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Alumnae tapped to lead Campus Y


Virginia S. Carson, a 25-year veteran of working with young people, counts her days at Carolina's Campus Y as among the most influential in her life. She now hopes to influence it as its new director. She starts Sept. 5.

Carson served most recently as chief executive officer of Capital Kids' Radio Co. based in Washington, D.C. A 1971 Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Carolina, she won the Frank Porter Graham Award that is presented to the graduating senior for outstanding contributions toward realizing human ideals of equality, dignity and community.

She replaces Zenobia Hatcher-Wilson, who left last fall after 15 years as the Y director, said Cynthia Wolf Johnson, associate vice chancellor for student learning.

Established in 1860, the Campus Y supports and encourages student leadership. Originally associated with the YMCA and the YWCA, the Campus Y has been unaffiliated with any religious organization since 1978. Today, it is part of the Student Affairs Division and helps promote student learning outside the classroom while providing quality services to the campus and local communities.

"This is an exciting time for the Campus Y as we work to revitalize its historic mission of promoting student advocacy for social justice and volunteerism," Johnson said. "Virginia will be an excellent spokesperson for the Campus Y and for students' initiatives."

Johnson said Carson, a lawyer by training, brings a wealth of experience to the Y, including a passion for working on issues related to volunteerism, fund raising and administration.

"Virginia cares deeply about students, is sensitive to their needs and interests, and wants the Campus Y activities to be led by the students," Johnson said.

As chief executive officer of Capital Kids' Radio Co. from 1990 to 1999, Carson was involved in purchasing and operating three AM radio stations in three states. The for-profit corporation developed award-winning programming for children and young teen-agers.

Her other professional experience includes 13 years as a trained mediator and arbitrator working with the American Arbitration Association and the National Association of Securities Dealers. She has handled commercial and employment disputes as well as trained other mediators and arbitrators. She spent 15 years as special counsel to a Washington law firm, specializing in communications law.

In Washington, Carson served on the board of the Healthy Babies Project that provides counseling and support to low-income pregnant women in two wards of the city.

Carson earned her law degree from Columbia University in 1974 and completed a negotiation program at the Harvard University Law School in 1986.


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