Maribel Borger ’14
Co-Chair of the Alumni Advisory Board
Chemistry Instructor
UNC Chapel Hill

“I am eager to be on the Alumni Advisory Board (AAB) for Carolina Covenant because my love for this program did not stop once I graduated. I am hoping to leverage my enjoyment of bringing people together to strengthen the Covenant alumni network that includes over 8,000 graduates. My goal as Chair is to make sure that those stamped with the Carolina Covenant seal feel empowered to rely on alumni who have established themselves in their industry. Both student-to-alumni and alumni-to-alumni networking can be revolutionary, and we are thrilled to enhance campaigns to nourish those connections.”

Charles W. Hands III ’14
Co-Chair of the Alumni Advisory Board
Attorney
Charlotte, NC

“I decided to serve on the Carolina Covenant Alumni Advisory Board because during my time at Carolina I made a vow that I would support the Carolina Covenant Scholarship Program after receiving so much support from it. The professional help from Carolina Covenant along with its frequent community-building activities is a huge part of my successful time at Carolina as a first-generation university student.”

Dr. Alisa Eanes ’08
Obstetrician – Gynecologist
Marion, NC

“The Carolina Covenant changed the direction of my life. It allowed me to imagine things for my future that I previously had not considered, including choosing medicine as a career. I was able to redirect the time and energy I had previously devoted to making the “ends meet” into creative thought and joy for learning. The Covenant has been a family to me, I am proud of how it has grown since my time at UNC and look forward to reaching back and helping the next generation of students along their path.”

Brian Woodard ’09
Assistant Director
for Admissions
Chapel Hill, NC

“As a Covenant alumnus I feel it is important to advocate and support currently enrolled students because I would not be in the place, I am in today without mentors who sought to help me. As a first-generation college student, navigating UNC-CH as a transfer student was overwhelming and intimidating. The mentors I received from the Covenant would listen to my concern, encourage me, help clarify information, and remove barriers to my academic progression. Knowing the tremendous impact of the social, academic, and financial resources provided had upon myself, I want to give back and help current students navigate UNC-CH through enrollment, graduation, and in their careers.”

Amaya Martinez Mesa ’17
Medical Student
UNC Chapel Hill

“The Carolina Covenant gave me access to the potential I didn’t know I had. As a first-generation and out-of-state transfer student, Covenant made me feel welcomed and supported beyond the financial means by offering me academic guidance and psychological support when I needed it the most. As part of the Alumni Advisory Board, I hope to expand our outreach and networking efforts to better support the current Carolina Covenant scholars. I am also looking forward to serving as a resource for those interested in pursuing a career in medicine.”

Tyler Haugle ’21
Advocate Program Coordinator,
Community Empowerment Fund
Chapel Hill, NC

Tyler is currently an Alumni Advocate with the Carolina Covenant working with our Carolina Covenant Scholars and Bonner Leaders Program in promoting local community service work. He works as an Advocate Program Coordinator at the Community Empowerment Fund in Chapel Hill, a nonprofit that provides person-centered support, financial education, and asset building tools to individuals experiencing homelessness or financial insecurity. We look forward to gaining his insight on increasing participation in service work with our Career Accelerator program as he joins our board as a new member this year.

Shelby Sugierski ’14
Development/
Fundraising
Portland, OR

“I am one of the many Covenant students who didn’t have anyone in my family or network who could give me advice on how to best take advantage of my college years. From the moment I found out I received the Covenant and instantly decided I would be going to Carolina (sorry not sorry dook), the Covenant gave me a framework to guide the next five years of my life and to give me skills for my career beyond UNC. For example, leading the student volunteer organization Covenant Gives Back for three years, which was the most formative experience of my years at Carolina, taught me skills that are directly relevant to my day-to-day job today. More importantly, due to its focus on support beyond the scholarship, the Covenant gave me a warm, inviting network of folks at UNC who were on my side from day one and who offered resources and opportunities beyond what I would be able to discover on my own or access without being a Covenant scholar. Today, my absolute favorite thing is helping young and early-career folks explore their passions and careers, so please please please reach out if there is anything you are wondering about!”

Andrea Barnes ’18
Government Innovation Fellow,
Harvard Kennedy School Government Performance Lab
Washington, DC

Blake Morgan ’15
Laboratory Analyst,
Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA)
Carrboro, NC

“The beginning of my freshman year at UNC was the first moment in my life I felt like things were going to work out because of the financial aid I received from Carolina Covenant. What I did not understand as a student is that Covenant is not just a financial aid scholarship. It is a community of caring people who are always ready to support you, whether you are a student trying to manage stress while navigating a rigorous degree program or an alumnus searching for a fulfilling career. As an Alumni Advisory Board member, it is my goal to emphasize that you belong in this community and highlight the strength you bring to the table no matter your age, background, or stage in life.”