Gloria Monroe Named Regional Center Director

Gloria Monroe Named Regional Center Director of Small Business & Technology Development Center at the University of North Carolina Wilmington

Wilmington, N.C. – The Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) proudly announces the appointment of Gloria Monroe as the UNCW Regional Center Director. Monroe steps into this pivotal role following her tenure as interim director since June 2023, succeeding Beth Wilkerson, who assumed the position of Executive Director at The Thomas Entrepreneurship Hub at UNC Pembroke.

With a distinguished career spanning seven years at the SBTDC, initially as General Business Counselor, Monroe has demonstrated exemplary leadership and commitment to fostering the growth of small and mid-size enterprises across Southeastern North Carolina. Her expertise has been instrumental in spearheading numerous initiatives aimed at delivering cost-effective solutions and facilitating valuable real-world experiences for students.

“I am deeply honored and enthusiastic about the opportunity to lead the dedicated team at UNCW SBTDC,” Monroe said. “Alongside my team, I am committed to fostering collaborative partnerships with other organizations to drive positive impacts for businesses across Southeastern North Carolina.”

Monroe outlined her vision for the center, building upon the legacy established by her predecessors, Beth Wilkerson and Heather McWhorter (now UNCW’s CIE Director). “My goals entail further expanding the reach of the center, extending support to a greater number of enterprises, and nurturing promising startups to catalyze economic growth across North Carolina,” she stated.

As part of the North Carolina SBTDC, a statewide business advisory service under The University of North Carolina System, the Wilmington SBTDC serves as a vital resource hub for entrepreneurs across six counties: Brunswick, Columbus, Duplin, New Hanover, Onslow, and Pender. Monroe underscores her commitment to enhancing outreach efforts, particularly in Tier 1 counties, where there exists a significant opportunity to raise awareness and extend vital services to businesses.

Monroe brings to her role a wealth of experience, holding an MBA from Michigan State University, and having previously served at IBM before joining the SBTDC in 2017.