CHARLOTTE, NC, May 19, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Celeste M. Corpening, M.Ed., has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Ms. Corpening has dedicated over 26 years to her role as an applications analyst at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Her career began in the information systems field during the mainframe era, and she has since witnessed and contributed to the university's technological evolution. She is currently part of the imaging team, also known as content services, where she works with Perceptive Content, a software designed to support the university's transition to a digital, paperless environment. Her responsibilities include creating electronic forms and automated workflows, which have significantly improved departmental efficiency by allowing documents to be processed entirely online.

In addition to her technical expertise, Ms. Corpening is deeply involved in project management, gathering functional requirements, facilitating user feedback and overseeing user testing. Her commitment to training faculty and staff ensures that new systems are effectively integrated into daily operations. She leads sessions to introduce new systems, answer questions and guide stakeholders through updated processes. She also helps develop FAQs and knowledge-base articles to support ongoing user learning and troubleshooting. Her work approach emphasizes empowering users by guiding them through processes to build their understanding and confidence while also recognizing when direct intervention is necessary.

Ms. Corpening's contributions at UNC Charlotte extend beyond her technical role. She has been an active staff assembly member for seven years and was a staff council member for 17 years, including seven years as chair. During her tenure, she was pivotal in advocating for equitable compensation practices and implementing telework policies that proved crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her efforts also led to the creation of a combined faculty/staff ombudsman position, providing a neutral resource for staff navigating workplace challenges. Many of these initiatives required persistence and multiple presentations to leadership, especially during administrative changes. Despite the challenges, Ms. Corpening remains proud of the impact she and the council made on behalf of staff across the university.

Ms. Corpening's entrepreneurial spirit was evident when she established Celestial Creations, a graphic design company that operated from 1998 to 2014 and specialized in business cards, invitations, programs and other printed materials. Her work extended into photography and event planning, further expanding her creative services. Ms. Corpening enjoyed tailoring designs to meet the unique preferences of her clients, often going the extra mile to make sure each piece reflected their individual tastes. She sees parallels between her creative work and her current role in the workforce, where listening to others and understanding their needs is essential. By actively listening to colleagues and users, she can build solutions that exceed expectations, creating something they value and appreciate.

Ms. Corpening's academic achievements have been instrumental in her professional success. She holds a Master of Arts in adult and continuing education and teaching from the University of Phoenix, a bachelor's degree in information systems and operations management from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a certification in instructional design from UNC Charlotte. These qualifications have equipped her with the skills necessary to excel in her role and advocate for meaningful change within the university. Outside of her professional life, Ms. Corpening is actively involved in civic organizations and community service. She volunteers with special needs organizations like Joy Prom in Charlotte and served as a youth pastor at Progressive Outreach Ministry. Her dedication to youth development is further reflected in her role as a Hope for Youth coach and a former foster care volunteer with Lutheran Family Services. She is also an ordained minister.

Over her 26-plus years at UNC Charlotte, Ms. Corpening has been most impressed by the impact she has made by helping others work more efficiently. She finds great satisfaction in supporting users and seeing how the systems she helps implement ease their workload, allowing them to complete tasks faster and more accurately. This kind of support often leads to deep appreciation, and she takes pride in the gratitude users express when they realize how much easier their work has become due to her efforts.

Ms. Corpening has learned that perseverance is one of her most valuable strengths in both her personal and professional growth. Reflecting on her experience while working toward her master's degree, she recalls the pressure of balancing multiple responsibilities, which often overwhelmed her. However, by focusing on small tasks and taking things one step at a time, she was able to stay grounded. An important aspect of her professional growth also involved advocating for herself and for others. She acknowledges that, while it may take time and persistence, it is crucial to speak up, even when the process feels daunting, or there are concerns about retaliation. Her journey has taught her that resilience, self-advocacy and the willingness to stand up for what is right can lead to meaningful change and progress for oneself and others.

Ms. Corpening's personal life is enriched by her passion for photography, basketball, swimming, movies, and bowling. She cherishes spending time with her daughter and engaging with others in initiatives that support youth development. Looking ahead, she envisions continuing her work at UNC Charlotte while exploring new ventures. A central aspiration for her is the completion and publication of her children's books. She has already self-published three books—"Uniquely Me," "Jade Lost her Voice" and "The Beauty Within"—and plans to write more, including "Imperfectly Perfect," which focuses on raising children with special needs, and "Just Become an Overcomer," which addresses overcoming obstacles. These books reflect her commitment to promoting inclusion, self-love, and resilience.

Ms. Corpening is also interested in pursuing a doctoral degree in instructional design, which she believes will combine her passion for education with her expertise in technology. Instructional design allows her to build educational tools and resources that support learning through digital means, further aligning with her career focus. Additionally, she is considering starting a resource center for young mothers and teaching at the university level or engaging in public speaking. Through these endeavors, Ms. Corpening aims to leave a lasting impact on her community and inspire future generations.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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