This experienced Tar Heel wants to help you succeed at Carolina.
Kierra Peak knows Carolina better than most graduate students.
The occupational science doctoral candidate is a double Tar Heel – she also holds an undergraduate degree from Carolina – so she knows her way around campus. Peak is an orientation ambassador for this year’s Graduate Student Orientation, part of the team of experienced graduate students working to plan and implement the event. She sees Orientation as an opportunity to leverage her experience as a longtime Tar Heel to serve as a guide for new students as they prepare to begin their programs.
“It’s a long day, so I just want to be a helpful face for people,” Peak said. “Most people coming here for grad school aren’t familiar with the area. And usually, orientation day is also a move-in day for undergraduates, so I can stand outside and help guide both grad and undergrad students.”
Peak has served as an orientation ambassador for the past several years. Her first orientation made her aware of all the resources available to graduate students through The Graduate School, and she keeps coming back in part because she learns something new every time.
“I wasn’t sure I needed to go, because I was here in undergrad and thought ‘I’ll probably know everything,’” she said. “But there were a lot of things I didn’t know. There are so many resources. There’s help with teaching, financial literacy courses, managing stress and so much more.”
Peak has filled several roles in her time as a graduate student. She has been a research assistant, a teaching assistant, a teaching fellow, a mentor and has done community-engaged work. This wide range of experience has kept her coming back to The Graduate School for guidance in new areas. She advises new graduate students to pay attention to outreach and information from The Graduate School, in addition to their home departments, to take advantage of all the opportunities available to them.
“Definitely check those emails, whether from The Graduate School itself or, for example, the funding listserv. I know people get overwhelmed, but just reserve time to actually read those, because many of the events might be helpful for the stage you’re in.”
Peak knows the feelings of stress and isolation that can come with graduate school. She recommends utilizing resources available through CAPS and some of The Graduate School’s workshops that create a space for graduate students to connect and manage these issues.
She also suggested taking some time away from work to explore Chapel Hill and the surrounding area. Already familiar with Chapel Hill and Carrboro, she set a goal of visiting every North Carolina state park during her program and accomplished it earlier this year.
Peak and her fellow orientation ambassadors will be on hand at the George Watts Hill Alumni Center on Aug. 14 to assist incoming students with their transition into graduate school at Carolina. Details about Graduate Student Orientation, including a full schedule of events, are available on The Graduate School’s website, where incoming students can also find the registration link for the event.