Mia-Paris Spagnoletti ('26 HOLD) PIT Journal Undergraduate Conference Speaker, Daily Tar Heel, Resident Advisor Mentor, UNC Operational Excellence Intern
HUMAN AND ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT 2025 - 2026 Annual Report
The Human and Organizational Leadership Development (HOLD) program prepares graduates to understand, lead, and work effectively with diverse stakeholders across and within organizations. The curriculum provides students with a grounding in the science of leadership development, organizational and leadership theory, quantitative and qualitative social science research methods, and data-informed decision-making. Students gain insight into various organizations, including school districts, businesses, non-profits, and government agencies committed to cultivating clients’ and workers’ capacities. HOLD graduates are skilled collaborators and communicators, keen observers of social structure and dynamics, and careful data consumers and analysts. HOLD offers a program of study that builds upon scholarship in education, social science, policy, analytics, and organizational leadership, mixing theory and practical skills that drive organizational improvement. The program uses applied research and experiential learning — including interdisciplinary projects and assignments, leadership programs, and a capstone project — to help deepen students’ understanding.
TABLE OF CONTENTS WELCOME ............................... 2 BY THE NUMBERS .................. 3 STUDENTS ............................... 5 FACULTY .................................. 8 COURSEWORK ........................ 9 CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE........ 11 ALUMNI UPDATES.................. 13
For more, visit ed.unc.edu/HOLD
Samantha Morinville ('26 HOLD) Caribbean Student Association, The National Society of Black Women in Medicine, Honors Carolina Ambassador, Health Systems Researcher
MESSAGE FROM THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR The 2025–2026 academic year marked our fifth year on campus as a major. As the inaugural director, it has been a pleasure to watch the program grow in ways that have exceeded expectations. The success of HOLD is best reflected in the stories of our students and alumni — helping shape state policy, earning admission to top-ranked graduate programs, and pursuing learning opportunities across the globe. Our graduates have gone on to advanced study and careers in human resources, technology, education, nonprofits, consulting, and other fields, drawing on the strong foundation provided by their organizational leadership and development coursework. What our students do after they leave our classrooms — and the impact they have in their organizations and communities — is the truest measure of this program's success, and there is much to be proud of. This year, we celebrate meaningful growth: welcoming our largest cohort to date, graduating a fourth class of students, and continuing to strengthen the experiences that make HOLD distinctive. Five years after launching in Fall 2021, the program continues to demonstrate the value of leadership education grounded in applied learning, community engagement, and professional practice. With over 80 students enrolled across four cohorts this spring, HOLD is no longer a new program—it is a thriving community of learners, alumni, faculty, and partners. Students continue to combine leadership studies with second majors and minors spanning nearly 40 disciplines, bringing extraordinary breadth to our classrooms and the organizations they serve. Highlights from this year include Career Treks to APCO, Innovate Carolina, and the Center for Creative Leadership; a campus-wide Leadership Panel; networking socials connecting students with alumni and partners; and a Capstone Symposium showcasing 25 collaborative projects with community organizations across North Carolina. These opportunities continue to grow through strong campus and community partnerships, including support from the Carolina Parents' Council, Student Affairs, and the Provost's Office, whose investments made Career Treks and Study Abroad Exploration possible this year. The accomplishments highlighted in this report reflect the dedication of the faculty, capstone site supervisors, alumni, and campus and community partners who make HOLD possible. Thank you for being part of our community. We look forward to building on this momentum in the years ahead.
Jemilia S. Davis, Ph.D. HOLD Program Director Clinical Associate Professor
PROGRAM BY THE NUMBERS HOLD continues to grow steadily. Our four current cohorts reflect a maturing student body bringing diverse academic interests and personal backgrounds to the program.
84
27
Currently Enrolled
Class of 2026
HOLD Enrollment by Semester (2021–2026) 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0
2021
2022
2023 FALL
2024
2025
2026
SPRING
In Febraury 2026, the Schoolʼs Foundations of Leadership classes, a part of HOLD, hosted a leadership panel Q&A where participants shared their personal experiences and perspectives on leadership.
Carlos Sacerio ('27 HOLD) First Generation College Student, Veteran, McNair Scholar, Transfer Student, and Carolina Ambassador
Walkerian Devon Henderson ('26 HOLD) UNC Shuford Program in Entrepreneurship, UNC Scholars Program, Carolina Covenant, UNC Arts and Sciences Foundation, Membership Services & Development Coordinator with Carolina Alumni
DOUBLE MAJORS AND MINORS In addition to HOLD, our students bring a wide range of interests to our classrooms. Of the 79 currently enrolled students, 14 (18%) pursue HOLD as a standalone major, while 82% combine HOLD with a second major or minor. Across the program, students are double-majoring or minoring in nearly 40 distinct academic disciplines. This breadth allows students to approach organizational leadership through multiple lenses, drawing from fields that deepen their understanding of how individuals and groups operate within systems. Most common second majors:
Most common minors:
Public Policy (6) Psychology (6) Political Science (5) Exercise and Sports Science (5) Communication Studies (4) Management and Society (4) History (4)
Conflict Management (10) Data Science (3) Education (3) Media and Journalism (2) Entrepreneurship (2) Business Administration (2)
Biology (2) French (2) History (2)
STUDENTS HOLD students bring a wide range of lived experiences, academic interests, and career aspirations to the classroom, creating a learning community shaped by diverse perspectives. From pairing leadership studies with disciplines like public policy, psychology, and history to engaging in honors research, study abroad, and interdisciplinary projects, students explore leadership through multiple lenses. Together, these experiences challenge them to think critically, collaborate across differences, and lead with equity, curiosity, and purpose.
Alisa Gerasimova ('26 B.A.)
SCHOOL OF EDUCATION HONORS PROGRAM Many HOLD students are also members of the School of Education Honors Program, where they further challenge themselves through an honors thesis project. These students sharpen their skills in analysis, synthesis, and research while engaging 1:1 with a faculty mentor and preparing for future careers and graduate study. Kassandra Ciriza-Monreal ('26 B.A.) recently completed the honors program and presented her thesis project, Rethinking Multilingualism: A Comprehensive Overview of Definitions, Policies, and Educational Practice in North Carolina Schools, with the support of mentor Yuliana Rodriguez, Ph.D. Drawing on a literature review, policy analysis, and statewide data, the study examined access to Dual Language Immersion programs across North Carolina. While the state has expanded bilingual education opportunities, the analysis found persistent gaps between English learner enrollment and access to additive bilingual pathways. Ciriza-Monreal graduated in May 2026, earning honors and highest distinction, with a second major in Romance Languages — Linguistics. She earned the Larry King Award for the Study of Minority Languages in the Iberian Peninsula and is an incoming Fulbright Scholar at the ISG Business & Economics School of Lisbon in Portugal.
Learning Through Theory and Practice Career Treks are company site visits that provide an opportunity for students to explore industries and job functions, while growing their professional network for future career opportunities. In the spring, HOLD students visited the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) in Greensboro, North Carolina, a globally recognized nonprofit organization and leadership research institution that develops leaders through evidence-based training, coaching, and research to help individuals and organizations create positive change. Students had the opportunity to learn more about the organization, work in teams to complete leadership challenges, and hear from a panel of experts. Previous Career Treks include visits to Carolina alumni working at the North Carolina mueseum of History, Ed2NC, APCO International, and more!
Kassandra Ciriza-Monreal ('26 B.A.) Transfer Student, Morehead-Cain Scholar, Student Leadership Assistant, John M Belk Impact Fellow, Kenya Scholar Access Program (KenSAP) Academic Instructor, Certified ESL Language Instructor, Study Abroad in Portugal
Riley Jo Holland ('26 B.A.)
Spring 2026 Career Trek
Spring 2026 Capstone Symposium
Anna Blair ('26 B.A.)
Caroline Bailey ('26 B.A.)
PROGRAM FACULTY The HOLD program benefits from a dedicated team of faculty and staff whose expertise spans educational leadership, policy, equity, higher education, and organizational development. Through mentorship, research, and teaching, they help students connect theory to practice and develop the skills needed to lead.
Jemilia S. Davis, Ph.D. Program Director, HOLD Clinical Associate Professor
Thurston Domina, Ph.D. Associate Dean for Academic Affairs; Robert Wendell Eaves Sr. Distinguished Professor
Megan Duff, Ph.D. Assistant Professor
Dustin Evatt, Ph.D. Program Director, Ed.D. in Organizational Learning and Leadership; Clinical Assistant Professor
Eric A. Houck, Ph.D. Program Director, Ed.D. in K-12 Leadership; Associate Professor
Ethan Hutt, Ph.D. Program Director, Education Minor; Associate Professor
Constance A. Lindsay, Ph.D. Assistant Professor
Lauren Sartain, Ph.D. Associate Professor
Brad Smith, Ph.D. Clinical Assistant Professor
Tiffany S. Wiggins, Ph.D. Clinical Assistant Professor
Bobby Kunstman Director, Student Life & Leadership
Monica Green Program Support Specialist
COURSEWORK The HOLD major begins with a sequence of core courses that introduce students to leadership, organizational theory, inquiry, data analysis, and organizational improvement. As they progress through the major, students explore topics such as community development, systems change, cultural competence, and equity-focused leadership. A broad selection of interdisciplinary electives allows students to tailor the major to their interests, with coursework spanning areas such as youth development, educational policy, social justice, and communication. The curriculum culminates in internship and capstone experiences that connect coursework with professional practice.
“
Dr. Davis is an incredible educator! Her mentorship was one of the best parts of my Carolina experience. EDUC 309 ignited my passion for education policy as the course provides multiple opportunities to engage with content of personal interest. Caroline Bailey ('26 HOLD)
“
EDUC 472 and Dr. Megan Duff were amazing! It gave me a unique experience in working with others internationally and solving real-world problems through simulation case studies. I wouldn't trade my time in this class for anything! Ava Vanness ('28 HOLD)
CORE COURSES • Inquiry and Data Applications (EDUC 257) focuses on the organizational context within which leaders work, and the internal reform initiatives leveraged for organizational improvement. Students will examine real issues confronting organizational leaders and the processes of inquiry that leaders use to address these issues. • Foundations of Leadership (EDUC 309) is a three-credit seminar on leadership styles, philosophies, and issues related to leadership. • Organizational and Community Development (EDUC 357) makes organizations an object of study. Together, we will ask: Where do organizations come from? What accounts for their success and failure? And, most importantly, what can each of us do to make the organizations that we are part of better serve us all? • System Improvement and Implementation at Scale (EDUC 472) is collaborative, experiential, and data-driven course for understanding and facilitating organizational learning and change. Students complete an “improvement research project” based on their own personal interests or in partnership with those in an organizational setting. • Leadership in Educational/Nonprofit Settings (EDUC 505) introduces students to a research-based, highly practical understanding of leadership frames prominent in educational/nonprofit organizations. • Equity, Leadership, and You (EDUC 508) was developed to confront and address questions of global cultural competence and self-critique.
CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE HOLD faculty members have cultivated relationships with a number of organizations across sectors and fields that align with students’ aspirations. The HOLD capstone gives students the opportunity to apply leadership, organizational improvement, and research skills within these professional settings. Students work with organizations across education, nonprofit, and community sectors to address real-world organizational challenges then complete a written report and an oral presentation summarizing what they learned.
4.75 Mean supervisor rating of students (out of 5.00)
SUPERVISOR REFLECTIONS
At the close of the spring semester, HOLD capstone site supervisors completed a final evaluation of each student. Supervisors repeatedly echo students' consistently strong performance in the following categories.
of Skills and 1 Application Rapid Growth
“
Aidan did more in one semester than we had been able to accomplish in over a year, putting us on firm footing well into the future.
2 Leadership and Initiative
“
Ethan Huttt North Carolina Learning Research Network on Aidan Williams
“
Her work on this project is built for longevity. She's done great work for us that will certainly have an impact. Amy Richardson Carolina Community Academy on Roxanne Dudley
Rather than getting stuck, he pushed forward independently and escalated only when it added value. By the end, he was operating as a full-time team member. Charles Douthitt Virnika on Shuban Gouru
“
She helped me create the vision as we worked on the project together. Heather Constantatos CORRAL Riding Academy on Daphne Stier
In Spring 2026, 25 students completed their capstone experiences at the following organizations: American Indian Center (UNC) Carolina Alumni Carolina Athletics Carolina Collegiate High School Carolina Community Academy Clinton Health Access Initiative Cooperative Christian Ministries CORRAL Riding Academy Human Resources Puerto Vallarta Discovery Education Expand With Libby H.E.A.R.T.S. (Durham) Mount Airy City Schools North Carolina Learning Research Network UNC Health University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Veradigm Versado Training
Readiness 3 Professional and Versatility
“
Her ability to climatize into a new team while working completely remotely and managing other personal and professional priorities Laura Sample Clinton Health Access Initiative on Trinity Sanders
“
She learned new systems and software quickly, adapted to feedback, and was able to pivot. Jennifer Isom UNC Health on Riley Peltz
Daphne Stier ('26 HOLD) Designed and launched the Grant Writing Volunteer Program at CORRAL Riding Academy, a nonprofit organization that serves adolescent girls with high-risk factors, to address a critical capacity gap and financial need.
4 Employability
“
I would absoloutely hire her! She is one of the most talented students I have had the pleasure of working with in my 28 years at UNC. Mindy Storrie UNC Student Leadership on Kassandra Ciriza-Monreal
2026 EMPLOYMENT OUTCOMES Five HOLD graduates were hired on by their capstone site, either full-time or part-time.
ALUMNI UPDATES Graduates of the HOLD program are well prepared to pursue organizational roles across industries—including education, nonprofit, government, business, and more. They bring a strategic mindset and collaborative approach to help organizations meet their goals and advance their missions, making a meaningful impact in their fields.
Cancro ('26 B.A.) helped create 2026 Emily unforgettable fan experiences during the
2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta through her work as an event executive with Octagon, a global agency in sports, entertainment and culture. Cancro supports Bank of America marketing through experiences at fan festivals and stadiums nationwide.
Trinity M. Sanders ('26 B.A.) is a M.Div. candidate at Yale Divinity School, and a student researcher, focused on the ethical implementation of artificial intelligence in public-facing institutions. Wachter ('25 B.A.) is pursing her 2025 Mia Doctor of Law from American University
Washington College of Law where she is a junior staffer for health law & policy for the University's law review. Wachter was previously a legal intern for the special litigation division of the NC Department of Justice and is now completeing a law internship with the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). Bryan Sorto Hernández ('25 B.A.) works as an 11th grade advisor with shift_ed’s SEO Scholars NC, a free, eight-year academic readiness program that supports public high school students from 9th grade through college graduation with the knowledge, tools, and experiences to succeed in higher education.
2024
Miller Ray ('24 B.A.) is a participant in the Human Resources Career Foundation Program at The Boeing Company, building a multidisciplinary foundation across HR functions to prepare for future leadership roles. Ray graduated from the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina with a master's degree in human resources in 2025.
Josie DeLellis ('24 B.A.) is currently pursing a M.A. in Research and Evaluation Methods from the Lynch School of Education and Human Development at Boston University, where she works with the Mary E. Walsh Center for Thriving Children. Lunden Mandigo ('24 B.A.) graduated from the University of Michigan in May 2026 with a master's degree in Information Big Data Analytics. Mandigo is now working at the Home Depot as a senior data analyst in transportation analytics. Blaise Shiver ('24 B.A.) is the district executive for Cleveland, Rutherford, and Polk Counties of the Piedmont Council of Scouting America. Shiver also serves as the camp director at Camp Bud Schiele, a cornerstone of scouting in western North Carolina for decades. Ellis ('23 B.A.) is a creative 2023 Jayna strategist at Shuttlerock in Chicago,
IL, a global creative technology company that helps brands scale their digital advertising content. She also works as an account strategist at Kareracter, a full-service creative agency specializing in marketing strategy for mission-driven organizations.
William "Stone" Watson ('23 B.A.) graduated from Vanderbilt Peabody College with a Master of Public Policy (M.P.P.) in Higher Education Education Policy in May 2025. He is currently working as a fiscal policy analyst at the Tennessee Higher Education Commission.
Emily Cancro ('26 B.A.)
Jayna Ellis ('23 B.A.)
Blaise Shiver ('24 B.A.)
Peabody Hall, Campus Box 3500 Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3500 ed.unc.edu