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
Josie Crawford '24
Biology Major with Biomedical Sciences Emphasis
Brian Arnold '09
Bluefield, WV
Carolyn Worley '17
Director of Student Activities & Student Center
Chair, Department of Social Work and Title IX Coordinator
When Dr. Pendergast was finishing her Ph.D. in Social Work Education at the University of South Carolina, she dreamed of teaching at a school like Concord. “I have wanted to live in the mountains for as long as I can remember,” she says. In 2007, she accepted a tenure-track position at CU and has found a home here. “The campus community is welcoming and accepting,” she says. Before completing her doctoral degree, Dr. Pendergast was a practicing social worker, valuable experience she shares with her students. “When I speak with students about social work, I explain that this is the best job and worst job you can have,” she says. “It’s very rewarding to see how people can change their lives, and it can be discouraging when these changes do not come.” Dr. Pendergast is dedicated to preparing her students for the realities they’ll face after graduation, and says she enjoys “being a small part of their journey.”
