David Sandy Becomes the Change He Wants to See

“I want to be the person to help bridge the gap.”

David Sandy arrived at UNC Greensboro with a vision of service, to give a voice to people for whom words do not come easily. He’s eager to get started after he graduates with a bachelor’s degree from the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders.

David’s path to UNCG started as a transfer student, and thanks to some college credits he completed in high school, he graduates early on May 8. Though he’s spent only a few years at the G, Sandy made himself a familiar, friendly face by getting involved in the social and academic activities at his disposal.

From Uncertainty to Impact, AnnaGrace Berry Finds Her Place in Education

AnnaGrace Berry did not expect to find her calling in a classroom. But now, she cannot imagine being anywhere else. 

Set to graduate this year with a bachelor’s degree in dual elementary and special education from UNC Greensboro’s School of Education, Berry is already doing the work she once only imagined: leading her own classroom as a long-term substitute while completing her student teaching. It is a role that may be overwhelming for many, but for Berry, it feels natural. 

“I look forward to coming to work,” she says. “Teaching just fills my cup.” 

PopTech Delivers a Career-Ready Artist in Vesa Basha

Vesa Basha was not a classically trained vocalist when she arrived at UNC Greensboro, but she’s graduating from the School of Music as a polished singer-songwriter with marketable skills for success in the music industry.  

For Basha, an emotive artist with a warm smile and the voice of an angel, none of this would be possible without UNCG’s PopTech program and “God’s perfect timing.” 

“This is where I would not just grow as a singer, but as a full artist,” she says about UNCG as she prepares to graduate with honors, earning her Bachelor of Music in Performance – Popular Music and Technology.

Naima Blakely Blends Humanities and Philosophy to Build Her Future

As she approached her 30th birthday, Naima Blakely found herself confronting a familiar milestone question: Where do I want to go from here?

Blakely spent most of her 20s working as a fast-food manager and bartender, building connections and sharing stories with customers. But as she neared a new decade, she felt a growing pull toward a more stable, “corporate” career path. “I had this feeling that I needed growth and new opportunities,” she says. That realization set her on a journey that would eventually bring her to UNC Greensboro.

Swee Paw Goes From Introvert to Classroom Leader

Lah “Swee” Paw surprised herself when she stood before a classroom of young learners during her practicum at Davis Elementary School. The self-described introvert once couldn’t have imagined engaging a group of children on her own, but on this day, she confidently led them through a lesson and then jumped in to help them trace letters.

“My student teaching experience really changed me,” Paw says. “It’s then that I knew I could really be an early childhood educator.”

Samantha Fynn Answers the Call

For Samantha Fynn, nursing was a calling, not just a career choice. Now she’s trading the classroom for the emergency room and a home at the coast.

Some people spend years searching for their calling. Samantha Fynn found hers at just seven years old. “From a young age, I knew I was meant to take care of others,” she reflected—an early spark that would light the way for everything to come.