The American Indian Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The American Indian Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is proud to announce Dylan Brooks of Pembroke, NC and Emily Chavis of Rowland, NC as the first ever recipients of the Carolina Native Service Scholars Award! Dylan and Emily, both of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, have demonstrated service and leadership within their Native community, as well as their intentions to give back to the UNC campus community as a student or to their tribal community as a professional.

“I am extremely honored and excited to be a Carolina Native Service Scholar. My ultimate goal is to assist Native communities across the state with financial management and economic development. In an increasingly competitive job market it is crucial that our people have as many opportunities as possible to achieve success and I sincerely hope that my efforts will create even more opportunities for our people to thrive”, Dylan said.

This desire to return home after graduation in effort to serve and strengthen tribal communities is shared between both recipients.

Emily shared, “I look forward to any chance that I can get to represent not just my tribal community, but my American Indian community as a whole. Opportunities like these make it possible for me to help influence the younger American Indian population to pursue their dreams. I am excited to be able to participate in future service activities with the American Indian Center and my American Indian community here at Chapel Hill."

Each recipient will receive $750 that will be used to supplement the cost of books and related school supplies. Furthermore, these recipients will be engaged in a service project at the American Indian Center during their first year at Carolina, while receiving professional development, leadership, and community engagement training. The Carolina Native Service Scholars Award will be awarded annually to qualified applicants that participate in Summer Bridge at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. According to Center director, Dr. Amy Locklear Hertel, “we hope this scholarship will encourage students to apply to Carolina, attend Summer Bridge, and participate in service activities related to Native communities as a student. Research suggests that both Summer Bridge and service activities that allow students give back to community influences student success. The Center is extremely honored and pleased to be able to offer this new student award. We are grateful to the donor who has made this possible.”

Again, the American Indian Center congratulates these two accomplished first year students. Welcome to the Carolina Native Community!