Championing Through Service and Leadership
Photo: JackBailey/UNCW
For Leigh Venters and her husband, Vic, who is a Wilmington native, giving back to UNC Wilmington and the College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) is a personal mission rooted in a lifetime commitment to serving others. A Raleigh native, Venters earned her degree in sociology and social work from UNC Wilmington in 1988. This chosen career path brought her job opportunities ranging from social work and mental health to substance abuse treatment and criminal justice.
Venters has worked as a social worker, marketing director, activities director, volunteer coordinator, probation and parole professional, director of a halfway house for women addicted to drugs and alcohol, and counselor in a methadone clinic —roles through which she has uplifted individuals, strengthened families, and supported some of the most vulnerable members of her community. Her professional and volunteer efforts have reflected a deep commitment to service, advocacy, and compassionate care, creating lasting positive impacts both locally and within the broader region.
Over the years, Venters has also demonstrated an enduring dedication to UNCW, serving as chair of the Board of Visitors, on the Foundation Board, the Friends of UNCW Board and for more than a decade on the College of Health and Human Services Advisory Board. Through these leadership roles, she has helped advance the university’s mission, foster meaningful connections, and support opportunities that benefit students, faculty, and the greater community.
Venters says that her support for CHHS stems from a deep belief in its mission and impact. “What inspires me is that I went to school here and I have such a love for this college because CHHS improves the health and quality of life for individuals, families, and communities,” she says.
She points to the CHHS’s professional programs as essential to meeting the needs of a growing region. “Every major in this department helps others,” Venters says. “If it's in nursing, if it's social work or physical therapy, the needs of these degrees are important to those who live in or work in the community and surroundings.”
As southeastern North Carolina continues to expand, Venters believes the university plays a critical role in preparing professionals who will remain in the area and serve local communities. “Our population is growing and we need people in these roles to bring more jobs, help others and stay in this community,” she says.
The Venters have also funded a scholarship in the School of Social Work, a fellowship in Creative Writing, and two scholarships in Special Education. Supporting the university and the college provides Venters with a sense of purpose, meaning and a source of happiness. “It shapes communities and enriches personal lives and creates long-term positive change.”
Today, Venters continues to serve in leadership roles across North Carolina, including appointments by Gov. Roy Cooper and Gov. Josh Stein to the North Carolina Commission of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services. She also serves on the Board of Trustees for Coastal Horizons Center in Wilmington, N.C.
Venters has worked as a social worker, marketing director, activities director, volunteer coordinator, probation and parole professional, director of a halfway house for women addicted to drugs and alcohol, and counselor in a methadone clinic —roles through which she has uplifted individuals, strengthened families, and supported some of the most vulnerable members of her community. Her professional and volunteer efforts have reflected a deep commitment to service, advocacy, and compassionate care, creating lasting positive impacts both locally and within the broader region.
Over the years, Venters has also demonstrated an enduring dedication to UNCW, serving as chair of the Board of Visitors, on the Foundation Board, the Friends of UNCW Board and for more than a decade on the College of Health and Human Services Advisory Board. Through these leadership roles, she has helped advance the university’s mission, foster meaningful connections, and support opportunities that benefit students, faculty, and the greater community.
Venters says that her support for CHHS stems from a deep belief in its mission and impact. “What inspires me is that I went to school here and I have such a love for this college because CHHS improves the health and quality of life for individuals, families, and communities,” she says.
She points to the CHHS’s professional programs as essential to meeting the needs of a growing region. “Every major in this department helps others,” Venters says. “If it's in nursing, if it's social work or physical therapy, the needs of these degrees are important to those who live in or work in the community and surroundings.”
As southeastern North Carolina continues to expand, Venters believes the university plays a critical role in preparing professionals who will remain in the area and serve local communities. “Our population is growing and we need people in these roles to bring more jobs, help others and stay in this community,” she says.
The Venters have also funded a scholarship in the School of Social Work, a fellowship in Creative Writing, and two scholarships in Special Education. Supporting the university and the college provides Venters with a sense of purpose, meaning and a source of happiness. “It shapes communities and enriches personal lives and creates long-term positive change.”
Today, Venters continues to serve in leadership roles across North Carolina, including appointments by Gov. Roy Cooper and Gov. Josh Stein to the North Carolina Commission of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services. She also serves on the Board of Trustees for Coastal Horizons Center in Wilmington, N.C.
This article has the following tags: College of Health & Human Services School of Social Work Students & Alumni