“Excellence Unveiled at UNC with Chancellor Lee Roberts” is a series on 97.9 The Hill and Chapelboro.com sponsored by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Each episode shines a light on members of the Carolina community and the outstanding work they do. Listen to the full episode below, or read the complete transcript.
In the first installment of Excellence Unveiled, listen to Candice Powell — director of the Carolina Covenant program — explain what the program is, what it does, and how it helps keep the University of North Carolina a resource and haven for Tar Heels from all walks of life working to maximize their potential.
“I’m Candice Powell and I’m the director of the Carolina Covenant. The Covenant is a really special initiative at Carolina that sets us apart from any other institution. It is a financial aid package that promises the opportunity for a debt-free education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and also a system of supports, mentorship, coaching, well-being resources, career development experience to help our students thrive at the university, and then when they leave as alumni.
Candice Powell, image via UNC
It is our 20th anniversary, and we couldn’t be more proud. Not only our program and our students and our alumni — but the alumni and friends, our whole institution shares this milestone together. It really was an innovative idea [to ask] ‘How can we combine a variety of different resources, institutional funds, state and federal funds, federal work study to provide talented students the opportunity to come to Carolina without the fear or worry of excruciating debt?’
The idea sets us apart and makes the program unique. After students are admitted to the institution, just like every other student, they’re reviewed for financial need. If they meet our income criteria, they’re automatically a Covenant scholar. There’s nothing additional that they need to do.
They receive an email with admission that says, ‘not only do we want you to be a Tar Heel, but we’re gonna pay for it all.’ That is really a mind blowing, transformative notification to receive, especially for our students and our families.
Consider growing up in a situation of significant financial scarcity, working your hardest to create opportunity for yourself, being admitted to one of the premier institutions in the country, and then being rewarded for your effort — it’s not only a testament to the strength of our students, but to the families that they come from. And so, nothing additional needed, right? That in itself, on top of exceptional financial aid, is another barrier reduced. We just want you to come, say ‘yes,’ say ‘yes’ to making our university better.
I’m most proud to be at an institution that makes this commitment and is invested in sustaining it at every level and every angle, from committing resources to ensure that we can bring this kind of talent to Carolina and keep them and make sure that they can maximize the potential of what a Carolina degree offers.
I’m proud to be in community with hundreds of individuals at our institution inside and outside of my direct office, who are invested in the success of our students, and I’m especially proud of our Covenant Scholars. They are extraordinary human beings, and it’s really a privilege to have them and to say that I know them. We would love for folks who are interested in our work, in connecting with our students and being part of this effort to email us at carolinacovenant@unc.edu. I’d love to hear from you and you will hear back from us.”
The Carolina Covenant is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2024. Click here to learn more about the Carolina Covenant, its requirements and benefits, and how to support the program.
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