SUCCESS ON YOUR TERMS
FORGING A PERSONALIZED PATH
By Susan Messina
Photos by Kat Lawrence
At UNC Charlotte, students know success is limited only by the boundaries of their imaginations — and they dare to dream big.
Applying determination and campus support in equal measure, Niners maximize opportunities and resources designed to smooth the road in front of them. Academic advising, mentoring, peer support, data-backed programming, student organizations, leadership preparation, career and financial literacy guidance, scholarships — and more — provide the tools to build rewarding, self-defined careers and lives.
Students recognize — alongside academics as key to their undergraduate success — the classroom as just one place to pursue knowledge, develop relationships and gain experience that will tip the odds in their long-term favor. And they agree that Charlotte’s supportive community offers everything they need to transform their dreams into reality.
Dhairya Desia
Apex
Biology and Chemistry
“As soon as I was accepted to Charlotte, I started emailing professors about research.”
Walter Kirkland
Fayetteville
Computer Science
“I look forward to being a role model for the U.S. Space Force.”
UNC Charlotte leads in North Carolina:
• HIGHEST ENROLLMENT of first-generation college students
• TOP PRODUCERS of bachelor’s degrees for minority students
• #1 DESTINATION for community college transfer students
Charlotte students from all backgrounds are empowered to succeed
Student Roundtable:
Their Own Brand of Success
Recently, four trailblazing undergrads — whose singular interests are driving futures they envision — came together to discuss the ways their Charlotte-inspired paths are keeping them focused and on the right track.
Gladiz De la Rosa Ceballo
San Juan, Puerto Rico, double majoring in international studies and Japanese studies with a concentration in Asian studies
A study abroad experience in Japan, an internship with the Office of Education Abroad and serving as a study abroad ambassador have sparked new directions for her future.
Daisy Ibarra
Mebane, North Carolina, a finance major with a minor in management information systems
President of the LatinX Student Union, whose 400 members serve Latinx communities in need. A first-generation college student, Daisy is the recipient of the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship and the Belk College of Business Study Abroad Scholarship.
Jack Pamukci
Charlotte, a computer science major
A member of the University Honors Program. Jack is gaining valuable experience through a series of career-boosting internships, including with SRC, a football analytics consultancy and data provider that works with Major League Soccer teams to provide analysis on players and strategy.
Sandeep Senthilkumar
Morrisville, North Carolina, a computer science major concentrating on artificial intelligence, robotics and gaming
With support from the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, he has established a startup that develops hardware and software for accessible and customizable Al solutions.
Here's what they have to say:
Describe the path you are forging to success as you define it; how does pursuing your goals enhance your UNC Charlotte experience?
Sandeep: Starting my own business means a lot to me because I want to help people make their lives easier and safer with what I create. My interest started in 2018 when I saw Google’s Duplex, which is part of Google Assistant. It uses AI to talk to people in a way that makes them think they’re talking to another person. That got me thinking about how AI can be used in various businesses — and I came up with a bunch of ideas. The Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation helped me choose the best ideas and taught me what I needed to know to get started and keep going. This adds something special to my studies, as I get to use what I learn in a real-world setting.
Daisy: UNC Charlotte’s diverse community is the main reason I chose to come here. As the daughter of immigrant parents, I wanted to be where I would see people who look like me and understand where I am coming from. During my first year — while taking classes online from home during the pandemic — I found a connection to campus through the LatinX Student Union’s virtual general body meetings. I met people with similar backgrounds, identities and experiences as mine. Being a student leader, first as LXSU’s treasurer and now as president, has enhanced my experience immensely. I have improved my hard and soft skills, and expanded my network. I’ve had opportunities to meet with various organizations and University departments to continue enriching the Niner experience.
Gladiz: Originally, I applied to become a study abroad ambassador as well as for an internship position with the Office of Education Abroad, thinking I probably wouldn’t get the latter. But I did, and it’s been nothing but fun and rewarding. I design social media posts and get direct feedback, which is really helpful, and I get to inspire other students to study abroad — which I believe is something every student should do. My internship is what I look forward to the most during the week as it gives me the opportunity to grow as a student and helps me consider what to pursue post-graduation.
Jack: I’ve worked in three different internships and each has provided knowledge above and beyond what I learn in my courses, such as professionalism and working within a large organization. Two were with banks, where I learned about paying attention to details. Right now, at an analytics startup, I am learning to give 100% of my capabilities during my work time to be able to contribute to results. Pursuing these opportunities has actualized the things I’ve learned in the classroom; it makes learning worthwhile as I see myself applying them to my work.
What campus support have you taken advantage of to make your experience unique and productive?
Gladiz: Something I really like is Charlotte’s great Japanese program, and there is a certificate program for translating Japanese to English. It’s something I’d always thought about doing but didn’t think I’d have the opportunity so early in my life. My professors are very approachable people, so that makes me feel like I can go to them for anything.
Jack: There is support everywhere on campus, including two professors who are mentors and have made my time at UNC Charlotte a life-changing experience. They have supported me in my work and campus endeavors, and pointed me in the right direction countless times. They embody the ‘pay it forward’ ideology; one day, if I find myself in a similar situation, I will try to do the same for the next generation of students.
Sandeep: My mentors also are great; they’ve been through what I’m experiencing and know about using AI in the real world. They’re always ready to share advice, which is exactly what I need. Also, the academic advisors make sure the classes I register for align with my goals.
Daisy: I was a part of the Students Achieving First-Year Excellence in 2020 and Leadership Fellows in 2021. I’ve been introduced to like-minded people and additional Charlotte resources. And I’ve been able to hone in on the type of leader I want to be and learn to become it. These experiences have guided me through three LXSU executive board transitions. Our board members push one another to be better officers, students and professionals to cultivate a well-rounded organization.
How has your Niner experience opened your mind to new opportunities or reaffirmed your original passion and direction?
Daisy: My leadership experience has broadened my thinking around the impact I have on my communities and reaffirms my original passion to give back to my Latinx community. I want to help build a foundation for future generations of Niners and first-gen Latin Americans to cultivate their culture — and inspire them to give back.
Jack: In my case, internships have helped me figure out what I want by showing me what I don’t want. Everyone has to experience this; you have a gut feeling about whether something is right for you or if you need to move on. The work I’m doing now has sparked a passion and reinforced the direction I am heading. It’s something I couldn’t have imagined a year or two ago, yet here I am loving what I am doing.
Gladiz: I’ve always had a passion for languages, but before my internship I’d operated under the assumption I would ‘eventually figure it out.’ Now, I am considering a career in higher education and international education. I feel like my future path is clearer, and I can set specific goals.
Sandeep: Same here; my eyes have been opened to so many new options. I’m always thinking about things I had never before considered — like maybe going to grad school to dive deeper into AI, and how it can change businesses. I also envision different possible career paths, especially in the tech world, where I can make a difference. My experiences have strengthened my interests and made me more determined to follow this path.
What advice would you offer students interested in personalizing their path at UNC Charlotte to achieve their goals?
Jack: I’ve learned that the real value in setting goals is figuring out how to achieve them. Finding what moves you forward — the habits and thought patterns — is the real beauty and backbone of forging a personalized path to accomplishment.
Sandeep: I’d say start by exploring what you really like to do — and go for it. It’s important to make friends and connections in your area of interest because they can help you a lot. Be ready for surprises and opportunities. If things don’t go as planned, learn from it and keep moving forward. And don’t forget to look after yourself; staying healthy and happy is really important.
Gladiz: My advice is that it’s okay to change your mind — don’t force yourself to stay on a path if your heart is telling you otherwise. It’s also important to reach out; you are surrounded by friends, family, teachers and advisors who want you to succeed. Voice your concerns, and speak your dreams into existence!
Daisy: My biggest piece of advice for students is to take a calculated risk. There will always be a level of uncertainty when it comes to forming new opportunities and endeavors. A fear of rejection should never outweigh the possible reward. Each application, interview and networking event provides a chance to grow and learn.
Susan Messina is director of strategic content. Additional contributions were provided by Sonja Barisic and Phillip Brown.
SUCCESS ON YOUR TERMS
Forging a personalized path
By Susan Messina
Photos by Kat Lawrence
At UNC Charlotte, students know success is limited only by the boundaries of their imaginations — and they dare to dream big.
Applying determination and campus support in equal measure, Niners maximize opportunities and resources designed to smooth the road in front of them. Academic advising, mentoring, peer support, data-backed programming, student organizations, leadership preparation, career and financial literacy guidance, scholarships — and more — provide the tools to build rewarding, self-defined careers and lives.
Students recognize — alongside academics as key to their undergraduate success — the classroom as just one place to pursue knowledge, develop relationships and gain experience that will tip the odds in their long-term favor. And they agree that Charlotte’s supportive community offers everything they need to transform their dreams into reality.
Dhairya Desia
Apex
Biology and Chemistry
“As soon as I was accepted to Charlotte, I started emailing professors about research.”
Walter Kirkland
Fayetteville
Computer Science
“I look forward to being a role model for the U.S. Space Force.”
UNC Charlotte leads in North Carolina:
• HIGHEST ENROLLMENT of first-generation college students
• TOP PRODUCERS of bachelor’s degrees for minority students
• #1 DESTINATION for community college transfer students
Charlotte students from all backgrounds are empowered to succeed
Student Roundtable:
Their Own Brand of Success
Recently, four trailblazing undergrads — whose singular interests are driving futures they envision — came together to discuss the ways their Charlotte-inspired paths are keeping them focused and on the right track.
Gladiz De la Rosa Ceballo
San Juan, Puerto Rico, double majoring in international studies and Japanese studies with a concentration in Asian studies
A study abroad experience in Japan, an internship with the Office of Education Abroad and serving as a study abroad ambassador have sparked new directions for her future.
Daisy Ibarra
Mebane, North Carolina, a finance major with a minor in management information systems
President of the LatinX Student Union, whose 400 members serve Latinx communities in need. A first-generation college student, Daisy is the recipient of the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship and the Belk College of Business Study Abroad Scholarship.
Jack Pamukci
Charlotte, a computer science major
A member of the University Honors Program. Jack is gaining valuable experience through a series of career-boosting internships, including with SRC, a football analytics consultancy and data provider that works with Major League Soccer teams to provide analysis on players and strategy.
Sandeep Senthilkumar
Morrisville, North Carolina, a computer science major concentrating on artificial intelligence, robotics and gaming
With support from the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, he has established a startup that develops hardware and software for accessible and customizable Al solutions.
Here's what they have to say:
Describe the path you are forging to success as you define it; how does pursuing your goals enhance your UNC Charlotte experience?
Sandeep: Starting my own business means a lot to me because I want to help people make their lives easier and safer with what I create. My interest started in 2018 when I saw Google’s Duplex, which is part of Google Assistant. It uses AI to talk to people in a way that makes them think they’re talking to another person. That got me thinking about how AI can be used in various businesses — and I came up with a bunch of ideas. The Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation helped me choose the best ideas and taught me what I needed to know to get started and keep going. This adds something special to my studies, as I get to use what I learn in a real-world setting.
Daisy: UNC Charlotte’s diverse community is the main reason I chose to come here. As the daughter of immigrant parents, I wanted to be where I would see people who look like me and understand where I am coming from. During my first year — while taking classes online from home during the pandemic — I found a connection to campus through the LatinX Student Union’s virtual general body meetings. I met people with similar backgrounds, identities and experiences as mine. Being a student leader, first as LXSU’s treasurer and now as president, has enhanced my experience immensely. I have improved my hard and soft skills, and expanded my network. I’ve had opportunities to meet with various organizations and University departments to continue enriching the Niner experience.
Gladiz: Originally, I applied to become a study abroad ambassador as well as for an internship position with the Office of Education Abroad, thinking I probably wouldn’t get the latter. But I did, and it’s been nothing but fun and rewarding. I design social media posts and get direct feedback, which is really helpful, and I get to inspire other students to study abroad — which I believe is something every student should do. My internship is what I look forward to the most during the week as it gives me the opportunity to grow as a student and helps me consider what to pursue post-graduation.
Jack: I’ve worked in three different internships and each has provided knowledge above and beyond what I learn in my courses, such as professionalism and working within a large organization. Two were with banks, where I learned about paying attention to details. Right now, at an analytics startup, I am learning to give 100% of my capabilities during my work time to be able to contribute to results. Pursuing these opportunities has actualized the things I’ve learned in the classroom; it makes learning worthwhile as I see myself applying them to my work.
What campus support have you taken advantage of to make your experience unique and productive?
Gladiz: Something I really like is Charlotte’s great Japanese program, and there is a certificate program for translating Japanese to English. It’s something I’d always thought about doing but didn’t think I’d have the opportunity so early in my life. My professors are very approachable people, so that makes me feel like I can go to them for anything.
Jack: There is support everywhere on campus, including two professors who are mentors and have made my time at UNC Charlotte a life-changing experience. They have supported me in my work and campus endeavors, and pointed me in the right direction countless times. They embody the ‘pay it forward’ ideology; one day, if I find myself in a similar situation, I will try to do the same for the next generation of students.
Sandeep: My mentors also are great; they’ve been through what I’m experiencing and know about using AI in the real world. They’re always ready to share advice, which is exactly what I need. Also, the academic advisors make sure the classes I register for align with my goals.
Daisy: I was a part of the Students Achieving First-Year Excellence in 2020 and Leadership Fellows in 2021. I’ve been introduced to like-minded people and additional Charlotte resources. And I’ve been able to hone in on the type of leader I want to be and learn to become it. These experiences have guided me through three LXSU executive board transitions. Our board members push one another to be better officers, students and professionals to cultivate a well-rounded organization.
How has your Niner experience opened your mind to new opportunities or reaffirmed your original passion and direction?
Daisy: My leadership experience has broadened my thinking around the impact I have on my communities and reaffirms my original passion to give back to my Latinx community. I want to help build a foundation for future generations of Niners and first-gen Latin Americans to cultivate their culture — and inspire them to give back.
Jack: In my case, internships have helped me figure out what I want by showing me what I don’t want. Everyone has to experience this; you have a gut feeling about whether something is right for you or if you need to move on. The work I’m doing now has sparked a passion and reinforced the direction I am heading. It’s something I couldn’t have imagined a year or two ago, yet here I am loving what I am doing.
Gladiz: I’ve always had a passion for languages, but before my internship I’d operated under the assumption I would ‘eventually figure it out.’ Now, I am considering a career in higher education and international education. I feel like my future path is clearer, and I can set specific goals.
Sandeep: Same here; my eyes have been opened to so many new options. I’m always thinking about things I had never before considered — like maybe going to grad school to dive deeper into AI, and how it can change businesses. I also envision different possible career paths, especially in the tech world, where I can make a difference. My experiences have strengthened my interests and made me more determined to follow this path.
What advice would you offer students interested in personalizing their path at UNC Charlotte to achieve their goals?
Jack: I’ve learned that the real value in setting goals is figuring out how to achieve them. Finding what moves you forward — the habits and thought patterns — is the real beauty and backbone of forging a personalized path to accomplishment.
Sandeep: I’d say start by exploring what you really like to do — and go for it. It’s important to make friends and connections in your area of interest because they can help you a lot. Be ready for surprises and opportunities. If things don’t go as planned, learn from it and keep moving forward. And don’t forget to look after yourself; staying healthy and happy is really important.
Gladiz: My advice is that it’s okay to change your mind — don’t force yourself to stay on a path if your heart is telling you otherwise. It’s also important to reach out; you are surrounded by friends, family, teachers and advisors who want you to succeed. Voice your concerns, and speak your dreams into existence!
Daisy: My biggest piece of advice for students is to take a calculated risk. There will always be a level of uncertainty when it comes to forming new opportunities and endeavors. A fear of rejection should never outweigh the possible reward. Each application, interview and networking event provides a chance to grow and learn.
Susan Messina is director of strategic content. Additional contributions were provided by Sonja Barisic and Phillip Brown.