About the Non-Trad of the Month Program

Beginning Fall 2002, the Seahawk Perch began awarding its Non-Trad of the Month award. We instituted this award as a way to bring recognition to individual non-traditional, and also to create awareness within the university community of the special commitment non-trad students must make to their education.

Because of their unique circumstances, non-traditional students often have an especially challenging time completing their college education. Returning to higher education can be an exciting, daunting and stressful experience - all at once. Families and employers may not always be supportive. Relating to fellow students can be difficult. Confidence, as it relates to schoolwork, may be slow in coming. Focusing on academics amongst family, work and financial constraints sometimes may seem impossible. Even so, because of their life experience and commitment, non-trads continue to be some of the highest achieving students in academia!

Students may be nominated for the Seahawk Perch's Non-Trad of the Month Award by faculty, staff, other students, family members, or themselves. Nominees will be asked to complete an application and briefly answer some questions describing their experiences as a non-traditional student, as well as submit a picture of themselves. Each monthly winner will be featured on this website, and will receive dinner for FOUR from Pizza Hut, a $45 value!

 How do I nominate someone as the Non-Traditional Student of the Month?

If you would like to nominate a non-traditional UNCW student for this award, please email us at seahawkperch@uncw.edu and tell us why you think that person is an exceptional student who deserves our recognition. If you have any questions about the definition of a non-traditional student, please look here.