A Mind and Spirit for Public Good
Using her Charlotte research and internship experiences, combined with a novel entrepreneurial microcredential, Angel Padilla ’23 wants to affect changeAvangelyne “Angel” Padilla ’23 has set out to change the world.
Angel Padilla in the office of City Startup Labs in UNC Charlotte’s PORTAL Building. In the background is “hoodieMan Unwanted,” a piece of artwork by Barbara Ellis, the wife of City Startup Labs founder, Henry Rock.
With a goal to draft and implement public policy at the state or federal level, she dreams of serving in Congress. To get there, Padilla is taking all the steps she learned as an undergraduate student in social work and Honors College participant to be the change she wishes to see.
“I had a challenging upbringing, so I am passionate about seeking solutions to prevent others from enduring similar circumstances,” she said.
Throughout her Charlotte experience, Padilla seized every chance to delve into complex issues that disadvantaged individuals must overcome to advance in society, including learning the ways research can be used to improve lives. Her commitment has led to a competitive graduate research assistantship at UNC Chapel Hill, where this fall she started studies toward a Master of Public Administration.
Applying an entrepreneurial mindset to social issues
Padilla was among the first students to participate in Charlotte’s novel social impact/innovation/entrepreneurship micro-credential program, offered through the University’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. The 12-hour certificate, open to all majors, introduces students to the entrepreneurial mindset, customer discovery and how to make an impact in business, nonprofit organizations or society.
The center holds pitch competitions for students; a panel of professionals who mentor students reviews their ideas and awards funding to winning proposals. Padilla’s pitch involved creating a pilot program to support digital literacy for women at the Center for Community Transitions. Part of the state prison system, the CCT, the only facility of its kind, houses female inmates who are serving the final three years of their sentences. They do receive some job training and support, but Padilla observes that long-term incarceration has left many individuals with virtually no understanding of modern technology.
“Justice-involved individuals who are locked away, some for more than 20 years, often don’t know how to use email, search engines or conduct virtual interviews and meetings,” said Padilla. “This exacerbates their inability to re-enter the workforce.”
Henry Rock, founder and executive director of City Startup Labs, learned of Padilla’s idea and offered her a paid internship for the 2022-23 academic year. City Startup Labs, with offices in UNC Charlotte’s PORTAL Building, works with formerly incarcerated persons through the ReEntry Entrepreneurship Program and Restorative Pathways and with Black tech talent through BlkTech Interactive.
“Angel brought intellect, rigor and a delightful dose of humor to City Startup Labs,” said Rock. “Her interest in working with our ReEntry Entrepreneurship Program was a perfect fit for her, and we are extremely proud of how she navigated being a first-generation college student and now an honors graduate. She played an important role in our work this past year.”
“I learned that while you can have a great idea, you must learn if it really serves a need and is valued.”
– Angel Padilla
Internships: valuable, real-world experience
“Through my internship with City Startup Labs, I conducted research and data collection related to REEP and the Restorative Pathways program,” said Padilla. “My social work background enabled me to explore different program models to be more effective and offer a different perspective to City Startup Lab’s work. I contributed as I learned.”
Padilla credits the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and the entrepreneurial thinking micro-credential program for introducing her to a new viewpoint on affecting change socially. She added the courses strengthened her skills in communication, networking, public speaking and critical thinking. She also learned the value of resilience, risk-taking, accountability, independence and willingness to experiment.
“Customer discovery was a key concept for me. I learned that while you can have a great idea, you must learn if it really serves a need and is valued,” said Padilla. “The knowledge I gained is applicable for virtually all students and their career aspirations.”
Prior to City Startup Labs, Padilla was selected as a Marian Drane Graham Scholar, which enabled her to intern with the North Carolina Business Committee for Education through the Governor’s Office.
“I had the chance to organize data presentations for a special task force related to hiring and retaining more Black and Brown teachers,” Padilla said. “It really validated that I was on the right career trajectory. It was interesting to conduct research, learn more about the nuances of the research and data analyses and help present findings to various education officials and community leaders.”
“My Charlotte experiences are a springboard driving me forward. Having opportunities is wonderful, but all the better when you truly take advantage of them.”
– Angel Padilla
Overcoming challenges, maintaining momentum
Padilla, a high-achieving student, graduated from White Oak High School in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Describing her parents as authoritarian and less than supportive, Padilla basically raised herself, which affected her decision-making abilities and self-confidence.
Financially, college seemed beyond her reach. She applied for 18 different scholarships before discovering the Martin Scholars Program, established by Charlotte alumni Demond T. ’97 and Kia ’98 Martin.
“Being awarded the Martin Scholarship has been a life-changing experience for me,” said Padilla. “Not only was it a full scholarship, but the program offers so many opportunities.”
From professional development and networking programs to faculty and peer support, the Martin Scholars Program enabled Padilla to focus on her academic, research and extracurricular pursuits. She added the program provided the chance for scholars to widen their cultural horizons through various book discussions and a sponsored trip to Washington, D.C., where they visited the National Museum of African American History and Culture and attended a gala, where they met presidential inauguration poet Amanda Gorman.
Momentum is with Padilla in her quest to change the world. “My Charlotte experiences are a springboard driving me forward. Having opportunities is wonderful, but all the better when you truly take advantage of them.”
STAND OUT AMONG THE REST
Micro-credentialing pathways offer students the skills that set them apart
Charlotte’s micro-credentialing pathways offer ambitious students specialized recognition that demonstrates their competencies in areas that can give them a leg up as they start their careers.
“In an increasingly competitive job market, more students are seeking unique ways to differentiate themselves on resumes and in interviews. Our micro-credential pathways enable students to expand their knowledge and focus on high-demand skills that make them stand out in the workforce,” said Laura Smailes, assistant director for UNC Charlotte’s University’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
Each micro-credential pathway includes 30-plus experiential learning hours outside the classroom with students acquiring core competencies that cross multiple disciplines. Digital badges are awarded for key skills after participants demonstrate their mastery. These skills, to highlight a few, are critical thinking, problem solving, resilience and leadership. These interdisciplinary pathways were developed through consultation with various campus units, including the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation in the Belk College of Business, urbanCORE, the University Career Center, Division of Academic Affairs, Office of International Programs, School of Professional Studies and Division of Student Affairs.
Providing resources to enable students to have societal impact
The Center of Entrepreneurship and Innovation launched its Social Impact, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Pathway (possible image to be used for illustration) in fall 2022 with 40 students who earned a micro-credential in entrepreneurial thinking, one of three milestones in the program. Students can register throughout the academic year to participate in workshops, mentoring sessions, panel discussions, mock interviews and competitions.
“Many Charlotte students are searching for ways to make an impact through ideas they have for business or nonprofit startups,” said Smailes. “The mission of the Center of Entrepreneurship and Innovation is to help them develop the necessary skills to transform ideas to action.”
Within the same timeframe, UNC Charlotte’s urbanCORE, the University’s hub for community-oriented research and engagement, launched its Community Engagement Pathway.
“As students engage throughout the city and develop their civic identities, we envision the Community Engagement Pathway as a resource to better understand Charlotte’s historical context,” said Tamara Johnson, urbanCORE’s director of engaged scholarship. “Questions they can explore include: What conversations are they hearing about the city, and how do they learn more? What should they ask themselves as they connect with community partners? What does it mean to be a community-based researcher or a social entrepreneur?”
Phillip Brown is assistant director of strategic content for University Communications and editor of UNC Charlotte Magazine.
A MIND AND SPIRIT FOR PUBLIC GOOD
Using her Charlotte research and internship experiences, combined with a novel entrepreneurial microcredential, Angel Padilla ’23 wants to affect change
By Phillip Brown
Avangelyne “Angel” Padilla ’23 has set out to change the world.
Angel Padilla in the office of City Startup Labs in UNC Charlotte’s PORTAL Building. In the background is “hoodieMan Unwanted,” a piece of artwork by Barbara Ellis, the wife of City Startup Labs founder, Henry Rock.
With a goal to draft and implement public policy at the state or federal level, she dreams of serving in Congress. To get there, Padilla is taking all the steps she learned as an undergraduate student in social work and Honors College participant to be the change she wishes to see.
“I had a challenging upbringing, so I am passionate about seeking solutions to prevent others from enduring similar circumstances,” she said.
Throughout her Charlotte experience, Padilla seized every chance to delve into complex issues that disadvantaged individuals must overcome to advance in society, including learning the ways research can be used to improve lives. Her commitment has led to a competitive graduate research assistantship at UNC Chapel Hill, where this fall she started studies toward a Master of Public Administration.
Applying an entrepreneurial mindset to social issues
Padilla was among the first students to participate in Charlotte’s novel social impact/innovation/entrepreneurship micro-credential program, offered through the University’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. The 12-hour certificate, open to all majors, introduces students to the entrepreneurial mindset, customer discovery and how to make an impact in business, nonprofit organizations or society.
The center holds pitch competitions for students; a panel of professionals who mentor students reviews their ideas and awards funding to winning proposals. Padilla’s pitch involved creating a pilot program to support digital literacy for women at the Center for Community Transitions. Part of the state prison system, the CCT, the only facility of its kind, houses female inmates who are serving the final three years of their sentences. They do receive some job training and support, but Padilla observes that long-term incarceration has left many individuals with virtually no understanding of modern technology.
“Justice-involved individuals who are locked away, some for more than 20 years, often don’t know how to use email, search engines or conduct virtual interviews and meetings,” said Padilla. “This exacerbates their inability to re-enter the workforce.”
Henry Rock, founder and executive director of City Startup Labs, learned of Padilla’s idea and offered her a paid internship for the 2022-23 academic year. City Startup Labs, with offices in UNC Charlotte’s PORTAL Building, works with formerly incarcerated persons through the ReEntry Entrepreneurship Program and Restorative Pathways and with Black tech talent through BlkTech Interactive.
“Angel brought intellect, rigor and a delightful dose of humor to City Startup Labs,” said Rock. “Her interest in working with our ReEntry Entrepreneurship Program was a perfect fit for her, and we are extremely proud of how she navigated being a first-generation college student and now an honors graduate. She played an important role in our work this past year.”
“I learned that while you can have a great idea, you must learn if it really serves a need and is valued.”
– Angel Padilla
Internships: valuable, real-world experience
“Through my internship with City Startup Labs, I conducted research and data collection related to REEP and the Restorative Pathways program,” said Padilla. “My social work background enabled me to explore different program models to be more effective and offer a different perspective to City Startup Lab’s work. I contributed as I learned.”
Padilla credits the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and the entrepreneurial thinking micro-credential program for introducing her to a new viewpoint on affecting change socially. She added the courses strengthened her skills in communication, networking, public speaking and critical thinking. She also learned the value of resilience, risk-taking, accountability, independence and willingness to experiment.
“Customer discovery was a key concept for me. I learned that while you can have a great idea, you must learn if it really serves a need and is valued,” said Padilla. “The knowledge I gained is applicable for virtually all students and their career aspirations.”
Prior to City Startup Labs, Padilla was selected as a Marian Drane Graham Scholar, which enabled her to intern with the North Carolina Business Committee for Education through the Governor’s Office.
“I had the chance to organize data presentations for a special task force related to hiring and retaining more Black and Brown teachers,” Padilla said. “It really validated that I was on the right career trajectory. It was interesting to conduct research, learn more about the nuances of the research and data analyses and help present findings to various education officials and community leaders.”
“My Charlotte experiences are a springboard driving me forward. Having opportunities is wonderful, but all the better when you truly take advantage of them.”
– Angel Padilla
Overcoming challenges, maintaining momentum
Padilla, a high-achieving student, graduated from White Oak High School in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Describing her parents as authoritarian and less than supportive, Padilla basically raised herself, which affected her decision-making abilities and self-confidence.
Financially, college seemed beyond her reach. She applied for 18 different scholarships before discovering the Martin Scholars Program, established by Charlotte alumni Demond T. ’97 and Kia ’98 Martin.
“Being awarded the Martin Scholarship has been a life-changing experience for me,” said Padilla. “Not only was it a full scholarship, but the program offers so many opportunities.”
From professional development and networking programs to faculty and peer support, the Martin Scholars Program enabled Padilla to focus on her academic, research and extracurricular pursuits. She added the program provided the chance for scholars to widen their cultural horizons through various book discussions and a sponsored trip to Washington, D.C., where they visited the National Museum of African American History and Culture and attended a gala, where they met presidential inauguration poet Amanda Gorman.
Momentum is with Padilla in her quest to change the world. “My Charlotte experiences are a springboard driving me forward. Having opportunities is wonderful, but all the better when you truly take advantage of them.”
Stand Out Among The Rest
Micro-credentialing pathways offer students the skills that set them apart
Charlotte’s micro-credentialing pathways offer ambitious students specialized recognition that demonstrates their competencies in areas that can give them a leg up as they start their careers.
“In an increasingly competitive job market, more students are seeking unique ways to differentiate themselves on resumes and in interviews. Our micro-credential pathways enable students to expand their knowledge and focus on high-demand skills that make them stand out in the workforce,” said Laura Smailes, assistant director for UNC Charlotte’s University’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
Each micro-credential pathway includes 30-plus experiential learning hours outside the classroom with students acquiring core competencies that cross multiple disciplines. Digital badges are awarded for key skills after participants demonstrate their mastery. These skills, to highlight a few, are critical thinking, problem solving, resilience and leadership. These interdisciplinary pathways were developed through consultation with various campus units, including the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation in the Belk College of Business, urbanCORE, the University Career Center, Division of Academic Affairs, Office of International Programs, School of Professional Studies and Division of Student Affairs.
Providing resources to enable students to have societal impact
The Center of Entrepreneurship and Innovation launched its Social Impact, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Pathway (possible image to be used for illustration) in fall 2022 with 40 students who earned a micro-credential in entrepreneurial thinking, one of three milestones in the program. Students can register throughout the academic year to participate in workshops, mentoring sessions, panel discussions, mock interviews and competitions.
“Many Charlotte students are searching for ways to make an impact through ideas they have for business or nonprofit startups,” said Smailes. “The mission of the Center of Entrepreneurship and Innovation is to help them develop the necessary skills to transform ideas to action.”
Within the same timeframe, UNC Charlotte’s urbanCORE, the University’s hub for community-oriented research and engagement, launched its Community Engagement Pathway.
“As students engage throughout the city and develop their civic identities, we envision the Community Engagement Pathway as a resource to better understand Charlotte’s historical context,” said Tamara Johnson, urbanCORE’s director of engaged scholarship. “Questions they can explore include: What conversations are they hearing about the city, and how do they learn more? What should they ask themselves as they connect with community partners? What does it mean to be a community-based researcher or a social entrepreneur?”
Phillip Brown is assistant director of strategic content for University Communications and editor of UNC Charlotte Magazine.