SLL Welcomes NC Fellows, Class of 2023

The Carolina Union and the office of Student Life & Leadership are pleased to announce and welcome the new class of 2023 cohort of NC Fellows. Representing a diverse cross-section of thought, race, religion and geographic backgrounds, the 2023 Fellows cohort consists of 25 students who were selected after a rigorous application and interview process.

The mission of the North Carolina Fellows Program is to reimagine traditional understandings of leadership by engaging in meaningful dialogue, creating a supportive community, increasing self-awareness amongst its members, and encouraging positive change. Founded in 1967, notable North Carolina Fellows alumni include actress Janora McDuffie, and Karla Guadalupe Garcia, the first Latinx woman trustee on the Dallas Independent School District.

Sydney Howell, Leadership Development Program Coordinator at the office of Student Life & Leadership, has overseen the fellows program since 2018 and said that throughout the three-year Fellows experience, members will confront new ideas and engage in dialogue as they work in teams and groups. 

“The Fellows experience is one where you interact with people who are very different from you in a close and intimate way,” Howell said. “We believe in the power of dialogue and engaging in critical conversations to reach a deeper understanding of issues we all face.” 

Adriana Jimenez-Guzman, an Exercise and Sports Science major from Burlington, NC, is entering the 2023 Fellows cohort and said that a friend who is a current fellow encouraged her to apply to be a part of the program. “I always knew when I came to Carolina that I wanted to join an organization where I could build my leadership skills and me more proactive in the community,” Jimenez-Guzman said. “I’m looking forward to meeting the other fellows, and build that community and connection with others. It’s a chance to meet new people and learn from their perspectives.”

Another member of the 2023 cohort, Matthew Wood, a Psychology and Sports Communication major from Waterford, Mich., said his goal as a cohort member was to build relationships that help him succeed at UNC.

“With NC Fellows, I’m looking forward to getting to know a group of people that I become really close with and establish that foundation that will be able to guide me at Carolina,” Wood said. “I want to feel like we accomplished something together and take what we learned as a cohort and take it to whatever our next steps may be.”

The Class of 2023 Fellows are:

Brendon Brown

Chelsea Parra​

Victoria Bryant

John Ratkowiak

Ashlyn Clark

Emma Schieck

Carolina Coch

Ryan Schmelzle

Sherrod Crum

Keisha Solanki

Jayna Ellis

Victoria Song

Roli Enonuya

Robert Susewell

Halima Hasan

Tania Tobaccowala

Zehra Hassan

Kartik Tyagi

Adriana Jimenez-Guzman

Matthew Wood

Amelie Kadackal

Tiansheng (Travis) Ye

Oluwatamilore Kolawole

Rayna Young

Jailyn Neville