Wayne Community College Mathematics Instructor Elizabeth King is the recipient of the College’s 2024 George E. Wilson Excellence in Teaching Award.
King was announced as the winner during WCC’s spring commencement ceremonies where she was presented with a framed certificate and stipend.
This is the 39th year that the College has presented the award. An anonymous donor established it with the Foundation of WCC to honor the late George E. Wilson. Wilson was known for his service to others and his contributions as a WCC trustee and civic leader in Wayne County and the state.
King was selected by a committee of community leaders for the award and will be WCC’s nominee for the 2025 Excellence in Teaching Award given by the State Board of Community Colleges.
King has been a faculty member at WCC for seven years and previously spent over eight years teaching in the public school system. She has a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a master’s degree in mathematics education.
One of King’s former students said, “While math is a subject that does not come naturally to me, Mrs. King created a learning environment that was enjoyable and made me excited to show up to class every day.” They described her love of teaching as “so palpable that learning becomes not just a task one must cross off their to-do list but an enjoyment that will last a lifetime.” Another student said that “Mrs. King is the best math instructor anyone could ask for.”
In addition to providing classroom instruction, King has participated in other campus and community endeavors, like helping faculty plan for recruiting events on campus and creating a global math course for WCC’s Global Scholars. She also helps lead the annual high school math contest at the Wayne County Fair.
“Elizabeth is a remarkable teacher whose dedication and resilience shine brightly in every task she undertakes,” one of her colleagues said. “With an unwavering commitment to her students, Elizabeth goes above and beyond to ensure the best outcomes for our students.” Another said, “She is a true joy to work with and an amazing asset to the College and community as a whole.”
About Wayne Community College
Wayne Community College is a public, learning-centered institution with an open-door admission policy located in Goldsboro, N.C. As it works to develop a highly skilled and competitive workforce, the college serves around 10,000 individuals annually as well as businesses, industry, and community organizations with high quality, affordable, accessible learning opportunities, including more than 150 college credit programs. WCC’s mission is to meet the educational, training, and cultural needs of the communities it serves.