Before he was chief curator of the Boseman Gallery, a communication studies teacher or 2nd Vice President of the Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts Board of Trustees, Shane Fernando was a Wilmington resident. He came to UNCW as an undergrad at 16 years old. After graduating in 2000, he moved to Washington, DC where he handled overseas emergencies for American citizens, international adoptions and other foreign travel issues, as well as acting as the North Carolina Senate Coordinator for the 2000 Presidential Inauguration. He returned to UNCW to pursue his masters in pubic administration in 2005. Fernando has been with the university ever since.

Fernando has worked with the Department of Life Arts and Programs since 2006. Now, he hopes to build upon the foundation in place while expanding the department to reach more students and community members.

“My first and foremost goals are to make the arts accessible to the students and for all students to realize that the arts are extremely relevant to their lives, no matter their interests or aspirations. The arts have a powerful effect in giving us new perspectives of the world, can challenge us while entertaining and do wonders in creating a powerful sense of community,” said Fernando.

Fernando is young and optimistic. He has big dreams for UNCW Life Arts and Programs, but his level of drive and dedication will determine if they come true.