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Q&A with Stephen W. White, Ed.D.
Q: What are your top goals as Wildwood’s new campus president and chief academic officer?
A: I’m excited for the opportunity to lead Wildwood. The campus is poised for growth, so I want to identify ways we can increase enrollment, expand our program offerings and enhance connections with employers. Together, these efforts will help strengthen the community and the workforce.
Q: When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: I wanted to be an astronaut. I’ve always had a thirst for adventure and an interest in science, so that was my dream.
Q: What’s your most exciting travel story?
A: A few years ago, I took a solo trip to Reykjavík, Iceland. I spent a week driving around, exploring the island, taking in the sights, mingling with the people and soaking up the culture. It was an amazing experience.
Q: How did you pass the time during the early days of the pandemic?
A: I took the opportunity to learn about woodworking. Although it was something I was familiar with because my dad always did it while I was growing up, it wasn’t an interest of mine until COVID. Since then, the two of us have bonded over our shared hobby, and I’ve learned how to make some unique wood bowls and trays.
Q: Do you kill bugs or relocate them when you find them inside?
A: Relocate them! I studied entomology and actually wrote my master’s thesis about the sand gnats on Sea Island, Georgia. A colleague and I spent months collecting samples and conducting research to determine their impact on the ecosystem, and I can tell you that all bugs, no matter how annoying, have a place in this world.
Q: What’s your favorite movie?
A: I like to watch anything on the Hallmark Channel. I’m a glass is half full kind of guy, so these movies appeal to me because the storyline is predictable and there’s always a heartwarming ending.
Q: What’s the best lesson you’ve learned?
A: You can learn a lot by watching others. I like to observe people around me, take note of their mistakes and try not to repeat them. Some of those missteps have really stuck with me and have helped shape me into the person I am today.
Q: What's one thing you want the Wildwood community to know about you?
A: I want the best for our students, faculty and staff, and I will do all I can to help move the campus forward and continue the important work of expanding minds and changing lives.
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