Alum’s Art Degree Lands Role Behind the Scenes in Hollywood
Posted on December 16, 2025
Katie Lambert is just one example of how an education in the arts can translate into real-world success. After starting in UNCG’s School of Theatre, she built a career through internships and hard work, and now serves as manager of digital marketing and design at Warner Bros.
The Gift That Keeps on Giving: Supporting Future Educators
Posted on December 17, 2025
The Cathy Tisdale Class of 1975 Teacher Education Endowed Scholarship helps pave the way for students interested in becoming public school educators. In hopes of encouraging future teachers and reducing financial barriers, Tisdale gifts this scholarship to ensure they can pursue their calling.
Class of 2025: Ashanti Evans Leverages UNCG Resources to Change Her Family’s Future
Posted on December 09, 2025
Ashanti Evans '25 accepted a job with Reynolds Inc before her graduation. Her starting salary is more than her parents Demetrice and Roy Evans had ever earned.
“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.”
Evans at NAV1GATE on the day before her very first class at UNCG, and other photos from her college experience.
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.
Evans with CPD’s Jasmine Williams.
“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.
Evans honors her loved ones with cameos in her tassel. The top one is her grandpa who worked for Reynolds.
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.
Opera Star Elvira Green Receives UNCG’s Honorary Degree
Posted on December 15, 2025
Green’s lifelong passion for music has taken her around the world, but her contributions to the arts can be felt every day in North Carolina, making her a worthy recipient of this honor from UNCG.
The first of its kind at a North Carolina university, this cybersecurity service and research hub is housed in the Bryan School of Business & Economics, and it’s quickly become a big hit with both the students and organizations it was designed to serve.
This service-learning model consists of both classroom and clinical components, and while UNCG students can and do participate, the clinic is open to students from other local universities, community colleges, and high schools as well.
UNCG students Taj Poole and Matthew O’Connor wax poetic about what they have learned at SCGA, and Forge Greensboro’s Executive Director Tiffany Jacobs shares what it’s like to be on the receiving end of the clinic’s service model.
Hands-On Cybersecurity Training for Students
Students gain weeks of cybersecurity training at the clinic and then offer their services free of charge to local organizations, including nonprofits, educational institutions, small- to medium-sized businesses, community and health care centers, and municipalities.
“Since I want to do this professionally, I knew this was the best chance to get hands-on cybersecurity experience – to go beyond the surface-level and see what cybersecurity professionals actually do,” he says.
Poole quickly credits Dr. Moez Farokhnia Hamedani with piquing his interest in the field during his first year at UNCG. Known fondly as “Dr. Moez,” he’s the principal investigator and SCGA clinic director.
Poole appreciates being able to participate in the academy for free, work with mentors from Google, and earn cybersecurity certifications in his field.
In the same program as Poole, O’Connor is set to graduate in Spring 2026.
A community college transfer student, a military member, and father of a 2-year-old son, O’Connor also appreciates his SCGA experience.
“The clinic was a blast,” he says. “I received insightful, individualized cybersecurity training from local leaders and Google mentors.”
Cybersecurity Clinics Help Nonprofits Strengthen Security
Poole describes how the SCGA student teams conduct cybersecurity-readiness audits for nonprofits.
The student team sent questionnaires to the nonprofits before conducting on-site interviews; the students then reviewed the questionnaires and scheduled the interviews.
“The questionnaire secures information on what the nonprofit has and what it needs,” says Poole. “We look at things like security policies, security posture, and use of two-factor authentication.”
The student team goes through the questionnaire checklist with each nonprofit and then prepares cybersecurity reports for them, including reasonable action items for improvement as needed.
“We talk to the clients and use the cybersecurity training we learned throughout the clinic to help them improve their infrastructure,” says O’Connor, who was the student who spearheaded Forge Greensboro’s cyber security analysis.
Forging Community Partnerships Through Cybersecurity
Forge Greensboro is a nonprofit community makerspace in downtown Greensboro, with three core and six part-time staff members. That’s a fairly slim team, considering they serve 400+ members.
Executive Director Tiffany Jacobs was, therefore, eager to participate when she learned about SCGA through Lakshmi Iyer, Ph.D., SCGA Clinic co-PI, and Forge Greensboro became a recipient of the clinic’s services.
“Participation with SCGA gave us an opportunity to peel back the layers and have a robust examination of the systems we have in place,” she says.
After meeting with Moez and a team of students and receiving a report, Forge Greensboro implemented the cybersecurity recommendations, one of which was cybersecurity insurance.
“To have this extra layer of protection, which makes us less vulnerable, was definitely a value-add for us,” says Jacobs, who acknowledges most small nonprofits do not have the budget for the work provided by SCGA.
Therefore, she highly recommends this program to other nonprofit organizations because to grow, organizations must be future-forward and future-ready.
“What I liked is they did not try to change our current systems – they just looked at what we had and made that system better,” says Jacob.
Cybersecurity Certifications and Career Impact
Both Poole and O’Connor see “hands-on learning” as the biggest benefit of the clinic. And both are thrilled about the certification voucher every student receives upon completion.
“I am working on Security+ certification, to understand the security infrastructure required to make a cyber environment secure,” says O’Connor. “The vouchers are worth their weight in gold.”
Both students are also clear about how this opportunity will impact their future careers. Poole seeks to become a consultant, possibly working with Google’s internal cybersecurity workforce or an IT help desk.
“I’m getting as much experience as I can during school, so I can seamlessly enter the workforce when I graduate,” says Poole.
O’Connor’s participation is already helping him advance in the field. He’s currently talking to the NC DOJ State Crime Lab about a potential internship in cyberforensics.
“I am extremely thankful to be part of this and to collaborate with local leaders and business owners in making something better than it was beforehand,” he says.
Written by Amy Burtch, AMBCopy Photography by Sean Norona, University Communications
Now she is ready to cross the stage at UNC Greensboro as a member of the Class of 2025, earning her master’s in nanoscience.
She arrived in 2024 with an academic and professional background in food process engineering, and she is moving on with so much more.
A student leader in community science, event coordination, and research, Kwara has built a solid community and scientific foundation at JSNN that will guide and support her future endeavors.
Why UNCG’s Nanoscience Program?
Kwara heard about JSNN’s program while still in Ghana thanks to a friend who was attending nearby N.C. A&T State University.
“I had never heard of such a program, and I became curious,” says Kwara. “The JSNN labs were so well-equipped that I quickly realized this is where I want to be, what I want to do.”
Nanoscience would build upon her study of food processing engineering at the University of Ghana and her subsequent work in the food industry.
“I realized exploring nanoscience would enable me to better understand and manipulate small materials in nutritional delivery, which could improve food quality or even food packaging,” says Kwara.
“JSNN taught me how to be innovative, think critically, and act creatively. It’s also instilled how to connect theory with the practical and how to pay attention to the details and solve problems when they arise.”
– Patience Kwara
Hands-On Nanoscience Research at UNCG
Now a seasoned student, Kwara reflects on what has made her JSNN experience so unique.
She appreciates the interdisciplinary nature of the school—the majority of the students come from distinctive scientific backgrounds, so they often learn from one another.
This soon-to-be graduate also values the practical aspects of her interactive classes, in which she not only learned scientific theory, but went into the lab and practiced the lessons she had learned in the classroom.
“The amount of lab work I experienced bridged a gap for me,” says Kwara. “I previously did not have enough lab experience, but now I do.”
She also reveals that the UNCG campus promotes collaboration—between faculty, staff, and students.
“When you need help, you can easily secure the right resources and the right people who are ready to help you,” she says.
Community Science Engagement Through JSNN
Science Everywhere is part of the North Carolina Science Festival and one of UNCG’s largest STEM events. JSNN participates in the annual spring event to spark interest in the field of science among school-age children.
Kwara worked with children and their parents at this year’s event. One presentation demonstrated the concept of nanopores.
“We put extracts in the latex balloons, blew them up, tied them, and then shook them,” she says. “The extracts came through the tiny pores in the balloons, enabling the children to understand the concept of nanopores because they were actually perceiving the smell of the extracts through the pores.”
A student ambassador for the Fall 2025 event, Kwara’s role was to organize the conference program, welcome attendees to the program, and coordinate the attendees’ luncheon.
Finding Her Way in Applied Research
Kwara participated in an applied research project this summer, which combined the principles of nanoscience and food technology to enhance the stability and delivery of beneficial microorganisms.
She worked with Professor Dennis LaJeunesse, Ph.D., and JSNN doctoral students on the production of probiotic gummies and conducted experiments.
They grew the bacteria Lactobacillus in litmus milk for three to seven days, she said, and the microbes multiplied. They then took it through a laminar flow, mixed it with alginate, and did a cutting, getting it into a spherical shape and ultimately producing a probiotic gummy.
“It was really interesting,” says Kwara. “I learned how to operate certain pieces of lab equipment independently, and if I had questions, Dr. LaJeunesse would explain and then permit me to work alone.”
Kwara also worked with LaJeunesse on creating biofilms that mimic human skin, which involved growing bacterial cellulose and drying them, with the intent of medical professionals using the “skin” to help study skin infections.
During this research, she was able to use the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM).
“Although we did not achieve the desired results, the learning process was fun,” Kwara says. “Dr. LaJeunesse encouraged us keep working and not give up despite our setbacks.”
LaJeunesse describes Kwara as an exceptional JSNN student whose curiosity and dedication were apparent in her academic achievements.
“Her research in my lab on probiotic gummies and biofilm models demonstrated her technical skills and passion for applying science to real world problems,” he says. “Her background in food process engineering brought a unique perspective to nanoscience, and watching her growth as a researcher has been exciting.”
Future Plans: From UNCG to Global Impact
Kwara is excited to graduate, remain in the U.S., and pursue work in a corporate quality assurance department. That said, she anticipates returning to school to pursue a doctoral degree, so she can eventually train future scientists.
She will miss her fellow students, plus faculty and staff members who have been helpful, and the “sense of belonging” she easily found on this campus.
She is quick to credit JSNN for teaching her many things: the value of interdisciplinary science; how to work on a team; and the importance of community science. She also leaves her program more confident in navigating a lab experience.
“JSNN taught me how to be innovative, think critically, and act creatively,” says Kwara. “It’s also instilled how to connect theory with the practical and how to pay attention to the details and solve problems when they arise.”
Written by Amy Burtch, AMBCopy Photography by Sean Norona, University Communications
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.
Class of 2025: Koen Roberson Finds a Spark at the Park
Posted on December 08, 2025
Koen Roberson, graduating senior, poses in Lebauer Park in downtown Greensboro.
How a part-time job with the city’s parks turned a four-year stop into a full-time park-ing spot
In the beginning, Koen Roberson did not intend to park himself in Greensboro
The Baton Rouge, La. native began looking at universities in North Carolina after his parents moved here while he was still in high school.
“I’m grateful to be from Louisiana,” he says, “but I did not want to stay there. I turned down a full ride to Louisiana State University. It was between Appalachian State University and UNC Greensboro. Everyone thought App State was the place for me, that it fit my vibe. I toured it in the middle of summer; it was gorgeous. I toured UNCG in February, when it was cold and rainy, and the campus was dead. But something about it just spoke to me. I saw myself going here and being happy. So, I chose UNCG and I loved every second of it.”
Koen Roberson, graduating senior, poses in Lebauer Park in downtown Greensboro.
Right Time, Right Place
He experienced great changes at UNCG during his time here, which began during the post-COVID doldrums just as the campus was starting to open up again.
“Student organizations had not yet fully come back in my first year,” he remembers. “In the last two years I’ve noticed a huge difference in campus life.”
Those years also marked a change in his professional goals. He’ll be graduating this semester with a double major in economics and geography, concentrating on geographic information science and urban planning. Initially, he wanted to become an urban planner. Then things began happening for him.
Koen Roberson, graduating senior, poses in Lebauer Park in downtown Greensboro.
When a Side Gig Becomes a Career
“I started working for Greensboro Downtown Parks Inc. in August 2023 as a part-time park ambassador,” he says. “I just needed some money while I was in college, and I thought it would be cool to work at an urban park while studying urban planning. But I wasn’t expecting anything other than a little side job.”
After two years, GDPI promoted him to the crew chief position, a full-time job supervising the park ambassadors and park maintenance at both Center City Park and LeBauer Park and setting up events throughout the year. Then, in September, his career got another bump. That was when the events manager gave his notice, putting Koen squarely at the intersection of preparation and opportunity.
“During my time here, I moved out of being super invested in working as an urban planner,” Koen says. “I’m still passionate about the topics and content, but the appeal of becoming a Planner 1 or Planner 2 for a city kind of fell off.”
At GDPI, a nonprofit charged with maintaining and programming the city’s downtown parks, Koen had become more interested in the impact he could make through nonprofit management, so he applied for the job. He started the new position on Oct. 1.
“Koen was the last piece of an important staffing puzzle we were able to complete before embarking on the search for a permanent Executive Director,” says GDPI Interim Director Kevin Gray. “Koen fits the serious, fun, laid back, committed-to-excellence culture we have here at The Parks. His lack of ego and interest in serving our customers provides for a joyful interaction when he is working with event patrons.”
Honorable mentions
“My only relevant experience was as the Admissions and Planning Committee chair at Lloyd International Honors College,” he says. “I’ve been heavily involved in the Honors College since I started here. I don’t think it was something I understood at first — the resources the Honors College invested in me, the opportunities it presented, and how that experience would prepare me for what came next. I feel a lot more confident than I did three years ago. I feel confident sitting in those board meetings and administrative meetings. I feel like I can contribute, like I have a voice because of the development I had in those spaces.”
Now, equipped with a full-time position for the city, Koen’s commencement is truly more of a beginning than an end. Like so many other UNCG graduates, he’ll stay in NC and let his future unfold.
“Truthfully,” he says, “Greensboro was supposed to be a four-year stopover — I was going to get my undergraduate degree here and try to go somewhere exotic or cool for my graduate program. But there was something about my experience at UNCG and working downtown. I feel plugged into Greensboro enough that I want to stay for the foreseeable future. I didn’t grow up here, but I’m invested.”
Story by Brian Clarey, University Communications Photos by Sean Norona, University Communications
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.
Class of 2025: Passing on the Art of Performance and Expression
Posted on December 10, 2025
The College of Visual and Performing Arts provides a range of resources for students throughout their time at UNC Greensboro. Regardless of the career path a student chooses, the possibilities are endless. These three graduates embraced that mindset by testing the waters and positioning themselves for success.
Today, they are prepared to make an impact and thrive by informing and transforming communities through the arts.
Maya McCall, B.F.A. in Drama
McCall’s journey began in Wilmington, N.C., and led him to UNCG as a theatre education major. He ventured around the world, remained open to new experiences, and drew inspiration from his parents’ careers. Taking on multiple roles in the School of Theatre, McCall solidified his passion for teaching students who share his love of theatre.
For Fox, being an art educator is deeper than assigning projects; it’s about creating a safe space and meeting students where they are. As a middle school teacher specializing in ceramics and sculpture, she honed her craft through resilience and dedication. Looking back on her journey, Fox reflects on her campus involvement, which helped shape her teaching philosophy.
Arterberry was always found dancing. After deciding to turn that passion into purpose, she explored UNCG’s dance program. She was excited about the many opportunities the program offered, but nothing could compare to the community she gained along the way.
Story by Terri Relos, College of Visual and Performing Arts; and Lauren Segers, University Communications Photography courtesy of Terri Relos, College of Visual and Performing Arts
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.
Hats say a lot about where Katherine “Kat” Reyes has been and where she plans to go. The significance of the traditional mortarboard that goes with her graduation gown is obvious—she will wear it with pride when she leads the UNC Greensboro Class of 2025 in turning their tassels at Commencement.
But she has a second blue hat, one she wore each time as a student orientation leader at SOAR. Like the creatively decorated graduation caps, it tells a story of Spartan success.
“I always wore a cowboy hat, and after the small-group sessions, I would let the students sign it,” she explains. “So, I came to UNCG with an empty blue hat, and I am leaving with a hat that doesn’t have any more space.”
“I always loved medicine, but I also love sports, and I could never get away from that,” she says.
She also hopes to leave a lasting impact here at UNCG and within her department.
Field Experience
For a student-athlete, an injury has the potential to throw future plans into upheaval. For Reyes, it set her future in motion.
Two injuries while playing soccer at Northwood High School in Pittsboro, North Carolina helped her get to know the team’s athletic trainer. “The impact that Jackie had on every single student-athlete was insane,” she says. “Seeing how much she cared for everyone, I knew that I wanted to do that as well.”
“When I stepped on campus, I felt like I was at home,” she recalls. “I was like, ‘Oh my gosh! I have to be here!'”
Finding Her Home
Like many Spartans, Reyes is a first-generation student. Homesickness settled in during her first semester, which led her to move off campus and start commuting to feel connected to home. But she still questioned whether she belonged here.
Ultimately, the kinesiology faculty inspired her to press on, beginning with Donna Duffy, Ph.D., who taught her Introduction to Kinesiology class.
Reyes as a new arrival to UNCG participates in the tradition of putting daisies on the gate.
“I told her that I was filling out my transfer application,” says Reyes. “But she sat with me and helped me make a ‘pros and cons’ list. She really helped me get started on everything I’ve been able to accomplish.”
With renewed commitment, she immersed herself in courses and labs in the Coleman Building. She did a strength and conditioning internship with UNCG Athletics and researched under Louisa Raisbeck, Ph.D., in the applied neuromechanics lab. She also secured an internship with UNC Sports Medicine in Chapel Hill close to her home.
These experiences, she says, were made possible with the support of faculty like Duffy, Lauren Griffin, Ed.D., and Graduate Program Director Aaron Terranova, Ph.D., who all convinced Reyes that she was exactly where she belonged.
Positive Influence
As the first in her family to go to college, Reyes wanted to create a personal brand memorable enough to improve her access to opportunities. Everything from an alliterative name—”Kat in Kinesiology”—to the cowboy hat went into forming a friendly and easily recognizable identity.
She immersed herself in campus organizations. Besides SOAR, she joined the club soccer team. Grateful for the kindness and encouragement of her new kinesiology family, Reyes wanted to share that dynamic with others. She helped rekindle the Kin Club and organize social activities to bridge gaps between undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty.
Reyes representing kinesiology at an iBelong ceremony.
They secured UNCG’s iBelong grant for The Heart of KIN, a community-entered group that brings together everyone in kinesiology for relationship-building experiences outside the classroom. “We did Friendsgiving-style event on Valentine’s Day,” she says. “Just faculty, graduates, undergrads, all having a good time eating, doing a scavenger hunt. It truly was the best thing.”
She also took that engagement online, becoming a “KINfluencer” for the department. “It started off as a joke,” she says. “Just me posting about my life as a first-gen student at UNCG studying kinesiology.”
One of the most striking things her social media followers notice is how fun and personable the people in the department are. “I was letting other students who weren’t kinesiology majors see what goes on in the department. I’ve gotten many comments like ‘Your professors are so cool!'”
Crowning Success
This fall, she capped off all that activity with yet another hat: the crown of Homecoming royalty. It’s an incredible memory to add right before graduating, especially after those early doubts about feeling at home at UNCG.
“That was probably one of the greatest honors of my life,” she says. “You know, as a first generation, you get a lot of pressure coming in from all sides. So, this win was, for me, the first time I truly felt proud of myself. I just wanted to see if I could do it. And so, I applied for the Homecoming court, and I won. I won alongside Mac Koffa. We’ve worked together at orientation. It was nice to give orientation another win.”
Reyes has no plans to say goodbye to UNCG just yet. She wants to return for graduate school. In the meantime, Department Chair Erin Reifsteck, Ph.D., and Adjunct Professor DeAnne Brooks, Ed.D., invited her to be part of a student panel at next year’s American Kinesiology Association conference in Atlanta, Georgia.
“Once I am certified, I will be working in the field as an athletic trainer, and then I’ll be back and getting my doctorate,” she says.
Additionally, her sister is now a student at UNCG, giving her yet another reason to stay connected.
As she reflects on all her accomplishments, she knows her family will share in the pride of this milestone. “This honor isn’t just mine; it’s theirs as well,” says Reyes. “My dad worked super hard to give me these opportunities, to have what he never had. And my mom dreamed of going to school. This is all for them. I’m beyond grateful.”
Story by Janet Imrick, University Communications Photography by Sean Norona, University Communications
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.
From Students to Alumni: UNCG Honors Achievements at Fall 2025 Commencement
Posted on December 04, 2025
A sea of caps and gowns will fill Greensboro’s First Horizon Coliseum as Spartans and their families raise their voices to the rafters in a cheer for the Class of 2025.
The festive spirit rolls out early at UNC Greensboro as it recognizes excellence in class work, field work, research, internship hours, dissertation defenses, and community engagement of 1,488 undergraduates, 321 master’s students, and 145 doctoral students.
All that curiosity and excitement on their first day—and more than a bit of anxiety—has paid off. Each one brought their can-do attitude and desire to elevate their families and communities. Many of them combined “student” with another title, such as parent, part-time or full-time worker, first-generation, veteran, or transfer. All will leave with a new title: alumni.
On Dec. 11, the doctoral hooding ceremony will be held at UNCG Auditorium, with baccalaureate and master’s degrees conferred at the Commencement ceremony at First Horizon Coliseum on Dec. 12.
In a Bryan Business Report profile, Lopez Delapaz described himself as the shy, quiet kid in high school. But with the help of faculty, staff, student groups, and scholarships, he flourished, actively supporting students through various organizations. He served as a student ambassador, Spartan Guide, and treasurer for UNCG’s chapter of the Association of Latino Professionals for America. He already has a job lined up with Bank of America.
Lopez DelapazReyes
“The professors have helped me a lot,” Lopez Delapaz told the Business Report. “They’re just genuine people who want me to learn and want me to do well. Being in this environment has really helped me prepare for the world.”
Kat Reyes, honored as Homecoming royalty this fall, will lead the turning of the tassels. She will bring the same signature energy she harnessed to welcome new students as an orientation leader. Reyes grew up in Chapel Hill and was inspired by her high school athletic trainer to pursue a bachelor of science in kinesiology. She plans to stay and pursue her master’s degree.
The doctoral students will hear inspiring words from Joshua Goodman ’05 ’08 Ph.D. The double alumnus of the School of Education is vice president of research and exam programs for the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
UNCG will confer an honorary degree on Elvira Green. She has more than 40 years of experience in opera, many of them as a mezzo-soprano at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Her credits include the European Tour of George Gershwin’s masterpiece “Porgy and Bess.” She provides opportunities for other performers through her membership on several boards, including The Greensboro Opera.
Snapshots of our Grads
Commencement will be a family affair for Ashanti Evans. She came to UNCG as a first-generation student with the hopes and dreams of her parents behind her. She stayed true to her goals and utilized UNCG resources to secure internships and expand her professional network. Now she’ll return to her hometown as a marketing analyst for Reynolds American. It’s the same company her grandfather served as a truck driver his whole life.
“When I cross that stage, it won’t be my degree; it’s our degree,” Evans says. “UNCG set me up for success, and I can’t wait to come back and help provide opportunities for students like the ones I found here.”
Koen Roberson is already making a difference in Greensboro Downtown Parks, Inc.The organization promoted him to events manager, a triumphant step since he first joined their team in a part-time position while studying for his degree in geography, Geographic Information Science, and urban planning. The Louisiana native turned down a full ride that would have taken him back to his home state. He is grateful that he chose UNCG instead.
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“Something about [UNCG] just spoke to me,” says Roberson. “I saw myself going here and being happy. So, I chose UNCG, and I loved every second of it.”
No doubt, when all the graduates depart to celebrate with their friends and families, the parting praise of Chancellor Gilliam will echo in their heads, assuring them that the future is bright and that no matter where they go, everyone from UNCG will feel like family.
Congratulations, Spartans!
Story by Janet Imrick, University Communications Photography by Sean Norona, University Communications
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.
