Our fall semester has again been filled with new learnings, friendships, and experiences. During this holiday season, we are incredibly grateful for all of you who generously share your time, talents, and resources with our scholars.
After one of the most grueling weeks of my undergraduate journey—two midterms and four final group presentations—I desperately needed something to recharge my energy. That Friday morning, I found myself at a Living Room Conversation session hosted by the Luther Hodges Scholars program.
Our recent Explorations trip to Washington, D.C. through the Luther Hodges Scholars program provided the opportunity to visit the Department of Commerce (DoC) which offered us a unique perspective on how the federal government collaborates with and supports both the domestic and international business sectors. Kicking off our discussions, we met with Tonya Williams, Chief of Staff to the Deputy Secretary of Commerce and double Tar-Heel alum (B.A. ’95 & J.D. ’99), whose journey through government roles underscored the value of pursuing your passions and creating a continuous learning path. Throughout her career, Tonya has navigated a range of responsibilities, from working closely with the White House to leading strategic initiatives at the DoC, which employs a staggering 45,000 people.
During our Explorations trip to Washington, DC, over fall break, Luther Hodges Scholars had the privilege of meeting talented individuals working in a variety of impactful cross-sector roles. One of the highlights of the trip was our meeting with Jess Tracy, Director of Special Projects for the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED), at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian.
During my recent Explorations trip with Luther Hodges Scholars to Washington DC, I had the opportunity to meet with Phillip Berkaw (Senior Director of DC Community Anchor Partnership), Maya Brennan (Chief Housing Officer), and Nicole Andonie (Economic Development Associate) at the Coalition for Non-profit Housing and Economic Development (CNHED) to discuss their work in developing affordable housing within the District of Columbia.
Over fall break, I had the wonderful opportunity to go on an Explorations trip to DC provided by the Luther Hodges Scholars program. One of the special opportunities we had was to visit the Google DC office to learn more about Google’s public sector practice and what role policy and government affairs plays in a tech firm.
Among the many great meetings with cross-sector leaders and mission-driven organizations, one part of the Luther Hodges Scholars Explorations trip to Washington, D.C. stood out: lunch at the dining room table with Ned and Diane Powell.
Twenty-four sophomore students from UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School have been selected as members of the eighth class of Luther Hodges Scholars. This 2.5-year program, sponsored by the Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise, brings together business majors and minors who exhibit leadership and a passion for serving on campus and in the community.
It’s wonderful to see an experienced professional so passionate about the subject area they’ve been a part of for several decades. Listening to Christine Moorman talk about creating new knowledge and using marketing for a better world was inspiring.
Join us in welcoming our new Program Coordinator, Meghan Blackwood!
The Luther Hodges All Scholars Welcome Dinner provided a valuable opportunity to reconnect with fellow scholars, share insights from cross-sector internships, and learn more about NCGrowth's operations and client engagement. The event fostered both professional development and personal bonding, creating a more comfortable and collaborative atmosphere among the cohort.
Samhita Gattupalli, Class of 2025, shares her experience from her internship with the U.S. Department of Commerce, where she gained leadership skills in the cross-sector space by working with business leaders, analyzing large data sets, and developing policy briefs. The internship provided opportunities for professional growth through networking, technical training in Salesforce and Power BI, and exposure to a variety of industries and government operations.