Issue 40 | May 20, 2022
Editor’s note: The SA Connection is taking a break for the summer! We will resume our bi-monthly (the first and third Thursday of each month) schedule August 4.
Dear Student Affairs Staff:
 
Do you find yourself making lists as much as I do? To celebrate the end of the semester and the start of summer, I am sharing with you my list of "Five Good Things." I encourage you to try making your own short list of good things—and I hope this time of year brings a multitude of benefits and blessings to your lives!
  1. We held a wonderful University Commencement on May 8 that was a return to our traditional ceremony and embodied all of the joy and pride that naturally comes with this event. Many, many thanks to our ARS team, especially, and those of you who help manage our accommodations seating—as well as everyone who helps us pull off this fantastic celebration. If you weren’t able to attend, I encourage you to watch the online video—particularly the great keynote by journalist and author Frank Bruni and his remarks about tallying your blessings
  2. We hosted two historic and well-attended dedication ceremonies for Student Affairs buildings last week: the Henry Owl Building, named after the first American Indian student to enroll at the University, and McClinton Residence Hall, named after the first Black professor hired at Carolina. Both events were lovely and l believe left all of us who attended with a renewed sense of admiration for these two individuals and their contributions to the Carolina community. Learn more and watch a video of the day's events.
  3. We are about to embark on the first series of in-person orientation sessions in two years. Jonathan and I had an opportunity to meet our terrific team of Orientation Leaders and other NSFP student staff yesterday, who are revved-up and ready to go. Kudos to our NSFP leaders for all of their work to design and facilitate such welcoming events for our students and their families—and thanks to everyone across our Student Affairs team who contributes to the success of these programs! I’m enthused about the chance to connect face-to-face with our incoming students and families.
  4. We are pleased to announce the opening of the nomination period for the 2021-2022 Student Affairs Recognition Awards. Awards will be presented at the in-person awards program on Friday, June 17. Invite to follow.
  5. Two words: Summer vacation. If you haven’t already done so, please do make time in the coming weeks—even for our colleagues who manage critical summer programs—to plan some well-deserved down time away from work. Whether at a shady spot in your backyard or a sunny beach somewhere around the world, I hope your plans include a tasty umbrella drink, a good book, and time with friends and loved ones.
Cheers to a wonderful summer!
 
Sincerely,
Amy
Campus Y
Campus Y Senior Celebration
 
The Campus Y Senior Celebration gave graduating seniors who have been a part of the Y community a chance to be celebrated and honored for their time with the Campus Y. The drop-in event featured refreshments and gift bags, which included certificates, swag and mason jars with affirmations and words of appreciation.
University Career Services
University Career Services Welcomes New Staff on June 6
Meet Jamel Mallory Jr.

Jamel will serve as the Assistant Director of Employer Relations. A native of Fairfield, Ohio, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Bowling Green State University and a Master of Education in Student Affairs from Clemson University. Jamel is passionate about supporting the holistic development of all students and supporting them to achieve their professional and academic goals.
Meet Kara Reddish

Kara will serve as the Assistant Director of Assessment and Analytics for University Career Services. She is a Durham native who earned her M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from NC State earlier this month. She also graduated from NC State in May 2020 with a B.A. in Sociology. Kara is passionate about improving student experiences in higher education by advocating for changes based on assessment data.
Meet Kara Rice

Kara will serve as the Job Location Development Coordinator and is a member of the External Relations Team at University Career Services. She is a native of Gastonia and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications with a minor in marketing from Anderson University and a Master of Education in Student Affairs from Clemson University. Kara is passionate about the growth and development of all students, and supporting the holistic college experience through career and professional development.
New Student & Family Programs
2022 Orientation Publications 

Thank you to all who shared your updated content for the 2022 New Student & Family Orientation publications. We are excited to share those with you (digitally)! For 2022, we have updated these to better fit the needs of our students and families. Some
mainstays will remain digital, while other, new versions will be printed.
Digital 

Print 
Are you a runner? The Philosopher’s Way Trail Runs (10 mile and 7 kilometer) take place in Carolina North Forest at 8 a.m. May 21. You can participate in this weekend’s event or run/walk the course on your own time through May 30. Race organizers say the forest’s trails have seen around a 30% increase in activity throughout the pandemic, and proceeds from races like this support maintenance and restoration efforts.
 
  • UNC HR: If you or someone you know can provide part-time care for children, seniors or pets this summer, register with the Helping Heels List for Summer 2022 by May 29. The Office of Human Resources will post the updated list in June.

  • Employee Forum: Updates on salary equity, deferred building maintenance, possible hiring incentives, sustainability progress and more were part of the latest UNC Employee Forum meeting. Read all about it.

  • The Well: Join the North Carolina Botanical Garden for some floral fun 6-9 p.m. May 21, during its 10th annual Carolina Moonlight Garden Party. All net proceeds from this ticketed event support the garden’s mission — ensuring the protection, preservation and conservation of plants and natural areas.
Commencement Volunteers |Thanks to our volunteers who helped ARS staff with accessibility seating at the 2022 Commencement! Pictured here, just a few of the folks who helped, from left: Janet Chen, Student Affairs Finance; Jhon Cimmino, Title IX Office; Terri Phoenix, LGBTQ Center; Kala Bullett, Carolina Housing. Other staff who deserve kudos include: Jess Clark, Felicia Cenca, Rebecca Gibson, Becci Menghini, Tiffany Bailey, Viviane Ackall, Donovan Wright, Scarlett Jordan, Simon Bloor, Vanessa Valencia, Janet T. Elizabeth Hall, Bettina Shuford, Racheal Roberts, Diana Woodhouse, Sarah Lewis, Janet Chen, Kelsey Durham, Katie Sorensen, Allison Reid, Silva Marques-Diaz, Kevin Manzano, Allan Blattner, Marcus Bullett and Charles Streeter.
Want to send a special thank you to a staff member who went above and beyond? Send your Kudos to studentaffairs@unc.edu.
34th Annual Carolina Blood Drive
Tuesday, June 7

For more than 30 years, the Carolina Blood Drive has potentially impacted more than 100,000 lives through blood donations. Show you bleed Carolina blue and help us reach 100,000 more by donating. Free parking available or ride the bus with Chapel Hill Transit to the Smith Center. All presenting donors will receive a commemorative blood drive   T-shirt and free food.

To schedule your appointment, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), visit RedCrossBlood.org or use the Blood Donor App and enter sponsor code UNC.
Please email your newsletter submissions to studentaffairs@unc.edu by 5 p.m. on Tuesdays to be included in that week's newsletter