The faculty and staff at Saint Augustine’s University work hard to ensure that students get the best education possible. But, for many, the work doesn’t end there.

In addition to the roles they fulfill for the university, it is not unusual for staff and faculty to lend their time and expertise to community or professional organizations. Whether it’s taking part in an event or filling an ongoing role, staff and faculty regularly pursue endeavors beyond the campus walls.

Below are some examples of recent or ongoing staff and faculty activities that go above and beyond their responsibilities here at Saint Augustine’s University.

Virginia Tyler, Associate Professor of Visual Arts, is currently in two juried art exhibits:

“Arborea,” an exhibition about trees in art sponsored by the Woman’s Caucus for Art, Texas Chapter. It is in Houston, TX, at the Cloister Gallery of Christ Cathedral. Her artwork in this show is a photo of an outdoor installation of a sculpture made of handmade paper in a forest entitled “Tree of Bone.”

“Meeting the Moment,” an exhibit sponsored by the Woman’s Caucus for Art, Carolinas. It is at the Aiken Center for Art in Aiken, S.C. Her artwork in this show is entitled “Collaboration.” It is a small bronze plaque that Prof. Tyler cast in Ghana with Traditional West African metal casters.

Ms. Tyler has been a visual arts professor at Saint Augustine’s University since 2000.

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Dan Holly, Director of Communications for Saint Augustine’s University, led a workshop entitled “Effective Communication” at the annual conference of Diversity MBA. The Chicago-based group is a leader in the field of diversity, equity and inclusion and holds a conference each year that brings together leaders from Fortune 500 corporations, major educational institutions and nonprofit organizations from around the country. The 2024 conference was virtual and ran Oct. 2-4, 2024.

Mr. Holly’s interactive workshop focused on tips and best practices culled from his 13 years as an assistant professor of communications at Saint Augustine’s University, a position he held before becoming Director of Communications in 2024. Before coming to Saint Augustine’s, he worked as a newspaper reporter and editor, vice president of a public relations firm, and press secretary for a Member of Congress.

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Dr. Valerie Evans, Director of Teaching and Learning and Assistant Professor Computer Information Systems, had a busy summer:

• From May 28-30, she participated in a Low Code – No Code AI Workshop through Stanford.
• From June 2-4, she took part in the Deloitte Future of Work Symposium.
• From June 6-21, she was an ETS AP Computer Science Principles Exam Leader. Exam Leader is a leadership role just under the Chief Reader for CSP who runs the entire event.
• From July 8-19, 2024, she participated in the AWS Machine Learning Bootcamp, a Python intensive event. She has been invited to participate in the second part of the Bootcamp.

Dr. Evans has worked at Saint Augustine’s since 2012 and previously worked as Director of Educational Technology, Coordinator of Online Instruction and Director of the Honors College. In previous jobs, she was a web designer and a webmaster.

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Dr. Jeronica Goodwin, an adjunct in the School of Business, Management, and Technology, has had two recent honors:

1. She was reappointed to the Raleigh Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Commission for another two-year term (2025-2027).
2. She was appointed to serve on the Raleigh Chamber Board of Directors.

Dr. Goodwin is a 1998 graduate of Saint Augustine’s University, with a degree in business administration. She also has an MBA from Howard University as well as a Doctor of Health Administration degree from Central Michigan University.

Dr. Goodwin is a seasoned health-care professional, including Senior VP of Human Resources and Chief People Officer at WakeMed, Vice President of Employee Experience at Unity Health Care, and Associate Administrator at Howard University Hospital

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Karl Fisher, an adjunct assistant professor in the School of Education and General Studies, led a woodworking/guitar class at the NCSU Craft Center in September. The little guitar that was the focus of the class was inspired by a trip he took to Puerto Rico last year.

Mr. Fisher has more than 30 years’ experience as an instructor of Spanish and language lab coordinator at the university level.

To read more about Mr. Fisher’s woodworking/guitar class at the NCSU Craft Center, visit https://crafts.arts.ncsu.edu/puerto-rican-tiple-workshop/.

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Dr. Kaye Celeste Evans, Communications and Theatre Associate Professor, will greet the audience and give the curtain speech for the Oct. 13 performance of “A Few Good Men” by The Justice Theatre Project (JTP). The performance will be at the Umstead Park United Church of Christ, 8208 Brownleigh Drive in Raleigh.

JTP is a social justice theatre company that focuses on creating dialogue about important issues involving our community. Performance is used for “arts outreach, education, and advocacy.” This season’s theme is “Can You Handle the Truth?” The play, “A Few Good Men,” certainly explores how people negotiate truth. Dr. Evans is a board member for the Justice Theatre Project.

“A Few Good Men,” a play by Aaron Sorkin, opens Friday, Oct. 11 and runs for three consecutive weekends. For tickets, go to https://www.thejusticetheaterproject.org/afewgoodmen.

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This past August, George Jack, Associate Professor of Theatre in the Department of Arts and Communications, played Alfred Hitchcock in performances of “Hitchcock Blonde,” a thriller written by Terry Johnson.  The production was staged in the PSI Theatre at the Durham Arts Council Building by Brave New Classics Theatre Company and was directed by Ruth Berry.

In one review of the production, Kurt Benrud, writing for Triangle Review, said “I can’t say enough — George Jack plays Hitchcock to-the-hilt (but never over-the-top). The voice, the mannerisms, the expressions — they’re all there, but it’s never a caricature.”  And Byron Woods (on the Cultural Voice of North Carolina website) noted, “Actor George Jack’s arch impersonation of the imperious auteur, under Ruth Berry’s direction, is clearly one of this production’s guiltier pleasures.”

Mr. Jack was grateful to have the opportunity to play the role and, in particular, to have the excuse to spend the better part of the Summer reading Hitchcock biographies and rewatching the great director’s films.  The production ran Aug. 9-18 for five performances.

He has taught theater courses and directed plays at Saint Augustine’s since the Fall of 2000.