Sandra McClammy ’03, ’09M

For Sandra McClammy ’03, ’09M, education has never been simply about earning a degree. It has been a pathway to opportunity, a means of challenging assumptions and a way to help others discover their own potential. 

A proud Wilmington native, McClammy describes herself as a “Port City girl through and through.” Growing up in the 1970s and 1980s in a neighborhood facing economic and social challenges shaped her understanding of identity, opportunity and perseverance. Her parents, while not college educated, emphasized the importance of learning and encouraged her academic gifts.  

That commitment to education led her to UNCW, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Language in 2003 and a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies in 2009. 

“Being a first-generation college student meant stepping into unfamiliar territory, but it also meant having the opportunity to challenge expectations,” McClammy said. “I wasn’t simply pursing a degree. I was pursuing access, opportunity and the chance to demonstrate that where you come from doesn’t have to determine where you can go. I think that’s one of the most powerful things about education.” 

As a first-generation college student, the journey was not without challenges. McClammy said one of the biggest hurdles was learning the “unwritten rules of college,” such as how to approach professors, where to seek support and how to chart her academic path. 

“I also sometimes struggled with the feeling that everyone else knew something I didn’t know,” said McClammy, a faculty member in UNCW's Office of Undergraduate Studies. 

The lessons her parents taught about discipline, perseverance and self-worth helped her push forward, she said. So did the support of a mentor who would change the course of her life. During a particularly difficult period when she questioned whether she could continue her studies, Ralph Parker, founder and first director of the former UNCW Office of Minority Affairs, came to her home and encouraged her to stay enrolled. 

“He reminded me that my education and my future were worth fighting for,” she said. “His encouragement helped me recognize that a difficult chapter didn’t have to be the end of my story, and I often think about that experience now that I’m an educator. That meant more to me than I can ever fully express.” 

One of the greatest rewards of McClammy’s career has been witnessing students grow into themselves. Through her UNI 101 class, she meets students at the very start of their college journey. Helping them navigate that transition has become one of the most meaningful aspects of her work.

College is about far more than academics, McClammy said. It is a time for students to find their voice, build relationships, develop critical-thinking skills and discover how they can contribute to the communities around them. As a UNI 101 Faculty Fellow, she extends her impact beyond her own classroom by supporting fellow instructors and helping shape the student experience across campus.

“Sometimes students walk into the classroom thinking their only responsibility is to pass a course,” she said. “I want them to leave understanding that they have an opportunity to build a life.”  

Over the years, McClammy’s relationship with UNCW evolved from student to alumna, volunteer leader and educator. She has served on the UNCW Alumni Association Board of Directors and later as the board chair. She also was a member of the African American Graduate Association and taught at UNCW for more than a decade.

“When I think about my journey at UNCW, I think about a young first-generation college student who arrived with dreams but couldn’t possibly imagine all the opportunities that followed,” she said. “Each experience has reinforced my belief that education has the power to change lives.” 

McClammy’s professional career also includes nearly 30 years in radio as “The Midday Miss” on Coast 97.3, teaching at Cape Fear Community College and community service through Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. 

Whether in the classroom or in leadership roles, McClammy remains committed to helping others succeed. 

"You don't have to come from a family of college graduates to deserve a place in higher education," said McClammy. "You have earned the opportunity to be there, and you should never allow unfamiliarity to make you question your worth."

As UNCW celebrates National First-Generation College Celebration Day on Nov. 8, we are sharing the stories of first-generation Seahawks whose determination and accomplishments strengthen our campus and community. The annual celebration honors the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and recognizes the contributions of first-generation students, faculty, staff and alumni nationwide. Visit the First-Generation Program’s website to learn more about campus resources and events.