Research Assistant | hcisley@northcarolina.edu Hannah is the Research Assistant for GEAR UP NC. She is a dedicated advocate for higher education equity, hailing from the small town of Stokesdale, NC. A proud first-generation college graduate, she earned her bachelor’s degree … Read more

Program Coordinator | klwilliamson@northcarolina.edu As GEAR UP NC’s Program Coordinator, Kailjn hopes to foster further opportunities for student success and growth while empowering students on their paths to higher education. She brings a passion for crafting engaging content that connects … Read more

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 … Read more

College Access and Success Manager | esantiagolopez@northcarolina.edu As College Access and Success Manager, Estefane oversees GEAR UP NC’s partnership with three community colleges and five 4-year public institutions, develops statewide and post-secondary initiatives, oversees GEAR UP NC’s digital presence, and supports … Read more

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. … Read more

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 … Read more

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 … Read more