News Release

Two faculty members receive first Carolina
Women’s Leadership Council Mentoring Awards

CHAPEL HILL – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill faculty members Dr. Joy Kasson and Carla White-Harris have received the university’s first Carolina Women’s Leadership Council Mentoring Awards, presented at the council’s recent annual meeting.

The awards are funded by an endowment established by the Carolina Women’s Leadership Council, a volunteer committee that is a part of the Carolina First Campaign, the university’s major fund-raising drive.

In two categories, faculty-to-faculty and faculty-to-student, the awards recognize outstanding faculty members who go the extra mile to guide, mentor and lead students and/or junior faculty members as they make important career decisions, embark on innovative research challenges and enrich their lives through public service, teaching and meaningful educational opportunities. Each recipient receives a $5,000 stipend.

"Recognizing that one of the Carolina First Campaign’s priorities is faculty support, we wanted to do something collectively to address this need," said Julia Sprunt Grumbles, a 1975 UNC graduate and co-chair of the Carolina Women’s Leadership Council. "An overwhelming number of faculty members have identified the need for more recognition programs to honor the fine work being done by our scholars. To that end, we wanted to honor those faculty members who have shared their wisdom and experience to lead, encourage and support students and colleagues in attaining their academic and personal goals."

Kasson, the Bowman and Gordon Gray professor of American studies and English and chairwoman of the Curriculum in American Studies, all within the College of Arts and Sciences, received the Carolina Women’s Leadership Council Mentoring Award for the faculty-to-faculty category.

White-Harris, a clinical assistant professor of pharmacy and director of the Pharmaceutical Care Labs, received the award for the faculty-to-student category.

Both recipients received numerous nominations. Of Kasson, a peer wrote: "I cannot think of a colleague who at one time or another has not benefited from her friendship and professional guidance or support. Joy Kasson is a model of excellence in teaching, research and service for which the university strives."

Likewise, one of White-Harris’ nominators wrote: "I define mentor as a wise and trusted friend and guide. Someone who listens to you, demonstrates leadership, believes in you and helps you to become who you are today. Ms. White-Harris demonstrates all of these attributes and more. She exemplifies the true definition of what a ‘mentor’ is."

The Carolina Women’s Leadership Council Mentoring Awards will be an ongoing recognition program, open to all tenured and tenure-track faculty, as well as fixed-term faculty who have taught at UNC for at least three years.

Nominations may be submitted by anyone from the UNC community, including current and former faculty, staff and students. A selection committee appointed by the provost – on which Grumbles serves – reviews and recommends the award recipients.

Contributions to the award endowment count toward the Carolina First Campaign goal of $2 billion. Carolina First is a comprehensive, multi-year, private fund-raising campaign to support Carolina’s vision of becoming the nation’s leading public university.

The 130-member Carolina Women’s Leadership Council is a network of women nationwide that is committed to supporting the university and students’ educational experiences. Along with providing financial support, members volunteer their time and share their expertise, as well as champion UNC in their regions and serve on boards that further the university’s mission.

In addition to Grumbles, the council is co-chaired by Mary Anne Dickson and Barbara Hyde, who graduated from UNC in 1963 and 1983 respectively. Hyde also is a member of UNC’s Board of Trustees.

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Development Communications contact: Scott Ragland, (919) 962-0027 or scott_ragland@unc.edu