Skip to main content

Nominations Open for Graduate School Advocacy and Development Board

Headshot of a man in a suit smiling
Rob Garris (PhD ’99)

Dean Beth Mayer-Davis has announced the formation of the Graduate School Advocacy and Development Board. This Board serves to advance and support The Graduate School in its mission to foster world-class graduate and professional education at UNC-Chapel Hill.  

Rob Garris (PhD ‘99), executive director of Trinity Leadership Fellows, has been selected as the inaugural chair of the board. “I’m excited to join this effort and support the Graduate School,” said Garris, “In part from my gratitude to the University for the outstanding education I received, and also because I care so deeply about the mission of preparing graduate students for engaged service to their communities and the world.”

Garris and the Board are changed with three primary tasks:  

  1. Advocating for The Graduate School by working in collaboration with the dean of The Graduate School and lead development officer to build and strengthen ties between The Graduate School and current and potential donors.
  2. Serving as ambassadors across campus and with external stakeholders by opening doors for industry, foundation and individual supporters and hosting events to promote The Graduate School throughout North Carolina and beyond.
  3. Providing insight to the Dean in matters relating to industry partnerships, school reputation, student support and recruitment, awards and fellowships, and other matters in addition to fundraising. 

“Carolina graduate students are extraordinary scholars and leaders who generate the new knowledge we need to solve the world’s greatest challenges,” said Beth Mayer-Davis, dean of The Graduate School. “Our job is to support them to make this groundbreaking work possible. I’m looking forward to working with Rob and the Board to better serve our state, nation and world by empowering Carolina’s graduate students.”  

The Board will meet twice per year (fall and spring) with hybrid committee meetings as needed in between.  

If you would like to learn more about getting involved with the Graduate School Advocacy and Development Board, please contact Kate Moser at katemoser@unc.edu.  

Comments are closed.