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Danny Wooten stepped into his new role as ������Ƶ’s director of student involvement and leadership on Sept. 15, 2025, bringing more than a decade of experience helping students thrive on campus.

With 11 years in student affairs, Wooten sees his work not only as a profession but a purpose. “At ������Ƶ, I would like to see all students feel a sense of belonging on campus, with high levels of student engagement in student life — giving them an experience outside of the classroom that is as robust as their academics.” 

A native of Grifton, North Carolina, Wooten has guided students through leadership development and engagement in roles at Fayetteville State University, North Carolina A&T State University and Pfeiffer University. Along, the way, he developed expertise in student activities, campus operations and event management.

Wooten earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in management information systems from Fayetteville State University and a master’s in leadership in higher education from Northcentral University. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in organizational leadership at Grand Canyon University. Beyond higher education, Wooten channels his passion for mentorship into his work as programs relationship manager for the Tulsa Initiative, a nonprofit supporting BIPOC-owned startup businesses.

“Danny’s experience and dedication to empowering students will be a tremendous asset to our campus community,” said Harry Titus, Ed.D., assistant vice president for Student Affairs and dean of students. “He brings both expertise and a genuine passion for helping students realize their full potential.”

Wooten believes the lessons students take from involvement in organizations and activities are just as important as what they learn in the classroom. 

“So much of college learning happens outside the classroom,” he explained. “Student organizations and activities are a place to build skills that give students the tools for success in their careers and personal lives—time management, project management, interpersonal relations, communications, service, leadership. Students aren’t just getting an education. They’re building emotional intelligence and holistic skills from their involvement and engagement on campus.”

Inspired by a mentor who kept him focused on his own studies as an undergraduate,  Wooten’s path to higher education became clear.

“When I started college, I expected to end up in corporate America, but my mentor and advisor as an undergraduate led me down this path into student engagement,” he said. “I wanted to give back.” 

That perspective from his undergraduate experience also defines how Wooten measures his success. 

“Event attendance and participation numbers are a nice bonus in this job,” he said. “But how many students are crossing the stage at graduation? How many recommendations for graduate school am I writing? How many job references am I providing? That’s how I measure my success in this work.”

In his first weeks on campus, Wooten has found ������Ƶ and Hickory to be welcoming and engaging. He looks forward to exploring the community further and building relationships with faculty, staff and, most importantly, students.

Outside of work, Wooten enjoys deep dives into U.S. history — especially the lives of American presidents. While he can’t name a favorite president, he feels an endless curiosity for their stories. 

When it comes to advice for students, Wooten keeps it simple: “Don’t be afraid to take risks. These four years go by quickly, so take all you can from the experiences. Everything you do during this time is beneficial to your well-being and the person you will become.”