our level and made sure we understood the information she gave us. She worked with us and we knew she cared about us. Professor Henry completed her doctorate while I was in her class. I think this inspired me the most. I could see that she worked hard and had a lot on her plate, however we never got any less than her all! Watching her, gave me food for thought and made me dream bigger and set even higher goals for myself!”
In the spring of last year, Beasley was recommended by another UMO professor to apply for an assistant director positon at the Learning Tree Child Care Center in Wilmington. “I knew it was where I was supposed to be from the moment I walked in the door,” Beasley said. “I love my job! I enjoy working with teachers and students daily, and I now know that the administrative side of education is where my gifts and talents will best be utilized.”
Beasley’s goal is to never stop pushing herself and those around her to be better. “My favorite part of working with people is finding out what motivates them and helping them be the best they can be,” she said. Beasley graduated on May 4, from UMO with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. “Walking across the stage to get my degree, I felt so proud. Marking off ‘step one’ is huge. You have to take the first step to complete all of your goals. UMO has prepared me well, and now I am ready to rise to the next challenge,” said Beasley.
Beasley plans to continue her education and seek both her master’s and doctorate degrees in education administration. “My end goal is to become a University dean or chancellor. I promised God that I would handle the education part if He would direct my path where His will is for me in the future,” Beasley shared.
The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University, sponsored by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists, has locations in Mount Olive, New Bern, Wilmington, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, Research Triangle Park, Washington, Jacksonville, in Smithfield at Johnston Community College, and online. For more information, visitwww.umo.edu.
