As a Resilience Coach and 2018 honors graduate of Winston-Salem State University, I can confidently say that Dr. Kathy Stitts has played an instrumental role in shaping not only my professional development, but also my confidence and trajectory within higher education and life. Her leadership, strategic plans, vision, and unwavering commitment to students and the staff’s success are unmatched.

Dr. Stitts, former Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education and Dean of University College, recognized my potential early on and opened doors I did not even know existed. She provided me with an opportunity to gain valuable experience in higher education while I was still managing my own academic journey. From helping me craft a powerful, professionally polished resume (which landed me the job) to guiding me through key career transitions—like the evolution from Professional Monitor to Resilience Coach, three years as adjunct faculty, etc. Her mentorship has been transformational.
She was and is the brains behind several major initiatives at WSSU, including ACCESS and the design and execution of the $750K, three-year Lumina grant that laid the foundation for programs such as A.S.P.I.R.E. Dr. Stitts’ work is marked by intentional strategic planning, data-driven decisions, and the kind of academic navigational wisdom that is essential for consistently moving the needle across UNC system benchmarks.
Dr. Stitts did not just invest in programs, she invests in people, people like me. She saw my professional potential and chose to include me in meaningful experiences that enriched my leadership development, such as inviting me to attend a women’s luncheon at Salem College, giving me access to the Black Film Festival and selecting me to tell my story, as an adult learner. That alone allowed me to be able to stand on two national stages at conferences. Proudly giving Dr. Stitts and higher education, a return on her professional and leadership development, investment in me. These gestures, while seemingly small, reflected her deep belief in the value of exposure, representation, student success and growth.
Dr. Stitts’ consulting firm will undoubtedly bring the same level of innovation, excellence, and heart that she brings to the community, WSSU and higher education. Her ability to align smart goals with impactful programming and her talent for mentoring and elevating those around her is exactly what institutions need to drive lasting change in professional and leadership development, program innovation, and student success.