“When I cross the stage at Commencement, I’m going to remember that this isn’t my degree. It’s OUR degree.”
Ashanti Evans arrived at UNC Greensboro with a strong work ethic and an unyielding appreciation for the sacrifices her parents made for her to go to college. As a first-generation student, she didn’t quite know what to expect from classes or campus life, but she was clear about her goals and the importance of support.
In an interview with University Communications during her first week on campus in 2022, Evans answered the question, “What does UNCG mean to you?” with one word: family. She went on to say that she was looking forward to networking and meeting new people at UNCG, but she could never have imagined where her academic journey would lead her in three short years.
‘Little Boss Lady’ Finds Her Way
Evans’ desire for a strong business degree from a university that wasn’t too far from home led her to UNCG. Managing tuition with Pell grants and scholarships sealed her fate as a Spartan. She thrived on campus: meeting friends in classes, joining student organizations like the Residence Hall Association, and diving into business courses at the Bryan School of Business and Economics (Bryan School).
Her dad Roy Evans says she’s always had a mind for business. He remembers how she pushed back against lawn mowing chores when she was just a child. “She came to me and told me she wasn’t meant for outside work and offered to do extra dishes or laundry instead of mowing. It was her first experience with negotiating,” he laughs.
Evans’ no-nonsense business mind inspired her parents to call her a “Little Boss Lady,” but she also had a creative side that turned her head toward a marketing major. Professors at the Bryan School engaged her competitive nature, and she began to feel her shy disposition melt away at UNCG.
“There is a culture of care at Bryan,” Evans says. “The professors and advisors really help you, and I needed their life advice.”
She remembers Erick Byrd, who taught her hospitality and tourism class, doing burpees for every Bryan School student who passed their first semester with a B or above.
“This kind of stuff kept me going,” she says. “College was challenging for me because I didn’t know what to expect. I felt isolated away from my family, but finding encouraging professors made a difference for me. I felt seen. I felt heard.”
Support and Resources for Every Step
As Evans’ confidence grew, UNCG resources offered opportunities that kept her focused on her career and gave her an advantage in reaching her goals.
The Bryan Blueprint Series was especially meaningful as it made her consider professional skills like building her brand and collaborating with a team. Later, the Bryan School Professional Development Conference gave Evans the chance to talk to employers one-on-one, boosting her confidence for future interviews. When she sought ways to set herself apart at the Bryan School, she learned about the Disciplinary Honors program, which further challenged her academically.
Each opportunity allowed her to build on skills she’d learned and take the next step without feeling overwhelmed.
“UNCG gives so many second chances to get involved and be a student leader,” she says. “In your first year, you can just be a student and get used to college, but you don’t have to be stuck at the same place you were when you came in. You always have more opportunities to excel and take advantage of resources.”
As early as her first year at UNCG, Evans discovered Career & Professional Development (CPD). “I went in with nothing, because they tell you that you don’t need résumé draft to meet with their advisors,” Evans remembers.
CPD not only helped her craft a résumé; they also improved her interview skills, presented her with opportunities like the Career Launch Bootcamp, and connected her with internships.
“They set me up for success,” she says. “Without the CPD office, I would not have a full-time position prior to graduation.”
Legacy of Progress
Last summer, Evans secured an internship within the marketing department at Reynolds American. Hired as a marketing intern for growth management, she was tasked with condensing data points into a common dashboard that would help tell a story to various departments who may not have marketing data knowledge.
She was anxious to see how her skills would play out at global company like Reynolds, but she was also excited about the salary the position promised. “My first internship check was bigger than any paycheck my mom had ever received in 18 years as a certified nurse assistant at Wake Forest Baptist,” she beams.
Reynolds was impressed with her work, which landed her on WayUp’s list of top 100 interns of 2025. It also landed her a full-time job after graduation. So, in January, Evans will move back to her hometown for a marketing analyst position at Reynolds American—the same company that her grandfather worked for as a truck driver until he retired.
“I’m a legacy,” she says proudly. “We’d be nothing without RJ Reynolds. So many of my family members worked for Reynolds. This company put food on our tables and built my city.” But for Evans, the job combines legacy with progress that promises to change her family’s future.
When asked about her starting salary, she gets a little emotional: “I don’t know how to put it into words. It’s more money than my parents ever thought about earning. I’ve seen them struggle, so my goal has always been to make more than they make. And once I get something in my head, I go after it no matter what it takes.”
Lighting the Way
Evans’ organizational management professor Ronnie Schaffer advised her to consider benefits, corporate culture, and advancement opportunities as well as salary, but he knows that Reynolds will be lucky to have her.
“Ashanti approaches every challenge with a can-do attitude and is an inspiration to others,” Schaffer says. “The Spartan Family is excited for her to begin the next chapter of her professional journey.”
When she thinks about her next chapter, she’s most excited about giving back—to her family, to her community, and to UNCG. She’d like to create a scholarship at her high school, Mount Tabor, for students who want to go to UNCG.
“Mount Tabor’s mascot is also the Spartan, and their motto is ‘Once a Spartan, always a Spartan,” she explains. “I literally lived that. UNCG has helped me so much in every single way possible, and I can’t wait to come back to help other students like me.”
Story by Becky Deakins, University Communications.
Photography and Videography by Chase Cofield, David Row, and Sean Norona.
CELEBRATE OUR GRADS!
Graduates and their families are encouraged to share their accomplishments on social media by tagging the University accounts and using the hashtag #UNCGGrad. Visit UNCG’s digital swag page for Commencement-themed graphics and templates.
Mention @UNCG in celebratory posts on Instagram and X and @uncgreensboro on TikTok.
