Pictured, from left to right, are 2016–17 Fleming Scholars and Appalachian State University alumni Abraham Howell ’20, Haléa Mitchell ’20, DeJon Milbourne ’20 and Sarah Miner ’20. They are the first recipients of the full-tuition Dr. Willie C. Fleming Scholarship to graduate from App State. Photos submitted
Poised for postgraduate success — App State Fleming Scholars continue diversity advocacy
“It was a pleasure to mentor these students and watch them grow into seasoned leaders who worked to promote cultural diversity on our campus. They are remarkable people, and I often feel that I learned as much from them as they did from me.”
Dr. Willie C. Fleming ’80 ’84, App State’s chief diversity officer
By Jessica Stump
Posted Oct. 9, 2020 at 3:28 p.m.
BOONE, N.C. — The first group of recipients of Appalachian State University’s full-tuition Dr. Willie C. Fleming Scholarship have graduated from App State and are poised for postgraduate success — all are either entering the workforce or planning to pursue advanced studies at the graduate level.
“It was a pleasure to mentor these students and watch them grow into seasoned leaders who worked to promote cultural diversity on our campus. They are remarkable people, and I often feel that I learned as much from them as they did from me.”
Dr. Willie C. Fleming ’80 ’84, App State’s chief diversity officer
The 2016–17 Fleming Scholars — Abraham Howell ’20, Haléa Mitchell ’20, DeJon Milbourne ’20 and Sarah Miner ’20 — all credit the Fleming Scholarship for helping them set their postgraduate course, and they hope to give back to both the African American and Appalachian communities through their continued advocacy for cultural diversity.
“I am so proud of the Fleming Scholars. They are all focused and smart, and they have all far exceeded our expectations. We are very impressed with them.”
App State alumnus Judge Gary Henderson ’92 ’94, an App State Board of Visitors member and the initiator of App State’s Dr. Willie C. Fleming Scholarship
"While all our graduates go on to make real and powerful difference in their communities, I am especially eager to see the contributions these four stellar students make in the coming years," said App State Chancellor Sheri Everts.
“It was a pleasure to mentor these students and watch them grow into seasoned leaders who worked to promote cultural diversity on our campus,” said App State’s Chief Diversity Officer Dr. Willie C. Fleming ’80 ’84, for whom the scholarship is named. “They are remarkable people, and I often feel that I learned as much from them as they did from me.”
“I am so proud of the Fleming Scholars,” said App State alumnus, Board of Visitors member and Fleming Scholarship initiator Judge Gary Henderson ’92 ’94, who presides over Mecklenburg County's 26th Judicial District. “They are all focused and smart, and they have all far exceeded our expectations. We are very impressed with them.”
Dr. Reneé Evans, a professional counselor and consultant in Raleigh who, along with Henderson, co-chairs the Dr. Willie C. Fleming Scholarship Committee for the scholarship’s endowment, said, “I’ve been proud of our Fleming Scholars and the leadership skills they have exhibited over the years. Our scholars have been at the forefront of the university, including one serving as student body president, serving as university ambassadors, hosting Reverend Jesse Jackson and other prominent leaders visiting campus, consulting with members of the App State African American Alumni Network regarding their career goals and securing impressive internships.”
Read on to learn more about the scholars — a college adviser, a graduate student hopeful, a rising business leader and a medical professional.
About the Fleming Scholars graduates
Abraham Howell ’20, of Summerville, South Carolina, is a 2016–17 Fleming Scholar and graduate of Appalachian State University’s B.A. in psychology program with a minor in Arabic. Howell, who is pictured in his regalia, is among the first four recipients of the full-tuition Dr. Willie C. Fleming Scholarship to graduate from App State. Photo submitted
Abraham Howell ’20
Abraham Howell ’20, who is originally from Summerville, South Carolina, graduated in May with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and a minor in Arabic. In addition to the Fleming Scholarship, Howell was awarded an Academic Excellence Scholarship.
This fall, Howell will begin serving as a college adviser for students at Brevard High School in Transylvania County as part of App State’s College Advising Corps (CAC), which trains recent App State graduates to serve as full-time college advisers in Western North Carolina high schools. After completing the two-year CAC program, he plans to apply to App State’s master’s degree program in professional school counseling.
“The Fleming Scholarship definitely made me realize that college access is hard for students who have marginalized identities,” he said. “I think my CAC work will be crucial in helping these individuals realize they are ready for college or, even if they don’t want to go to college, that they’re ready to be in the workforce.”
While at App State, Howell served as president of the university’s Latin Hispanic Alliance and participated in the Student Support Services program, which provides comprehensive services to 200 low-income and/or first-generation college students annually. He also interned as a career guide through the university’s Career Development Center, helping his peers build and/or improve their resumes, cover letters and job searching skills.
Haléa Mitchell ’20, of Shelby, graduated from Appalachian State University in August with a B.S. in psychology with a concentration in human services and minors in music and sociology. Mitchell, a 2016–17 Fleming Scholar, is among the first four recipients of the full-tuition Dr. Willie C. Fleming Scholarship to graduate from App State. Photo submitted
Haléa Mitchell ’20
Haléa Mitchell ’20, of Shelby, graduated from App State in August with a Bachelor of Science in psychology with a concentration in human services and minors in music and sociology. The Fleming Scholar is saving up for graduate school and “hopes to work wonders through counseling and therapy, and maybe teach one day. I expect to make a difference in people’s lives just like Dr. Fleming did for me,” she said.
Mitchell said being a Fleming Scholarship recipient allowed her to focus on her studies and enjoy learning new instruments and participating in music ensembles through the Hayes School of Music (HSOM). “I was also able to be in touch and spend time with people who looked the same as me, which was very comforting,” she added.
At App State, Mitchell has been involved in the Marching Mountaineers and HSOM’s Symphony Orchestra, and she served as a student intern in the Psychology Clinic, which provides affordable, comprehensive psychological services to High Country residents and App State students. She is also a member of the Iota Omicron Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi.
Appalachian State University alumnus DeJon Milbourne ’20, of Fayetteville, graduated from App State in August with a BSBA in accounting and a BSBA in risk management and insurance. A 2016–17 Fleming Scholar, Milbourne is among the first four recipients of the full-tuition Dr. Willie C. Fleming Scholarship to graduate from App State. Photo submitted
Milbourne also received an ACCESS Scholarship, which provides financial, academic and personal support for students.
“When I came to Appalachian I believed that the story was supposed to be perfect, but the story is truly what you make it,” he said. “I got a real-world experience that will prepare me to navigate the systems in this country effectively to positively impact those around me. I have also been able to find myself and explore my identity in ways that I had not before coming to Appalachian and experiencing college with my peers.”
Appalachian State University alumna and 2016–17 Fleming Scholar Sarah Miner ’20, of Charlotte, graduated from App State in August with a B.S. in exercise science. Miner, who is pictured in her regalia on App State’s campus, is among the first four recipients of the full-tuition Dr. Willie C. Fleming Scholarship to graduate from App State. Photo submitted
Sarah Miner ’20
Sarah Miner ’20, of Charlotte, graduated in August with a Bachelor of Science in exercise science. She is currently serving as a certified nursing assistant for Appalachian Regional Healthcare and plans to apply to physician assistant programs. Her eventual goal is to become an osteopathic physician.
“The Fleming Scholarship has provided me with valuable opportunities and a supportive network, and has brought my dream of becoming a doctor closer,” said Miner, who has a self-professed passion for providing health care to medically underserved communities.
While attending App State, Miner worked for nearly three years as a certified nurse aid at a home health care agency in Boone. She has also served as a volunteer in App State’s Multicultural Center and was involved in App State’s annual, student-run Equity in Action Conference, which educates participants on issues related to diversity, equality, equity and social justice.
Miner has been active in numerous on-campus organizations, including the Advocates Promoting Positive Self Image club; Minority Women’s Leadership Circle; and the Beaver College of Health Sciences’ Equity in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics club — a student-led group that strives to engage and promote women and underrepresented minorities in STEM.
She has also interned with a Boone-based nonprofit, serving as a student mentor for prospective first-generation college students in Watauga County.
App State’s Dr. Willie C. Fleming Scholarship is a win-win for diversity, according to its initiator, Judge Gary Henderson ’92 ’94. Recipients, who are provided full in-state tuition and fees, mentorship and additional opportunities, benefit the Appalachian Community through their leadership efforts to promote cultural diversity.
In addition to covering full in-state tuition and fees, the renewable scholarship provides mentorship by alumni, the opportunity to participate in inclusivity-focused events, and networking and team building within each cohort of recipients.
Seven Dr. Willie C. Fleming Scholarship recipients were recognized at a ceremony Friday, Oct. 21, in the Solarium of the Plemmons Student Union – four of whom potentially will complete four years at Appalachian State University incurring no in-state tuition and fees.
Over the past six academic years (2014–15 to 2019–20), 4,791 underrepresented App State students received $83 million-plus in gift aid* — scholarships and grants awarded through App State and/or federal, state and private sources that do not require repayment.
Since 2014, gift aid* for App State’s underrepresented students has nearly doubled and now stands at more than $18 million, as of the 2019–20 academic year.
*Does not include athletic scholarships.
Diversity at App State by the numbers
18% racially and ethnically underrepresented students* (fall 2020)
56% growth in underrepresented students since 2014* (fall 2020)
97% growth in first-year underrepresented students since 2014* (fall 2020)
86.5% overall student retention rate (fall 2020)
83.5% retention rate for underrepresented students* (fall 2020)
* Combined percentage of students who self-identify as Hispanic of any race; American Indian or Alaska Native; Black or African American; Asian; Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, Two or more races; or are Nonresident Alien. This percentage is taken from the total number of students who elect to report their racial and/or ethnic identities, as well as Nonresident Alien students. Actual counts may be higher, as some students choose not to report their race or ethnicity.
About the Dr. Willie C. Fleming Scholarship
The Dr. Willie C. Fleming Scholarship is designed to support students from underrepresented populations, with selection based on their desire to promote cultural diversity. In addition to covering full in-state tuition and fees, the renewable scholarship provides mentorship by alumni, the opportunity to participate in inclusivity-focused events, and networking and team building within each cohort of recipients. It was established to honor Dr. Willie C. Fleming ’80 ’84, who founded the Appalachian Gospel Choir and the Black Student Association, was a founding member of the Black Faculty and Staff Association and was also instrumental in bringing black Greek life to the university. Learn more
About Appalachian State University
As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.
“It was a pleasure to mentor these students and watch them grow into seasoned leaders who worked to promote cultural diversity on our campus. They are remarkable people, and I often feel that I learned as much from them as they did from me.”
Dr. Willie C. Fleming ’80 ’84, App State’s chief diversity officer
“I am so proud of the Fleming Scholars. They are all focused and smart, and they have all far exceeded our expectations. We are very impressed with them.”
App State alumnus Judge Gary Henderson ’92 ’94, an App State Board of Visitors member and the initiator of App State’s Dr. Willie C. Fleming Scholarship
App State’s Dr. Willie C. Fleming Scholarship is a win-win for diversity, according to its initiator, Judge Gary Henderson ’92 ’94. Recipients, who are provided full in-state tuition and fees, mentorship and additional opportunities, benefit the Appalachian Community through their leadership efforts to promote cultural diversity.
In addition to covering full in-state tuition and fees, the renewable scholarship provides mentorship by alumni, the opportunity to participate in inclusivity-focused events, and networking and team building within each cohort of recipients.
Seven Dr. Willie C. Fleming Scholarship recipients were recognized at a ceremony Friday, Oct. 21, in the Solarium of the Plemmons Student Union – four of whom potentially will complete four years at Appalachian State University incurring no in-state tuition and fees.
Over the past six academic years (2014–15 to 2019–20), 4,791 underrepresented App State students received $83 million-plus in gift aid* — scholarships and grants awarded through App State and/or federal, state and private sources that do not require repayment.
Since 2014, gift aid* for App State’s underrepresented students has nearly doubled and now stands at more than $18 million, as of the 2019–20 academic year.
*Does not include athletic scholarships.
Diversity at App State by the numbers
18% racially and ethnically underrepresented students* (fall 2020)
56% growth in underrepresented students since 2014* (fall 2020)
97% growth in first-year underrepresented students since 2014* (fall 2020)
86.5% overall student retention rate (fall 2020)
83.5% retention rate for underrepresented students* (fall 2020)
* Combined percentage of students who self-identify as Hispanic of any race; American Indian or Alaska Native; Black or African American; Asian; Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, Two or more races; or are Nonresident Alien. This percentage is taken from the total number of students who elect to report their racial and/or ethnic identities, as well as Nonresident Alien students. Actual counts may be higher, as some students choose not to report their race or ethnicity.
Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.
If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:
Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.
If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:
Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
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