PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS PROGRAM
The University of North Carolina System represents 16 four-year institutions, one residential high school, and several affiliate organizations across North Carolina. As a world-renowned higher education system, the UNC System serves as North Carolina’s intellectual hub and economic engine. The Presidential Scholar program is designed to expose recent UNC System graduates to the full breadth of the System through a variety of functions inside and outside of the office. Created under the leadership of President Emeritus Erskine Bowles in 2006, more than 30 scholars have participated in the Presidential Scholars program and have continued on to enroll in top-ranked graduate programs and launch careers as the leaders of tomorrow. Today, scholars rotate through a variety of cross-functional teams to serve and support the work of the System’s institutions and affiliates.
The application period has closed for the 2025-26 Presidential Scholars Program
The best part of the presidential scholar program for me is the opportunity to interact with the brightest students. I probably learn more from them than they do from me as we exchange ideas throughout the year. The scholars make meaningful contributions while experiencing the inner workings of a large and complex public system of higher education.
Peter Hans, President of the University of North Carolina System
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Presidential Scholar position is an eleven-month, full-time rotational fellowship awarded to three recent graduates of UNC System undergraduate programs. This position provides a wide range of exposure to the professional functions of the UNC System Office including but not limited to: communications, policy, data and analytics, government relations, budgeting, governing systems, academic and student affairs. Throughout the rotational experience, scholars will work on cross-functional teams that require candidates to be adaptable and innovative professionals. Scholars will engage with numerous professional duties including attending meetings, researching initiatives, serving as support staff to a variety of councils/committees, as well as providing insight from the student experience in crucial policy decisions. Scholars will also be invited to attend a variety of events including campus tours, presidential and chancellor events, board meetings, and evening receptions. The UNC System will introduce candidates to numerous avenues change-makers can take and unique, career-launching opportunities while building an expansive network to support their goals. Candidates will be prepared to apply for a wide-variety of full-time positions or be prepared for enrollment in a top ranked graduate or professional program.
To qualify for this program, candidates must be a December 2024 or May 2025 graduate of one of the 16 baccalaureate granting institutions of the UNC System. There is no professional or educational experience required. Candidates should be passionate advocates constantly seeking to understand how the UNC System can best serve its constituents.
The application period has closed for the 2025-26 Presidential Scholars Program.
MEET THE CURRENT SCHOLARS
Aspen Andersson, University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Aspen Andersson, of Clayton, 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 double minors in Spanish and English. She was involved in the Honors College Student Council, the Chancellor’s Ambassador program, the 1887 Society, Model United Nations, Alpha Chi National Honors Society, Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honors Society, and Alpha Pi Omega Sorority, Inc. Andersson also worked as a teacher’s assistant, resident advisor, and service-learning intern before serving as the president of the Student Government Association and ex-officio member of the Board of Trustees for the 2023-24 academic year. In her role as president, Andersson advocated for affordability, inclusivity, student safety and access to mental health resources while also serving as the chair of the Association of Student Governments Council of Student Body Presidents.
Andersson is part of the inaugural class of the University of Virginia Law School’s Roadmap Scholars Program, which introduces students to the legal field. She plans to attend law school to study education law and policy.
Samuel Robinson, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Samuel Robinson, of Monroe, NC, graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and history. He served in the UNC Undergraduate Senate and as student body vice president.
He was chair of numerous university committees, including the Provost Advisory Council, the Dean of Arts & Sciences Advisory Committee, the Hardship Parking Committee, and the Rules & Judiciary Committee of the Undergraduate Senate. Additionally, he served as undergraduate chair of the Student Advisory Committee to the Chancellor and was appointed by former Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz to serve as the only undergraduate student on the inaugural Chancellor’s Committee on Academic Freedom and Free Expression. Robinson worked to re-establish advisory committees to the provost and dean of Arts & Sciences, revitalized the selection process for 130 student leaders appointed to university committees, and reformed the hardship parking process for students.
After his fellowship, Robinson plans to attend law school.
Raven Sizemore, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Raven Sizemore, of Randleman, NC, is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in music education and graduated summa cum laude with Global Honors. In 2020, Sizemore was selected as the inaugural Sloan Scholar recipient of the four-year all-inclusive scholarship at UNCG. She served as historian of the music fraternity Mu Phi Epsilon, secretary of the UNCG National Band Association, and as the UNCG Pubantz Artist in Residence, where she received a grant to complete a research proposal. As an emerging leader in the music community, she was a panelist at the NC Trombone Festival, conducted at the NC Brass Festival, and performed at the NC Music Educators Association Conference.
Sizemore was on the administrative team for UNCG Summer Music Camp, and served her community through teaching internships in three counties in North Carolina. Since the loss of her sister in an automobile accident, Sizemore has advocated for safer roads, speaking at local commissioner, fire chief and North Carolina Department of Transportation meetings to support more funding and improved roadways. Upon the completion of her time at UNCG, she was nominated for UNCG Student Teacher of the Year award, inducted into the UNCG Golden Chain Honors Society, and awarded a UNCG Provost Student Excellence Award and the UNCG School of Music Barbara B. Bair Award. She hopes to gain valuable insight into the inner workings of the UNC System, which will inform her future endeavors in education and public service.
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.
| Graduate Programs | Careers |
|---|---|
| University of Virginia, Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy | Director, Communications & Equity Strategy at Whiteboard Advisors |
| The George Washington Law School | Communications and Outreach Coordinator, Duke State Relations |
| The George Washington University, Trachtenberg School | Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff at PBS North Carolina |
| UNC-Chapel Hill, School of Law | Legal Assistant at Ellis & Winters LLP |
| UNC-Chapel Hill, School of Government | Public Policy Specialist at Akin Gump, LLC |
| UNC-Chapel Hill, Kenan-Flager Business School | Trade Marketing Manager at NBCUniversal |
| NC State University, School of Public and International Affairs | Legislative Intern & Staffers – U.S. House of Representatives & U.S. Senate |
| American University, School of Public Affairs | Policy Advisor, The White House Office of Economic Initiatives |
| Duke University, Sanford School of Public Policy | U.S. Department of Education Staffer |
| Duke University, Fuqua School of Business | Chief of Staff, NC Dept. of Justice |
| Wake Forest University, School of Law | Director of Administrative Services, Office of the Governor (NC) |
| Georgetown University, McCourt School of Public Policy | American Council on Education, Division of Government & Public Affairs |
| East Carolina University, MBA Program | Colorado Department of Education |
| University of Southern California, Rossier School of Education | Regional Planner at Lumber River Council of Governments |
