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!
-
Alice Bordsen, Mebane
State Representative, Alamance County & Attorney
1
-
Gazelia Carter, New Bern
Middle School Teacher, Craven County Schools
2
-
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.”
3
-
Timm Crowder, Chapel Hill
Project Leader, Innovation Center of Excellence, Glaxo-SmithKline
4
-
David Easterling, Asheville
Chief of Scientific Services Division, National Climatic Data Center
5
-
Jim Forrester, Stanley
State Senator, Gaston, Iredell and Lincoln Counties & Family Practice Physician
6
-
Brandi Hilder, Research Triangle Park
Scientist and Project Manager, Integrated Drug Development, Cato Research
Brandi 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.”
7
-
Edward Howle, Hillsborough
Founder, Kaye Products, Inc.
8
-
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.”
9
-
Pocahontas Shearin Jones, Henrico
Dean of Curriculum Programs, Halifax Community College
10
-
Ellie Kinnaird, Carrboro
State Senator, Orange and Person Counties & Attorney
11
-
Howard Lee, Raleigh
Executive Director, Governor’s Education Cabinet
Howard 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.”
12
-
Al Leonard, Tabor City
Town Manager, Tabor City
13
-
David Lewis, Cary
Senior Vice President Strategic Planning and Services, Lord Corporation
14
-
Dwight Martin, Morganton
English Teacher, Burke County Schools
15
-
James McClain, Raleigh
President and Chief Technology Officer, Micell Technologies, Inc.
Micell 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.”
16
-
David McCoy, Chapel Hill
NC State Controller
17
-
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.”
18
-
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.”
19
-
David Parrish, Burlington
Town Manager, Yanceyville
20
-
Stephen Raper, Rocky Mount
City Manager, Rocky Mount
21
-
David Lee Rust, Morganton
Director, Burke County Health Department
David 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.
22
-
Richard Stevens, Cary
State Senator, Wake County & Management Consultant
23
-
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.
24
-
Cecilia Valrie, Greenville
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, East Carolina University
25