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NCWU Attracts Graduate Student from California Through Forbes Recognition

ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU) is proud to highlight the inspiring journey of Jill Griffith, a Master of Science in Strategic Leadership (MSSL) student who discovered Wesleyan more than 2,500 miles away in California.

Jill, who works in PepsiCo’s Strategy and Transformation division as a Sales Leader, sought to deepen her leadership skills with a structured and formal graduate program. With support from PepsiCo’s education reimbursement program, she began researching accredited, affordable, and career-aligned master’s degrees. Her search led to a Forbes article highlighting top accredited graduate programs, where NC Wesleyan’s MSSL program stood out.

“The course outline and program requirements were accessible, and the online resources gave me a confidence that the MSSL program matched both my interests and professional needs,” Griffith shared. “What truly made the experience personal was the exceptional support I received from Jennifer Phipps, Admissions and Advising Coordinator, who made the admissions process smooth and welcoming.”

While on a business trip to Winston-Salem, Jill made the three-hour drive to Rocky Mount to see NC Wesleyan’s main campus in person. She met with faculty, including University President and MSSL professor Dr. Evan Duff, and was welcomed by several staff members with personalized hospitality from parking instructions and workspace accommodations to a guided campus tour.

“I had seen photos of the campus online, but visiting in person was such a pleasant surprise,” said Griffith. “The historic buildings were beautifully maintained, and the welcoming atmosphere was evident from banners promoting patience, accountability, and respect, to spaces like volleyball courts and hammocks. I simply felt like this was my school.”

Since beginning the program, Jill has completed eight courses and already sees a direct impact on her work with PepsiCo. The MSSL program has provided her with new tools to communicate strategy, improve execution, and inspire collaborative problem-solving.

“With my experience at PepsiCo, the program gave me a framework to better understand the building blocks of strategy and its evolving role in driving success,” she explained. “Some of the most exciting insights came from case studies and real-world examples that gave me the language to move ideas forward with greater impact.”

Griffith also values the broader ripple effect of online learning: “Whether it’s your partner, kids, friends, or colleagues, the excitement from learning often sparks meaningful conversations beyond the classroom. When you are authentic about your experience, it can bring value beyond what you expected.”

Her journey underscores N.C. Wesleyan’s national reach, offering high-quality, affordable programs that resonate with professionals across the country. Jill looks forward to completing her degree in the coming year and hopes to serve as a mentor for Wesleyan’s undergraduate students, continuing PepsiCo’s tradition of impactful mentorship.

“Jill’s story is a powerful example of how N.C. Wesleyan’s mission to prepare students for leadership extends beyond state lines,” says President Dr. Duff. “Her dedication reflects the type of scholar-practitioner we strive to develop, leaders who apply classroom knowledge directly to their professions and communities.”

Through the support of PepsiCo and the accessible, personalized experience offered at NCWU, Jill has reignited her passion for learning, proving that growth thrives when opportunity meets curiosity.

About North Carolina Wesleyan University

North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU) is a small, private Methodist-affiliated institution with a liberal arts-based core curriculum that prepares students for professional advancement, life-long learning and responsible participation in their communities. NCWU offers liberal arts, professional and graduate degree programs for traditional, transfer and working-adult students.

NCWU offers a best-in-class value and a personally tailored private higher education experience. We invest in each and every student we accept by providing individualized awards, scholarships and grants. Wesleyan is YOUR hometown University that is Personal. Practical, and Purpose-Driven. With students from all over the United States and more than 40 different countries, the University has immense cultural diversity. In addition to its educational mission, NCWU serves as a vital economic engine for the region, contributing over $209 million to the local economy.

To learn more, visit ncwu.edu and follow on Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok and Instagram.