Three years after applying for C-STEP as a Guilford Community College student, Gerson Aguilera is now just a few days away from becoming the first in his family to graduate from college.

Friends, professors and fascinating coursework helped guide senior Alice Bennett to the most meaningful aspects of her Carolina experience –– and a degree in American studies.

Graduating senior Meghan Paschall has spent her time at Carolina studying science and working as a CNA in UNC Hospitals to prepare herself for a future career in medicine.

Carolina Covenant Scholar Thidar Aye’s journey to Chapel Hill began in Myanmar. At UNC, she fell in love with research and hopes to one day enter a Ph.D. program in biology.

Graduating senior Hannah King grew up on a sheep farm in rural North Carolina, and when she got to Chapel Hill, she realized there was a high-profile role that she was perfectly qualified for: caring for Rameses XXII.

Senior Maria Emilia Mazzolenis, a native of Argentina, uses her skills in behavioral economics and data science to help others.

Senior Samuel Zahn has been awarded a prestigious Schwarzman scholarship, which funds a master’s in global affairs at Beijing’s Tsinghua University.

Alyssa Cooper has been working with Southern Bridge International’s Prego Club, which focuses on helping pregnant or post-partum Japanese women in the Triangle navigate the American medical system.

Senior Addie Wilson has always been interested in environmentalism, but what that looked like changed after she learned about the Carolina Beekeeping Club.

Patrick Clinch is Carolina’s 21st Marshall Scholar. The Marshall Scholarship covers university fees, cost of living expenses, annual book grants, thesis grant, research and daily travel grants, and fares to and from the United States.