Education alumnae lead cheers in Canes Crew

UNC School of Education alumni Maya Lin ’23 and Camryn Tuttle ’26 are part of the Carolina Hurricanes’ Canes Crew that makes the Lenovo Center “the loudest house in the NHL,” according to the Hurricanes website.

As brand ambassadors, they bring the same people-first approach they honed in the human development and family science program to games and fan events. Their work on the Canes Crew and within their day jobs both require the same skill: creating environments where people feel supported, seen and connected.

During the Hurricanes’ recent championship run, that work was on full display. Sellout crowds packed the Lenovo Center and Red Hat Amphitheater, while thousands more gathered at watch parties across the state. They all came to cheer the Hurricanes on their way to claiming the Stanley Cup with a 3-0 shutout over the Las Vegas Golden Knights.

For Tuttle and Lin, being part of the Canes Crew this year meant contributing to a larger purpose.

Lin channels the relationship-building skills she developed in Carolina’s human development and family science program to help create an energetic, welcoming atmosphere for Hurricanes fans. (Submitted photo)

Lin said she was “looking for the opportunity to be part of something bigger than myself and to find a sense of community” after graduating. “I am forever grateful to have been part of a moment that means so much to our community and humbled to think I may have played a small role in creating lifelong memories.”

For Tuttle, the experience was just as memorable. “It’s hard to put into words how excited I am to have my rookie year be the first time in 20 years that we’ve won the Cup,” she said. “This has been the best job ever, and winning the Cup is just the cherry on top of a perfect season.”

On the Canes Crew, they energize crowds and engage fans. In their other jobs, they reflect the same commitment to building relationships and serving the people around them.

At Duke Children’s Campus, an on-campus childcare facility for faculty, staff and students, Lin leads a classroom of young children, introducing early concepts like literacy, social development, STEM and creative play.

“I’m grateful for the foundation I gained from the HDFS program, which allows me to see countless opportunities to do what I love,” Lin said. “As I continue through my career, I want to further impact children and families on a larger scale.”

Tuttle, serving on the Canes Crew during the Hurricanes’ championship season offered an opportunity to be part of a moment that united fans across North Carolina. (Submitted photo)

Tuttle graduated from Carolina this spring, completing 335+ hours during a pediatric rehab internship at UNC Health’s inpatient acute rehab facilities during her final semester in the HDFS program. She has since joined The Wonder Lab in Durham — a STEM-focused play space for young children — as a host and assistant educator, where she leads the main play area, supports programming and helps create an environment where children can explore and learn through play.

“A lot of my [HDFS] classes focused on development and milestones for children and adolescents,” Tuttle said. “Being at The Wonder Lab, I’ve observed many of these milestones and have been able to talk with parents about their child’s development.”

She also runs the Promoting Access to Greater Education Literacy Promotion, working to encourage literacy in elementary-aged children by donating books and reading in classrooms across the state.

Beyond her work with the Carolina Hurricanes, Tuttle promotes literacy and supports children’s development through classroom visits and community outreach across the state. (Submitted photo)

Tuttle’s and Lin’s experiences at the School of Education shape how they approach their work. In a season that brought North Carolina together, they helped create moments of connection in the arena, in their communities and in the everyday work of supporting children and their families.