William Wylie ’25

For William Wylie ’25, medicine is much more than a job, it’s a calling. At just 19 years old, the soon to be UNCW graduate plans on returning to the coastal university to complete a master’s program in applied gerontology, the next step in reaching his long-term goals.  

While gerontology has not always been Wylie’s focus, it’s something he is passionate about now. Seeing members of his family age and witnessing the disparities many older adults face in healthcare prompted Wylie to spend the past summer working in a nursing facility, an experience that brought this field even closer to his heart.  

Coming from Levine Middle College High School, where Wylie simultaneously attended Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC), helped prepare the biology major for the long road ahead. He credits his educational background for advancing his journey to becoming a physician, having earned associate degrees in biological science and business administration and a Certificate of Business Administration, all before the age of 18.  

“I have and always will be a vocal advocate for middle colleges here in North Carolina, especially for our underserved and socioeconomically disadvantaged students,” Wylie said. 

In high school, Wylie held multiple leadership positions in the LGBTQ Club, Creative Writing Club and Personal Finance Club, experiences that helped prepare him for future leadership roles. As an Excellence Project Mentor with UNCW’s Upperman African American Cultural Center, Wylie aims to encourage and support his peers in any way he can.  

“Mentoring at Upperman has taught me the importance of being a role model and has helped me be more cognizant of the actions I take and how that reflects on the center as a whole,” he said.  

Some of his duties include helping students manage their workload, tabling for events and informing prospective students about Upperman’s presence on campus.  He also holds leadership positions with the Linguistics Club, Financial Literacy Club and Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA).  

Wylie doesn’t plan on ending his involvement at UNCW upon the completion of his master’s program.  

“I aim to give back to our school and establish a scholarship in my name at UNCW, along with other philanthropic ventures,” he said, a goal reflective of the Dr. L.W. Upperman Scholarship Endowment Scholarship Wylie received for his bachelor’s degree.  

For fellow students longing to pursue the time intensive goal of practicing medicine, Wylie said, “Do it and don’t look back.”  

While he acknowledges his aspirations are lofty and far out into the future, he also recognizes that following your dreams is always worth the effort. While Wylie has specific plans he is working towards, his interests are broad, including opening his own medical practice, becoming a facial reconstruction surgeon or even potentially practicing medical law.  

“Everyone deserves to reach the highest of their potential, and if something is their dream, they should go for it.”