Carolina Center for Public Service - Public Service and Engagement at Carolina

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.

Sarah is the Center's first-ever Student Services Specialist, a position designed as a two-year fellowship. 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 a Class of 2010 Public Service Scholar graduate. Sarah provides day-to-day administration, outreach, planning and training for the 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.

In her spare time, Sarah enjoys traveling and spending time with friends. She also has an interest in archaeology and can often be found watching documentaries or reading books on Ancient Egyptian culture.

Brittany is the NC Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTA with the Carolina Center for Public Service. She graduated from James Madison University in Virginia with a bachelor of science in Justice Studies with a concentration in Global Justice and a minor in Spanish. While at Carolina, Brittany will work with the GO! Initiative, Alternative Break programs, SMART Mentoring, as well as campus-wide events and community partnership building.

Jenny completed her undergraduate degree in history/pre-law at Clark University in Worcester, Ma., in 1989, graduating magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. She received her master's degree in international studies with a concentration in public administration from North Carolina State University in 2010. Prior to coming to UNC in 2001, Jenny worked for over 10 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 and received the National Rookie of the Year Award. 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. In 2010, Jenny received the North Carolina Campus Compact Civic Engagement Professional of the Year Award.

Rhonda Hubbard Beatty received her bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1987. She has worked in the communications, media and special events field for The Dow Chemical Company, NBC affiliate WPTF TV, WQOK FM, United Way and the American Lung Association of North Carolina. Rhonda has also served in a leadership capacity with many organizations including PTA, The Sir Walter Cabinet, UNC General Alumni Association and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. In addition to her work at the Center, Rhonda also volunteers with the Wake County Public School System’s Superintendent’s Parent Advisory Council and the UNC Library Board. She served as co-chair of the 2009 Governor's Inaugural Ball, sponsored by the Junior League of Raleigh and currently volunteers with the League’s new Center for Community Leadership. Rhonda lives in Raleigh with her husband, Bryan, a UNC Law School alumnus, and they have three children, Bryan Jr., Nicole and Michael.

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.