I was extremely fortunate to have traveled with 35 faculty and colleagues on this yearʼs Tar Heel Bus Tour. The tour I participated in — the “west is best route” — took us on an incredible journey to see firsthand the impact that our university has across the state, and our connection to the people and communities we serve.
My experience affirmed for me that Carolinaʼs research and creative activities are truly making a difference in the lives of people throughout North Carolina, bringing to life our mission as a university of the people, for the people. Iʼd like to share highlights from a few of the stops on our tour:
On our first day, we stopped on the campus of North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University…
… where we met with colleagues from the Colleges of Engineering, Health & Human Sciences, Science & Technology, Education, and Agriculture, as well as some of our closest research collaborators like Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development Eric Muth and Director of Pre-Award Services Tonjia May. We celebrated our history of collaboration and our formal joint-research initiatives like the Looking Forward Pilot Awards Program and other efforts with NC TraCS and the UNC Coastal Resilience Center. We learned about some exciting collaborative research projects happening between our institutions and about the impressive work of Aggies in many areas critical to our state, from big data, clean energy, virtual reality, mental health, adult learning, and health disparities.
In Kannapolis…
… we saw the enormous impact that the SUN Project, led by Carolina faculty in the School of Government, including Mark Botts and Teshanee Williams, is having in Cabarrus County. With the help of Dr. Russell Suda, pregnant moms with substance use disorder can receive mental health and medication-assisted treatment and be supported through pregnancy, enabling them to deliver healthy infants. Those patients also receive coordinated care for themselves and their families. We heard inspiring stories from two former patients, Brooke and Jennifer, who both now work at the clinic helping pregnant moms struggling with substance use disorder. The SUN Project is an especially poignant example of the translation of science into practice and the impact that our research has on communities.
At Grandfather Mountain…
… we were treated to amazing Blue Ridge views and learned about the biological diversity unique to this particular mountain. Grandfather Mountain is a habitat for 16 distinct ecological communities and hosts over 70 unique species, including synchronous fireflies, making it a distinctive location for potential research. We were treated to a viewing of incredible photography by Hugh Morton, founder of Grandfather Mountain Park, and heard about the Hugh Morton Collection from Bob Anthony, retired curator of the North Carolina Collection in the Wilson Library.
In Pittsboro…
… we had an opportunity to visit the Tiny Homes Village at the Farm at Penny Lane and learn from Founder and Director Thava Mahadeva and Co-Director Amy Blank Wilson. The village is a demonstration project aimed at developing new affordable housing options for people with mental illness and other health conditions living on a fixed income. It is led by local nonprofit Cross Disability Services, Inc., (XDS, Inc.) and the UNC School of Social Work. The site includes a working farm, healthy food initiatives, access to emotional support animals through UNC PAWS, and a myriad of integrative care options.
In Asheboro…
… we learned about lithium and geology in Cleveland and Gaston counties and VentureAsheboro, which has facilitated development of small businesses in the area. We also heard from Executive Director of NCGrowth/SmartUp Mark Little and Executive Director of the NC Collaboratory Jeff Warren on significant economic development opportunities in the area, including the attraction of major corporations like Toyota, VinFast, and Wolfspeed. The ever-impressive work that is made possible by the NC Collaboratory and the NC General Assembly is supporting critical research with true and tangible impacts on the state and its citizens.
(Jon Gardiner/UNC-Chapel Hill)
In Winston-Salem…
… we heard about Building Integrated Communities, a statewide program led by the Institute for the Study of the Americas, and we were fortunate to meet Mayor Allen Joines to learn about impactful government partnerships that reach citizens in his city and across the state.
We also had a powerful visit with Franklin McCain Jr., whose father, Franklin McCain, was a civil rights activist and member of the Greensboro Four. McCain Jr. talked about his family in the aftermath of the Woolworthʼs lunch counter sit-in, the lasting impact of his fatherʼs actions, and the power of sharing his story.
In North Wilkesboro…
… we visited Call Family Distillers to learn about the history of moonshine runners, fast cars, and whiskey. We also heard from journalist Jeremy Markovich who has documented the critical role the North Wilkesboro Speedway has played in culture and livelihood of the town and its surrounding counties. The reopening of the racetrack for the 2023 NASCAR All-Star Race will have significant impact on tourism in the region.
We also heard about labor market shortages from Fairystone Fabrics, a leading textile manufacturer for over 50 years, who is partnering with the Carolina Across 100 initiative on pathways to living wage employment for young people.
Representatives from UNC World View and Elkin City Schools shared updates on their amazing global education initiative, and we heard from the Greensboro Health Disparities Collaborative, a community-academic medical center partnership. These impressive examples showcase Carolina-led efforts that are impacting children and young adults across the state.
On our last evening of the tour, we celebrated at Lake Tahoma…
… with a fabulous evening of fellowship and square dancing hosted by UNC Board of Trustee Member Ralph W. Meekins Sr., who generously provided an amazing dinner and opportunity to meet some impressive local alumni and students.
The tour created a world of possibilities, new collaborative ties, and deep sense of purpose and commitment to Carolina, to the state, and to all North Carolinians.