Concord Student Life
In addition to its stellar academic programs, Concord University offers plenty of opportunities for students to grow while having fun! There are several student organizations & Greek organizations you can join, exciting activities you can participate in, and workshops aimed to help your academic & professional development.
Featured Stories
Nursing Major with Psychology Minor
Shannon Phipps of Monroe County, WV began her studies at Concord in the spring of 2023, and she’s chosen nursing as a major and psychology as a minor. She transferred from Marshall University because she wanted to be closer to home. When asked about her most memorable experience in academia, Shannon remembers the first day she met the director and teachers in the nursing program at Concord. “Each professor introduced themselves to me and made me feel at home. I was also given an in-depth tour of the nursing building. All of these things made me feel very welcomed on campus and into the program.” Phipps has wanted to be a nurse ever since kindergarten, when the teacher asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Her future plans include pursuing a job as a flight nurse, and then attending Nurse Anesthetist School.
Shannon Phipps
Nursing Major with Psychology Minor
Dr. Thomas McKenna
Professor of Philosophy and History
Amy Walker '12
PA Admissions Coordinator
Dr. Joan Pendergast
Chair, Department of Social Work and Title IX Coordinator
Assistant Professor/Training Manager
Dr. Samantha Byrd began at Concord as an adjunct professor in the Masters of Social Work program in 2020, and was advanced to a full-time position in 2022. She received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Concord in 2016, and her Masters of Social Work degree in 2018, also from Concord. She went on to the University of Kentucky to earn her Doctor of Social Work degree in 2023. Dr. Byrd has practice experience in child and adolescent mental health, grant management, and foster parent training. She is certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) interventions. In addition to teaching, Samantha volunteers in the counseling center at Concord, and provides community service in various ways. She founded and manages a foster closet and foster parent support group, and serves on the board of directors for Child Protect of Mercer County. She says of her most memorable experience at CU, “Since starting in academia, I have had the pleasure of working in different capacities with some of the professors and mentors I had during my time as a student at CU. It is incredible to see how everyone comes together behind the scenes to support students in various ways.”
