Tar Heel Footprints

Update: See more Tar Heel footprints or add your own with our new interactive alumni map

Many graduate alumni of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are using their advanced degrees to impact the economic, educational, social and cultural landscape of North Carolina. Highlighted here is a small sample of these Tar Heels. Thousands more are making a difference all across our state. Please help us identify other Tar Heel graduate alumni who are making a difference for North Carolina. Send an email to sandra@unc.edu. Thanks!

  1. Alice Bordsen, Mebane

    State Representative, Alamance County & Attorney

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  2. Gazelia Carter, New Bern

    Middle School Teacher, Craven County Schools

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  1. Tricia Cotham, Charlotte

    State Representative, Mecklenburg County & Assistant Principal of Instruction

    State Representative Tricia Cotham found her Carolina degree highly relevant. “As a result of my graduate degree in educational leadership, I have focused a lot on school leadership and social justice for all children in our schools.”

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  2. Timm Crowder, Chapel Hill

    Project Leader, Innovation Center of Excellence, Glaxo-SmithKline

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  3. David Easterling, Asheville

    Chief of Scientific Services Division, National Climatic Data Center

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  4. Jim Forrester, Stanley

    State Senator, Gaston, Iredell and Lincoln Counties & Family Practice Physician

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  5. Brandi Hilder, Research Triangle Park

    Scientist and Project Manager, Integrated Drug Development, Cato Research

    Brandi HilderBrandi Hilder, a North Carolina native, received her doctorate in Cellular and Molecular Pathology. Currently working as a senior clinical scientist at Cato Research in Durham, Hilder helps companies develop and approve medications, but she finds the most satisfaction in her work on cancer clinical trials. “My graduate work focused on cancer, so I have experience in this area. All of my clinical trials are cancer-related and they can last for years,” says Hilder. “Many of the drug trials are more for reducing the side effects and prolonging the life of the patient, but, ultimately, we would like to find a cure. That's our goal.”

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  6. Edward Howle, Hillsborough

    Founder, Kaye Products, Inc.

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  7. Verla Insko, Chapel Hill

    State Representative, Orange County

    Orange County state legislator Verla Insko is a long-time supporter of graduate education. “My Master’s in Public Administration has been a good link for me to public service at the state level.”

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  8. Pocahontas Shearin Jones, Henrico

    Dean of Curriculum Programs, Halifax Community College

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  9. Ellie Kinnaird, Carrboro

    State Senator, Orange and Person Counties & Attorney

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  10. Howard Lee, Raleigh

    Executive Director, Governor’s Education Cabinet

    Howard LeeHoward Lee, a longtime educational leader in NC, recently accepted a newlycreated position in Governor Perdue’s cabinet. “My graduate experience in Social Work embodied what life demands of us all: to understand our mission, to do the necessary research to be successful and to methodologically engage to achieve the desired outcome. Graduate school provided me with these tools.”

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  11. Al Leonard, Tabor City

    Town Manager, Tabor City

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  1. David Lewis, Cary

    Senior Vice President Strategic Planning and Services, Lord Corporation

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  2. Dwight Martin, Morganton

    English Teacher, Burke County Schools

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  1. James McClain, Raleigh

    President and Chief Technology Officer, Micell Technologies, Inc.

    James McClainMicell Technologies President James McClain found his advanced degree helped him succeed as an entrepreneur. “My time in the Chemistry Department was a unique and powerful experience. It was incredibly collegial and open to intellectual exchange. That atmosphere made everyone more successful and made it a much more enjoyable place to work. While at UNC-Chapel Hill, I was exposed to a lot of different sciences that helped me create a startup company.”

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  2. David McCoy, Chapel Hill

    NC State Controller

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  3. Floyd McKissick, Durham

    State Senator, Durham County & Attorney

    State Senator Floyd McKissick’s graduate studies prepared him well for his work as a public official in Durham. “My Master’s in Regional Planning assisted me substantially in my eight years on City Council.”

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  4. Connie Parker, Wilmington

    Founder, Wilmington Health Access for Teens & Executive Director, NC Community Health Alliance

    Graduate alumna Connie Parker has used her advanced degree in nursing to serve the people of NC. “My background in nursing prepared me for everything—working with people, planning and trouble shooting. It gives you all the skills you need for creating positive change in the community.”

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  5. David Parrish, Burlington

    Town Manager, Yanceyville

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  6. Stephen Raper, Rocky Mount

    City Manager, Rocky Mount

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  7. David Lee Rust, Morganton

    Director, Burke County Health Department

    David RustDavid Lee Rust has been working for the Burke County Health Department for 30 years, but just 10 years ago, his graduate degree from Carolina opened the door for him to become Health Director. He was able to complete his studies closer to home through the University’s off-campus program. He enjoyed the opportunity graduate school gave him to interact with people from many other sectors of the health field. “It gave me a larger overall understanding of health care and public health,” he says.

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  8. Richard Stevens, Cary

    State Senator, Wake County & Management Consultant

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  9. Laura Tremper-Jones, Carthage

    Clinical Systems Coordinator, Pinehurst Medical Clinic & Member of Board of Directors, Moore County Free Care Clinic

    A day at the office for Laura Tremper-Jones has often meant working to save the lives of North Carolina’s poorest. Jones has been both a volunteer and Executive Director at Moore Free Care Clinic in Pinehurst since she received her graduate degree in Nursing.

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  10. Cecilia Valrie, Greenville

    Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, East Carolina University

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