Raven Sizemore ’24 was the first recipient of the Sloan Scholarship. She is now one of three UNC System Presidential Scholars for the 2024-25 academic year. As a fellow, she will gain experience in public policy, research, and strategic initiatives that affect higher education.
Each year, new scholars have benefitted from the full support provided by the scholarship. UNCG Magazine sat down to talk with recipients Amelia, Harmony, Iyana, Jayson, Juliet, and Raven.
UNCG: How did you find your way to UNCG?
RAVEN: I came in as a music education major living on campus in the Honors College in the South Spencer dorms.
HARMONY: I’m a legacy here, so UNCG was always going to be a part of my story. My parents are the reason I am the scholar that I am today, and they’re the reason I can light the way at UNCG.
JAYSON: My brother goes to UNCG as well. Being on campus has gotten us closer to one another. It was really nice to see him join the UNCG community.
UNCG: Was there a class or professor that helped determine your path at the University?
RAVEN: At the Honors College, I had this unique opportunity to do a graduate-level course with my trombone professor. It sparked something in me.
JAYSON: My introductory biology professor, Dr. Lepri. He included everybody in the class and made everyone feel seen.
UNCG: What are some things that you’ve done to find community at UNCG?
HARMONY: I have volunteered at the Spartan Open Pantry, and I joined the UNCG chapter of the NAACP and the Neo-Black Society. I’m a board member of the Black Student Union.
RAVEN: I joined a music fraternity, Mu Phi Epsilon. In my junior and senior years, I was heavily focused on really diving into the music community of Greensboro.
JAYSON: I joined S.A.L.S.A., the Spanish American Latino Student Association. I saw a post about it on Instagram.
AMELIA: I was in Australia for four months with study abroad. I had the opportunity to travel along the coast and interact with people from different countries.
UNCG: How does it feel to get to know the Sloans?
AMELIA: I’m so thankful we get to meet with them. You can see in how they talk to everyone that they truly are invested in us. They see our potential.
HARMONY: I just completed my first year, so I met the Sloans for the first time recently. They wanted to get to know the real me. Ever since, they’ve helped me find my way through UNCG.
RAVEN: The Sloans want to know what you are passionate about so that they can help you do those things. I shared my passion about safer roadways and going to Raleigh to advocate for that after I lost my sister in a car accident. The Sloans took me to Raleigh and I had the chance to work on a House bill with Amos Quick.
UNCG: What do you think potential donors should know about UNCG students today?
HARMONY: I would definitely say UNCG students are unafraid to be authentically themselves.
AMELIA: UNCG students are really determined. We’re here all the time working for opportunities. Having this scholarship allowed me to do so much that I would not have been able to do without it.
JULIET: Scholarships are an important step in achieving my goals. The Sloan Scholarship is helping me become a nurse and will help me inspire others who want to be nurses.
IYANA: My scholarship enables me to further my education without financial stress. It allows me to focus on my academic goals.
RAVEN: I’ve been able to learn about myself through these opportunities, and that’s allowed me to pursue opportunities to a higher degree. That wouldn’t be the case if it wasn’t for the Sloans.
Interviewed by Mercer Bufter ’11 MA. Courtesy photographs except Raven Sizemore photo by Sean Norona ’13.