Schedule of Concurrent Sessions

September 6, 2025 – Cullowhee Campus

Students are required to attend one (1) Community Partner Sessions, one (1) Campus Partner Skill Session, and one (1) session of choice (in no particular order). Log your attendance and participation in the sessions using your CURE Passport.

Plan Your Experience

 

CURE is designed for students to engage, connect, and act. 

  • Be intentional in selecting your schedule of concurrent sessions – attend sessions that strike your interests, passions, and goals; have back-up options!
  • Collaborate and lean in – network with community partners and presenters; form groups/teams to serve; stop and reflect with yourself and others!
  • Commit to action and service – at the end of CURE have a plan for your service experience; schedule your service experience (as required for USI 101).

CURE Conference Schedule Overview

Time  Activity  Location 
8:30-9:00 

Presenter Check-in

Student Check-in (CURE Passport provided at check-in)

  Enter through “back” entrance at the UC Theater Third floor
(Mail center side of UC)
9:00-9:30 Opening Plenary and Keynote Address  UC Grand Room Third floor 
Transition to University Center rooms, Coulter, and Forsyth Buildings for Concurrent Sessions 
9:40-10:20 Concurrent Session 1  Coulter, Forsyth, & University Center
10:30-11:10 Concurrent Session 2  Coulter, Forsyth, & University Center
11:20-12:00 Concurrent Session 3  Coulter, Forsyth, & University Center
12:10-12:30  Closing Plenary & Passport Pledge  UC Grand Room Third floor 

Schedule of Community Partner Sessions

 

 Focus Area Community Partner Representatives
 Location Presentation Times

Poverty & Food Security

Lisa Kelly, Executive Director, WNC From the Ground Up
website

Paige Christie, Executive Director, Community Table
website

 Coulter 102

Concurrent Session 1

9:40 am – 10:20 am  

Concurrent Session 2

10:30 am – 11:10 am 

Concurrent Session 3

11:20 am – 12:00 pm

Housing

Julie Cloninger, Volunteer Coordinator, Haywood Pathways
website

Sydney Young, Assistant Director, Homebase
website

 Coulter 103

Concurrent Session 1

9:40 am – 10:20 am  

Concurrent Session 2

10:30 am – 11:10 am 

Concurrent Session 3

11:20 am – 12:00 pm

Healthcare Access

Marianne Martinez, Chief Executive Director, Vecinos
website

 Coulter 105

Concurrent Session 1

9:40 am – 10:20 am  

Concurrent Session 2

10:30 am – 11:10 am 

Concurrent Session 3

11:20 am – 12:00 pm

Human Services

Dawn Netherly, Executive Director, Circle of Jackson County
website

 Coulter 202

Concurrent Session 1

9:40 am – 10:20 am  

Concurrent Session 2

10:30 am – 11:10 am 

Concurrent Session 3

11:20 am – 12:00 pm

Youth Services

Katie Harris, Education Director, Boys & Girls Club of the Plateau
website

 Coulter 203

Concurrent Session 1

9:40 am – 10:20 am  

Concurrent Session 2

10:30 am – 11:10 am 

Concurrent Session 3

11:20 am – 12:00 pm

Environmental Stewardship

Callie Moore, Western Regional Director, MountainTrue
website

 Coulter 204

Concurrent Session 1

9:40 am – 10:20 am  

Concurrent Session 2

10:30 am – 11:10 am 

Concurrent Session 3

11:20 am – 12:00 pm

Preservation of Culture & History

Daniel Williamson, Museum Curator, The Scottish Tartans & Heritage Center, Inc.
website

 Coulter 205

Concurrent Session 1

9:40 am – 10:20 am  

Concurrent Session 2

10:30 am – 11:10 am 

Concurrent Session 3

11:20 am – 12:00 pm

Animal Advocacy

Skyler Wesendunk, Foster & Volunteer Coordinator, Sarge’s Animal Foundation
website

 Forsyth 101

Concurrent Session 1

9:40 am – 10:20 am  

Concurrent Session 2

10:30 am – 11:10 am 

Concurrent Session 3

11:20 am – 12:00 pm

Youth Education

Wendy Tidwell, Logan Brown & Jessica Cline, Teachers, Book Buddies
website

 Forsyth 302

Concurrent Session 1

9:40 am – 10:20 am  

Concurrent Session 2

10:30 am – 11:10 am 

Concurrent Session 3

11:20 am – 12:00 pm

Public Safety

Mallary Caraway, A-Shift Captain, Sylva Fire Department
website

 Forsyth 114

Concurrent Session 1

9:40 am – 10:20 am  

Concurrent Session 2

10:30 am – 11:10 am 

Concurrent Session 3

11:20 am – 12:00 pm

Civic Engagement

Amanda Allen, Elections Director, Jackson County Board of Elections
website

 Forsyth 115

Concurrent Session 1

9:40 am – 10:20 am  

Concurrent Session 2

10:30 am – 11:10 am 

Concurrent Session 3

11:20 am – 12:00 pm

Disaster Relief

Shane Stovall, Director of Emergency Services, Western Carolina University
website

 Forsyth 301

Concurrent Session 1

9:40 am – 10:20 am  

Concurrent Session 2

10:30 am – 11:10 am 

Concurrent Session 3

11:20 am – 12:00 pm

 

 

Schedule of Campus Partner Skill Sessions

Campus Partner
Presentation Options		 Location  Presentation Times 

Documenting Skills & Service On Your Resume

April McNiff, Assistant Director of Student Development, Center for Career & Professional Development
– Skill Session Focusing on How to Transform Your Efforts Onto A Resume And Beyond!

 University Center 226

Concurrent Session 1

9:40 am – 10:20 am  

Concurrent Session 2

10:30 am – 11:10 am 

Concurrent Session 3

11:20 am – 12:00 pm

Find Your Spark

Joy Mischley, Director, Center for Community Engagement & Service Learning
– Skill Session Focusing on Identifying How Your Individual Passions and Interests Can Assist Others

 University Center 212

Concurrent Session 1

9:40 am – 10:20 am  

Concurrent Session 2

10:30 am – 11:10 am 

Concurrent Session 3

11:20 am – 12:00 pm

DegreePlus

Heather Gordon, Associate Director of DegreePlus, Center for Career & Professional Development
– Skill Session Focusing on How to Integrate the DegreePlus Program into Your Service

 University Center 214

Concurrent Session 1

9:40 am – 10:20 am  

Concurrent Session 2

10:30 am – 11:10 am 

Concurrent Session 3

11:20 am – 12:00 pm

BHC Student Board of Directors Mini Grants

Bo Thompson, Community Service Co-Director, BHC Student Board of Directors
– Skill Session Focusing on How to Apply for and Receive Grants for Your Service Project.

 Forsyth 305

Concurrent Session 1

9:40 am – 10:30 am  

Concurrent Session 2

10:40 am – 11:30 am 

Concurrent Session 3

11:40 am – 12:30 pm

Civic Skills & Why They Matter

Jenna Kubiak, Assistant Director, Center for Community Engagement & Service Learning

 University Center 309

Concurrent Session 1

9:40 am – 10:20 am  

Concurrent Session 2

10:30 am – 11:10 am 

Concurrent Session 3

11:20 am – 12:00 pm

Campus Leadership for Public Purpose

Julia Ottie & Megan Baker, WCU Honors Students Involved in Civic Engagement

 Forsyth 304

Concurrent Session 1

9:40 am – 10:20 am  

Concurrent Session 2

10:30 am – 11:10 am 

Concurrent Session 3

11:20 am – 12:00 pm

Mountain Heritage

Amber Albert, Director, Mountain Heritage Center

 University Center 215

Concurrent Session 1

9:40 am – 10:20 am  

Concurrent Session 2

10:30 am – 11:10 am 

Concurrent Session 3

11:20 am – 12:00 pm

 

Wellness Ambassadors

Claire Allison, Assistant Director of Health & Wellness Education, Western Carolina University 

 University Center 232

Concurrent Session 1

9:40 am – 10:20 am  

Concurrent Session 2

10:30 am – 11:10 am 

Concurrent Session 3

11:20 am – 12:00 pm