Ginger A. Black

Ginger A. Black was nominated by M.J. Giammaria, President of the Non-Traditional Student Organization, who said “Ginger is the Communications Committee Chairperson of NTSO and is a student who is juggling a challenging schedule, yet remains enthusiastic and motivated!”

Ginger is a 36 year old junior majoring in environmental science with a minor in biology. She is the communication committee chair for NTSO and works as an assistant in a kindergarten classroom. Ginger also tutors 4 days a week, tries to spend time with her 91 year old grandmother, as well as time with her parents and spouse. She baby-sits on the weekends, and has gotten a jump start on an internship that doesn't start officially until June. Ginger is the videographer at her school and the video coordinator between the school and the central office

There are several things that make Ginger a non-traditional student. She waited more than a year after high school to go to college and she is married. Ginger is also working to support herself during school. She also says that “mortgage payments and other daily responsibilities that most traditional students don’t have” set her apart as a non-traditional student.

One of the special challenges that Ginger has faced has been “scheduling classes that I need at a time I can take them.” I’m sure that all non-trads can identify with this challenge!

Ginger identified two things when we asked her about her greatest achievement. The first was “instilling a respect for all forms of life (even the creepy crawlies) in my kindergarten students.” Secondly, Ginger said that coming back to school was a great achievement.

When we asked about people who had been especially helpful to Ginger during her time at UNCW, she said “NTSO has helped me feel that I am not alone in this school adventure and Dr. Bart Jones has spent a lot of time helping me through his class when, at first, I was so far behind the younger students.”

Ginger would like to thank M.J. Giammaria, “NTSO president and friend,” for her help along the college journey.

Ginger’s advice for other non-trads is to “find someone in the NTSO or another non-trad to team up with. It helps to feel that there is someone else in the same boat!”

After graduation, Ginger plans to pursue a Master’s degree.
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The Seahawk Perch congratulates Ginger Black as our May 2005 Non-Trad of the Month!