Vice President of Advancement and Strategy
Michael J. Pratt, Vice President for Advancement and Strategy
Michael J. Pratt joined North Carolina Wesleyan College on July 1, 2012 as Vice President of Advancement and Strategy. Pratt served as headmaster of Rocky Mount Preparatory School for 7 years before accepting this position at his alma mater.
Pratt directs alumni relations, communications, fundraising, and ongoing strategic planning at NC Wesleyan. “As a highly successful graduate of Wesleyan, Michael has a special understanding and commitment for our mission,” said NCWC President James Gray as he welcomed Pratt to the campus. “He will be a champion for this school and a partner for me and our fundraising team.”
The Office of College Advancement is located in the historic Bellemonte House on the Rocky Mount campus. The office is responsible for generating financial support for the private liberal arts college that currently serves approximately 1,300 students. Tuition covers only part of the total cost of a student’s education; therefore, the college relies on generous donors and fundraising to help close the tuition gap. In addition, the funds support the operating budget and capital needs of the growing institution, which is located on 200 acres near Rocky Mount. The college has satellite facilities in Goldsboro, Raleigh-Durham, and Wilmington.
Wesleyan receives support from multiple sources, including alumni, businesses, corporations, foundations, and friends. Pratt and the College Advancement team are responsible for nurturing these relationships to encourage continuous support for the changing needs of college.
Pratt expressed enthusiasm for his new role at NC Wesleyan. “Returning to my alma mater is very important to me,” he said. “I thoroughly enjoyed my tenure at Rocky Mount Prep and am proud of all we accomplished. However, I am excited about this new challenge.”
Pratt graduated from NC Wesleyan in 1966 with the Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and earned the Master of Science in Education from Old Dominion University in 1972. He began his 45-year career in education as a teacher and coach. He progressed into administration and served as headmaster at 4 different private schools before joining Rocky Mount Prep in 2005.
Actively involved at Wesleyan in the years since his graduation, Pratt has served in many capacities including as a member of the Board of Trustees, the Strategic Planning Committee, Days for Wesleyan Committee, and the Alumni Association. To avoid a conflict of interest with his current duties, he has resigned from the Board. He and his wife Barbara live in Rocky Mount and are loyal supporters of the college.
Michael J. Pratt, Vice President for Advancement and Strategy
252-985-5146
mpratt@ncwc.edu
