ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. — September 18, 2026 — More than 400 student-athletes at North Carolina Wesleyan University participated in a WesPros professional development panel discussion Wednesday, September 16, gaining practical insight into preparing for successful careers beyond collegiate athletics. 

The event featured Greensboro attorney Charles Blackmon, Nadia Simmons, Wesleyan's Coordinator of Retention and Early Intervention, and John Turnage, President and CEO of Southern Credit Adjusters, Inc. The panelists shared their expertise on a wide range of career-development topics, including job preparation, resume writing, networking, interviewing skills, business etiquette and other essential workplace skills. 

The discussion was moderated by John Thompson, Wesleyan's Director of Athletics and Head Men's Basketball Coach, who established WesPros in 2020 as a professional development initiative designed specifically to help student-athletes prepare for life and careers after graduation. 

Through WesPros, student-athletes are encouraged to identify the skills they will need in their chosen careers, create and take advantage of professional opportunities, and strengthen their readiness to enter the workforce. 

The program's impact was reflected in the response of Women's Basketball player Jayden Baggett. 

"WesPros gave me a roadmap for the future. It showed me how to turn my dedication on the court into preparation for the next forty years in whatever professional career I may choose." 

WesPros reflects North Carolina Wesleyan University's commitment to developing student-athletes beyond their athletic accomplishments by providing opportunities to build the professional skills, confidence and connections necessary for success after college. 

About WesPros 

Created in 2020 by John Thompson, WesPros is North Carolina Wesleyan University's student-athlete professional development program. The initiative focuses on helping student-athletes identify essential professional skills, pursue meaningful opportunities and prepare for successful careers following graduation.