Walking toward the main entrance of NRCA, a tall man dressed in business casual attire and wearing an NRCA polo laughed as two elementary-aged girls in matching pink dresses chased each other in circles around and ahead of him on the sidewalk. When they arrived at the front door, the man opened it, and his daughters darted into the lobby. With a broad smile, the man lingered at the door, surveying the NRCA front lawn and parking lot before he entered. Devon Corey and his daughters had arrived at school and walked inside. Together.
The blessing of his return to NRCA is still sinking in with Devon Corey, the new Director of Advancement and Alumni Engagement. Devon arrived at NRCA for the first time as a prekindergarten student in 1996, the year NRCA opened. In 2010, he was among the first group of “lifers” to graduate. “NRCA has always been a part of my life in some form or fashion, and so now it definitely is a second home for us, for sure,” he said.
A high energy “people person,” Devon stepped into his new role on Nov. 4. NRCA Superintendent Dr. Kevin Mathes expressed excitement about Devon’s return to the academy in advancement and alumni engagement. “I am thrilled with the opportunity that the Lord has given NRCA to bring him on board. This position is so suited for Devon and his skill set,” Mathes said. “Growing up at NRCA, Devon was involved in all aspects of this ministry as a student, and he made the most of his experience here. Now my prayer is that he will impact just as many areas of the school as Director of Advancement and Alumni as he did as a student.”
Mathes sees advancement as the umbrella for all Devon will do at NRCA. “Advancement takes a look at the events and processes that NRCA currently is doing and doing well, and then we look at what we can do to advance the school into this next season of ministry and growth so that we can foster a community of flourishing, which has been our emphasis this year and will lead the way as we move into this next season.”
After he graduated with the Class of 2010, Devon attended Appalachian State University and majored in marketing. His journey through the corporate world gained Devon extensive experience in sales and finance. In his professional career as well as his personal life, the core of his skillset has been relationship-building, which will be central to his new position at NRCA. “I think [my role] just boils down to relationships. I think being able to really focus on relationships and communication this year is vital,” Devon said.
By the end of his first week on the job, Devon left campus to make his first college visit to meet with NRCA alumni at ECU. The goal of these meetings is to strengthen the connection between the school and its recent alumni and encourage networking among them on the same university campus. Four more college visits are on the calendar, and Devon also looks forward to having a hand in traditional and new alumni events alongside Tiffany Benson, who will continue to work with alumni as Devon steps into his role.
On campus, Devon will work with seniors as they celebrate the milestones of their final year of high school, building relationships that will carry over into their time as alumni. “We are heading up a lot of engagement we have with NRCA’s more than 2500 alumni at this point, but also understanding that every single year we have a chance to connect with the senior class, who are future alumni. And so, a part of my role is building relationships with the current senior class,” he said.
Devon is also excited to return to the Sherrill Center for the Performing Arts to support both Chapel and stage productions. As a sixth grader, Devon found his way to theatre arts. His favorite production during his time in NRCA’s Squire Theatre was Beauty and the Beast in which he played LeFou. His favorite role was Cornelius in Hello, Dolly! (which also happens to be NRCA’s spring musical for 2025).
“Another small part of my role,” Devon said, “is running all of the AV for elementary Chapel, which is fun too.” Since his daughters are both in the elementary division this year, Devon says he relishes the chance to see them on Chapel Days. “I get to give a high five or a hug and get a wave from my daughters every week at Chapel,” he said.
Devon and his wife, Bethany, met in college at Appalachian. “We both had met the same person during orientation in college, and so my wife and I were introduced to each other the day after we moved in our freshman year, and we started dating two months later,” he shared. Devon and Bethany were both involved in performing arts in college. “It was a happy coincidence, and it definitely was part of the reason why we got along so well, that we also did dance together. We performed together, and so a lot of those passions aligned, which was really cool.” Together they run a nonprofit performing arts company, where they continue to pursue their shared passion for the arts.
Devon and Bethany have four daughters, and their family is actively involved in ministry at Northpark Church. They serve as part of the worship and welcome teams there. “Our kids are really involved in kids ministry, and so, we absolutely love it at Northpark,” Devon said.
While building new relationships at NRCA is the focus of Devon’s job now, his return comes with a wave of gratitude and nostalgia for one longtime relationship. Devon is the son of Richard Corey, NRCA’s Director of Finance, who took the helm of the business office when Devon was in fifth grade. Devon gives credit to their time together riding to school and check-ins during the day for the close relationship they share now. “I think one of the biggest ways our family has been blessed is the relationship I have with my dad now, because I got to ride to school with my dad every day of school, and I got to see my dad in the halls, or I’d stop by his office,” Devon said.
He cannot wait to share those moments with his own children. Beaming with the smile he had walking into the front lobby with his daughters, Devon said, “Getting to have the opportunity to now bring my kids to school and walk them inside, because I’m going to stay here every day, that’s probably the biggest blessing—to know that what I had with my dad in elementary school and middle school and beyond is now what I get to have with my kids.”
