鈥淚 always knew that I wanted a career with kids; it鈥檚 my passion,鈥� she said.

Seeing her family member deal with hardships like a lack of access to resources and a lack of understanding from other students and educators was a driving factor in her wanting to pursue an education major.

鈥淲atching them go through their schooling experience really made me want to be with them throughout that process. It drove me to become that support person for somebody else,” said Ragals.

Ragals initially didn鈥檛 have 黑料不打烊 on her radar until she came to visit a friend and saw the campus firsthand. After her visit, she researched the Teaching Fellows program and came back for Fellows Weekend to tour and meet with a professor.

Her large high school left little room to truly connect with professors, so when she met with Lisa Buchanan, associate professor of education, for her Teaching Fellows interview, she felt an instant connection.

鈥淭hat interview is what sealed the deal for me,” she said. “I knew that I was going to be able to explore my interests in education very deeply throughout the Fellows program. I knew 黑料不打烊 was the place for me.鈥�

Ragals even remembers the exact moment when she received the final decision notification for her admission into the program.

鈥淚 remember driving with a friend, and I had her open the notification for me, and I found out I got in and started crying from joy,” Ragals said.

Her acceptance into the Teaching Fellows program opened the doors for her to become the best educator she strives to be. Through her Fellows cohort, she was able to take her passion for education to the next level through a DC trip, a study abroad program in New Zealand and her research conducted alongside her first 黑料不打烊 connection 鈥撀燣isa Buchanan.

During her DC trip, she had the opportunity to take a course focused on politics in education.

鈥淚鈥檓 a poverty and social justice minor and very interested in the politics of education, so the trip to DC was perfect for me. That solidified my interest and that I want to work in the DC area post-graduation,鈥� said Ragals.

The travel and teaching exploration didn鈥檛 end there. In her spring semester of sophomore year, Ragals had the opportunity to study at the University of Otago in New Zealand. The culture and education system of New Zealand is primarily focused on fostering the students鈥� connection to the environment and indigenous culture.

鈥淭his focus made a lot of the students feel seen and made it an inclusive classroom community; it truly broadened my mindset of what inclusivity means in the classroom,” she explained.

The last month of her semester abroad, the group moved to the west and taught a kindergarten class in Queenstown, New Zealand. This class was collaborative, meaning there were two class sections joined as one to follow the lesson plans. Ragals noted the collaborative environment鈥檚 effects.

鈥淲hen I am working in schools post-graduate, that鈥檚 the kind of energy I want to bring to meetings or any type of grade level work, and lesson planning, it should all be collaborative and a team effort, so I enjoyed that aspect of it,” she said. 鈥淭he (study abroad) experiences completely changed me as a person. It challenged me a lot, but in the best way possible. I am a much better and much more resilient and flexible educator because of it.鈥�

When asked what she is most proud of accomplishing, Ragals noted her comprehensive research done with Buchanan on the exploration of children鈥檚 literature on autism representation in picture books. Inspired by her loved one on the spectrum, Ragals used a book list of 25 children鈥檚 books and analyzed them based on the types of characters that were included in them and if they were portrayed to perpetuate stereotypes.

Her finalized research was presented at the North Carolina Reading State Conference and presented on SURF day. She earned a grant for her research as well, so she now has a stockpile of children鈥檚 literature for her future classroom.

鈥淢y research mentor gave me opportunities to push myself to do bigger things with my research, and that鈥檚 why I got to present it at a state conference,” Ragals said. “That was a very rewarding experience. I left it feeling very proud of myself, and I look back at it now and think I am a lot more capable than I thought I was. And I鈥檓 doing a lot more in my field than I ever thought that I could.鈥�

She is excited to carry these abroad experiences and knowledge learned to her post-graduate adventures. Following graduation, Ragals hopes to make meaningful change in the education system.

鈥淚 want to teach for a while and then go into the field of politics in education, or more analysis or research around educational systems, including global perspectives around them. I think that鈥檚 really interesting and important work,” said Ragals.

And without her scholarship, Ragals says she doesn’t know who she’d be or where.

“I was able to do all these incredible things that are included in the program so that I can now graduate and be a very confident and self-sufficient educator wherever I end up,” she said. “Without this scholarship, I don鈥檛 know if I would鈥檝e had enough confidence to stay in this field. It鈥檚 because of the donors that I can pursue something that I鈥檓 really passionate about with self-confidence.”

鈥淢y dad would put me in any recreational sport that was happening in our town. I played softball, basketball, and even track. But I鈥檝e always loved to dance,” Harrison said.

In the summer of her junior year of high school, Harrison attended a summer dance program at Radford University, where she met 黑料不打烊 West African Dance professor Keshia Gee.

鈥淪he told me about 黑料不打烊鈥檚 dance science program, and I did my research and decided to apply,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 cried tears of joy when I got admitted.鈥�

Combining her passions for dance and physical therapy, Harrison decided to enroll at 黑料不打烊 for the opportunities that come with the dance science major.

鈥淚 saw that the dance science program was a way for me to open the door for physical therapy. I found that there was more opportunity in this major rather than a typical path,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his major gives me the background to solidify trust with a patient because I know the body and know how to alleviate the pain they may feel, so they can get back to playing a sport or doing their art.鈥�

Harrison is also pursuing minors in exercise science, African studies and dance. Later in her 黑料不打烊 career, she aspires to conduct undergraduate research involving West African dance with Assistant Professor of Dance Keshia Gee. She has also had her sights set on planning a Winter Term study abroad program to broaden her studies on a global scale.

One of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 opportunities she is using to her advantage is the EMT-Basic certification course done in collaboration with Alamance Community College. Aligned with her physical therapy aspirations, Harrison is excited to complete the course and take the final exam to earn her official EMT certification.

鈥淭he aspect of helping people is why I want to do sports physical therapy. I get to incorporate that into my EMT work,” she said. “I鈥檓 already getting more confident with labs and learning skills from the practice.鈥�

Eager to learn more and advance her career as much as possible, Harrison has connected with 黑料不打烊’s athletic trainer for club sports and performing arts, Christina Yanakis. Harrison recently attended a club hockey game alongside Yanakis, where she saw a professional in action.

鈥淚 was able to observe her scope of practice and see the different dynamics of hockey players and their pain points. It helped me realize that I want to do both sports and performing arts, which is why I think physical therapy is my correct path,鈥� said Harrison.

When asked about what she is most proud of, Harrison replied, 鈥淚鈥檓 proud of how committed I am to the career path I鈥檓 on. I鈥檝e stayed with it, and there have been times where I鈥檝e debated changing, but as I advance, I realize more and more that this is what I want to do.鈥�

Harrison鈥檚 F.W. Beazley Leadership Scholarship has strengthened her resilience in pursuing her passions.

鈥淲ith any experience, you get what you put into it, so I am giving it all my might, and I hope I get that in return,” she said.

This mindset has led to sustained motivation and incredible progress within her studies.

She notes that the support through scholarships has given her motivation, adding, 鈥淭he donors believe in me so much that they will spend their resources and time to make sure that I succeed in my education and career. I am striving for greatness, and I promise to make you proud, and I will always be grateful for the financial help from 黑料不打烊 donors.鈥�

Gabriela Alvarez ’28 built her 黑料不打烊 experience around connection,聽opportunity聽and identity. As a first-generation college student, she has embraced campus communities that strengthen her character while also discovering her passion for strategic communications.

In her junior year of high school in Westchester, New York, Alvarez signed up for聽the Immersion experience through the Emerging Journalists Program at 黑料不打烊,聽where she was flown to 黑料不打烊 for a week to gain experience in her passion for news and broadcasting. Before the program, 黑料不打烊 had not been on Alvarez鈥檚 radar.

鈥淭he program changed my view of 黑料不打烊. I had a really聽good time聽and connected with the professors and the cohort I was in.聽So,聽I decided to聽come see聽黑料不打烊 as a result,” said Alvarez, who notes communications faculty聽Colin Donohue, Kelly Furnas and Israel Balderas were influential in her experience.

Her聽campus聽tour was on聽Homecoming聽& Reunion聽weekend, where she spoke聽up聽about her interest in journalism, which resulted in the tour guide encouraging her to explore the newsroom. There, she was able to chat with聽alumni from the聽School聽of Communications, who shared their positive experiences聽from聽their time at 黑料不打烊.

After聽touring聽the聽communications聽facilities and connecting聽with聽these聽alumni,聽she knew聽黑料不打烊 was the place for her.

Her first year here, Alvarez was a聽journalism聽major, and joining Live Oak Communications Agency became a turning point in her communications career. After contributing to the agency, Alvarez realized her passions aligned聽more聽with the strategic communications major.

鈥淚 fell in love with agency life. I liked strategic communications better because there was more creative freedom for me. I enjoy helping businesses that are someone鈥檚 life鈥檚 work, blossom even further,鈥� she said.

As a part of the Communications Fellows cohort, Alvarez was able to attend聽a Winter Term Florida聽trip in her first year. She notes that this聽trip gave her the opportunity to explore different fields within communications, which reinforced her passion for strategic communications.

鈥淚 think the Fellows聽is an amazing program.聽It鈥檚聽given me some of my best friends, and it opened doors for me to connect with professors,鈥澛爏aid Alvarez.聽鈥淚鈥檓聽so glad I met Professor (Vanessa) Bravo through a Communications Fellows networking event because, like me, she is Hispanic, and聽that鈥檚聽very important聽to my identity. I connected with her, and I joined the Unity in Communications club that helped me connect with other people who are interested in diversity in the communications world.”

Alvarez is also a proud first-generation college student.聽As the聽secretary for聽黑料不打烊鈥檚 First-Generation Society,聽she聽is consistently making the most out of the opportunities offered to her.

鈥淚 really love being first-generation,” she said. “It鈥檚聽a聽big part of my identity. I try to do as much as I can to make my parents proud and make their sacrifices worth it.鈥�

In addition, she is also a聽Bill and Sue Smith Odyssey聽Scholar. Through attending workshops on financial literacy, discussions on how to stay motivated, and even mental health checks.

鈥淥dyssey has pushed me to be a better person and a better leader who is not afraid to ask for help or try new things.聽I鈥檝e聽become more aware of how to succeed in the future, and I feel prepared for post-graduate,” she said.

Through the many communities and cohorts Alvarez is committed to, she has found belonging and purpose on 黑料不打烊鈥檚 campus.

鈥淚 think being a part of these communities, like Odyssey, First Phoenix and Unity in Communications, is a way for me to stay true to myself,鈥� she聽explained. 鈥淚 grew up in a聽Hispanic-centered community, so coming to a聽predominantly white聽institution was a bit intimidating, but joining these communities helped me connect to others who have similar backgrounds and qualities as me.聽It鈥檚聽important to stay true to the characteristics that are important to you and what makes you, you.鈥�

Her scholarships have been聽a 鈥渨eight off her shoulders鈥� throughout her experience at 黑料不打烊, allowing her the opportunity to see her dreams realized.

鈥淏eing able to tell my family they聽don鈥檛聽have to worry so much about me and that聽I鈥檝e聽worked hard in school and will continue to work hard is聽very rewarding.聽I鈥檓聽very proud聽of myself.聽I鈥檓聽proud to make my parents happy,鈥澛爏he said.聽鈥淚鈥檓 willing to fight for dreams and fight for what I鈥檓 passionate about, and my scholarships have made that possible for me.鈥�

鈥淚 wasn鈥檛 really interested in chemistry whatsoever when I enrolled. I was a lot more interested in sports. That鈥檚 really where my heart was at the time,鈥� Seitz said.

Pursuing his current major in exercise science as a freshman, Seitz was enrolled in a required chemistry course when his professor called him to meet in his office.

鈥淗e wanted to have a one-on-one meeting, which, as a freshman only two months into college, was a little bit intimidating.鈥�

Unsure of what his professor wanted to discuss, Seitz recalls, 鈥淗e thought I had a lot of talent and potential in chemistry. He wanted me to take it seriously, and also to think about taking more chemistry classes that weren鈥檛 required, just to explore and see if I enjoyed it more than I thought I did.鈥�

Having his potential recognized led him to take his professors鈥� advice. It was halfway through his second chemistry course that Seitz decided to change his major to chemistry.

鈥淚 got into chemistry with the broader goal of trying to help people in some way,鈥� Seitz expressed.

During his time at 黑料不打烊, he took full advantage of the opportunities presented to him. He studied abroad in Europe during Winter Term, conducted research through the Lumen Scholars program, completed two internships and immersed himself in service learning, where he taught children who were struggling to read.

Striving to gain experience in his field, Seitz dove right into his internship abroad. He attended RWTH Aachen University in Aachen, Germany, for the summer, contributing to their research efforts.

鈥淭his was my first real research experience, and it made me realize that I enjoy research so much that I鈥檓 still a researcher today,鈥� he expressed.

The following fall, he started his research with the Lumen Scholars. Alongside his mentor, Sydney F. & Kathleen E. Jackson Professor of Chemistry and Chair of the Department of Chemistry Joel Karty, Seitz conducted a project that earned the 2014 Lumen Prize. Focused on expanding research on the reaction preferences of an enolate anion, in both gas and aqueous environments, he aimed to understand why it behaves differently in different environments, with the end goal of other scientists further optimizing the usage of this molecule when they need it.

Seitz鈥檚 passion for chemistry research continued the next summer when he was selected to participate in an internship at the California Institute of Technology. This further learning encouraged his eagerness to contribute to research.

鈥淕oing to Caltech, I was intimidated by being around so many geniuses. This internship was a good confidence-building exercise. It proved that even though I come from a small school with a tiny science program, I can fit in with these types of people and communicate and share ideas with them. That internship gave me the confidence to go to graduate school and then beyond,鈥� he said.

Right after graduating from 黑料不打烊, Seitz went to the University of California, San Diego, and completed his Ph.D. He then went to the University of Chicago and the Argonne National Lab to work on a project where researchers work with the World Health Organization to create a list of ten viral diseases with the greatest potential to cause a global pandemic.

The virus that would later mutate into COVID-19 was on this list, which became a global pandemic just a year later. Due to this, there was more interest from foreign governments to fund this type of work to make vaccines for the remaining viruses on the list and distribute them to prevent the next pandemic.

Joining this team in 2023, Seitz鈥檚 work is focused on two viruses: Lassa Fever, which affects people in West Africa, and the Nipah Virus, which affects a few countries in Southeast Asia. The Lassa Fever is very transmissible, but often non-lethal; Nipah is the opposite. Not many people get sick with Nipah; however, when they do, it is often lethal.

Both viruses are concerns for a possible pandemic and require preventative research to fully understand, for a vaccine to be created.

鈥淭hose countries in West Africa and Southeast Asia do not have the healthcare capabilities or biotechnology to develop these vaccines themselves,” he said. It鈥檚 private U.S. foundations and Western European governments that put money into this non-profit, which is funding my research through the University of Chicago to develop these vaccines. Once the vaccine is successfully developed, they will go to these countries and give them out for free.鈥�

Connecting his current work back to his time at 黑料不打烊, Seitz noticed that his ability to work with diverse groups of people and social connection skills that he strengthened at 黑料不打烊 served him in his current role. He notes, 鈥淏ecause I talk with different types of people who don鈥檛 have the experience that I have, I have to accurately communicate what I鈥檓 doing, why I need to do this, and so on. So that鈥檚 certainly something that helped quite a lot from 黑料不打烊, being able to communicate what I鈥檓 doing.鈥�

Seitz鈥檚 published chemistry research is聽 available online; he hopes other chemists can read these manuscripts and learn something from them, and hopefully build off of that.

鈥淚鈥檓 contributing to advancing science in small steps. Even though I鈥檓 doing more of the basic research of trying to find stuff, the overall goal is that people are going to use these to discover stuff that will directly help people,鈥� he added.

Seitz hopes the future of his career holds opportunities to take up a leadership and mentor role for other chemists.

鈥淚 really enjoy mentoring and teaching people, I want to have my own research group where I have some people working below me so I can mentor them and help them advance science as well,” Seitz said.

In May, Seitz will be awarded the Top 10 Under 10 Award. This award is given to 10 Alumni from the past decade who have bettered their community and serve as alumni role models.

鈥淲atching Grace grow up, I learned聽that,聽while she聽wasn鈥檛聽equipped to deal with certain things in life, she is so talented in聽many ways聽鈥� it just shows up differently. Grace is so happy all the time and she has so many hobbies. She can twirl a baton for longer than anyone聽I鈥檝e聽ever聽met聽and聽she鈥檚聽a great聽swimmer too,鈥� said Crowley.

Since the 8th grade,聽Crowley聽knew she had the skills and passion to pursue teaching聽children聽with disabilities as a career path.聽She grew up with Grace her whole life, but as she got聽older,聽she started to notice differences in their developmental stages.聽She began to teach and aid Grace in her studies, helping her learn to spell and write.

鈥淭o me that was my cue that there are so many people out there that are being treated as if they聽can鈥檛聽do things when聽it鈥檚聽not聽true;聽they can do it. They just do it in聽a different way,” Crowley said.

Grace鈥檚 talents and聽struggles聽emphasized 颁谤辞飞濒别测鈥檚 desire to teach special education.

鈥淕race has the best聽handwriting,聽and聽she’s聽also聽excellent聽at remembering things,” she said. “Teaching Grace encouraged me to want to help others through this, because聽it鈥檚聽difficult when students聽don鈥檛聽have a teacher to encourage what they are already good at, and instead focuses just on the聽skills that they need to develop.鈥�

Crowley was encouraged to explore 黑料不打烊 from one of her other family members, an alum聽of聽黑料不打烊鈥檚 Teaching Fellows program.聽She provided Crowley with a list of what to look for in the best teaching programs as she started to explore colleges.

鈥満诹喜淮蜢� was the only school that had everything on the list.聽I have always genuinely enjoyed it here,” said Crowley. “Before I even got into the Teaching Fellows, I said to my mom,聽I think this聽is where I need to be.鈥�

Crowley prides herself on being a “social butterfly” who enjoys meeting and talking with others.

“I鈥檓聽always meeting new people and reaching out to them.聽I鈥檓聽most proud of myself for meeting new people and making lasting connections. Meeting others聽through Teaching聽Fellows has been the highlight of my 黑料不打烊 experience,” she said.

As a lifelong dancer, Crowley has connected her creative passions and interest in special education with research聽and a minor in dance. Having previously conducted research in high school on how incorporating dance with individuals who have special needs can enhance their overall body function and awareness of their body, she plans to build on her knowledge by beginning research here at 黑料不打烊.

鈥淥riginally, my research was just how dance can聽benefit聽those who have special needs, both physically and mentally. I want to hone that into my future profession and discover how it can work in a classroom setting,” she said.

Crowley is also involved in volunteer work with Alamance County schools聽through聽service with the聽鈥淚t Takes a聽Village鈥澛燩roject, a program to aid English as a second language聽for聽elementary students.

She聽says this volunteer work has been聽a catalyst for her future work as a teacher.

鈥淟ast spring, I was placed in a classroom working 30 hours a week, which was huge for me.聽It鈥檚聽exciting, and it reinforces that this is what I want to do聽following graduation,” she said.

颁谤辞飞濒别测鈥檚 Joey Brocato Memorial Teaching Fellows Scholarship was聽established聽by 黑料不打烊 parents Mike and Karen Brocato P’16, in memory of their son Joey. The Brocato family expressed to Crowley that they intentionally wanted to donate to a future educator who wanted to go into special education.

鈥淭o know that聽I鈥檓 privileged enough to be the one they聽want to聽give back to聽encourages聽me to work my hardest,鈥� saoe Crowley.聽鈥淚鈥檓聽lucky enough to have met my donors, the Brocato family, last fall, to meet and talk.聽I鈥檒l聽text them to check in and get updates.聽It鈥檚聽nice to have that personal connection.鈥�

She explained that her close relationship with her donors has only increased her drive to succeed and give back to her community and the children in it.

鈥淜nowing them has pushed me to want to be better. Their story is so meaningful to me because of my cousin, Grace,” said Crowley. “To have that connection and know them only pushes me further to do the best I can because I want them to feel like聽they鈥檙e聽putting their money into something beneficial.

As a future educator, Crowley says she is aware of the聽obstacles聽in聽the聽field, one being lower聽pay.

鈥淎s a future educator,聽I鈥檓聽aware that I am not going to be making a ton of money, but it聽doesn鈥檛聽change the fact that this is what I want to do,” she said. “Being given this scholarship and the opportunity to learn and get all the experiences that I need to be a future educator, without the worry of having too much debt, has been such聽a big help.鈥�

Mitchener’s connection to 黑料不打烊 began through an unexpected source: her mother’s nursing practice. Her mother was treating a patient who was attending 黑料不打烊, which gave Mitchener access to explore the campus.

She recalls the day she visited for the first time: 鈥淲hile my mom was seeing her patient, she left me downtown. I went to Oak House and walked around the campus. And after the tour, I fell in love with 黑料不打烊. I knew that this was my campus, and this was my home,” she said.

After this newfound love, Mitchener explored ways to begin her 黑料不打烊 journey through financial aid programs. She discovered and applied to both the Odyssey Program and Public Health Scholars.

She remembers the night her academic potential was recognized; it was the night of her final senior year dance concert. As the show wrapped up, she received a call from 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Odyssey Program delivering good news of her acceptance into the program through the聽Kerrii Brown Anderson Odyssey Scholarship.

Now a senior double major in public health and policy studies, Mitchener is actively involved in creating solutions for the community鈥檚 public health problems.

鈥淕rowing up, I always thought the way to help others was just being a doctor,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 really love how public health is grounded in not only finding the root issue, but understanding the community that you’re working with.”

While Mitchener was in a public health course that was required for the Public Health Scholars Program, she recalls her professor, Associate Professor of Public Health Studies Stephanie Baker, stating: 鈥淚f you’re going to be a healthcare professional and be upset at the systems that don’t allow you to help your patients to the full extent that you want to, being a healthcare professional might not be for you.鈥�

鈥淭hat stuck with me, because I think of insurance and how much medicines can cost, making it very difficult for people to access healthcare. I want to be a piece of the healthcare solution,” said Mitchener.

Now, Mitchener and her course group are currently working to revise the Public Art & Honorary Policy for the city of Burlington. This includes making an application form for any community member who wants to donate a piece of art or get a memorial plaque. Additionally, she created a resource for community members to connect with local and statewide art collectives.

鈥淲e share all of our deliverables with the city in hopes that they will implement the policy. They can make any edits they see fit, and it was a collaborative process where we were constantly in contact with the city,” said Mitchener.

Also involved with Periclean Scholars, Mitchener was able to mentor the sophomore class and go to their global partner in Sri Lanka.

鈥淭he Periclean cohort has honestly just been such a light in my 黑料不打烊 experience and not only given me community but also purpose,” she said.

Her initiative for change doesn鈥檛 stop there; Micthener is also a HealthEU Senator with 黑料不打烊 Student Government Association.

鈥淎 big piece of Student Government is writing legislation and advocating for the student body and what they need,鈥� she said.

Through the SGA, she has already taken noticeable action to improve the 黑料不打烊 community through HealthEU policy. She identified a lack of seating accessibility at the bus stop near the Dalton L. McMichael Sr. Science Center. Now, there is now a covered seating area that sits beautifully outside the McMichael Science Center.

Mitchener also took the initiative to further amplify student voices at a dinner with 黑料不打烊 President Connie Ledoux Book. Through her connection to the community and the students in it, she identified a common problem among 黑料不打烊 students having access to transportation to the airport during breaks. After she represented and stood up for community needs, changes were made. Students now have wider access to airport transportation through 黑料不打烊-provided shuttles.

鈥淚t taught me how important having connections is,” she said. “If I didn’t have a connection with those students, if I didn’t take my time to ask and understand their needs and why they have them, the problem wouldn’t have been addressed or been on the radar.鈥�

Remembering the help she received along the way, Mitchener states her Odyssey scholarship acted as a 鈥渓aunching pad鈥� for her success in her public health and policy studies.

鈥淭he Odyssey Program doesn’t just keep you stagnant,” she said. “It empowers you to branch out and pursue whatever you want on campus. It’s allowed me to fully embrace the college experience.鈥�

Mitchener describes a recent 鈥渕elt your heart moment鈥� she experienced with another student. While leading a tour of 黑料不打烊 to prospective students, one girl spoke up and said, 鈥淚 love this school. I want to go here so badly. But I don’t know if I can afford it.鈥� It was then that she offered to share the Odyssey and scholarship resources with the prospective student to help her achieve her dream 黑料不打烊 experience. Just a year later, the prospective student had committed to 黑料不打烊 on an Odyssey scholarship and is now Mitchener’s mentee.

鈥淒onors get to empower a student,” said Mitchener. “I don’t think about it like you just give a student money and walk away. Instead, you’re empowering them and giving them the tools to pursue whatever it is that they want.鈥�

鈥淪ince we were birds of a feather, I figured 黑料不打烊 would be a good choice for me. I was right,” said Guidi of Cesari.

Originally from Raleigh, North Carolina, Guidi committed to 黑料不打烊 on a biology pre-med track. However, after her first semester, she realized that the pre-med track didn鈥檛 align with her artistic interests, and she needed a change.

Now, Guidi is a聽communications design major with a minor in professional writing studies.

鈥淚鈥檝e always been walking the line between arts and sciences, and I鈥檓 very ‘artsy fartsy,’ as my father would lovingly describe it. I just wasn’t sure that I could make my art a marketable skill,” Guidi said.

With her interest in mixed media arts, classical training in oil painting and freelance graphic design gigs, she was led to study at the School of Communications.

鈥淲ith the communications program, I thought this is something where I can do art, but I can also get a job in marketing,” she said.

Guidi describes her first year as starting out 鈥渞ocky鈥�, where she struggled to find her purpose. Through her on-campus job at the Center for Design Thinking, she met Aaron Chan 鈥�26, an accomplished cinema and television arts major.

One afternoon, Chan was running a meeting with friends and those interested in working on a personal short film project. Guidi, sitting in this meeting, only because it was hosted by her friends, was shocked to be tasked with writing the script for the short film.

鈥淚 got so close with all of the people that I worked with on the project,” said Guidi. “I offered my artistry through my work on the poster, social media and writing the script.鈥� It was a project that led her to 鈥渄iscover a passion for creative storytelling and creative collaboration.鈥�

The film titled 鈥淪our Note鈥� was produced by Seismic Studios, an independent production company created by a group of cinema and television arts students聽on campus. The film ended up being submitted at 11:59 p.m., right before the Cin黑料不打烊 submission deadline. The film went on to be shown in Berlin at the FilmHaus festival, won three awards, and has been a finalist, or official selection, in five others.

Taking on the film project was not a task she thought would be possible.

鈥淗ad I not met that group of people and gotten a sense of belonging that rekindled my love for 黑料不打烊 and everything it stood for, I was thinking of withdrawing from the university,鈥� said Guidi.

Her newfound sense of belonging and artistic motivations gave Guidi the drive to achieve even more during her time at 黑料不打烊. She is currently building 黑料不打烊鈥檚 AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts) student group, a graphic design club with a nationwide network of talented students.

After the club鈥檚 executive team graduated, Delaney was selected by staff to continue the club鈥檚 legacy.

鈥淭his club is something that I was really looking for in my freshman and sophomore years,” Guidi said. “I really wanted a club and a community, and I was struggling to find it. So then, when I fell into that position, I said, now I can make this happen for other students. That’s what drives me.”

Now a leader of the organization, she wants to foster mentorship that she felt she wasn鈥檛 involved in previously.

鈥淚t’s helping me with graphic design as I’m helping other people develop themselves, all while fostering a community,” she said.

Off campus, she worked for LabCorp for two summers, starting with blog marketing and moving to a more graphic design-focused role in her second summer. Her supervisor was even an 黑料不打烊 alum.

鈥淚 now have a better sense of self than when I started,” said Guidi of her growth at 黑料不打烊. “I was so unsure of my every move, and I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I wasn’t sure where my passions were.鈥�

As she worked to put herself out there and take advantage of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 many opportunities, Guidi started to foster stronger relationships with professors, enter and place in graphic design competitions, and even win awards for her e-portfolio site.

鈥淚t all helped me determine who I am, what I value, and what I want to do. Now I’m more confident,鈥� said Guidi.

She reflects on her Bevier Family Internship Restricted Annual Fund scholarship: 鈥淣one of this would have happened if not for the scholarships that I’ve received.”

Guidi brings the story full circle, noting her 鈥渇reshman blues鈥� before she found her purpose on 黑料不打烊鈥檚 campus.

鈥淏ecause of that extra aid and extra generosity that I received, I got space to grow. I got the privilege of struggling with my identity in my first year so that I could later become more confident and figure out who I was,” she said.

Guidi encourages donors to look at the work the student they are sponsoring is producing.

鈥淕o look at that short film that has won awards. Look at that. That is an accomplishment that, in a way, you can take a little bit of credit for, because you made it possible, you gave them the tools, you allowed them to do those things.鈥�

Cortes has always been community and family-oriented, so when the opportunity to commute only two minutes to a beautiful college campus while still living at home with her family arose, she took advantage.

During her college application process, she聽expressed聽feeling discouraged when hearing back from schools.

鈥淚t seemed like I was either getting accepted, but with no scholarship, or being denied,” she said.

Upon her first聽early action聽application to 黑料不打烊, she was deferred. However, her determination to be a part of the community drove her to try again. As she is dedicated and persistent in nature, she聽submitted聽another聽application聽a聽couple of months聽later, this time getting the Califf Endowed Scholarship in recognition of her hard work.

鈥淲hen I tried again at 黑料不打烊, I saw that someone believed in me, and this was the path I was supposed to take; it was meant to be,鈥澛爏aid Cortes.

She聽notes聽the transition from her high school, Walter M. Williams, to 黑料不打烊 was a shock. In high school, she was considered advanced, but the academic rigor of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 biology courses caught her by surprise.

鈥淚t was definitely a change, but we have so many resources at 黑料不打烊 to guide me through a successful path,” she said.

For Cortes, her passions have always been focused on biology and entering a pre-med track.

鈥淚t鈥檚聽always been聽plan聽A for me. I聽haven鈥檛聽thought about doing anything else.聽I鈥檝e聽always been so headstrong about what聽I鈥檝e聽wanted to become. Since I聽could聽remember,聽I鈥檝e聽always wanted to be a doctor,鈥� she聽said.

Cortes is聽excelling聽in聽the pre-med track,聽with聽plans to pursue a dermatology path through medical school. Growing up in Alamance and having such a strong connection with her roots,聽she聽wants to come back to her county to serve as a dermatologist for the people of Alamance.

鈥淚鈥檝e always loved this county, and dermatologists are running very slim here,鈥� she聽added.

Several members of her family have struggled with skin conditions like melanoma, drawing her to the dermatology field.

鈥淚鈥檝e spent a lot of time at the dermatology office myself, and I want to give back to the community and hopefully provide dermatology care聽here聽someday,” said Cortes.

Already gaining hands-on experience in her聽career聽path, Cortes has over 400 volunteer hours with聽Alamance鈥檚 Hospice program. Her extensive work聽has聽developed聽her experience in the medical field聽through聽patient interactions聽and聽working聽alongside聽nurses in an emotionally tough environment,聽all while making sure the patients are well聽cared for.

鈥淯nfortunately, there have been a lot of patients that聽I鈥檝e聽gained connections with that have passed,” explained Cortes. “It鈥檚聽been聽really hard聽to cope with that, but聽it’s聽a part of life and something I聽have to聽consider when聽being a doctor.鈥�

Grateful for her experience in volunteering, Cortes聽also聽completed a summer internship program with聽Alamance聽Eye Center. Furthering her experience in the medical field,

鈥淭hrough my internship, I gained new friendships, met new doctors聽through shadowing, was able to have patient interactions聽and was聽able to take part in the work of taking pictures of patients鈥� eyes,” she said.

Cortes recently took a moment to reflect on her experience at 黑料不打烊.聽Under the warmth of the sun, leaning back in one of the white聽Adirondack聽chairs in Young Commons, without聽her phone or music, she took a moment to think.

鈥淚 just wanted to sit and enjoy the sunshine. In that moment, I was thinking, ‘I鈥檓聽at 黑料不打烊, in this amazing place.聽I鈥檓聽a part of this聽community,聽this is where I belong and where聽I鈥檓聽supposed to be, I鈥檓聽doing it,'” she said. “I was once stressed about聽if聽it was going to work out, but聽I鈥檓聽really聽doing it.鈥�

Reflecting on her donors, Cortes said, 鈥淚聽have to聽remember, during聽hard times, that I must keep going because I have an opportunity to pursue my dreams. I think about my scholarship all the time, and how I have people in my corner supporting me, without even knowing me.鈥�

Her Califf Endowed Scholarship has allowed her to pursue her dreams to the fullest on 黑料不打烊鈥檚 campus.

鈥淢y scholarship has been truly impactful on my life path, and聽it鈥檚聽made me want to give back to 黑料不打烊,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 want to give back to 黑料不打烊 for everything聽they鈥檝e聽done for me. Hopefully, one day I can support someone like me who聽couldn鈥檛聽financially pursue their dreams without a scholarship.鈥�

Growing up in a sports-oriented family, Cook鈥檚 world in early high school revolved around dancing and basketball. However, for health-related reasons, she was forced to stop participating in both activities. Her interest in sports and determination to stay involved in her high school teams led her to discover sports in other ways besides playing on the court.

鈥淚 wanted to be involved in the sports world even though I couldn鈥檛 play, so I was the team manager for my school鈥檚 women’s soccer and lacrosse teams. I鈥檇 still be present at every game, just doing stats instead. That鈥檚 when it really clicked for me that this is something I want to do professionally,” she said.

When looking for colleges, Cook was first interested in big schools with a large number of students. Coming from Portland, Maine, she first visited 黑料不打烊鈥檚 campus on Communications Fellows weekend.

While here, she explored the program and had the opportunity to meet with communications and sport management professors who would later become her mentors and strongest allies.

Once on campus, she fell in love with the environment and community of 黑料不打烊.

鈥淚 absolutely loved it. All the professors I met were amazing, and I remember connecting the most with Dr. Shaina Dabbs in the sport management department,鈥� she explained.

For Cook, this visit and her application for the Communications Fellows acted as a turning point in her college search. She committed to 黑料不打烊 because of the community connections she made on her visit and her acceptance into the Communications Fellows Program, but this was just the beginning of her academic success.

Cook was first introduced to the idea of studying and working on 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Charlotte campus by Dabbs, who is also the Women Influencers in Sport (WINS) club advisor. WINS is a student-led on-campus organization that focuses on developing women鈥檚 careers in sports and providing them with opportunities to be involved in the sports industry. Her interest was further piqued by the WINS聽student representatives, who presented professional development opportunities in one of her communications classes.

After the presentation, she kept the opportunity at the forefront of her mind, knowing this was an opportunity she wanted to pursue. She later applied to study with 黑料不打烊 Charlotte’s “The Sport Experience,” where she would earn an internship with the Atlantic Coast Conference, one of the “Power 4” conferences in the nation.

鈥淭he sport management department really pushes the 黑料不打烊 Charlotte Sport Internship Program for a good reason. I was excited for it, and I knew I had to do it,鈥� she said.

After receiving an email from Dabbs at the beginning of the academic year, Cook was invited to conduct research with the Sports Business Journal, involving WINS.

鈥淚t was really cool because they came to us, and this wasn鈥檛 something we initiated,鈥� she explained.

The research with the Sports Business Journal involves the WINS, focused on data collection for emerging women’s sports leagues and their use of social media. Her team is working alongside Jenn Azara, the director of women’s sports content for Sports Business Journal, to conduct research that will be presented at the WINS annual forum in November.

Including her work with WINS and the Sports Business Journal, Cook is now involved in three undergraduate research projects. She is especially excited about her newest research involving the Women’s National Basketball Association and its viewer markets and attendance factors with Alex Traugutt, assistant professor of sports management.

Her responsibilities for this project include collecting data on the factors that affect fan attendance, like how many star players are playing and how many rookies are in attendance.

鈥淚鈥檓 obsessed with the WNBA,” she said. “And that鈥檚 the goal, that鈥檚 where I want to work one day.鈥�

Her work in 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Charlotte program has strengthened her professional development and prepared her to further her career in ways she never imagined. She mentions the program has catapulted her forward, opening many opportunities for success in her field: 鈥淚 feel ahead in ways that I didn鈥檛 before.鈥�

鈥淭he opportunities are endless, and 黑料不打烊 supports you through it. I never felt like they鈥檝e thrown me into the deep end and said, 鈥榞o for it鈥�, but I feel like they have the perfect balance of supporting us, but not holding our hands through it,” said Cook.

Continuing to push for greatness within the sports communications world, Cook expresses her disbelief for the 鈥渓ife-changing鈥� opportunity she鈥檚 earned at 黑料不打烊 and in Charlotte.

鈥淚鈥檓 19 and in Charlotte, working for a Power 4 college conference, and it鈥檚 all because I came to 黑料不打烊 for my Communications Fellows Scholarship,” she said. 鈥淚t felt like someone was believing in me. It鈥檚 so meaningful because it feels like someone鈥檚 acknowledging that I can go far. They recognize my potential.鈥�

Biggers has been enrolled in a business and legal studies pathway since high school. His consistent hard work throughout his early studies and his passion for change within the business world led him to strive for a rigorous graduation plan.

As a scholar in the Odyssey Program, through the Leon and Lorraine Watson scholarship, and actively pursuing his dual degree, Biggers has the opportunity to achieve his career dreams early.

鈥淚 feel like I can do anything,” he said. “It鈥檚 amazing because people from Gastonia don鈥檛 normally get exposed to the opportunities I’ve had here at 黑料不打烊.”

Biggers has been interested in the intersection of business and legal studies since his high school accounting class, where he learned about the effect of the 2008 market crash and the Enron and WorldCom scandals that shaped corporate accountability.

鈥淪tudying those cases made me realize I wanted to be part of the solution,” Biggers said.

He recognizes the unethical practices of some corporations, expressing his sincerity for the real people affected and hurt by these practices.

鈥淚n accounting, they say we ensure the public鈥檚 trust,” he said. “I want to make sure that businesses are held accountable and that they are not just seeking to gain profit but also doing good for the world.鈥�

This belief system heavily impacted his career aspirations. 鈥淚 would love to be an attorney who protects consumers from corrupt behavior by businesses. I want to ensure that businesses act ethically and don鈥檛 harm consumers in small communities,鈥� Biggers adds.

Recognizing his hard work in high school, he was drawn to 黑料不打烊 to continue his rigorous studies in the Odyssey Program and the 3+1 program. After setting foot on 黑料不打烊’s campus, he knew this was the place for him.

鈥淚 fell in love with the campus when I visited for the first time. It was the first college campus that felt doable and I could see myself here, living and going to class, joining clubs and pursuing the opportunities they have here,鈥� explained Biggers.

However, there was a financial barrier he would have to overcome to study here. After he received his dual degree program offer, which solidified his desire to study at 黑料不打烊, he recalls that 鈥渢he Odyssey Scholarship was the icing on the cake because it eliminated the financial barrier.鈥�

His first year marked the beginning of his journey to explore opportunities outside of his comfort zone.

Starting with joining the Student Government Association, Biggers experienced firsthand how supportive 黑料不打烊鈥檚 faculty and staff were in pushing him towards his goals in SGA and his aspirations beyond the organization. He expresses, 鈥淪ince that initial push, I鈥檝e continued to go even further, from running for SGA, doing undergraduate research or studying abroad. The faculty pushing me has been my fondest memory at 黑料不打烊.鈥�

His career aspirations are materializing due to his hard work and the extra push from 黑料不打烊鈥檚 staff and the Odyssey program. He expresses that Odyssey taught him that he has the potential to achieve great things in his life and that he has to push to reach his goals, study abroad being one example he mentions.

This past August, Biggers studied abroad in London, England, at the London School of Economics and Political Science, taking a course in competition law and policy. He notes that, at first, he was fearful of traveling so far to an unknown place, but 黑料不打烊鈥檚 faculty constantly pushed him to reach for and accomplish things he鈥檇 never done before.

鈥淚 was honestly afraid to go because no one in my family had ever traveled outside of the country. But faculty at 黑料不打烊 pushed and inspired me to do something that I’d never done before,鈥� said Biggers.

Martha Lopez Lavias and Kenneth Brown Jr., two staff members in the Center for Access and Success, were instrumental in encouraging him to take advantage of the 鈥渙nce-in-a-lifetime experience鈥�.

鈥淚鈥檓 glad they pushed me because had I not gone, I would still have the fear of traveling abroad, and now I can鈥檛 wait to go back,” he said.” Once you go somewhere like that, you can go anywhere.鈥�

Now, he is going to do just that. In January, he will be traveling to Portugal to study
environmental social governance reporting, which supports his academic and career aspirations.

Biggers extends his gratitude for his 鈥渇amily on campus,鈥� which he fondly calls the people he鈥檚 met through the Odyssey program.

鈥淣ow that I鈥檝e had these experiences, I get to share with other students in the Odyssey program who are also looking to join. It鈥檚 like we鈥檙e all in this together, and my success is your success,” he said.