March 14, 2025 | Emily Reier ’28
The impact of philanthropy doesn’t just stop at the student who benefits; it ripples outward, touching the lives of everyone they will go on to teach, mentor, and serve. For Maggie West ’24, that ripple is just the beginning.
Ever since she was a little girl, West always had a love for teaching and a desire to make a difference. However, it wasn’t until she received two scholarships from UNCW that her dream of becoming an educator truly started to take shape.
As a first-generation college student, West faced financial struggles but pushed forward, paying her way through her undergraduate degree. Her resilience and determination are evident in her words and actions. “I’ve worked since I was 15,” West shared. "I never thought fully focusing on school without working would even be possible. But now, because of the scholarships I’ve received, I can focus completely on my education and becoming the best teacher I can be.”
As a recipient of both the Cathy L. Barlow Intern Scholarship and a Jay M. Robinson Scholars Program Scholarship, West has felt the powerful encouragement of those who believe in her.
The Cathy L. Barlow Intern Scholarship, designed to support students entering the demanding internship semester at Watson College, has provided West with the freedom to fully devote herself to her studies and teaching practice. The Jay M. Robinson Scholars Program honors the legacy of Dr. Robinson, a long-serving educator in North Carolina, and aligns with West’s ambitions of shaping future generations in ways that are impactful and meaningful.
West graduated from UNCW in May 2024 with a BA in Biology and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Secondary Education from the Watson College of Education.
In addition to her studies, West has long been dedicated to giving back to her community. Interning at her local church and volunteering at places like Vigilant Hope and Communities in Schools, she has seen firsthand the challenges students and families face. These experiences have driven West to pursue a career where she can give back, as she knows all too well the struggles that come with limited resources and support.
Through hard work and the help of scholarships, West is now on track to fulfilling her dreams of teaching in a Title 1 school in Wilmington. Title 1, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, is a federal grant that aims to provide all children with access to a fair, high-quality education. By supporting schools and districts with significant populations of low-income students, it helps bridge achievement gaps and ensures students meet rigorous academic standards. .
West’s goal is to be the teacher who believes in her students even when they don’t believe in themselves, just as the scholarships she received have shown her that people believe in her and her potential. “I’ve always wanted to work with students who face the greatest challenges,” she says. “I want to show them that despite their obstacles, they can achieve greatness. I want to be the teacher who believes in them when it feels like no one else does.”
One of the most memorable experiences West had at UNCW was attending Watson Connect, an event where she first met her advisors and began to build the connections that would lead her to the graduate program at the Watson College of Education. “I have never met college professors before that have been so dedicated to their students until I walked into Watson Connect,” she reflects. The event marked the beginning of a new chapter for West, one where she felt fully supported and encouraged in her academic journey. West also recalls one piece of advice that has stayed with her throughout her time at UNCW: “Who we are and how we teach is equally important to what we teach,” a powerful sentiment shared by Dr. Robert Smith. This advice has shaped West’s approach to teaching, inspiring her to focus not only on the content she would teach but also on the way she would connect with and inspire her students.
Reflecting on her time at UNCW, West shares that the university has transformed her into someone who embraces collaboration and support. “I’ve grown to become a bit of an extrovert and open up to my advisors and professors, as they are here to support me and see me succeed,” she says. Where she once might have walked into a class and quietly left, West now feels empowered to engage with faculty and fully invest in her education. For her, UNCW is not just a place with a beautiful beach, but a community of educators dedicated to helping students reach their full potential.
To prospective donors, “It’s a humble act of service. Giving to UNCW will help so many students who are struggling to balance work, life, and school the ability to fully focus on their studies and future careers,” says West.
Explore UNCW giving opportunities for more information on how you can support scholarships and help students like West reach their full potential. Additionally, learn more about Watson College of Education and Seahawks First, a growing community to support first-generation students.