“The far western counties in this region have much to offer as well as many needs. Considering Dogwood’s purpose and resources, the potential to do good was too compelling to turn down.”
Carol Burton’s journey to WNC was directly influenced by her mother, who she describes as a “very progressive Jamaican matriarch” who valued education and opportunity and imbued these values deeply within Carol. Born and raised in inner city London, England, Carol moved to rural Jamaica in high school. Upon graduation, her mother encouraged her to pursue her bachelor’s degree in nutrition and dietetics at Western Carolina University. The University has a 50-year relationship with preparing Jamaican teachers, which is how her mother learned of the institution. Carol chose to take advantage of this opportunity and, unbeknownst to her at the time, followed the path that led to her dedicated passion for higher education in the WNC community.
Carol is passionate about emphasizing the interconnectedness between public higher education and community engagement. “Universities in rural areas often serve as the heartbeat of the places they inhabit, creating important resources and benefitting from the rich local culture and heritage, bridging gaps in opportunity and increasing socioeconomic mobility for residents,” she says.
Since 1992, Carol’s service to WCU as both an educator and administrator has been expansive. Currently occupying the role of the university’s Vice Provost, she has also served as Acting Provost, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Undergraduate Studies, Director of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) Review and faculty member for a variety of courses and seminars for both graduate and undergraduate students. Her numerous roles on local boards and committees demonstrate her commitment to community service and her experiences in accreditation and assessment foster organizational accountability for those institutions with which she works.
Having grown up with the experience and appreciation of living in both urban and rural environments, Carol always preferred the landscapes, lifestyles and cultures of rural communities. She recognizes the misconceptions of the WNC region, particularly among those who view the region as lacking diversity. Carol has leveraged her roles in the community to shift the narrative and shed light on the diversity, synergy and potential of WNC. When asked why she was interested in serving on the Dogwood Board of Directors, she said “the far western counties in this region have much to offer as well as many needs. Considering Dogwood’s purpose and resources, the potential to do good was too compelling to turn down.”
Address:
890 Hendersonville Rd
Asheville, NC 28803
Mailing:
890 Hendersonville Rd
Asheville, NC 28803
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Support programs and networks that reduce deaths, treat addiction, and prevent first use
Help reduce disparities based on race, location, education and income factors
Invest in integrated heath care with seamless connections to supportive services
Support communities that promote healthy living and resiliency and help mitigate the impact of trauma, isolation and stress on individuals and families, especially those experiencing poverty
Support a well-funded, sustainable, competitive entrepreneur and small business ecosystem throughout the region
Help build a regional economic ecosystem that supports increased creation/retention of jobs and business ownership
Help build a skilled workforce with the knowledge and technical abilities to excel in a wide range of industry employment opportunities that provide a competitive, sustainable wage
Source, analyze and share a comprehensive, county-by-county data set that paints a full picture of work readiness, economic development and entrepreneurial needs and opportunities specific to Western North Carolina
Work in tandem with Economic Opportunity Strategic Priority to invest in career readiness at the community college and university levels
Support K-12 learning experiences with the resources and sustainability to provide an excellent academic and social-emotional education, so that all students graduate ready for college or career
Invest in an improved early childhood education ecosystem with the resources and sustainability to provide developmentally appropriate, affordable and accessible education and care to support ages birth to five, so that all children in WNC enter kindergarten ready to learn
Source, analyze and share a comprehensive set of publicly available data that provides a regularly updated, county-by-county picture of access, workforce and student outcomes in early childhood education and K-12 education specific to Western North Carolina
Loans, guarantees, and other financial tools to leverage funding opportunities
Increase affordable housing for lowest-income individuals and families
Support age-appropriate resources in affordable and workforce units, rental and owned
Invest in housing with sustainable supports for physical and mental health and wellbeing
Support healthy and safe revitalizations that work against displacement and gentrification, preserve home ownership and create generational wealth.