Cockerill Reflects on First 100 Days After Inauguration
- Real Change Wilmington
- Sep 24
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 28
"What an incredible career to be so privileged to get to witness every day, thousands of lives transforming in front of you because of education," reflected Wilmington College (WC) President Corey Cockerill. Corey shared insight on her first 100 days since officially becoming WC's first inaugurated female president on April 22, 2025, and offered her perspective as a woman, leader, and mother of an incoming college student at WC.
Regarding her gender and her position, Corey stated, "I don't consider my female status as a unique identifier... It wasn't something that defined me... I never felt like I was overcoming being a woman. I just did it... Whatever I wanted to do, I just did." Although she is proud to be a "source of inspiration" and "point of pride" for young women, including her young daughter, Corey shared, "I never thought about sex or gender as being a barrier... I did not set out in this world to be a pioneering female in fields [where women are the minority]. I just happen to be in fields that I think present challenges that I enjoy."
Corey also touched on potential challenges of a liberal arts college in a conservative leaning community. She stated, "Rather than the transfer of a political perspective, what we hope for is the transfer of values... But, you know, we really are a reflection of the broad community... We have about a 16 county region that represents our core population and they're first generation, many are rural, a lot of them are agricultural. So we look a lot like [Wilmington's] community."
Corey also shared exciting news of WC's largest financial gift, $23 million from late Coach Jerry Scheve, to build a new indoor track facility, ADA accessible entryway, and other athletic upgrades.
In closing, she stated, "I feel like I'm on a journey, an adventure. This life is an adventure and I'd love to try everything I can in this adventure. and so opportunities that present themselves, even those that seem challenging, I want to give a try."
Listen to Corey's full story on episode 75 of The Real Change Wilmington Podcast. Learn more about WC at wilmington.edu.
