Student Support, Engagement & Success
Student Support, Engagement & Success
Margaret Barrett
Carolina Center for Public Service
As a two-time Carolina graduate (undergraduate degree with a major in Political Science and law degree), I’m excited to serve as a mentor for Carolina Covenant Scholars. In my role as Associate Director of the Carolina Center for Public Service, I work to promote opportunities for community engagement for students, staff, and faculty at Carolina. My career path also includes 18 years in nonprofit organizations.
Benjamin Carpenter
UNC Learning Center
I am the Chemistry Learning Specialist for the UNC Learning Center, where I work as an academic coach and facilitator of CHEMpossible. I was a graduate student at UNC and earned my Ph.D. in chemistry while helping to design curriculum for chemistry courses. In my role as an academic coach, I am equipped to help students improve in all areas of academic success: study strategies, time management, setting goals, etc. My course expertise and insight into chemistry would also allow me to advise and mentor students who are taking chemistry courses as part of their major.
Jay Eason
Academic Advising Program
I am an academic advisor in the College of Arts and Sciences. I love sports particularly basketball. I can help with supporting you academically and guide you in the path of reaching your full potential.
DeVetta Holman-Copeland
Resiliency and Student Support Programs Coordinator, Student Wellness
UNC Student Affairs
Dr. D. has spear-headed several groups on campus such as SISTER TALK, P.E.A.C.E. and R.E.A.L.Talk with the Fellas. Her body of work emphasizes persistence, self-awareness, resiliency, a growth mindset and its relevance to personal agency both, in and out of the classroom. Dr. DeVetta is a two time alumnus of the University of North Carolina as an undergraduate, as well as, a graduate of the Gillings School of Global Public Health. She is an advocate of the Human Spirit and is committed to “meeting students where they are”. She received her Doctorate in Leadership Studies focusing on Education, Resiliency and Belongingness. DeVetta serves on several campus committees. She is the past recipient of the C. Knox Massey Award, Member of the Frank Porter Graham Honor Society and Inducted into the Order of the Golden Fleece. To give back to the community, Dr. D. serves as the Executive Camp Director for Global Health Connections, Inc., a residential Summer STEAM camp for under-served students in the eastern-most parts of North Carolina. She is married to E. Rick Copeland and is the proud mother of one son, Robert-Anthony Nash.
Josmell Pérez
Carolina Latinx Center
I was born in Lima, Peru. I came to the US at the age of 6 with my parents and 2 brothers. I grew up in Northern New Jersey in a household with limited financial resources but an abundance of encouragement. We had to overcome some of the typical immigrant struggles, but we always could turn to family for support. As a first gen-college student, I am excited to support our Covenant Scholars! It is common to see my partner and I on campus with our two daughters. We love spending time on campus and exposing our girls to the rich community of Carolina.
Karina Soni
University Libraries
I’m Karina, and I’m a librarian at UNC’s University Libraries. I am a first-generation American and a two-time Carolina graduate. Like you, I attended UNC as a Carolina Covenant scholar and can relate to some of the experiences you’re going through as you navigate college life. I enjoy mentoring students, sharing my experience, connecting them to resources at Carolina that can support their success. Outside of my professional life, I DJ in the local area (I got my start doing radio shows on the campus radio station WXYC), collect records, and enjoy spending as much time as I possibly can outside, preferably near a beach or body of water.
Marcela Torres-Cervantes
Carolina Latinx Center
Marcela Torres-Cervantes (she/her/hers) is the Assistant Director for the Carolina Latinx Center. She is a Mexicana that was raised in Clinton, NC. From a young age, she loved school and the opportunity that an education would provide for her family to be successful. She attended the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics for her final years of high school before moving to Washington, DC to attend college. She holds a BA in Sociology from the George Washington University and a Masters of Education from the University of Georgia. Throughout her academic experiences, Marcela became invested in social justice advocacy, normalizing mental health discussions in communities of color, and student identity development in higher education.
Brian Woodard
Assistant Director
C-STEP Program
I’m from Snow Camp, NC and found my way to UNC as a transfer student from a NC Community College. At Carolina, I completed an BA in History and MEd in School Counseling. Currently, I work with the Carolina Student Transfer Excellance Program within the Undergraduate Admissions Office. I can help students navigate transfer/exam credit, connect to resources, and answer general questions.