Biographies
Carolyn Byrne | Margaret McEndarfer
Jenny Huq is the director of the APPLES Service-Learning Program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Jenny began her work with service-learning and APPLES in 2001. Currently, she serves on various UNC-CH committees: the First-Year Seminar Steering Committee, the Public Service Scholars Advisory Committee and the Social and Economic Justice Minor Committee. She is a graduate of the 2003 BRIDGES Academic Leadership Program.
Prior to working in higher education, she worked for over ten years in nonprofit administration, community development and program management in California, Arizona and South Dakota. During that time, she earned a Senior Director Certificate from the National YMCA, was elected to the position of YMCA National Field Coordinator and received the National Rookie of the Year Award.
Throughout her career, Jenny has focused on successfully designing, implementing and evaluating program initiatives and operational systems. Professionally, her areas of expertise include managing organizational expansion and change, spearheading innovative initiatives, cultivating volunteer leadership and professional staff, and forging collaborative, sustainable community partnerships.
Jenny earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History/Pre-Law from Clark University in Worcester, MA, graduating magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. As part of her undergraduate education, she studied abroad for one year at St. Andrews University in St. Andrews, Scotland. She continues her interest in international education through her graduate program in International Studies at North Carolina State University and the recent development of global service-learning programs for UNC-Chapel Hill students. She is a member of the Order of the Golden Fleece at UNC-Chapel Hill as well as the Sigma Iota Rho International Studies Honor Society at North Carolina State University. Personally, Jenny enjoys travel and the exploration of other cultures with her husband, Zaki and children, Durante and Amadeo.
Leslie Parkins, Associate Director for Programs and Leadership
Leslie Parkins is the associate director for programs and leadership of the APPLES Service-Learning Program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill since 2002. Before working at APPLES Leslie has had several years of experience working in higher education administration, specifically with 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 spends most of her time establishing and maintaining community-campus partnerships, mainly through service-learning courses. In addition, Leslie is initiating programs to improve the development and support of APPLES faculty, students and community partners. Most recently, Leslie has played an integral role in establishing the Service and Leadership House, a service-learning based residential program launched in Fall 2005.
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 and their beagle, Dixie.
Carolyn Byrne, NC Campus Compact VISTA, Program Development Coordinator
Carolyn is the 2009-2010 NC Campus Compact AmeriCorps*VISTA with the APPLES Service-Learning Program. Before coming to Chapel Hill, Carolyn attended Elon University graduating with a degree in Sociology with interest in Gender Studies and African-American Studies. During her time at Elon, Carolyn coordinated several Alternative Break Experiences; advised a student volunteer program (LINCS) and facilitated Academic Service-Learning courses.
This year at Chapel Hill, Carolyn will be advising student organizers in the Internships, Alternative Fall and Spring Break Experiences, and Service-Learning Initiative committees, as well as supporting the development of classroom-community partnerships through service-learning courses. She will also be working with Andy Petters to support the Service and Leadership Living-Learning Community, an opportunity for students to create a community dedicated to engaging in service and dialogue related to social justice, civic engagement, and leadership.
When she is not busy with work, Carolyn enjoys cooking, reading, live music and being outdoors.
Margaret McEndarfer, Office Manager
Margaret McEndarfer is the Office Manger for APPLES. She is a senior at UNC Chapel Hill where she is majoring in English and Women's Studies with a minor in Spanish. This year at APPLES, she hopes to keep the organizational groundwork running smoothly and help students find out more about getting involved in service learning.
After graduating, Margaret would like to continue on to graduate school with the hopes of ultimately becoming a professor. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, knitting, attending concerts, and playing with her two cats.
