Connecting Carolina's Covenant Scholars
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill — Goal 1 Initiative Connecting Carolina's Covenant Scholars
Building on the keystone Carolina Covenant program, the Connecting Carolina's Covenant Scholars initiative will support students from traditionally vulnerable groups to build networks, access professional degrees, and create pathways into a wide array of industries.
The signature Carolina Covenant program provides scholarships to students from low-income households, helping those from traditionally marginalized groups access a world-class education at UNC-Chapel Hill and a meaningful future career path. The Connecting Carolina's Covenant Scholars initiative builds on this mission by creating new lines of sight for young students into professions, industries, and degree programs that have not been historically accessible to vulnerable populations.
The Connecting Carolina's Covenant Scholars initiative will focus on two critical tracks: one, connecting students with alumni mentors in relevant industries, and two, bridging scholars to industry partners in the Triangle region offering paid internship programs. By hosting programming with local industry partners, the Connecting Carolina's Covenant Scholars initiative will create space for students to engage with alumni in a relevant field, build professional networks, and learn about job opportunities and career pathways.
Over four years, the Connecting Carolina's Covenant Scholarsinitiative will engage nearly 2,200 UNC-Chapel Hill students. At least ten unique industries will be represented in programming every year, with a focus on fields concentrated in the Research Triangle Park area. The initiative will also invite graduate school representatives to discuss future study opportunities, providing a broad view into potential post-graduate pathways for Carolina Covenant scholars.
The Carolina Covenant is our commitment to ensuring that our students are not burdened by overwhelming college debt. By connecting these scholars to one another and our strong alumni base, we are enabling them to pursue their dreams and gain the skills to chart a successful career path. Our hope is that this program will engage with our students and prepare them to solve the grand challenges of our time.
Initiative Differentiators
The Connecting Carolina's Covenant Scholarsinitiative will connect three key areas of strength at UNC-Chapel Hill: the Carolina Covenant program, our strong alumni base, and our location next to Research Triangle Park. Bridging these unique assets will allow the initiative to extend the Carolina Covenant's goals from enrollment to career development and advancement.
Key Interventions and Milestones
Over four years, the Connecting Carolina's Covenant Scholarsinitiative will engage nearly 2,200 UNC-Chapel Hill students in programming, focusing on at least ten unique industries per year. The initiative team will measure success monthly, by gauging the prevalence and quality of alumni sessions, virtual meetings, and mock interviews, as well as the numbers of scholars placed in job opportunities or enrolled in professional school. The initiative aims to increase job placement and graduate school enrollment to 90% among students participating in the Connecting Carolina's Covenant Scholars initiative.
Expected Impact
By connecting traditionally marginalized students to career and graduate school opportunities in the Research Triangle Park area, the Connecting Carolina's Covenant Scholars initiative aims to provide access to professional networks in relevant industries, and, ultimately, to support students as they achieve upward mobility post-graduation.
