CityView Magazine

Discove r Cit yV iewN C.co m's fre s h up d ate d loo k ! | 35 Coaches of the Year?" Valentine asks. Better storytelling and communications are among two of her biggest goals moving into 2020. "I want the world to know about the great things at FSU," she says. "at's why I'm committed to boosting communications and telling those great stories." To that end, Valentine is hosting both student and alumni webinars to get the pulse of what's needed and what's working – and to be transparent in matters of budget and other issues. She's making the rounds as a speaker to community groups, including those affiliated with the military. She also is committed to boosting the graduation rate, which hovers at just under 30 percent. "It's hard to imagine," she says, "that we have Senior students who are nearing graduation and may not make it; not because of academic performance, but because they owe less than $1,000 to pay for their course work. As a community, we must change this narrative. e local alumni chapter has already blasted the urgent need to assist on social media, and we're hoping to save 158 students at risk of dropping out this semester. One of my top goals is to raise scholarship funds to help these deserving students cross the graduation finish line." e reviews on Valentine have been impressive. Flashback to FSU Night at Segra Stadium this past August before the Fayetteville Woodpeckers game. Five busloads of Broncos, complete with cheerleaders, arrive to show their spirit for the new hometown baseball team. And who's throwing the first pitch? Dr. Peggy Valentine. Watching from behind the stands is the Provost, Dr. Peggy Jackson. Even with a look of determination on Valentine's face before the pitch, Jackson observes: "She has this peaceful presence." It's a fact that hasn't escaped the students, who feel Valentine's warmth. "She always has a smile," says Casey Jones, the assistant director of admissions. "She wants to know what's going on with the students." "She's genuine and for the students," says Student Body President Kiante Bennett. "She's about deeds, not words, Res Non Verba, the FSU motto!" At Fall Commencement this past September, similar sentiments were voiced about Valentine. "She's incredibly interesting and incredibly sweet," says Caylin Moore, the 25-year-old author and inspiring storyteller who was tapped to be guest speaker at the commencement. "She's relatable, and real," says Dr. LaWanda Miller, an assistant athletics director and head cheerleading coach. "She's eloquence," says Asia McNeill, the reigning Miss FSU, "while upholding a standard of sophisticated." "She's passionate and really cares," says Stuart Augustine, Chairman of FSU's Board of Trustees. On a recent visit to the Chancellor's office, a contingent of doctors and educators from Malawi was ushered in to discuss a future partnership with FSU. "We're talking with them about sharing their cutting-edge work with us about such important issues as climate change and water quality," Valentine says. "I would like to help elevate FSU to heights never seen before," she says, with a fierce determination. "I am proud to be a part of the Bronco family." A version of this story originally published in FS&U magazine, the alumni publication of Fayetteville State University. A bevy of achievements Dr. Peggy Valentine has worked for decades to make her mark in academia and global health care. Here are just some of her most notable accomplishments: • Prior to becoming FSU's Interim Chancellor, she served as Dean of the School of Health Sciences at Winston-Salem State University. • Who's Who of American Women. • Honored as Educator of the Year by the American Academy of Physician Assistants. • Fellow, Association of Schools of Allied Health Professionals. • Honored for "Outstanding Contributions to the African Diaspora," by the Howard University Faculty Senate. • Founding Editor-in-Chief for the Best Practices in Health Professions Diversity. • Served on the boards of Novant Health, the North Carolina Center for Public Policy Research and the Consortium on International Management Policy and Development. • Paul Harris Fellow for Rotary Club of Winston-Salem. • Earned her doctorate in education from Virginia Tech University and master of arts and bachelor of science degrees from Howard University.

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