UNC-CH whistleblower says time to focus on issues in academic scandal

Instead of celebrating, however, she said the validation marks a sad day for the students and her former colleagues – those named in the 136-page report and those who are not.

Willingham said the focus now should not be on the people, but rather the issues and the institution.

“It is created by a big animal, the NCAA, but it's the member institutions - the universities and colleges - that go right along with it,” she said. “We're all coupled by it and, honestly, it's the boosters, the Board of Trustees, the Board of Governors. I'm not saying any of these people are bad people - and again don't focus on the people. Together, we make bad decisions and we could make good decisions. This could be fixed.”

Willingham believes the problem is so widespread that only a presidential or congressional commission could fix it. She thinks addressing academics and literacy one school at a time won't work.

Willingham does believe the culture at UNC-CH is finally changing for the better. She's now worried about all the other schools across the country, which is why she is working on a new project called Literacy Before Legacy.

“I’d like people to join me in the call to help young athletes, sixth-graders, fifth-graders with their reading skills so they will be prepared for a real education by the time they get to college,” she said.

Willingham was the subject of national media attention after she questioned the literacy level of athletes who were admitted to the school. She said that most of the 183 basketball and football players she reviewed from 2004 to 2012 read at an eighth-grade level or below.

“Let’s help those young black children, particularly males, get a real education,” she said. “They entertain us on game day and it’s spectacular. So, why not give them what we promised them.”