2015 utop magazine

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Student Bios

Trips and Events

UTOP Mentors

Tweet @UNCC_Ezine

UTOP Faculty

Photos

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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WE ARE UTOP AND WE ARE AMAZING! WE ARE UTOP AND WE ARE AMAZING! WE ARE UTOP AND WE ARE AMAZING!





WE ARE UTOP AND WE ARE AMAZING! WE ARE UTOP AND WE ARE AMAZING!WE ARE UTOP AND WE ARE AMAZING! WE ARE UTOP AND WE ARE AMAZING!

WE ARE UTOP AND WE ARE AMAZING!WE ARE UTOP AND WE ARE AMAZING! WE ARE UTOP AND WE ARE AMAZING!











WE ARE UTOP AND WE ARE AMAZING!WE ARE UTOP AND WE ARE AMAZING!WE ARE UTOP AND WE ARE AMAZING! WE ARE UTOP AND WE ARE AMAZING!















Student Bios

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What made you choose UNC Charlotte?She loves the city and her sisters live here.

Do you have a significant other?Yes, they have been together for a couple of months but have been friends for years.

Do you have a favorite childhood toy?Bratz Dolls. She had a whole suitcase full and she would dress them up and do their hair.

What is your favorite color?Purple, it means royalty; it’s soothing, and calm

Alisha was born in South Carolina and moved to Charlotte in middle school. One of her challenges in her life is that her mother passed away from breast cancer when she was only 9 years old. Alisha had to learn how to become a woman on her own because she knew her father couldn’t teach her. After the passing of her mother she and her older brother, Travis, basically took care of each other, and that is how they managed to get through that rough time together. They are best friends.

What is your favorite season?My favorite season is spring because my

birthday is in the spring and the weather is perfect. It’s not too hot or cold.

What is your favorite subject?Math and science are my favorite

subjects because you can’t have one without the other.

What is your favorite article of clothing?

My favorite things to wear are

leggings and T-shirts

because they are

easy to put

on and they are very comfortable.

What is your definition

of beauty?Being confident in your own

skin; everyone is beautiful in their own way. It’s not just physical.

What’s your biggest fear?Tyler’s biggest fear is to not be successful

in life. She wants to be a nurse anesthetist because one day her mom went into surgery for

a hysterectomy and a nurse helped her get better. At first Tyler wanted to become a doctor but while her mom was in the hospital she bonded with the nurse and she inspired her to want to be a nurse

anesthetist. Tyler wants to be able to provide for her family and be independent. She doesn’t want to live in regret.

Tyler McDougaldBy Alisha Trice

Alisha TriceBy Tyler McDougald

Alisha Trice Tyler McDougaldAND

What do you want to be?A business owner, undecided about the kind of business.

What do you value most?My relationship with God.

What hobbies do you have?I like to sing and shop on sale.

Would you say you’re happy with your life?Yes, right now.

How would you describe your childhood in a few words?Privileged, but blessed.

What do you say was a great experience to get you where you are up until this point in your life?“Prior to the recession my family was wealthy, but lost everything afterwards,” says Logan. When her family was hit they were completed blind-sided by it all. Her Dad owned his own business and lost it. No longer did she have the big material things to be a part of her life. When things were “good” God was nowhere on her mind. After the downfall, “it led me closer to God and helped me realize what’s important in life,” she shared. Now things with her Dad’s business are going well, and it motivates her to see him persevere.

How many siblings do you have?One younger sister.

What’s your favorite thing to do?Hang out with friends.

What’s your dream job?FBI Agent.

If you could describe yourself in a few

words what would they

be?

Happy, outgoing

and positive.

When Capree finished fourth grade,

she and her family moved to Alabama that

summer. She left many close friends behind back in North

Carolina and felt far out of her comfort zone. But that summer she

went to a camp and she reached out to the other kids she didn’t know and ended

up making a bunch of friends. Capree ended up being pulled out her comfort zone into doing many things she didn’t think she could. She felt that over time she was able to do anything and

everything.

Logan LazarasBy Capree’ Van Eaton

Capree’ Van EatonBy Logan Lazaras

Logan Lazaras Capree’ Van EatonAND

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Chiajoziem “Chuggs” Ngwadom was born in Freehold, N. J. He wants to be a pediatrician, hematologist and an oncologist. Basically this means he wants to work with children who have cancer or blood-related diseases. His favorite family member is his little sister because “she is like a female version of me.” Chuggs is passionate about anything he does for more than two weeks. When he was on the wrestling team in high

school, they threatened to kick him off because his fingernails were too long, which he does not bite. Once he gets the money, Chuggs would like to buy himself a Cadillac -- Mary Kay pink.

Where are you from?Asheville.

Would you consider yourself a leader or a follower?A leader when I have to be.

How do you truly feel about yourself?I could improve my feelings towards myself.

KJ’s favorite genre of music is post-

hardcore. He is heavily influenced by the band Alasana. “ Their music resonates with me on an emotional level and allows me to express myself,” he says. His interests also include manga and anime.

Have you ever created, renovated, etc. something that you wanted to give to the

world?Yes.

What part of the day do you usually cry?

Usually at night.

What toothpaste brand do you trust

the most and why?

Crest Pro Health

because the dentist gives me

samples.

Say you have a daughter who is on her

deathbed with an incurable disease? The doctor gives you

the option of giving her a pill that he just created, but there is only

one. He says that if he doesn’t give it to her she will die, but if administered to

her, she’d survive with no recollection of her past and no emotions in her future.

Do you give her the pill?No, because a life without emotion isn’t really a life.

Have you ever considered learning to play an instrument, and if yes,

which instrument(s)?Yes, guitar and piano.

What’s your favorite season and why?

Fall – because it’s not too hot and not too cold, it has a

good middle temperature.

What is your favorite movie genre?

Comedy/Suspense

What is your

favorite genre of

music?Rap

Favorite band or artist in that genre? Why?

J. Cole – His music is very relatable, even though he is different

from everyone else. His music always has a deeper meaning, an important

message. He is a caring person, he cares more about his fans, supporters and his music

than he does making money.

Keith Hassal aka “KJ”By Danae Holness

Karina KindellBy Chiajoziem Ngwadom

Danae HolnessBy KJ Hassal

Chiajoziem NgwadomBy Karina Kindell

Chuggs Ngwadom Karina KindellAND Keith Hassal Danae HolnessAND

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Where are you from?Tarboro, N.C.

Why did you choose to come to college?I wanted to make both of my parents proud and have a good education.

What hobbies do you have?I like to sing and cheer.

What is your favorite sport to watch?Football

What is your favorite type of music and artist?Country music and Luke Bryan

Do you have any siblings? And which one are you closest to?“I have one brother and one sister. I would say that I am closer to my sister because when my mother died, my sister was a motherly figure that I could turn to that could understand what I was going through.”

Monica lost both of her parents before entering high school. It was hard to learn how to deal with the loss. “In general, it felt like no one could really understand me,” she says, “but it helped make me a stronger person, that could deal with any situation.”

Do you enjoy exercise?Yes, lifting weights.

If you could describe your life in one word what would it be?Crazy -- due by walking on the road of life while passing through struggle and behavior.

What is your favorite article of clothing?Collar shirts -- due to the texture and the feel.

Could you live without technology?No, Technology is LIFE.

Who is the biggest inspiration about your life?My Mother is a big inspiration due to her working and raising her family.

Tell me about a time where you felt extremely proud of yourself?“I just graduated high school and I think of it as a bitter sweet moment because I hate it but I also have many cherished memories at the particular high school. I don’t know if I would go back. I probably wouldn’t.”

What is your favorite movie?“Interstellar”

Daniel has lived in six countries and has visited nine altogether. Out of all of the

countries he has lived, he likes the United States the most. When asked

why, he responded, “I met all of my lifelong friends here and I

feel safer here than I did in a third world country.” He was also happy to

finally live in one place and not have to keep

moving around.

Moving around

from place to place affected

him in a negative way. He says he

never could make real friends because whenever

he became close to someone, he had to move again. Now that Daniel is in the U.S. for good, he

feels that his life is finally the way that it was meant to be.

Do you have a nickname? Yes.

What is your favorite food? Chicken strips.

Where are you from?Raleigh, NC.

What is your major? Architecture.

Donte’ Washington is an entrepreneur with a

go-getter mentality. “I want to be the

best at what I do. I want to be

the person that other

people

go to.” Donte’

wants to be his own boss and have his

own company.

Akil Carrell-ChavisBy Donte Washington

Daniel MolinaBy Monica Tutt

Donte WashingtonBy Akil Carrell-Chavis

Monica TuttBy Daniel Molina

Akil Carrell-Chavis Donte WashingtonMonica Tutt Daniel MolinaAND AND

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Do you like sports? Favorite?Yes. Football.

Favorite movie or TV show?“Good Burger”

What do you want to be when you grow up?An engineer.

Favorite kind of music?Trap

If you had three wishes, what would you wish for and why? (No wishing for more wishes)A cure for cancer, because it has taken some of my family members; Respect for the value of human life, because if we respected each other more, we wouldn’t have as much violence or crime; World peace, because then the world would be a better place.

Do you like UTOP so far?Yes.

Did you wake up before 7 a.m. today?No.


‘In my white tee?’*No.

Have you eaten Chick-fil-A yet?Yes.

What was your first memory?My third birthday where my brother and cousin blew out the candles. I began to cry, however, my father re-lit the candles so that I could blow them out.

*”In My White Tee” in an iconic rap song.

Was it a hard decision to decide to come to summer school?

No.

What is your favorite food?Broccoli.

Dogs or Cats? Dogs.

Which is better? Onion Rings or

Fried Pickles?Onion Rings.

Do you feel

your

parents or

guardians would be

proud of who you are today?

Why or why not?“I don’t know because I have

come a long way … I have to find my own way and that’s what

I am doing. In the end, they will be extremely proud though.”

Where were you born?Charlotte, N.C.

Do you have any siblings?Yes, one brother and one sister.

Who influences you the most?Kanye West

If you could change one thing about

yourself, what would it be?

My height, taller

Tell me

about your

favorite childhood memory.

While smiling thinking back about his first memory

which is also his favorite one, Andrew recalls how in daycare

he wore long cargo pants that could be unzipped and turned into shorts,

“They were awesome,” he says. It was “mind blowing” to be a 4-year -old and

be able to turn pants into shorts.

Gena HabibBy Andrew Ajewole

Marc HarrisBy Dymone Coe

Andrew AjewoleBy Gena Luke

Dymone CoeBy Marc Harris

Gena Habib Andrew AjewolDymone Coe Marc HarrisAND AND

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Birthplace?Charlottesville, Virginia

Major?Accounting

Favorite Animal?Dogs

Inspiration?Mother

The reason that Jordan Moore has decided

to attend college is because one of her goals is to make a lot of money. She feels that if she attends college, she will go further in life than she would with just a high school diploma. She associates higher education and people with better careers and higher salaries. She plans to be very successful when she is older.

Do you play any sports?In the past, I use to cheer and run track, but I stopped.

Where are you originally born? What are your likes and dislikes about that place?I am from Raleigh. My favorite thing about Raleigh is downtown because of the bright lights, museums, music, etc. After school, my friends and I would go to Pelicans (snow cones) and visit museums all the time. I dislike the fact that it is so small and everyone knows everyone else.

What is your biggest aspiration in life?I plan on getting my Ph.D because I feel like since both of my parents received their master’s, I would like to one up them and become successful for my career. Other than that, I AM GOING TO MARRY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES!

What motivates you?My goals, faith, family, and friends motivate me to do better. I don’t want to let my family and myself down so I want to strive to become the best I can be and make everyone proud of who I will become.

Kayla is an only child. Her dad has three other kids, but she doesn’t associate with them much since they are older. She enjoys being the only child since her family is pretty big and she has cousins that she is able to have a good time with. Kayla wanted a brother but everything turned out great without one!

Favorite Food?Cheese Fries.

Free Time Activities?Watching movies and painting.

Most Influenced By?My mom.

Special Place to Travel?I would like to travel to New York.

Why did you

choose to do your

undergraduate degree at

UNC Charlotte?“I felt that Charlotte was a

great city and basically like a smaller version of New York

where I originally wanted to go.”

How do you feel that you can better our society?

“Well, I want to be a clinical psychiatrist and by doing that as a career I would be

helping people in society in dealing with any mental issues they may have.”

Do you enjoy being an only child?Yes, sometimes I enjoy it.

Did you grow up in a small town or big city? Would you have wanted

to grow up somewhere else?I lived in a big city, but grew up in a

small town with my grandparents. I wouldn’t trade growing up there

for the world!

Were you involved in high school?

Yes, very involved.

Was UNCC

your first

choice for

college? YES!

Have you decided on a major for college?

Yes, Kinesiology. I want to help others physically.

India Pitts, a small town girl who fell in love with a big city, misses Georgia more than anything in the world. Calling home

the towns of Macon, Gray, and Milledgeville, Ga., her favorite childhood memories are the

extravagant birthday parties her parents use to throw her every year. With her house full of people from both sides of her family, India loved the attention, but more

importantly loved having everyone together. Spending most of her time with her grandparents while her parents

worked night shifts, her grandma’s home-cooked meals always brought a smile to her face.

Kayla DavisBy India Pitts

Halle EvansBy Jordan Moore

India PittsBy Kayla Davis

Jordan MooreBy Halle Evans

Jordan Moore Kayla DavisHalle Evans India PittsAND AND

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Do you have a favorite childhood memory?Yes. I remember going to the library with my mom and she ‘forced’ me to check out books but I secretly enjoyed it. Don’t think I’m a nerd.

What is your favorite snack?Goldfish. Me and Goldfish…. we have a special connection. I like how they are crunchy and you know how some companies lightly salt their snacks? Well, Goldfish are really salty. I can have a healthy snack on one side, flip it over and have salt on the other side.

If you could live in any time period, in or out the country, when would it be?I am fine where I am.

Jenn Matthews is a freshman at the UNX at Charlotte. She intends to study International Business because she really likes to travel and enjoys working in customer relations. She believes it would be wonderful to work for a corporation one day. She has visited Italy, Spain and about 25 states, and she would love to go to Costa Rica for its culture, coastal waters and “beautiful scenery.” Her favorite place she has visited would be Washington, D.C. She really enjoys walking along the streets in the Capital, observing the different buildings and going to the museums. She has visited the Crime & Punishment and Natural Science Museums. She enjoys seeing the different animal models inside the museum.

What is your favorite sport?Basketball

Have you ever been cut from a team?Yes

Could you use one word to describe yourself?Different

Do you prefer cats or dogs?Cats

Who influenced you to come to college?I influenced myself. I want to be able to make my dreams come true, and to do that I have to succeed on my own first.

If you could live anywhere, where would you live?

Somewhere in Europe, not sure where…it’d be nice to have a change of scenery, it’s nice and

laid back, and there’s lots of culture.

What is your favorite childhood movie?

‘The Great Mouse Detective’; it’s in London, and an animal

plays the main character.

What is your favorite outdoor activity?

I’m not really outdoorsy, but beach volleyball

would have

to be my

favorite. I played

volleyball and it seems to be much

more fun outdoors.

What’s your favorite food?

Anything apple-related. Apples have different tastes and you can do

so many different things with them.

Aiyja moved from Montana to Ohio and then Maryland, and she says living in Maryland

is really different. She has much more family in Maryland, so she gets to meet a lot of people there.

Usually there’s a lot of stuff going on in D.C., so she says traffic and the crowds are crazy.

She takes the Metro everywhere, and she experiences a lot. She says tourists aren’t that bad, but she

lives in southern Maryland. She says that crab legs are big there too, and macaroni and cheese.

What is your biggest pet peeve?The noise scissors and chalk on chalkboards

make.

What is your favorite clothing brand?

Ralph Lauren Polo.

Have you ever been to a concert?

No.

Do you prefer the leadership role

or the follower

role?

Leadership.

Have you lived in one place

your whole life?Yes.

Who is your favorite artist? Why?

J. Cole. Justin says he and J. Cole have a lot in common, including their aspiration during their childhoods to

become a successful rapper. Both were cut from the basketball team in 9th grade. Justin

began listening to J. Cole’s mixtape and became inspired because they shared the same story. The next year, Justin made the basketball team. Justin

continued to listen to J. Cole and to appreciate his music on a personal level.

Brittany PrestonBy Justin Ruffin

Aiyja Foose-CampbellBy Jenn Matthews

Justin RuffinBy Brittany Preston

Jenn MatthewsBy Aiyja Foose-Campbell

Jenn Matthews Aiyja Foose-CampbellAND Brittany Preston Justin RuffinAND

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Where are you from?I am originally from Fayetteville, and currently live in Stockdale, Ga.

What do you like to do in your free time?I like to listen to music, read, and talk on the phone.

What is your favorite genre of music?I love Rap and R&B.

Are you more

comfortable communicating in small groups or large groups of people?Although I am very social, I am more comfortable communicating in small groups of people.

What is your favorite childhood memory?Going to my Grandmother’s house.

Kendra’s love for science, specifically biology, influenced her decision to study Biology pre-Med at UNC Charlotte. She also has a passion for helping people in need. She also did some career research and found that becoming a doctor would be the best choice for her and the sole major that fits her passions in life.

Do you have any talents?Pencil spinning and bowling.

What are some of your pet peeves?I hate when people text while you’re trying to talk to them, habitual liars, ignorance, and loud people.

Was coming to college your decision? Was Charlotte your first choice?Yes. And yes, my dream school was NC State but I didn’t apply because I knew that I wasn’t going to get in.

What was the best thing that’s ever happened to you? Why?Picking up bowling, because it shaped me into a better person.

Leon started bowling when he was 16, and the moment he threw his first bowling ball he knew he had found his talent. Leon has a competitive spirit and goes into every bowling meet with the mentality of winning. He says it is fun and he has developed great skill from this challenging sport. Although Leon claims to be anti-social, one of his favorite parts about bowling is meeting new people. He enjoys bowling so much he plans to bowl all through college.

Where are you from?I am originally from a small town in Virginia,

but I currently reside in Fayetteville.

Are you excited about your future here at the University of North

Carolina at Charlotte?Yes, I am very excited.

What are you planning to major in?

Business Management

What is your favorite thing to

do in your free

time?I enjoy

driving around and listening to

music. I am also big on shopping.

What is your favorite retail store?

H&M

What experience has had a significant impact on making you the

person that you are today?I used to take life for granted until my Mom was

recently diagnosed with cancer. This experience has changed my perspective on life in several ways.

Not only do I realize that sometimes the things we overlook most have the most meaning, but I also understand that at any time anything – whether it be materialistic or a part of me –

can be taken from me.

How many siblings do you have?I have two siblings – a sister named Emelia,

and a brother named Sam.

Do you play any sports?I played soccer and I did track

in high school.

Do you have any pet peeves?I can’t stand it when I can

hear people eating, people that ask stupid questions,

people who can’t park, and people that bite

their nails.

What is your

favorite school

subject?

History – because it’s what I enjoy and have

interest in.

What is your favorite type of music?

My favorite type of music is country, and Luke Bryan is my favorite artist.

Georgina Boateng really admires her hero, Olivia Pope (the character actress Carrie

Washington plays in “Scandal”) and the role helped her discover what she wants to do in her

future. She wants to be like Olivia Pope socially because she is strong, intelligent and a very independent woman.

Georgina really admires Olivia’s work as a Fixer for the government. This led her to go to college to study

political science, where she can eventually be like her hero and possibly one day run for office.

Leon LamBy Georgina Boateng

Kandice MyersBy Kendra Shaw

Georgina BoatengBy Leon Lam

Kendra ShawBy Kandice Myers

Kendra Shaw Kandice MyersAND Leon Lam Georgina BoatengAND

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What are you majoring in?Pre-nursing.

Do you live with both parents?No.

Do you have any siblings?I have three siblings that live with me, but I don’t count the ones that live with my Dad.

Have you traveled to other

states?I have traveled to eight states. (Rhode Island, Mississippi, Washington, Maryland, Oklahoma, Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, and North Carolina)

Mariah is closest to her brother, Chester Fludd. He is closest to her age, whereas her other siblings are much younger. They attended the same high school and they both played on their school’s basketball teams. She says he always had her back and he has a positive impact on her because she was able to confide in someone and have a close bond to keep her level.

Meet Tyriq Evans, an incoming freshman at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Considering himself to have a silly personality, Tyriq enjoys having fun with his friends. He found his way to UNC Charlotte numerous times. The first time occurred while on a field trip with a group, Finance Academy, from his high school. Although he admired the campus and all its diverse aspects he still had his heart stored in another place. Tyriq

planned to attend North Carolina State University. His mind changed once he attended Admitted Students Day at UNC Charlotte. His plan is to major in Mathematics and become a mathematician one day. If that doesn’t work, Tyriq has a backup plan of becoming a math teacher.

What is your major?Psychology.

Are you good with budgeting money?Yes.

What is your favorite subject?English.

What is your favorite quality about yourself?

My drive.

How many siblings do you have?

Nine siblings

in all.

Thomasina said she has lived a very

privileged life, but if she had to choose

something it would be to be closer to all her siblings. Out of her nine siblings, she

only has a real relationship with four or five of them.

Favorite color?Tie between blue and orange.

Person you admire the most?My mom.

Job?I worked at Wendy’s at

the Boys’ and Girls’ Club.

Are you an only child?

“No, I have a younger brother

and an older sister.”

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

“I plan on being a pediatric

endocrinologist. That’s basically a doctor who

works with children with thyroid problems … like diabetes.” She

plans on being married, and wants to have one child, preferably a boy.

Tyriq EvansBy Mariah Jones

Thomasina PearceBy Mariah Fludd

Mariah JonesBy Tyriq A. Evans

Mariah FluddBy Thomasina Pearce

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Spiritual Animal?Meer Kat

Siblings?Two sisters

Three words to describe yourself?Easy-going, humble, well-driven

Intended degree in college?Obtain an exercise science

degree and potentially be able to sign with a professional basketball team.

How would you define happiness?“Being able to be content in my situation and also be financially well-standing will help me to achieve happiness.”

Sam is a swimmer, but does not do it as a sport. It is simply something he enjoys for recreational purposes. Once on a vacation to Myrtle Beach, where he was in fact not swimming, he learned he was allergic to shrimp. This discovery happened when he went to a restaurant and ordered the coconut shrimp. His throat began to swell but he didn’t go to the hospital because he usually likes to just see how things play out. When he was about 16, his dog Ginger died when she was about nine years old (human years). He was sad but says he didn’t shed any tears. He is interested in mechanical engineering and wants to work on things such as improving factory lines. The five years he will spend at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte will be paid for mostly with loans and he admits that this can be stressful. But Sam believes this school will do more for his career than some other schools.

Where are you originally from? Spindale, NC

What is your anticipated major? International Business with

a minor in Psychology.

Do you have any siblings? 12 siblings

What is a memorable moment where

you felt accomplished?

Graduating from high

school.

How would

you describe UNC

Charlotte?“I believe this campus

exposes you to different cultural backgrounds as well

as displaying multiple beliefs in a respectful manner. This school exemplifies a school that should

achieve harmony while being unique and individual. This is a ‘no judgment’ zone and everyone feels comfortable

with others.”

Asia attended Knightdale High School in Knightdale, N.C. Throughout high school, she was challenged by jobs outside school. After working at Starbucks

her junior year, she quit to pursue better money and to go to a less-stressful job at Best Buy. Campbell was the closest and

biggest university near Knightdale, so Asia wanted to go there after she

graduated. But as she looked around at different colleges the beautiful and dynamic

University of North Carolina at Charlotte swept her off her feet.

When she was a high school

freshman, she

dreamed of majoring in criminal

justice so she could defend what she believes in. But

during a visit at UNC Charlotte she learned of its

phenomenal business college and that changed her mind.

So Asia is a pre-business major.

Sam CabreraBy Asia Lindsay

Ronnie “RJ” AikenBy Omari McEachirn

Asia LindsayBy Sam Cabrera

Omari McEachirnBy RJ Aiken

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Where did you grow up?Boring country, Lexington, N.C.

Will you miss home once you start UNC Charlotte?No, it’s only an hour away.

Do you like romantic relationships?I’m single and I don’t see the effort in relationships right at this moment. I’m about to start college.

What is your major?Biology, for now.

What is your favorite holiday?Thanksgiving, I LOVE to eat!

Shareeza chose her major because before her grandfather died, she felt some of his nurses didn’t follow the proper nursing etiquette. After getting a degree in biology, Shareeza would like to go to school to become a Physician’s Assistant, to have the opportunity to treat her patients the way they should be treated. She believes the way you treat people before they leave this world impacts their feelings during their last days. Having a caretaker with an optimistic attitude can really prepare someone to go.

Are you the only child?Yes.

Do you plan to join any clubs in the fall?Maybe. Thinking about joining the Public Relations club.

Do you wear glasses and/or contacts?Yes. (Shayla prefers to wear her glasses.)

Describe your high school experience, do you think college will be a lot to adjust to? Why or why not?Starting high school as a freshman, Shayla Pink had a lot of friends that were already juniors. Her first couple of years were great until all of her close friends began to graduate high school. “Junior year I started to skip class a lot and almost failed a class,” she said. “Senior year I re-established myself.” Shayla thought that college would be a lot to adjust to at first, but now that she enrolled in UTOP she feels less overwhelmed and believes she will adjust a lot better.

Where are you from and what was it like?She has lived in Halifax County since she was in the seventh grade. “It was extremely hood

and country,” but she liked living there.

What is your dream job?To become a state prosecutor.

What is your favorite thing to do and why?

“Life is really short so you should live like it’s

your last day.” There have been a lot

of deaths in her family,

and she says

that’s why

she tries to live her life to the

fullest.

Where is your favorite place to

travel?Cancun, Mexico

What is your favorite food?Steak – at Ruth’s Chris Steak House.

Aaliyah’s favorite childhood memory is participating in pageants. She entered her first pageant at the age of 13, which she won, and

it motivated her to continue competing. Pageants helped her become more confident and outgoing

because she was really shy. She has won over six pageants! Unfortunately, she said she had to give

it up, due to college and other activities.

Do you have any tattoos? Yes, three

What’s your favorite color?Orange

What’s your favorite subject in school?

Math

What’s your favorite sport?Football

How do you describe your

journey to college?

College itself is a huge

opportunity for individuals

to grow intellectually but the

journey getting there is a growing experience.

She describes her journey to college as an “eye-opener.” She says “It was a lot of work

doing the applications and getting your scores in.” Being accountable for

your own actions and having to make your own decisions is a big adjustment. You are in

a transition from being told how to do things to total independence.

Shayla PinkBy Breanna Fennell

Aaliyah ArringtonBy Shareeza Kamal

Tevan EvansBy Vaneisha Joyner

Shareeza KamalBy Aaliyah Arrington

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Suki was born on the last day of Capricorn season, making her a borderline Aquarius. Her favorite dessert is red velvet cake, and she loves trap music. Her favorite trap artist is Young Thug.

Pannu’s dream job is an orthodontist because of her personal struggles with her teeth.

“My teeth were ugly and it inspired me to change people’s life,” she said. When asked her favorite memory, she recalled the time her school yearbook was chosen to be distributed nationwide. She was featured in the press release because she was one of the editors of the yearbook.

What’s your favorite sport to play?Basketball

Where were you born?Chapel Hill, North Carolina

If you could spend the day with anyone, anywhere, who would it be and where would you go?My boyfriend, in Hawaii.

What’s your favorite TV show?

ABC shows (ex. Scandal, Blackish, Grey’s Anatomy, The Bachelor/Bachelorette, etc.)

What’s your favorite type of music and your favorite artist?“R&B is my favorite; but specifically old school rhythm and blues. If I had to choose a favorite artist I think it would have to be Usher. He started so young, and has had a great transition as far as maturing in his music. He is somewhat generational, and I can enjoy his old music and new music just the same. There’s just so much greatness in the genre.”

Satoria Ray was born in Greensboro, N.C. She attended Northwest Guilford High School on the outskirts of the city. Throughout her four

years there she experienced a lot of good and bad things. Although she prefers

to be in her hometown for Sheetz, she decided to move to Charlotte

for college. She is very excited to be in a new city for the next

four years.

How many siblings do you have?One sister

What was your favorite subject in high school?

Math

What is your major?Pre-nursing

Did you play any sports in high school

Yes, basketball

What is your biggest fear?

“Nursing is a very

competitive major

and the

thought of not

making it to the upper division is a scary thought

for me. I have always dreamed about becoming

a nurse. In order to get into upper division nursing

you need a 3.7 GPA to even be considered competitive. Having all

of these scholarships really pushes me to make people proud and show them that they didn’t invest in my future for me to let

them down.”

Samantha DammBy Sydney Jackson

Satoria RayBy Suki Pannu

Sydney JacksonBy Samantha Damm

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Where are you from?Lexington, N.C.

What kind of setting did you grow up in (rural, urban, suburban)?I grew up in a suburban setting. Lexington was a suburban town.

Did you grow up in that town all of your life thus far? If not, where else?I also lived in Winston-Salem for two years and I just recently moved to Charlotte.

Do you have any siblings? If so, how many and how old are they?I have one brother, he’s 26.

How were you raised?My mother was somewhat strict, same goes for my father on how I was raised at home. They were strict on some activities yet lenient on others as well.

Do you have a pet? If so, what kind?I have a bichon frise named Freezer.

Was UNCC your first choice?Yes

What drew you to come here?The tuition, growing campus and large number of plants and greenery on campus.

So you like being outside?Yes

When you’re outside what do you do for fun?Basketball, hanging out with friends.

Do you have a particular feeling towards wearing glasses?It’s a statement piece which show one’s personality and adds to one’s sense of fashion.

What does Charlotte, your hometown, mean to you?Not the biggest city and recognized, but growing and becoming more well-known. Not attached to Charlotte, but I’m a fan of its sports teams.

Are you a morning person or a night person?

Morning person!

How many siblings do you have?

One, I have a sister.

When is your birthday?

Oct 21

How do you like your coffee?

I don’t drink coffee.

What country

would you like to visit and why?

Mali. It has such a rich, rich culture.

What in particular brought you to UNCC?Architecture

What do you want to do with Architecture down the road?

I plan to open up my own firm.

Was your journey to UTOP an easy one? This can

be your physical journey or mental

journey.Yes it was

pretty easy.

Are you

a picky

person?No.

What kind of food makes you

happy or satisfied?Spaghetti, I guess.

What is it about spaghetti that sticks out to you

more than other foods?I think it’s pretty easy to make.

Would you describe yourself as a simple person?

Yes. I like things straightforward and to have plan to them, but I still have very complex ideas.

Trey BradshawBy Jaylon M. Smallwood

Sam YohanisBy Toni Rogers

Jaylon SmallwoodBy Trey Bradshaw

Toni RogersBy Sam Yohanis

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If you were stranded on a desert island what two things would you bring?My Bible and my phone

Would you rather be deaf or blind?Deaf

Evolutionism or Creationism?Evolutionism

Eyebrows on fleek or

edges on fleek?Well, since I don’t have eyebrows I’d have to say edges.

Why did you choose UNC Charlotte?“I was actually torn between UNC Charlotte and Wake Forest. I loved both schools equally and I had the privilege of visiting each campus as well, but when it came down to the financial aspect of school, Wake Forest didn’t give me much financial aid and Charlotte has a good computer science program.”

Where are you from?I am from Winterville, N.C, outside of Greenville. It is a small town that is starting to grow because of Pitt Community College and Greenville growing as well.

Do you have any siblings? What was it like growing up with them?Yes I have three sisters. The youngest one is 8 and the older two are 22 and 25. I grew up mostly with my older sisters. We always liked to

dance. I also grew up with my dad’s daughters and son.


What is your favorite possession – either materialistic or a personal value of yours?I can adapt to situations and I am a social person. I am also very approachable to people.

Vaneisha only applied to one other school and it was Hampton. She didn’t like the dress code and she heard people transferred from there. She also was hoping for a scholarship but was happy she didn’t get it, making her more mindful of money when she chose UNC Charlotte. She also chose Charlotte because it was far from home, making it a new place that she could explore and be who she wants to be.

Are you a morning person?No

Did you play any sports in high school?

Yes

Do you like cool colors?Yes

Do you like to listen to R&B music?

Yes

Do you prefer music as a stress

outlet or

prefer to

workout (walking)?

“Music is everything,” Rachel

said. I asked her this question because Rachel is a

new college student. Most likely she will become stressed over

classes, etc. and music and working out can be very calming. Listening to

your favorite song/artists can improve your mood. Working out can improve your mood as well. Rachel did not choose working out

because “working out can be a lot,” she said.

What is your favorite part about UTOP so far?Meeting all the new people and getting the college

experience before I actually have to come back for the fall.

Which parent did you grow up with, and how did

that affect you?Well, I grew up with my Mom and I felt like a “normal” child because they separated while

I was young. I never had that feeling of them

being together to miss anyway.

My dad would come see me and I

would go to

see him as well.

Did you have to pull

out loans for the fall? How did that

make you feel?Yes, I had to pull out two

loans. Because of that I am trying to get more scholarships

and trying to take a cheaper route through college.

What is your favorite hobby?Football.

How long have you been playing?I’ve been playing for 10 years now,

I started at 7 years old.During Tevan’s junior year, at the age of 16, he was

diagnosed with glaucoma. It made him more responsible because he has to remember to take his eye drops every day and night. It was hard to hear that he had a disease

that could potentially make him go blind. He has had surgery to make the pressure in his eyes go down. This situation has taught him that in life things happen that you can’t control and you just have to adapt to them.

Vaneisha JoynerBy Tevan Evans

Rachel JordanBy Whitney Hamlett

Tevan EvansBy Vaneisha Joyner

Whitney HamlettBy Rachel Jordan

Whitney Hamlett Rachel JordanAND Vaneisha Joyner Tevan EvansAND

































Trips and Events

Civil Rights

Museum

On the first very eventful week 1 of 2015 UTOP the group of UTOP mentors, students and

directors boarded a charter bus and headed to Greensboro, North Carolina, to visit the International Civil Rights Center and Museum. Upon arrival the group was quickly broken up into different tour groups. The first exhibit we were taken to was the site of the famous Greensboro Sit-In. An essential part of the museum is the Woolworth’s Restaurant. The original restaurant pieces are still inside of the restaurant portion of the museum. In the restaurant, there are stools that wrap around half of the counter with a dish sink and a freezer. A little deeper into the restaurant you are greeted by a couple of TV screens with video that reenacts the sit-in movement. The Greensboro Four were African American freshmen students at North Carolina A&T State University. They were fed up with the racial injustice and decided to finally take matters into their own hands. The four young men entered the F.W. Woolworth store were only white people were allowed to sit and be served. The men then sat in the “white only” area and ordered a coffee and pie. They were denied service and were asked to leave but the brave young men stayed till it was closed in spite of people being rude, throwing things at them and calling them all kind of names. - Gena Luke. There was also a portion of the museum called Access Denied. This “maze” was designed to not only make us feel like we are trapped, but also educate us on some of the struggles that some of our predecessors endured and to get us to feel uncomfortable. Upon entering Access Denied, we were told to squeeze as tight as possible in a corner of the blocked path. Behind us was a fence. Pictured below is the reenactment of the sit-in and a coca-cola machine from the segregation era. Our tour guide explained to us that there wasn’t really anything different with the quality of things (water, coke, bathroom.) The fact that people of color were overcharged or separation from the whites made them feel deprived of resources.

Credits1, 4, 5, 7, 9,14 Chiagoziem Ngwadom, Sukhmani Pannu, Gena Luke, Jordan Moore, Omari McEachirn2, 3, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15 Tyriq Evans, Whitney Hamlett, Marc Harris, Breanna Fennell, Halle Evans

Want to see more p ro je c t s?

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14About the Sit In: 11One of the main focal points of the museum was the

original lunch counter used by the young civil rights activists. On Feb,1,1960, four African American college students went to an all-white sitin diner at Woolworth’s and decided to sit down at the counter for lunch (an illegal act at the time). They did nothing wrong oustide of sitting at the whites-only counter, which enraged many of the patrons. Upon our visit, we were shown some of the real situations that went on during the sit-in, as they dmonstrated how not all blacks were for this progressive style of thinking, and how some whites supported blacks for what they were trying to do. The recreation of the actual environment of the lunch counter

brought us back to what it was really like back then, then it seems like such a distant memory now.

“UNCC UTOP student, Whitney Hamlett said, 2 “It is nice to be back at the Civil Rights Museum in Greensboro, NC. The video about the Greensboro Four is amazing. Even though I have already been to the museum before and sat through the same video. I still learned a lot because each tour guide goes over the exhibit differently”.

Interview with Marcus Van Hagen 12

Museum Tour Guide

What is the most important exhibit to you?

No one exhibit is more important than

another. I have a few memories from some of them becuase

a few special visitors we’ve had such as veterans and the Tuskegee Airmen.

How passionate are you about your jobs?I teach all year long and it [being a tour

guide] mean so much to me.

How do you feel about the world today?Since I began working here, my eyes have been

opened to a lot of the things going on in the world that I didn’t know about before.

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Baseball Game

On July 3, 2015, 1 students in the UTOP program from UNCC attended the Charlotte Knights baseball game against the Gwinnett Braves for a nice getaway from all of the hard work during the week in their classes. Upon arrival, each student was given a ticket and a wrist band to access the VIP section. We bonded as a group before the game trying to figure out how to work a selfie stick and playing child hood games. Inside the park we enjoyed a nice picnic style dinner, and the game, of course. The night ended with a beautiful display of fireworks and fun. While we were there we conducted a few interviews and other small events to make the occasion more memorable.

Interview with Philip (the Vendor) at the Knights Game2

An Inside Look at Minor League Baseball: 3

Minor league baseball games are a family pastime. They’re inexpensive and a great way to spend time with family outside of the house. The seats in the stadium are guaranteed to be filled with mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, on most weekends of the summer. But do these families know the harsh reality of minor league baseball? It is more than trivia questions and homeruns. These players endure unfair conditions, in specific regard to pay, that they are never allowed to speak about.

Many people think that minor league baseball teams pay the players. That isn’t the case. Minor league players are paid by the big league teams that they

play for. How much they get paid is a bit trickier, considering that each player’s pay is different. Their pay

rate depends on the level they’re playing in and their various services. To earn extra money, players can sign up for “appearances.” Appearances include going to department stores or other local places

and doing signings for fans. Appearances are first-come first-serve basis, and only a few people can sign up at a time.

Dirk Hayhurst, a minor league player, talked about his struggle with Minor League baseball.

In an article he wrote, he said he was paid a “measly $800 a month.” That $800 had to

pay his rent, his food, and his gas for personal travel.There are many other travesties that

minor league baseball players endure. Keep this in mind the next time your favorite minor

league baseball team plays in your local stadium.

Credits1, 2, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15 Karina Kindell, Logan Lazaras Mariah Jones, Rachel Jordan, Sydney Jackson3, 4, 5 KCapree’ V., Donte W., Sam Y., Satoria R., Shayla P., Toni R.

CreditsKayla Davis, Trey Bradshaw, Georgina Boateng, Aaliyah Arrington, Sam Cabera

8, 10, 14 Ronnie Aiken, Dymone Coe, Akil Chavis, Andrew Ajewole, Samantha Damm

Want to see more p ro je c t s?

CLICK HERE

Q: Did you play baseball as a child, if so what position?A: Yes, center field

Q: Did you watch baseball as a child?A: Yes

Q: Who was your favorite player?A: Derek Jeter

Q: Would you rather be at a game in pouring down rain or 105 degree heat?A: Pouring down rain

Q: How would you compare baseball to other sports?A: Baseball is the ultimate sport, because it’s the only game you can sacrifice in order to win.

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WE ARE MENTORS AND WE ARE AMAZING! WE ARE MENTORS AND WE ARE AMAZING!

WE ARE MENTORS AND WE ARE AMAZING! WE ARE MENTORS AND WE ARE AMAZING! WE ARE MENTORS AND WE ARE AMAZING!











WE ARE MENTORS AND WE ARE AMAZING! WE ARE MENTORS AND WE ARE AMAZING! WE ARE MENTORS AND WE ARE AMAZING!WE ARE MENTORS AND WE ARE AMAZING! WE ARE MENTORS AND WE ARE AMAZING! WE ARE MENTORS AND WE ARE AMAZING!



















UTOP Mentors

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UTOP mentor Arriana Covington is easy- going and describes herself as “a quiet observer.” Although she doesn’t talk much, when she does speak, she says meaningful things.

She spoke with a quiet confidence and poise when about why she chose UNC Charlotte and became a UTOP mentor.

“I fell in love with the campus when I came in for a campus tour,” she says. “I like anywhere outside that’s shaded.” The junior is majoring in Africana Studies.

She enjoys campus life, “the opportunities, the people, the fun – I just love this school.” she says. “I’m involved in a lot and I’m always involved in a lot

of random things that they have here for me to do.”

Arriana’s interests outside classes include “food, Drake, running, and being healthy.”

Keda Harris

Arriana Covington

Keda Harris, a mentor in the UTOP Program, is a sophomore majoring in

biology. She is also an UTOP alum. She says chemistry was her hardest class during her freshman year. When asked if UTOP impacted

her throughout freshman year, she replied, “Yes! UTOP was one of the main reasons why I was successful.”

Keda aspired to be a mentor as a result of her interaction with her mentors during her UTOP experience. She says it’s “very

intriguing” to be on the other side of the program, which includes various responsibilities.

Outside of school, Keda enjoys playing the piano, as well as video games, such as “Call of Duty” and “2k15”.

In the past, she worked with a children’s choir.

The most important advice Keda hopes to pass along to her mentees is to “get involved, work first, play later, have fun, and don’t be too serious.”

Sophomore Imante Eichelberger is an UTOP alum with ambitious plans for the future. The UTOP mentor is considering going into the Air Force after graduating with a civil engineering degree.

“My experience was great,” he says about being in the UTOP program. “It was good enough to where I wanted to become a mentor and share some of the same experiences.”

When asked what life experiences have shaped him, he said, “Being an only child made me multifaceted in that I am able to relate to different people because I experimented

with different things such as music, video games, sports, dance and art, even videography.”

Imante’s last name is German, and he likes to “roast” (joke) on people. He also plays the acoustic guitar and likes to run across campus.

Kual Arrington, a Henderson, N.C. native, came to UNC Charlotte to study engineering.

After attending a Building Better Brothers (B3) retreat, and hearing a psychologist speak, Kual

became interested in psychology. He made the switch after struggling in chemistry.

Kual wanted to be a mentor after seeing his best friend go through the UTOP program who gathered experience and made

connections. “I just wanted to be able to give back to incoming freshmen and be the source of contact for them,” he said. “I wanted to

help allow them to have a smooth transition to college.”

Kual said he works at refining his mentoring skills. “I think there’s always room for improvement with everything you do. I have been making a conscious effort

every day [this summer] to improve.”

Imante Eichelberger

Kual Arrington

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Most freshmen are nervous, overwhelmed, and filled with excitement. However, UTOP

summer students have a great advantage because of the upperclass mentors sharing their advice every

step of the way. Mentor Nate Rumph, a sophomore and mechanical engineer major, is hilarious, caring, and

determined to thoroughly prepare UTOP students for the fall semester.

Returning home to the United States just hours before UTOP students moved in on June 29, Nate spent the previous month in Costa Rica,

studying abroad and falling in love with the Spanish culture. He traveled to the exotic country for a Spanish Language and Culture study abroad program with fellow 49ers. “I was kind of scared about irrational things,”

he said about taking the trip, “but of course nothing bad happened.” He talked about how beautiful the beaches and mountains were, as well as how welcoming

his host family was. Aside from the scenery and group trips, Nate says studying abroad was the best experience he could have ever asked for. “Costa Rican culture is

a ‘wee-bit’ different from ours and it’s so important to be exposed to new surroundings with new people. The trip definitely expanded my horizons.” Nate said it’s easy for Americans

to take for granted luxuries like flushing toilet paper, air conditioning, and big beds, and how traveling out of the country was a reality check for him. When asked what his most memorable

experienc was, he paused and smiled. “Ziplining, definitely the zipline!”

When Majid first visited UNC Charlotte, UTOP wasn’t even an option in his mind, but his mother had other plans. While touring the campus, they met an UTOP alumni. His mother was intrigued with the

idea of her son being able to get a head start in college, so when he chose to attend the university, he enrolled in UTOP. On the first day of UTOP, Majid kept to himself. He didn’t know anyone,

and at first he didn’t care to get to know people. After a couple of days though, Majid got out of his dorm room and started making friends and gradually broke out of his shell.

Majid’s most memorable moments from UTOP include going to Carowinds, visiting the Lazy 5 Ranch, and participating in his small group activities. He also learned

his way around campus. That fall, he applied the study habits he developed over the summer. “The relationships I made during UTOP will last a lifetime,” Majid

said, “and I learned how to deal with multiple personalities and people with different cultural backgrounds.”

UTOP has helped him become the successful young man and student he is today. The sophomore is majoring in middle school education

and he’s interested in studying biology. Because of Majid’s positive experiences during UTOP he decided to become

a UTOP mentor. He is passionate about his job and gets along very well with his mentees. He encourages all

of them to exceed in their academic endeavors.

Lorreta Oguejiofor is a rising senior and UTOP mentor. Although she has “staked her claim” at the university, her personal success story started long before her admission. She was born in the Anambra state of Nigeria in West Africa. She describes her childhood as an enjoyable

experience. “All in all we had fun,” she recalls. “We didn’t have a lot but we were happy with what we had.” She moved to the United States around her junior year of high school.

“When I came here, the transition was the worst part.” Lorreta adapted to American culture with the help of her friends and by observing the people around her.

After graduation, she attended Wake Tech Community College for two years before transferring to UNCC.

“I came in as a transfer student and I had an empty resume,” she explains. “I had nothing from Wake Tech. I had to start somewhere.

Building a good relationship with her teachers helped her gain experience and land a job as a UTOP mentor.

Lorreta is majoring in Communication Studies and has made the Chancellor’s List and Dean’s List during her first year

at UNC Charlotte.

“I pray I keep up with my plan,” Lorreta says. “You need experience and you have to get it any way you can. My long term goal is going into a career in operations and supply change

management.”

Kalin Devone, a Wilmington native, came to UNC Charlotte not knowing anyone – she

described herself as a “lone wolf.” Then she was introduced to SAFE, a program for UNC Charlotte

freshmen to get a jump-start on their college career to make friends, connections, and get acquainted with the

school. “Without SAFE, I wouldn’t have met any of my friends now.” She is still super close with her freshman SAFE mentor today,

who inspired her to serve as a SAFE mentor.

Influenced by a close friend that was a UTOP mentor, Kalin signed up. “Being a UTOP mentor was more enjoyable because you can form closer

bonds with the mentees,” she said. During her two summers mentoring for UTOP, Kalin has made long-lasting friendships.

The senior art major is happy with her choice to further her education at UNC Charlotte, but is patiently looking forward to graduation. She’s thinking about taking a year off from

working with art to live a little before settling down.

Nate Rumph

Majid PowellLorreta Oguejiofor

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Mariah is a rising junior, majoring in mathematics. Shas enjoyed her involvement as a mentor for UTOP students, and looks back at it as a great experience.

Mariah has always had a close relationship with her family, and her relationship with her godmother and her uncle was extremely special. Then her godmother and uncle passed away, just two days apart. The death of her loved ones was devastating and the sadness of never being able to say goodbye to her godmother weighed heavily on her during

the summer. However, she says her UTOP mentorship has taught her how to be more resilient and has made her much stronger. Mariah still misses her home in

Durham and goes home whenever possible to spend time with her sister.

Le’Vell Williams

Mariah Alexander

UTOP mentor Le’Vell is a small-town guy with big-world dreams. He was born and

raised in Clayton, a town of less than 20,000 people outside Raleigh. The summer before high

school he traveled to Europe for 19 days, through a program called People to People. He visited England,

Scotland, Ireland and Wales. His favorite memory was his visit to England, where he stayed with a host family for

two days and attended the local school. They asked him lots of questions about the United States and he said he felt special and

famous for those few days.

The trip encouraged him to chase his dreams and that anything’s possible.

He believes if someone from a small town like him can travel to places like Europe anyone can. He can look back and say he visited Shakespeare’s

gravesite or visited countries like Scotland.

The sophomore, who plans to major in Communication Studies, dreams of becoming an asset to his community. He wants to help fundraise or sponsor minority children so they can participate in the People to People program. He wants the youth to be able to travel and

become enlightened by the beauty of other cultures.Le’Vell is planning a trip to New York this summer and wants to continue traveling the world.

His plan is the eventually visit each continent.

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Sophomore, Travis Swilling is a quiet and kind-hearted mentor in the UTOP program. He is majoring in finance with a minor in biology. Travis chose finance because of the opportunities the field provides.

He believes his major will help him learn a variety of things in the business field. His plans are to sell biomedical equipment once he graduates. He wants to sell medical supplies because he

feels that he can help people. Travis loved the positive energy and help the mentors and administration gave him when he participated in UTOP before his freshman year, so he

wanted to share the experience with incoming freshmen.

Outside of UTOP and school Travis likes to play intramural sports such as soccer and basketball. He also has a passion for studying hip hop. He works at the

university’s radio station. Travis believed he joined too many school activities during the spring semester of his freshman year and recommended current

UTOP students participate but not overdo it. He also advised them to “avoid being closed-minded” and to “be resilient in troublesome times.”

Senior Jessica Williams-Wilborn has plenty to say about her experiences at UNCC, her goals

after graduation, and her interests outside college. Jessica has experienced the UTOP program as a mentor

and as a mentee. She credits her UTOP experience in helping develop good study habits, becoming more social,

and managing time well. Jessica enjoys encouraging younger students to better themselves, which resulted in her decision to

become a UTOP mentor and Resident Advisor.

Jessica is double majoring in Biology and Spanish. She spent a semester and summer abroad in Costa Rica, which enhanced her love for the

language and will help her work with Spanish-speaking patients in her profession. In the future, she hopes to attend graduate school at UNC Chapel Hill

to pursue a career as a physical therapist and possibly continue her profession in Costa Rica.

Jessica’s drive and positive attitude has made her UTOP mentees want to work hard, and maybe one day become great UTOP mentor like her.

Travis Swilling

Jessica Williams-Wilborn

When one person stands up, he is often not noticed; but when thousands stand up together they cannot be overlooked.

@uncc_EZINE - @__denee (Tyler McDougald)

Great tour at the Woolworth Museum! Very educational and makes you think about the history for African-

Americans @uncc_EZINE - @RiqthatsMe (Ty Evans)

@uncc_EZINE It’s nice to be back at the Civil Rights Museum in Greensboro, NC.

The documentary about the Greensboro Four is amazing. - @WhitChantal97

(Whitney Hamlett)

@uncc_EZINE this bus driver has the old school bumping on the

way to this game- @sportsNEVERstop

(Sydney Jackson) @uncc_EZINE this museum

visit relates to some recent events my generation has

endured. - @Lindsaybeelikee (Asia Lindsay)

Today at the Civil Rights Museum @uncc_EZINE I had an amazing time

with my UTOP group #UNCC19- @Always_luv_K (Kendra Shaw)

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Nakia Wortherly-Foye has been a part of the UTOP program for three years– she was a mentee her freshman year and two-time mentor. She says living in Charlotte reminds her of the city life

in her hometown of New York City. She wanted to attend college in an environment that reminded her of home since her family had always lived in the city. Nakia is currently

majoring in International studies while minoring in Spanish, Communication Studies, and Holocaust Genocides/Human Rights. After college, she plans to join the United

States Air Force as a public affairs officer, for which she has a strong passion. She wants to participate in non-profit organizations because she loves to give

back to the community.

Nakia is enjoying her UTOP experience as she says this year is a lot different from the previous years. She sees a lot of potential in this class! Outside of UTOP, she participates in various mentor

programs. She says she enjoys being a mentor and helping others. She mentors throughout the school year and mentors

through UTOP during the summer.

Nakia Wortherly-Foye

What’s UTOP

Without MENTORS?“The delicate balance of mentoring someone is not creating them in your own image, but giving them the opportunity

to create themselves.” - Steven Spielberg

Let’s Tweet About It

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UTOP Faculty

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Shawn Simmons

Jerena McNeil Angelo Wheeler Jodi Turner Cynthia Gray

Dr. Sam Lopez

MEET THE STAFF

When asked, “If you were to write a book what would the first chapter be about?” Dr. Sam Lopez responded “opportunity.” “Don’t be afraid to try new things,” says the Director of Multicultural

Services. “Very often we miss opportunities because we are afraid of failure. Sometimes failure is good, those are the times you learn the most.”

Travel provided him with opportunities. He feels travel is the best form of education. He has visited London, China, Mexico, the Dominican Republic and every state in the United

States except Alaska and Oregon.

Lopez has served as the Director of Multicultural Services since 2008. His experiences running UTOP were a bit intimidating at first, he admits. When he

was hired, UTOP had already been around for more than 20 years and was well-known and respected.

He said he started off as a mechanic and worked for 13 years in the Space Shuttle program. He enrolled in school, and after seeing his neighbor’s life as

a physical therapist he switched his field and graduated with a Doctor of Physical Therapy from Creighton University in 1999.

Lopez and his wife have six children and four grandchildren.

Mr. Simmons joined Multicultural Academic Services as a Graduate Assistant for the Building Better Brothers (B3) program in September of 2012. He transitioned into coordinating UTOP and B3 in November 2013 and

currently serves as the Assistant Director of the department.Born July 28, 1984, Mr. Simmons is a proud native of Charlotte, NC. He began his undergraduate

studies at North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University before moving on to Winston-Salem State University, where he graduated with a BIS in Mass Communications in May 2012.

He completed his Master’s Degree in Liberal Studies, concentration in Technical Communication in May 2015 at UNC Charlotte.

This is Simmons’ third UTOP class, and he hopes to continue having a positive effect on students. He believes in the mission of UTOP, wishing that he had the opportunity of

experiencing a similar program at the start of his undergraduate studies. Though in its 30th year, he believes that there is room for growth in the program to continue

to benefit its participants.“UTOP class of 2015, it is an honor to be part of your initial experience here at UNC

Charlotte. I have no doubt that you all will uphold the UTOP reputation of academic success and leadership across campus. I believe that great success awaits you all and while

you’re on the road to that success, lay down the foundation for the next person to follow in your footsteps. I look forward to continuing to serve and support you through your journey.” - Simmons

The most important qualities that make up Jerena McNeil are the things that you cannot see at first glimpse. Some of McNeil’s peers see her as the “Face of Determination.” Her success so far has been based on passion, responsibility, self-accountability, determination and perseverance. McNeil, is a new UTOP staff member and May graduate from UNC Charlotte with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She has overcome many obstacles. As a single, teen mother, she had to pay her way through college while providing for her son. “When I got pregnant, I realized that I had a life that depended on me and that it was my responsibility to take care of him,” she said. She describes her son as being “one of the greatest motivators in her life.” She enjoys shopping, nature, parks, and traveling.When asked to briefly describe herself, she chose “determined, effective listener, and a people person.” The minute you engage in conversation, you realize that talking to people is what she loves to do. During the interview, she took the time to ask questions about UTOP students’ future plans and their fears about college. The look in her eyes as each student explained their answers revealed that she is an attentive, extraordinary woman.

Angelo Wheeler works part-time as a Graduate Assistant in the office of Multicultural Academic Services with the UTOP and B3 programs on campus. He also works 3rd shift part-time at a mental health facility as a Residential Advisor with youth ages 12 17 with emotional and behavioral disturbance issues.

Angelo came to UNC Charlotte last year. He completed his undergraduate work at Northern Kentucky University (NKU) with a bachelor’s degree in quality health profession. He recognized a lot of similarities between the UTOP program and a program at NKU called R.O.C.K.S, where he first participated as a mentee and later served as a mentor.

Angelo wants to be remembered as a “trailblazer” in his community. He wants people to know that he does everything with a genuine passion and empathetic concern every step of the way. Away from school and work, he likes to take time for himself. He also enjoys shopping at H&M, Macys, Journeys, and Aéropostale to add to his wardrobe. He occasionally goes out to the movies, but prefers to watch most movies at home on Netflix. One way he relieves stress is riding roller coasters!

A graduate of Howard University, member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, chair of Charlotte Alumni Cotillion, devoted wife of 32 years, and proud mother of two sons, Mrs. Jodi Turner, is a phenomenal woman. Working in the Multicultural Academic Services Office for roughly 18 years, Turner has built a name for herself on campus and impacted many of her students’ lives.

She is focused educating, supporting and helping students become successful, hardworking leaders. A strong advocate for education, Turner says, “I enjoy being in the classroom and watching others learn. Whether it is formal or informal I believe that there is always something for us to learn and this is why I value education.” Turner is pursuing her Ph.D. in Leadership Studies at NCA&T University.

With a deep passion for science, specifically biology and chemistry, Turner became the advisor of PRODUCE her second year at the UNC Charlotte. She is responsible for administering the National Science Foundation Grant that awards scholarships to STEM majors. When asked to describe herself in three words, Mrs. Turner laughed and then used seven, “I keep in tune with the Universe.”

Three years ago, Cynthia Gray began her job as an administration specialist at UNC Charlotte. She has always lived in Charlotte and has been working for the state of North Carolina for 14 years. In her earlier years she attended Central Piedmont Community College and earned her degree in Office and Informational Systems. The CPCC alumna found a job after graduation at the college, where she worked for 10 years before joining the UNCC staff. Gray works at the MAS office and plays a major part in organizing the weekend activities for UTOP. She is responsible for all the details for outings; she orders the food, supplies and sorts the tickets for trips. She makes sure everything is in order so that UTOP students are taken care of and can enjoy special activities on the weekends. In her spare time she enjoys hanging out with her friends, watching Lifetime Movie Network, and listening to music. She has two children, a 28-year-old son and a 22-year-old daughter. Gray’s hobbies include walking and cooking – she likes to experiment with different recipes. Gray enjoys traveling and has visited the Bahamas, Florida, and Chicago. Although she enjoys Charlotte, she spends time in Atlanta to be with her family.

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!

Credits

Cheryl Spainhour - Editor

Ariana Sutton - Graphic Designer

And a special thank you to everyone that contributed to the making of the UTOP 2015 magazine

2015 utop magazine

Documents