Charles Iacovou, Dean I Vice Provost, School of Professional Studies I Charlotte Programs, Wake Forest University- Charlotte Campus

Charles Iacovou, dean of School of Professional Studies and vice provost for Charlotte programs at Wake Forest University, spoke with Invest: about the monumental growth experienced by Wake Forest University in the last year, as well as the efforts credited with spurring on this growth, and the measured, calculated optimism with which the university continues to operate.

What has the last year been like for Wake Forest in terms of main highlights and achievements?

Several factors are reshaping the landscape of higher education but Wake Forest has been fortunate in its continued success. This past year, we received more undergraduate applications than ever before. Our quality, holistic education has been in high demand, and we are pleased to see the positive interest from students demonstrated through our increased application rates. Also, we have received significant validation from major funding organizations that provided support towards our research work. 

Last year, we received over $40 million in funding from the Lilly Foundation to support the exemplary student leadership development work we do at Wake Forest. Also, our Regenerative Medicine Institute was selected as a regional innovation engine by the National Science Foundation, which will yield up to $160 million in funding. Overall, this has been a milestone year both in terms of program enrollments and research support. A big highlight for the university has been our expansion In Charlotte, launching four new master’s programs during the past year, bringing us up to 11 total. And we now have almost 700 students taking Wake Forest graduate programs in Charlotte, and many more are taking certificates and other executive education offerings.  

What factors are driving the increase in student enrollment and demand?

There are challenges that the higher education sector needs to address as it continues to increase the value and affordability of academic programs. However, extensive research continues to demonstrate that university graduates tend to have better career trajectories and incomes, and the overall return to quality undergraduate and graduate education is significant. 

At Wake Forest, we attribute the increased demand to our outstanding education and supportive student experience, which are made possible by our great faculty and staff and the strong support we receive from our alums. Wake Forest heavily invests in student development and in helping our students prepare for the future. We constantly evolve our curricula, so students are well skilled for the future. We also invest in the holistic and ethical development of our students to cultivate enduring leadership skills that will serve them throughout their lives.  Because of this effective preparation, our graduates achieve impressive employment rates and long-term success.  

What are the primary challenges faced by the education sector in Charlotte?

A key challenge for all universities is the need to increase access. At Wake Forest, we aim to deliver high-quality education that is accessible to the whole community.  There are marginalized parts of our community that don’t always have access to higher education due to affordability and other factors. To address those student barriers, we have invested millions into a robust scholarship program to support families that need support.  

For our Charlotte programs specifically, we have overhauled our program delivery approach to provide flexibility to our adult learners and have taken steps to lower our cost of delivery to maintain affordable tuition levels and reduce the barrier to a Wake Forest education. Our rapidly growing enrollments, including from learners from marginalized backgrounds, affirm that these efforts are making a significant difference to them and their families. 

How do you keep your curricula up to date with market demands and student needs?

As a principle, we do not believe that good learning is confined within the walls of a traditional classroom. In fact, we believe that effective learning takes place across the entire educational spectrum that includes extracurricular activities, volunteer opportunities, work, and other community engagements. Valuable learning can be achieved through lectures, projects, internships, practicums, jobs, mentorships, student club meetings, or even participation in athletic events. Our faculty are fantastic teachers who design great learning experiences that leverage experiential learning. The more our students complete experiential projects and internships, study abroad, participate in co-curricular events, the more holistic and powerful their learning is. 

At the same time, we recognize that teaching and learning need to evolve to reflect the rapidly evolving marketplace and other global and technological dynamics.  To achieve that, our faculty adapt our curricula on a continuous basis by leveraging their latest research knowledge as well as their deep connections to industry.  At our School of Professional Studies in Charlotte, we are fortunate to have professors who are leading practitioners in their fields.  

Moreover, each of our programs has an advisory board composed of thought leaders from Charlotte and beyond to ensure the continuous evolution of our offerings. And, of course, we constantly communicate with our students to understand their own needs as they change. In all, we combine the power of our research-based university with the cutting-edge expertise of industry experts and input from our learners to guide the constant refinement of our programs.

What is your outlook for Wake Forest University over the next few years?

While there are headwinds that are impacting the education sector, we feel that our solid foundation and current momentum will propel us forward through the next few years. We are working to support Charlotte and the surrounding region through expanded, industry-focused offerings that address specific talent needs in the area. A year from now, we will have our first class of medical school students and four more graduate degree programs in Charlotte. 

Moreover, I anticipate that you will see additional growth in our Charlotte program portfolio, as well as continued collaboration between our university’s leadership and the community to address issues of significance to the region. Also, we will continue to develop our athletic program as we have a great set of teams to build from. Overall, we believe Wake Forest is well positioned to continue to support its students, alums, and community partners in effective ways for years to come.