Monday, October 26, 2015

UNCW professor Julie-Ann Scott-Pollock and Natasha Davis, director of UNCW’s Quality Enhancement for Nonprofit Organization (QENO), are among the women selected as this year’s WILMA Women to Watch Award winners.

Winners were announced Oct. 23 during the fourth annual WILMA’s Women to Watch Awards at Cape Fear Community College Union Station. They were among the nearly 300 nominated for the award, which recognizes women who excel in their fields and poise to have leadership impact in the area during the coming years.

A panel of judges narrowed the list to 35 finalists. Each was recognized for her talents in business, healthcare, nonprofit/volunteer, public service, arts and education industries. There is also a category for the region’s rising stars.

Scott-Pollock, an associate professor in communication studies, was the winner in the education category. Davis was recognized in the nonprofit/volunteer category. Each received a Women to Watch Award – a custom-designed bracelet from local jewelry and designer Cameron Johnson. 

“It's really an honor to be selected for this recognition from such a fantastic publication and community,” said Scott-Pollock. “As a critical cultural scholar-teacher-artist, my central goal is to pursue shared understanding and social justice from a local to a global level. Being Wilma's Woman to Watch in Education encourages me that my work is making a positive impact. I'm excited for the future.”

Davis noted the award not only acknowledged her work in the community, it also recognized QENO’s efforts to help facilitate community engagement. 

“Being nominated by UNCW students and staff, selected as a winner by community leaders and having the award presented by the president of the United Way shows that QENO is touching every facet of university engagement,” she said. “For me personally, it is such an honor to be recognized by those that I mentor as well as those who have and continue to mentor me. That’s just amazing to me.”

Nursing student Kristina McCarty and exercise science major Amanda Mills were among the recipients of the 2015 WILMA Women to Watch scholarships. The scholarships are awarded as a way to support rising stars and women who pursue education.

Julie-Ann Scott-Pollock 

Natasha Davis

-- Venita Jenkins

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#QENO