Staff Biographies
Leslie Parkins, Director of Service-Learning and Student Programs
Leslie Parkins has worked with at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill since 2002. From 2003-2010 Leslie worked as both the assistant director and associate director of the APPLES Service-Learning program, and since 2011 has been the director of service-learning and student programs with the Carolina Center for Public Service. Her previous work experience in higher education administration included residential programs, leadership development, academic advising and service-learning. Leslie completed her undergraduate degree in communication studies in 1999 from the University of South Florida and a graduate degree in college student personnel from Bowling Green State University in 2001. During graduate school, Leslie worked abroad for the University of Glamorgan in Treforest, Wales for a summer. Before arriving at Carolina, Leslie worked at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.
Leslie oversees the coordination of the APPLES Service-Learning program and Buckley Public Service Scholar program. Her efforts include faculty development, community-campus partnerships and student programming. In spring 2008, Leslie completed her Ed.D. from North Carolina State University's Higher Education Administration Program. Her dissertation research explored individual characteristics and motivational factors predicting faculty participation in service-learning pedagogy at research institutions. Leslie aspires to continue to work in a college or university setting to promote exciting learning opportunities. Leslie lives in Durham with her husband, Grant, their young son, Jack, and their beagle, Dixie.
Carolyn Byrne, Student Services Specialist
Carolyn is a student services specialist for the APPLES Service-Learning Program. Before coming to Chapel Hill, Carolyn attended Elon University graduating with a degree in Sociology with an interest in Gender Studies and African-American Studies.
Carolyn advises student organizers in the Internships, Alternative Break Program, and Service-Learning Initiative committees, as well as supports the development of classroom-community partnerships through service-learning courses. She will also be working with Housing and Residential Education to support the Service and Leadership Living-Learning Community.
Sarah Smith, Student Services Specialist
Sarah is Carolina Center for Public Service’s first-ever student services specialist, a position designed as a two-year fellowship for a recent college graduate. Sarah graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with a bachelor of arts in Anthropology and minors in Asian Studies and Social and Economic Justice. She is also a 2010 Public Service Scholar graduate.
Sarah provides day-to-day administration, outreach, planning and training for the Buckley Public Service Scholars program and helps monitor the students' progress. Sarah also advises the APPLES Service-Learning Initiative committee and provides oversight for the fellowship and grant programs.
When not working, Sarah spends time with friends, runs or reads. She also enjoys traveling and has dreams of one day making it to Egypt!
TJ Scott is the office manager for APPLES Service-Learning program. As a senior psychology major at UNC-Chapel Hill, TJ is looking forward to working with students and enriching their educational experiences through service learning. In the next year, he hopes to keep the office organized and on track, as well as a welcoming place for all that may visit.
During his free time, TJ enjoys being surrounded by friends, reading, cooking, all styles of music, and attending all Carolina sporting events, especially men’s basketball and football.
