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.
Ryan Nilsen, Student Services Specialist
Ryan is the student services specialist working with the Buckley Public Service Scholars program and APPLES Service-Learning Initiative. He graduated from North Carolina State University with a double major in English and international studies and a minor in mathematics and completed a Master of Theological Studies degree at Duke University.
At the Center, Ryan provides day-to-day administration, outreach, planning and training for the Buckley Public Service Scholars program and helps monitor the students' progress. Ryan also advises APPLES Service-Learning Initiative committee and provides oversight for the fellowship and grant programs.
Saarah Abdul-Rauf, NC Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTA
Saarah is the North Carolina Campus Compact VISTA with the Carolina Center for Public Service. She is currently serving her second AmeriCorps VISTA term having previously served at Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, North Carolina. At Lenoir-Rhyne Saarah coordinated all community service and service-learning initiatives. In addition she was heavily involved with the communities’ direct initiatives to combat food insecurity by participating in food council boards and bringing awareness to the campus. During Saarah’s time at Carolina she will help to strengthen relationships with existing community partners by working with the SMART Mentoring and alternative break programs.
Originally from Maryland, Saarah grew up in Chapel Hill. Her knowledge of the local community and university will aide her while building capacity and strengthen community partnerships for the Center. Saarah graduated from Peace College in Raleigh, North Carolina, with a bachelor of art in anthropology with a concentration in cultural anthropology.
Alyssa Davis serves as the office manager for the APPLES Service-Learning program. She is a current sophomore from Dallas, Texas, pursuing a humanities degree. Alyssa is involved with the campus organizations HOPE Gardens and UNC-NOW, and also serves as a co-leader for APPLES alternative fall break for the 2012-2013 school year. She is excited to help APPLES students by serving as a connection between them and APPLES staff.
