Honors Carolina Team
The Honors Carolina staff includes a team of academic professionals who are committed to undergraduate excellence. Please let us know how we can help you make the most of your Carolina experience.
James Leloudis
Professor of History
Peter T. Grauer Associate Dean for Honors Carolina
Director of the James M. Johnston Center for Undergraduate Excellence
Dean Leloudis provides overall leadership for Honors Carolina and the Johnston Center for Undergraduate Excellence. He is an award-winning professor of History whose teaching and research focus on late-19th and 20th-century America. Dean Leloudis graduated from Carolina in History with highest honors, and then earned a master’s degree at Northwestern University and a PhD from Carolina.
Gabriela Valdivia
Professor of Geography
Assistant Dean for Honors Carolina
Dean Valdivia coordinates the selection of Honors Carolina students and is responsible for Honors course programming and extracurricular activities. Her research examines the political dimensions of natural resource governance in Latin America: how Latin American states, firms, and civil society appropriate and transform resources to meet their interests, and how capturing and putting resources to work transforms cultural and ecological communities. She grew up in Peru and conducted ethnographic research in Ecuador and Bolivia, and brings these experiences into her introductory courses on Latin America and advanced undergraduate courses on the political ecology of rural Latin America. Dean Valdivia earned her undergraduate degree from Macalester College, her master’s from UNC-Chapel Hill, and her PhD degree from the University of Minnesota.
Devon Almond
Thrive Advisor
Devon Almond’s lifework involves guiding students to become more wholly who they uniquely already are to eventually mend a specific ache in their communities. With a particular zeal for guiding the educational pathways of students with interdisciplinary interests in the arts, humanities, and social sciences/management, Devon advises Honors Carolina students and teaches College Thriving courses in the College of Arts & Science at UNC. His transdisciplinary research on purposeful higher education for meaningful work is shaped through scholarly engagement in transformative learning, transpersonal psychology, positive adult development, and integral theory. In addition to a Master of Business Administration, Certificate in Integral Transformative Leadership, and a Doctor of Education degree, Devon also earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree from an alternative college. As a former study-abroad director with a fondness for small towns, he has worked—mostly as a faculty member—with various geographically remote and rural colleges and universities across North America, spanning from the Yukon to Hawaii. Devon lives with his wife and daughter in a log cabin in the woods near Chapel Hill.
Erin Andrews
Thrive Advisor
Erin is an Academic Advisor in the College of Arts and Sciences, where her caseload includes many Honors Carolina students. As an advisor, she works to support undergraduates as they plan their personal, scholastic, and professional journeys. She comes from a teaching background in the Humanities, and she has designed and taught courses on topics including writing, literature, popular film, and gender and sexuality studies. Erin earned her Master’s degree in American Studies at George Washington University and her PhD in English at Northwestern University.
Todd K. Ballenger
Director of Alumni and Career Networks
Todd Ballenger manages the development of the new Go Anywhere software platform, alumni and career networks, and ongoing curriculum designed to create a richer student experience that leads to a more fulfilling and productive post graduate career. He is a serial entrepreneur, published author and national growth and development coach. Todd holds a bachelor’s degree from UNC’s Kenan Flagler business school with a minor in computer science.
Amanda Brumfield
Professional Development and Career Coach
Amanda is an Honors Carolina Coach with expertise in law and the public sector. She provides guidance to students as they explore academic and career goals, and helps them identify learning opportunities, inside and outside of the classroom, that will prepare them for employment or postgraduate study. Prior to joining the Honors Carolina team, she worked as an attorney with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in Washington, DC, and clerked for a federal judge in West Virginia. Amanda is originally from Connecticut and holds a law degree from New York University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree in political science and human rights from the University of Connecticut.
Alfreda Clegg
Assistant Director, Academic Advising for Thrive Hubs
Alfreda Clegg advises Honors Carolina Students and serves as an Assistant Director in Academic Advising for Thrive Hubs. Her objective is to partner with students as they work toward academic and personal goals inside and outside of the classroom. She enjoys watching students grow as they explore multiple subjects and high impact activities during their undergraduate programs. She helps students to navigate and understand policies, procedures, and their academic programs throughout their time at UNC. She offers in-person and virtual academic advising appointments and virtual drop-in meetings. She has worked in Academic Advising at Indiana University and UNC-Chapel Hill for more than 20 years. Alfreda earned a bachelor’s degree from UNC-Chapel Hill and a master’s degree from Indiana University at Bloomington.
Jason Clemmons
Director of Curriculum, Recruitment, and Operations
Jason Clemmons leads the Honors Carolina staff and supervises all aspects of the program and the Johnston Center’s daily operations. He also serves on the College of Arts & Sciences Dean’s Diversity Advisory Committee, acts as executive assistant for the Alpha of North Carolina chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, facilitates the Dunlevie Honors Colloquium each spring, and leads the Honors Carolina PRIDE group. Jason holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Carolina.
Jennifer Cole
Professional Development and Career Coach
Jennifer Cole is an Honors Carolina Coach with over 20 years’ experience providing career strategies and solutions to students and alumni at Johns Hopkins University, Wheelock College, and UNC. For the past 13 years, Jennifer served as the Director for Career Development in the Department of Maternal and Child Health at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health. She comes from a belief that we each have a lot to offer and there is space for all of our talents and contributions. Empowering students to identify, appreciate, and convey their unique skills and reach their full potential is a passion that Jennifer works hard to accomplish. She has master’s degrees from the University of South Florida in Public Health and Social Work. Outside of work Jennifer likes to spend time with family, rollerblade, and has recently become involved in improv.
Anne Collins
Senior Associate Director of Development for the College of Arts & Sciences
Executive Director of the Arts & Sciences Foundation
Anne Collins is responsible for leading the Arts and Sciences Foundation. She joined the Arts and Sciences Foundation in 2011 as the major gift officer for Honors Carolina. She holds a bachelor’s degree in religious studies and a minor in bioethics from the University of Virginia.
Aëron Delaney
Events and Client Services Manager
Aëron Delaney is responsible for planning and coordinating all Honors Carolina events, communicating with clients on Graham Memorial reservation space and availability, and managing building access and security. She holds a bachelor’s degree in geography from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Gina Difino
Director of Global Education and Fellowships
Gina Difino provides guidance to students embarking on international experiences and works with faculty to develop new programs around the globe. She holds a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from Grinnell College and a master’s degree in international education from SIT Graduate Institute.
Emma Dove
Thrive Advisor
Emma Dove advises Honors Carolina students and teaches College Thriving courses in the College of Arts and Sciences at UNC. She enjoys partnering with students during their time at Carolina, learning about their unique stories and perspectives, and coaching them towards their holistic goals. Emma holds an A.B. in History and Literature from Harvard University and a M.A.R. from Yale Divinity School and the Institute of Sacred Music. She is working towards a Ph.D. in art and architectural history from the University of Virginia.
Molly Drilling
Thrive Advisor
Molly greatly enjoys guiding students through their educational journey. She assists with major and career exploration, course planning, setting goals, and finding balance. Prior to shifting gears into higher ed, she was a mental health counselor for eight years. Molly earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Iowa State University and a master’s degree in Counseling from Indiana University.
Matt Eckler
Global Marketing and Programs Assistant
Matt is responsible for providing marketing and program assistance for students who wish to travel abroad with Honors Carolina. He spent a semester abroad himself in Havana, Cuba and holds a bachelor’s degree in management and a minor in Spanish from Siena College.
Andre Evans
Building Custodian
Andre Evans oversees the facilities maintenance of Graham Memorial, including housekeeping services, safety systems, equipment, and repairs. Andre also manages the event setup for activities hosted in the building.
Aspyn Fulcher
Director of Student Development and Co-Curricular Programs 
Aspyn develops and maintains an active Honors Carolina network that connects currently enrolled students with Honors Carolina alumni, parents, and friends, while also overseeing co-curricular programs for Honors Carolina students. Prior to joining the Honors Carolina team, Aspyn spent six years at Kenan-Flagler Business School’s Entrepreneurship Center, where she managed UNC’s largest pitch and makeathon competitions, launched two diversity, equity, and inclusion certificate courses for innovative executives, and led mentorship and programming initiatives for students, alumni, and local entrepreneurs. Aspyn is a Carolina alumna with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and double minors in entrepreneurship and dramatic art.
Meghan Gosk
Director of Will Froelich Honors Fellowship Program
Meghan provides academic, career, and proposal guidance to the students who are admitted to the Will Froelich Honors Fellowship Program. Meghan works with the Will Fellows to determine how they can best utilize their $7500 awards, such as global programs, research, internships, or other academic opportunities where learning and positive impact intersect. In addition, Meghan teaches two sections of Honors 101 and 201, facilitates workshops, and coaches students. Meghan has spent most of her career at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, working in MBA Admissions, Student Engagement, Global Programs, STAR, and Career & Leadership. She has her doctorate in Higher Education Administration from North Carolina State and her undergraduate and master’s degrees from Boston College. She and her husband Chris (who also works at UNC) have two daughters Taylor (UNC 2021) and Kelley (Elon 2023).
Marc Howlett
Executive Director of the Office of Distinguished Scholarships
Marc directs the Office of Distinguished Scholarships (ODS) where he coaches UNC students throughout the process of applying for nationally competitive scholarships and fellowships. He also manages the operations of ODS. Marc graduated summa cum laude from Northwestern University and then earned a master’s degree from the University of Virginia and a PhD from UNC-Chapel Hill. He is the co-author of the first book on academic coaching in higher education.
Monica Jackson
Finance & Operations Officer
Monica is responsible for day-to-day financial and personnel transactions and serves as the primary office manager for Honors Carolina. She facilitates departmental supply orders and inventory, parking allocations, telecommunications, and shipping and receiving. Monica holds an associate’s degree in business administration from Central Carolina Community College.
Erin Marcinowski
Assistant Director of Recruitment & Student Success
Special Assistant to the Honors Deans
Erin Marcinowski serves as administrative liaison for the Honors Carolina deans, providing executive-level support and program coordination. She manages recruiting events and visits, conducts new student orientation workshops, and is the primary public contact for program inquiries. Erin holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Mount Olive.
Jenn Marshburn
Enrolled Student Services Coordinator
Jenn Marshburn coordinates an array of student services, from course registration to Senior Honors Thesis reporting. Jenn holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Meredith College.
Charles Merritt
Professional Development and Career Coach
Charles is an Honors Carolina Coach with experience in business, entrepreneurship, and higher education. He provides guidance to students as they navigate their college careers and the transition to educational and professional opportunities outside the University. Charles grew up in Charlotte and studied Economics at UNC, where he was a Morehead-Cain Scholar. He holds an MBA from the Tuck School at Dartmouth and a Master of Theological Studies at Duke Divinity School. When not coaching for Honors, you can find Charles, reading, hiking, and hanging out with family.
Michael Norwood
Professional Development and Career Coach
Michael provides guidance to students as they explore academic and career goals, and helps them identify learning opportunities, inside and outside of the classroom, that will prepare them for employment or postgraduate study. Michael was a financial consultant for 28 years before joining Honors Carolina. He was lucky enough to have played under Coach Dean Smith and Coach Roy Williams during his time at UNC where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in economics.
Madeline Pace
Assistant Director of Communications & Development
Madeline develops and maintains Honors Carolina’s digital presence and coordinates marketing and communication projects. Prior to joining Honors Carolina, Madeline spent three years with UNC-Chapel Hill’s University Communications department, where she wrote content featuring students, faculty and staff, designed web content for the University’s homepage and sent a daily newsletter. Madeline is a Carolina alumna with a bachelor’s degree in English and communication and a minor in history, and a master’s degree in communication, technology and society from Clemson University.
Byron Parker
Building Services Technician
Bryon provides housekeeping and event set-up services for Graham Memorial. He brings years of experience to supporting a productive learning environment and helps to maintain Graham Memorial as a front door to the university.
Sabrina Spencer
Thrive Advisor
Sabrina Spencer serves Honors Carolina students as their Thrive Advisor and teaches College Thriving courses in the College of Arts and Sciences. Sabrina approaches her work as a former mental health counselor and strives to facilitate meaningful interactions with all students. Through these meetings, students have creative and sacred spaces to explore the academic and career goals aligned with their personal values and sense of purpose. She strives to support students’ understanding of and clarity around relevant policies and procedures as they navigate through their academic programs at Carolina. Sabrina earned both a Bachelor’s in Interpersonal Communication and a Master’s in College Counseling and Student Development from NC State University. In her free time, Sabrina enjoys reading, watercolor painting, playing acoustic guitar and exploring national parks.
Benjamin Waterhouse
Associate Professor of History
Faculty Director of the Office of Distinguished Scholarships
Ben Waterhouse is a scholar, instructor, and mentor who works closely with Carolina students and alumni applying for nationally competitive fellowships and scholarships. As Director of the Office of Distinguished Scholarships (ODS), he runs the selection committees for most of UNC’s endorsed scholarships, including the Marshall, Mitchell, Rhodes, Knight-Hennessy, Goldwater, Churchill, and Luce. He teaches courses on the history of business and economics, politics and political thought, and capitalism. Professor Waterhouse earned his undergraduate degree from Princeton, and his master’s and PhD degrees from Harvard.
Bryan Yackulic
Professional Development and Career Coach &
Go Anywhere Platform Administrator
Bryan is the primary administrator for the Go Anywhere Platform, Honors Carolina’s digital network for students, alumni, employers, faculty and staff. He also provides guidance to students as they explore academic and career goals, and helps them identify learning opportunities that will prepare them for employment or postgraduate study. Bryan specializes in cross-generational leadership, and has given a TEDx talk on the subject. Bryan has a doctoral degree in business administration (DBA) from Wilmington University, a master’s degree in science management (MSM) from the American College of Financial Services, and a bachelor’s degree in business administration (BBA) with a major in finance from James Madison University.
