At North Carolina Central University (NCCU), a dedicated team breathes life into graduate education, transforming individual talents into professional success stories. At the helm, Jaleh Rezaie, Ph.D., associate provost and dean of the School of Graduate Studies, sees beyond enrollment numbers. Her vision embraces programs with potential—like jazz studies or library sciences—while ensuring each student receives personalized support to compete on a national stage.
This vision has yielded results, with graduate enrollment increasing by nearly 25% since 2017.
Despite this growth, Rezaie acknowledges several challenges. "Declining enrollment in some areas such as STEM requires us to work closely with those departments to increase their visibility and market their programs," she said. Even more pressing is the funding situation: "Our current resources allow us to support fewer than 20% of our graduate students, which poses a challenge in attracting and retaining top talent."
To address these constraints, her team has implemented changes. "We collaborate closely with academic departments to ensure the most effective allocation of resources," Rezaie said. "We optimize assistantship opportunities by aligning them with department needs, research priorities, and external grant funding whenever possible." Additionally, the school supplements its primary funding through auxiliary sources, including activity funds and external partnerships.
The recruitment effort begins with Ta'Keyah Holder, director of Graduate Admissions, and her team, who connect prospective students with educational opportunities. They are storytellers and navigators, guiding potential graduate students through complex admission processes and helping them visualize their academic futures at NCCU.
In response to the increasingly competitive higher education landscape, the Graduate School has partnered with Educational Advisory Board (EAB) for research-based marketing to elevate brand visibility, build awareness, and increase the pool of potential students for its programs.
As students transition from prospects to enrolled learners, Jim C. Harper II, Ph.D., associate dean, creates a comprehensive support ecosystem. By connecting students with campus resources, organizing research symposiums, and fostering a sense of belonging through the Graduate Student Association, he ensures that students are equipped not just academically, but professionally and personally.
"Graduate students often face high levels of stress, work-life balance issues, and mental health concerns,” Rezaie said “We work to identify appropriate resources for the students and make sure they are aware of those resources."
The operational backbone of this mission is sustained by Rosalind Graves, budget officer, and Laretha Davis, executive assistant. Graves manages funding for graduate assistantships and international student support, while Davis coordinates the intricate logistics that allow each team to focus on their work. Their behind-the-scenes efforts ensure that financial and administrative barriers never obstruct a student's path to success.
Nicole Hodges, public communications specialist, amplifies these stories. Through multimedia storytelling across various platforms, she transforms individual achievements into narratives that showcase the graduate school's commitment to excellence.
Each team member contributes a thread to a larger tapestry, united by a shared mission: preparing students to not just earn degrees, but to launch meaningful, competitive careers.