Principal Investigator | srobertson@northcarolina.edu

Dr. Shun Robertson serves as a state policy expert for the Strategy and Policy Division of the UNC System, researching key higher education issues to advance the System’s strategic goals. Prior to joining the UNC System, Robertson was a program director at MDC and Jobs for the Future, providing senior-level policy and research support to education and community-based projects. She also served as a policy analyst for the South Carolina Technical College System (SCTCS). In her role with SCTCS, Robertson provided ongoing analysis of education and economic trends affecting community colleges. She also has several years of experience working in admissions offices at colleges in Georgia and South Carolina. Dr. Robertson received her Bachelor of Science in business administration and doctorate in educational administration from the University of South Carolina; and her Master of Business Administration from Augusta State University. She earned a certificate in nonprofit administration from Duke University. 

Director | pbharris@northcarolina.edu

Patti B. Harris is the Director of GEAR UP North Carolina where she develops and oversees statewide programming and college access initiatives, building and sustaining relationships with national and local community partners to leverage support for GEAR UP related activities, and manages external partnerships to enhance student success at secondary and post-secondary levels. Prior to working with GEAR UP, Patti served as director of the NC State College Advising Corps, a college-access non-profit whose mission is to increase the number of first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented students who enter and complete higher education.

Patti has earned her Master of Education in Higher Education Administration from North Carolina State University (2014) and her bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2010). Currently, Patti is working on her PhD in Higher Education from North Carolina State University. As a first-generation college student, and North Carolina native, Patti serves to ensure all students have access and opportunity to earn a post-secondary credential.

Lead Researcher | mstojnic@northcarolina.edu 

Miodrag is the Lead Researcher for GEAR UP NC. His main tasks include survey development, data management, and data analysis with the purpose of evaluating the impact of GEAR UP NC’s efforts on students’ educational outcomes. He received his PhD in Sociology from New York University and was post-doctoral researcher at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

College Access and Success Manager | esantiagolopez@northcarolina.edu

As College Access and Success Manager, Estefane oversees GEAR UP NC’s partnership with eight community colleges and four-year public institutions, develops statewide and post-secondary initiatives, oversees financial transactions, and supports GEAR UP programming, outreach, and evaluation efforts. Prior to her role with GEAR UP, Estefane served as a College Adviser for two high schools in Davidson County, North Carolina as part of the Carolina College Advising Corps. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Peace, War and Defense from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2018). Estefane identifies as a multilingual indigenous woman from a low-income, single-mother household and a first-generation college student. Her identity and previous experience fuel her passion for increasing college access for underserved communities. She believes that obtaining a higher education is fundamental to closing the opportunity gap in North Carolina.

Budget & Finance Specialist | klmoye@northcarolina.edu

As Budget and Finance Specialist for GEAR UP North Carolina, Kina serves educational cohorts and two- and four-year collegiate institutions regarding budgetary forecasting and fiscal risk assessments and planning. Prior to joining the UNC System, Kina served as Analyst of the Disbursements department of East Carolina University, where she managed payable processes and liquidation of assets. She also worked for Wells Fargo Dealer Services for ten years and was responsible for onboarding high revenue dealership and auto contracts. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Merchandising from East Carolina University (2005). She believes that every student has the right to the best educational prospects and experiences.