Be Remarkable: Meet Felecia Penn A’03

“Coming to Salem Academy gave me a very strong work ethic because Salem’s academics are so rigorous. I developed critical thinking skills and planning skills, as well as a great community.”

Salem Academy alumna and faculty member Felecia Penn has been part of the Salem community since 1999. A Winston-Salem native, Felecia came to the Academy as a freshman after attending a local private school for middle school. Her mother was drawn to Salem’s close-knit community and small student-to-teacher ratio, while Felecia was excited by the school’s strong art program. 

Although she was a day student, Felecia often stayed on campus into the evening to do homework with her friends who boarded. As a more introverted student, she found a welcoming and supportive environment at Salem. “The people I was close to in my class, I still talk to now. Now on the faculty side, there’s the same kind of community building, making connections, and being supportive of each other, which is really great,” she said.

After graduating from Salem Academy, Felecia attended East Carolina University, where she majored in merchandising. She then spent several years working for the Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont Girl Scout Council, which is a local council under the Girl Scouts of the USA umbrella, as the Product Sales Manager for the northwestern region of North Carolina. When she was ready to explore new opportunities, she learned about a job opening at Salem Academy and returned to her alma mater as the director of student activities in 2014. Today, some of her former teachers are now her colleagues. 

In her role as director of student activities, Felecia also lived on campus and supported residential life duties, living in the residence hall with the boarding students for more than six years. She later transitioned into her current role as communications specialist and athletics coordinator. Along with her primary responsibilities, she serves as club advisor for both the Black Student Union and the Athletic Council, and she coached the Academy volleyball team from 2014 to 2022. Felecia is also an academic advisor, and advising students has become one of the most rewarding parts of her job.

“I relate to the students feeling like they’re being pushed out of their comfort zones. I understand that feeling. I am an academic advisor, but I let the girls know my office is a safe space for them to share their personal struggles as well. I try to make sure they’re taking care of their physical and mental health in addition to achieving academically.”

She especially enjoys watching the students she mentors gain confidence, embrace leadership opportunities, and grow throughout their four years at Salem. Many of those relationships continue long after graduation, and she has remained in touch with several former advisees.

When asked what she hopes every Salem Academy graduate takes away from their experience, Felecia said, “I want them to know that they can do hard things. Salem can be challenging, but they are strong, and they can do hard things.”

She added, “Salem does a great job of preparing students for college.”

For Felecia, the heart of Salem Academy is its community–both the community she was part of as a student, and the community she’s part of now as a member of the faculty. “Salem has created a culture where students feel safe to be themselves,” she said. “And in my role now, community is the key to getting things done and seeing results.” Felecia’s story reflects the lasting impact of a Salem education, which inspires students to grow, lead, and–sometimes–return to invest in the next generation of Salem Sabers.