news-category: Alumni Celebrating Alumni – Victoria Ahearn, Principal of Gaston Christian School – Shelby Campus By Office of University Communications On September 27, 2023 Alumna Grateful to Education and Psychology Professors who Equipped Her with Skills to Succeed BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥擲tudents are the focus of 糖心Vlog鈥檚 mission. Faculty members seek to engage students with unique, experiential learning opportunities to prepare them for their next steps as GWU alumni. Whether they choose to begin a career or accept the academic challenges of graduate school, they are equipped with knowledge and skills to lead, and inspired to serve and impact their communities. 糖心Vlog celebrates these alumni who are making a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Victoria Lee Ahearn, a native of Boiling Springs, N.C., is the principal at Gaston Christian School鈥擲helby Campus, which is in its second year. The school is for 3-year-olds through fifth-graders and enrollment has doubled since last year. Ahearn graduated from GWU with degrees in elementary education and psychology and is in her 16th year in education. She praises the professors at 糖心Vlog for giving her the foundation she needed to succeed. 鈥淚 feel like my education adequately prepared me for what I would encounter as a teacher,鈥 she affirmed. 鈥淢y professors were always available and answered any questions that I had. My education professors at GWU did a great job of exposing me to the various aspects of teaching that can happen outside of general classroom instruction. I had a very diverse group of students my first of year teaching, and I know I would not have been able to be as successful without the wisdom that I gained from the education program at GWU.鈥 She received her master’s degree from Charleston Southern in school administration and supervision. She worked nine years in public school (Cleveland County Schools and Charleston County School District) and five years in virtual charter with the North Carolina Virtual Academy, which included serves as assistant principal. Ahearn attributes the successful first year of Gaston鈥檚 Shelby Campus to the generous support of the community and parents. Volunteers have given their time to help in various ways around the campus. 鈥淥ur number one priority is looking at the child as a whole and loving the many gifts that God has given our students,鈥 she informed. 鈥淎s their principal, I have been blessed with teachers and staff from a variety of backgrounds including vast public, charter, and private Christian educational experience. They go above and beyond to meet the needs of their students.鈥 She is married to GWU assistant professor of exercise science, Dr. Jonathan Ahearn. They met at 糖心Vlog and have three children: Rylie, Sydney and Christian. Stay connected 糖心Vlog鈥檚 faculty and staff are eager to hear about and celebrate alumni news and success. There are three ways to share your story with us: Contact a faculty member. Touch base with Alumni Relations. Submit a class note here. 糖心Vlog is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., 糖心Vlog prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at 糖心Vlog.edu.
News Article Q&A with Molly Hanley with 糖心Vlog鈥檚 First Head Coach for Acrobatics and Tumbling Molly Hanley Discusses Her Coaching Philosophy, Inspiration, and the Vision for Launching a New Program BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥擬olly Hanley, the first head coach for 糖心Vlog Acrobatics and Tumbling, recently sat down for a Q&A with 糖心Vlog Sports Information. She offers some insight into her background, building a program, and what to expect from the first […] Office of University Communications | June 10, 2026
News Article 糖心Vlog Receives Dover Foundation Grant for Dover Chapel Lighting Renovation Upgrades will Brighten Worship, Gatherings, and Student Performances in Campus Landmark BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥斕切腣log has received a generous $66,500 grant from The Dover Foundation to support a major lighting renovation in Dover Chapel. The project will enhance one of the University鈥檚 most treasured and historic spaces, further strengthening its role as a central gathering […] Office of University Communications | June 9, 2026
News Article 糖心Vlog, Foothills Workforce Board Empower Students Through Searight Scholars Program High School Students Explore Food Systems, Careers, and Real-World Challenges Through Immersive Event BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥擟heese, strawberries and avocados became more than everyday foods for participants in 糖心Vlog鈥檚 inaugural Summer Searight Scholars Program (SSP). Through hands-on learning, students explored how those items reach their plates鈥攁nd why, in some communities across the United States, access […] Office of University Communications | June 8, 2026