When senior Tyler Vaughan graduates this month, he will do so as a newly commissioned Marine second lieutenant and a new dad.

Carolina has helped Angela Nguyen realize her career and academic goals. At age 45, this first-generation college student will walk across the Winter Commencement stage, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in religious studies.

The professor of English is known for his stories, essays and novels, including “Big Fish,” which was adapted as a movie and Broadway musical.

Winter graduate Elliot Carey found his true passion for social work by serving his local community through volunteering with the North Carolina Guardian ad Litem program. Learn more about this Carolina senior and read one of his poems.

Senior Saskia Staimpel has expanded her interests in Black student activism through undergraduate research and a fellowship at the Sonja Haynes Stone Center for Black Culture and History.

Maximilian Spiegel will graduate in December and plans to pursue a career in academia based on his interdisciplinary study of popular music.

The Carolina chemist is known for his innovative research in developing synthetic polymers, commonly known as plastics, as well as teaching and mentoring.