Presidential Scholar Program

An Inside Look at Public Higher Education

The UNC System Presidential Scholar Program is a unique opportunity for recent graduates to gain first-hand experience in public higher education leadership and administration. Over the course of eleven months, Presidential Scholars work closely with staff at the UNC System Office, rotating through key departments to support day-to-day operations and strategic initiatives.

This full-time, paid fellowship is designed for early-career professionals who are eager to explore how a world-renowned higher education system functions – from policy development and finance to communications and student affairs.

Application opens soon for 2026-27.

MEET THE CURRENT SCHOLARS 

UNC System 2025-26 Presidential Scholars (left to right): Jaleah Taylor, Olivia Welsh, Magally Ortiz-Rojas, and Kathryn Long.

UNC System announces Presidential Scholars for 2025-26 academic year

Kathryn Long, Appalachian State University

Kathryn R. Long, of Jackson, NC, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a minor in American Sign Language from Appalachian State University. While a student at App State, Long took on a range of leadership roles, serving as the student body president and ex-officio member of the university’s Board of Trustees. During her presidency, she advocated for student well-being, institutional transparency and strategic campus development for housing and construction. Long was student director of orientation and an intern with New Mountaineer and Family Engagement, where she helped coordinate programming for incoming students and families. She was also a member of the Plemmons Leadership Scholars and served on the chancellor search advisory committee to find App State’s ninth leader. Long is committed to pursuing a career in speech language pathology and volunteers at the North Carolina School for the Deaf in Morganton, where she works with the school’s speech language pathologist. After her fellowship, she plans to attend graduate school to pursue a master’s in speech language pathology and publish her research.

Magally Ortiz-Rojas, University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Magally Ortiz-Rojas, of Lumberton, NC, is a summa cum laude graduate of the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in political science with a pre-law concentration and sociology. Magally has held several positions with various departments across campus. She was a first-generation peer mentor with New Student Programs and was the Braves Resource Center student manager. She also founded the Latin Student Union club on campus, was a member of the 1887 society and held other club positions. She is a spring 2024 initiate of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated at the Omicron Lambda Chapter, where she served as secretary and coordinator of the Eastern Carolina Cluster. She was president of the Student Government Association and an ex-officio member of the Board of Trustees for the 2024-25 academic year. Her honors thesis research focused on immigrant students and the barriers they face when seeking access to higher education in the rural South. Following her year at the System Office, Ortiz-Rojas plans to attend law school to study immigration law and policy. She would eventually like to pursue a doctorate and be a professor at a rural university.

Jaleah Taylor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Jaleah Taylor, of Charlotte, NC, graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a bachelor’s degree in political science and distinction from Honors Carolina. She served as student body president, representing over 32,000 students and serving as an ex-officio member of the UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees. During her time at Carolina, Taylor led key advocacy efforts on behalf of students. She spearheaded the development of the campus meal swipe donation plan, advocated for the creation of Interfaith Centers, and worked to increase transparency around the university’s endowment. She co-founded the Black Pre-Law Student Association and served as an Agora Fellow, fostering public discourse and civic engagement through dialogue, debate and critical reflection. Taylor also served as a teaching assistant for professional development courses from Honors Carolina, mentoring fellow students in leadership and career development. Her work spanned student governance, university policy and academic mentorship. After her fellowship, Taylor plans to attend law school.

Olivia Welsh, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Olivia Welsh, of Ambler, PA, graduated with highest distinction from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and linguistics with a minor in social and economic justice. Welsh worked as an intern in the University Policy Office at UNC-CH, where she conducted higher education policy research, helped overhaul outdated policies and examined ethical considerations in education policy. She connected her policy experience with her psychology and linguistics research, which she presented as a student speaker at the 2025 TEDxUNC Conference. In her four years at UNC-CH, Welsh was highly involved with Carolina athletics as a leader for Carolina Fever. As chair of special events and fundraising, she tripled Carolina Fever’s charitable donations. She spent the past year as co-president of Carolina Fever, where her focus on financial and operational transparency strengthened the organization. Olivia was also involved in the Carolina For The Kids Foundation, working with both the fundraising and public relations committees. After the fellowship, Welsh plans to further her education and continue working as an advocate in the public education field.

WHERE ARE SCHOLARS TODAY? 

Program participants have gone on to enroll in top-ranked graduate and professional programs across the nation as well as launch careers as the leaders of tomorrow.