Student Spotlight: Entrepreneur Ryan Cocca

Ever dreamed of running your own business someday? At UNC, entrepreneurship and innovative thinking is bred through countless organizations including Carolina Creates, Carolina Challenge and the recently established minor in Entrepreneurship. These avenues allow students to embrace their greatest passions and aspirations and prepare them for the possibility of bootstrapping after college -- or for some while they are still here. Ryan Cocca, a senior at UNC, has certainly established himself as one of those people.

Cocca, a born and bred Chapel Hill-ian, has dreamed of UNC his whole life. While his dreams of being a basketball star may have been a little far-fetched, his vision of owning his own business has taken off into a reality. In 2011, Ryan co-founded Thrill City as “an independent brand and online boutique based in Chapel Hill, NC, producing quality apparel and accessories with the mission of making a positive social impact.” So, what does that mean? Essentially, it’s a streetwear company that uses the influence of clothing and media to raise awareness about different types of art in Chapel Hill.

Thrill City started as a test. Ryan created a UNC basketball T-shirt design and posted it online. Almost instantly, the Twitter-sphere began to blow up over his design and even the basketball team was talking about it. Within a period of two weeks, he’d sold over 150 shirts and Thrill City was officially in business. Since its inception, Ryan has hosted countless events to promote the brand as his designs continue to evolve and has gotten support from celebrities like Asher Roth and former UNC basketball stars like Deon Thompson, John Henson, Danny Green and Ty Lawson. In the near future, his main goals are collaborating with local artists for the T-shirt designs and establishing a clearer, more focused social media and blog presence. He hopes to spread the Thrill City motto of “Don't Sleep” and focus on further establishing its presence and importance in Chapel Hill and the Triangle.

Think you’ve got the spark to create something of your own? Like Ryan, you too can flourish and accomplish your hopes and dreams at Carolina. Check out the immense opportunities for entrepreneurship and innovation at UNC below.

Minor in Entrepreneurship - http://www.unceminor.org/

Carolina Challenge - http://www.carolinachallenge.org/

Carolina Creates - http://www.carolinacreates.unc.edu/

Entrepreneurship at Kenan-Flagler - http://www.kenan-flagler.unc.edu/entrepreneurship 

To learn more about Thrill City, follow @thrillcitync on Twitter and check out these feature articles:

Feature Articles - http://www.chapelhillmagazine.com/blog/thrill-city-presents-medium-art-show/

                             http://www.hercampus.com/school/unc/campus-celebrity-ryan-cocca

Ryan is a photojournalism major and an Entrepreneurship minor at UNC.

Expand Your Network at Carolina

Carolina students go on to do some pretty amazing things after spending four years with us. Next up in our short series of senior stories is Jane...

My name is Jane, and I’m a senior from Charlotte, NC. As I prepare to graduate in a few weeks, I can’t help but be thankful for all that I have experienced during my time at Carolina. In addition to being some of the most intelligent people I’ve ever met, my classmates are also incredibly kind and welcoming. Instead of fierce competition, we work together to accomplish our goals and change the world.

Majoring in journalism and double minoring in information systems and entrepreneurship connected me with a diverse range of student organizations – from Women in Entrepreneurship to Students for the Ackland Art Museum. I also served as vice president of my sorority, Delta Delta Delta, and I’m still close with friends I made while living on campus my first year. As a campus ambassador with Twitter, Square, and Google, I’ve had the unique opportunity to build my professional network and collaborate with other student leaders by spreading my passion for innovative technology.

The Carolina network is invaluable, and I’ve learned that it extends far beyond Chapel Hill. Not only did I travel to New York with the Advertising Club, but I spent two summers interning in Los Angeles and San Francisco. I’ll actually be heading back to California in the fall to begin working for Google, which is something I wouldn’t have been able to achieve without the support of my Carolina community!

Have a question for Jane? Post it below.

What a Carolina Degree Can Do For You

Carolina students go on to do some pretty amazing things after spending four years with us. Over the next two weeks, we'll share some of their stories with you. First up is Kahlil...

My name is Kahlil, and I’m a senior from New Carrollton, MD studying economics and political science. During my nearly four years at Carolina, I’ve been able to grow and carve out my niche through the extracurricular and academic opportunities I’ve explored.

As a Pogue Scholar, I studied abroad in Santiago, Chile, which was one of the best things I’ve ever done. It broadened my worldview and gave me real-world experience to accompany my Spanish minor. My involvement in organizations such as Phi Beta Kappa, Ebony Readers Onyx Theater, and Carolina Language Partnership exposed me to diverse students who challenged and strengthened my beliefs and opinions.

Although I came to Carolina to study political science, I quickly fell in love with economics because it caused me to think in a different way and consider the logical motivations for every action. Professor Ralph Byrns was the first person to explain economics to me, and he used personal experiences to make the topics relatable. The quality of education I’ve received at Carolina and the experience I’ve gained helped me earn admission into the School of Business at Wake Forest University, where I was awarded a Corporate Fellowship to complete my master’s degree in management.

I’m excited that you’re considering Carolina and sincerely hope that you’ll join our community in the fall. 

Have a question for Kahlil? Post a comment below.

Senior Sitdown: Study Abroad

Senior Sitdown: Study Abroad

Next up in our senior sitdown series is Senior Sitdown: Study Abroad! Meet Reid, Cate, Alexandra, Alfredo, and Will and learn more about their experiences in England, New Zealand, Spain, Denmark, China, and Germany. About 60% of Carolina undergraduates study abroad, so if it's something you're interested in, it's never too early to start planning. There are more than 300 programs in approximately 70 countries, so there's definitely plenty to choose from. Hangout with us for a bit and learn more about the amazing study abroad opportunities available at Carolina.

When you decide where you want to go, the Study Abroad Office is happy to help students plan their adventures, and as the seniors said, the website is a great place to start or to plan your entire trip. Through the website, you can also meet the peer advisors that Cate mentioned and even reach out to one if their study abroad experience interests you.

And if you have a question for one of the seniors featured in the sitdown, post a comment below.

Welcome to Carolina: We Have Puppies

If you haven't been reading the Tar Heel Blog, you might want to start. It's a great way to get the current student perspective on everything Carolina – including puppies. Wait, who am I kidding?! Especially puppies!

Check out this recent Tar Heel Blog post by Ashley S.
 

So, to say I look happy in this picture would be considered an understatement, no? You see, this past couple of weeks have been crazy hectic and my idea of coping was watching Scrubs on Netflix until I understood medical lingo. Too bad I’m in Journalism. But I’m the kind of person that when I feel stressed, I need something that will make me happy and The Walking Dead only comes on once a week. But a fellow Tar Heel was carrying around Matilda (the adorable puppy in my arms) and allowed me to hold her.  Believe me when I say I never wanted to let go. (I’m pretty sure kidnapping a puppy is frowned upon in society.)  But you wanna know something even better than looking at a picture of me holding a puppy...


BAM! Our very own Ramses was out, sporting his spiffy suit, and can be seen holding little Matilda.

I wanted to share this experience with you because life at Carolina is made up of moments. I’m not trying to get philosophical on you (I haven’t taken that for my General Education requirements, you see) but it is true. But these little moments are what you will reflect back on after you’ve graduated from UNC and you’ve moved on to make your place in the world. I’ll never forget the puppy or the ram that put that smile on my face in the middle of midterms and meetings and work and cravings for Chipotle.

Sometimes, we get caught up in the big picture. Lately, I’ve been trying to balance obligations such as work, meetings, classes, deciding on housing, and other nonsense things that can really make you want to pull your hair out when you tend to over-analyze things like I do.  You have to learn to take a step back, and no one can really tell you how to do that. For me, I used to read. I don’t really have time to do that, so I had to find a work around. But to be with friends out on Polk Place, chilling with our school’s mascot and a puppy on a b-e-a-utiful, warm, still February Wednesday, gave me the boost I needed to turn the week around.  Everything just looks brighter when you do something that makes you smile.

And it has been busy for me. For those of you reading this that already know you’re coming to Carolina, I’m already excited to meet you at orientation this summer. In November (or was it December?) I found out I was going to be an Orientation Leader, working with first-year and transfer students. I was floored, honored, nervous, and excited.  Meeting you, whoever you are reading this, is all I’ve been thinking about since I applied in October (or was it September...?) However my sense of time is skewered, one thing I do know is that everything I do now is turning me into the person who will help you transition to UNC. No pressure or anything.

It’s strange. I’m a rising junior, already reflecting back on what it felt like to be in your shoes. It probably doesn’t help that Imagine Dragons' It’s Time is blasting through my headphones. Talk about a song that makes you feel nostalgic for the good ole days. I’m looking forward to study abroad, finding internships, and still craving Chipotle. Your time will fly while you’re here, that I can promise you. I didn’t believe it when I started here and yet, here I am telling you that that’s not the case at all.

Like I said: little moments. I have so many, I couldn’t possibly fit them all here. But those little moments are the ones I want to share with you (starting with Matilda because I just can’t resist that face), and I hope I get to do that with you this summer.

I hope you come to Carolina. I really do. Despite those moments where it feels overwhelming, I love being a Tar Heel because my campus knows how to brighten my day, whether it’s intentional or not.  I hope you have tons of questions about UNC, because I’m prepared to answer them all. So find me on Facebook or Twitter or shoot me an email (amspruil@live.unc.edu).

Hope to see you this summer!

Senior Sitdown: Journalism



Senior Sitdown: Journalism


Want to know more about majors, study abroad, housing, dining, and a host of other student life aspects here at Carolina? Then our new series, Senior Sitdown, was made just for you! Now that they have nearly four years under their belts, seniors are giving you the inside scoop on all things Carolina that you just won't find anywhere else!

First up in the series is Senior Sitdown: Journalism, where you'll get to hang out with Meghan, Charnelle, Colin, Emma, Moe and Jane – six amazing J-Schoolers representing a variety of concentrations, from Business Journalism to Public Relations. Not only will they discuss why they chose journalism, but they'll also offer some advice and share a bit about the awesome things they do with their summer vacations. So grab a seat, and click here!

Stay tuned to see who we'll sit down with next!

Black History Month at Carolina

Carolina is celebrating Black History Month with a wide variety of activities, and the entire campus is involved. The Black Student Movement will start off the festivities with a kickoff on February 1. UNC Dining Services will feature a month of themed cuisine — from African to Creole to homestyle southern — that will culminate in a Black History Month celebration dinner on February 27.

Student Stores is offering 20% off all books in the African American Studies section and 20% off all fiction books by African American authors for the entire month. If you would rather watch than read, head over to Paul Green Theater to catch Lorraine Hansberry’s legendary play, "A Raisin in the Sun." And the Stone Center will host a reception on February 7 for Los Angeles artist Toni Scott’s exhibit, "Bloodlines."

Other Black History Month activities include a forum on the roles of African American men and women, a lunch and movie series, and a feature on African sky legends at Morehead Planetarium. Follow UNC Black History Month on Twitter for the most up-to-date information.

Carolina Celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is just around the corner, and Carolina's week-long celebration  begins on January 20 with the 28th Annual University/Community MLK Jr. Memorial Banquet. Other events include a rally, candlelight vigil and interactive discussion. The week will culminate on January 25 with local high school students offering their interpretations of Langston Hughes' poem, "I, Too, Sing America," and its relation to Dr. King's legendary dream.


Check out the Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs for a complete list of the week's activities.

Early Action FAQs

We have received several questions this week about scholarships and more, so read on for the answers you seek!

Have all Scholarship Day invitations for Early Action applicants been sent?

Approximately 200 Early Action applicants have been, or will be, invited to our first Scholarship Day on February 1. However, if you do not receive an invitation to Scholarship Day, that does not mean you will not receive a scholarship. Our second Scholarship Day will take place in late March.

When will Early Action applicants receive honors and merit scholarship offers?

Honors and merit scholarship offers will be mailed and emailed throughout the month of February. A small number may also be sent in the spring.

Would now be a good time to visit? What’s happening on campus since the new semester began?

Yes! Campus is abuzz with activity and energy in 2013! Check out the Tar Heel Blog to see what students are up to.

Stress can be a real "Bear"

This time of year seems to lend itself to feeling stressed. From homework to application deadlines to the utter agony of waiting to hear back from the schools you've applied to, you have a lot on your plate - and we haven't even gotten to the Mayan apocalypse yet.

Here at Carolina, we're feeling the pressure, too. Today is a "reading day" for students: classes ended yesterday and final exams start tomorrow, so all across campus, Tar Heels are burrowed into their books. Davis Library is even tweeting status reports for those searching for a study spot:

For the admissions committee this time of year, almost every day has to be a reading day. Because we don't make decisions based off any one factor like your GPA or your test scores, it takes time to build our class. We know this can be frustrating and can leave you wondering why this all takes so long. We know that with the approach of our Regular Decision deadline on January 7 and the release of Early Action decisions at the end of January, your stress levels are going to creep up over the next few weeks. But in the spirit of keeping calm, here are a few tips from Bear, one of several therapy dogs on campus today and next week:

Feeling tired? Be sure to get enough sleep.

Don't forget to eat healthily, either.

Ask for a helping hand.

Remember, stress is a normal part of life...

...but we're all in this together.

(I don't actually have a caption for this one; I just really like puppy cheeks.)

Carolina Moments

A group of our admissions ambassadors asked their fellow students, "What's your favorite Carolina moment?" What's the one moment that epitomizes their experience as a Carolina student? Check it out!

If you're a current student interested in applying to become an admissions ambassador, see their website for all the details!

Game Days at Carolina

Today we welcome Kelsey Pan to the blog. Kelsey is one of our admissions ambassadors who also serves as a football ambassador, introducing prospective athletes to Carolina. She got to attend the opening game against Elon last week, and shared these great photos and thoughts of her experiences so far as a football ambassador.

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not the most knowledgeable person when it comes to the game of football. Yet gameday Saturdays are still without a doubt one of the highlights of my week. Carolina football is so much more than just watching our incredibly athletic peers score touchdown after touchdown; it is seeing all of Kenan Stadium covered in a sea of Carolina blue, arriving an hour before kickoff to secure a spot by the tunnel, melting under the 90-degree sun with our closest friends, savoring every last drop of chilled water, and seeing alumni of all ages return with their everlasting Tar Heel pride.

As a Football and Admissions Ambassador, I hope to not only introduce prospective athletes to our prestigious football program (and excellent food) during tours of the Kenan Football Center, but also to express the greatness of the University that those jerseys represent. No matter what students choose to do in their free time, be it football, marching band, research, or a capella, they are first and foremost Carolina students. And a university as great as UNC-Chapel Hill makes it possible for all students to pursue their widely different interests while still being crucial pieces of the larger Tar Heel family. Whether you're on the field as a part of the team or cheering from the stands, we are all a part of Carolina and that's what game days are truly about.

--Kelsey Pan

A Walk Through the Pit

I happened to walk through the Pit yesterday at lunchtime and had to stop and take some video for you all. There's always so much energy on campus during the first week of classes, and the Pit during lunchtime is definitely the best place to experience it! The "Pit" is the sunken courtyard bordered by the Undergraduate Library, Student Union, Lenoir Dining Hall, and Student Stores. Student groups set up booths, fundraisers, performances and more in the Pit all throughout the year. This is probably the busiest I have ever seen the Pit--it's not normally quite this crazy!

Welcome Class of 2016!

Welcome to all of our new students moving in this weekend!

Video by the Hinton James (aka "Ho Jo") RA staff. Like the rest of us, your RAs are excited to welcome you to campus!

Welcome New Tar Heel Bloggers!

Over on the Tar Heel Blog, we have seven new students joining us this year. You can follow Ashton, Caitlin, Diana, Jacob, Noah, Steph, and Victoria as they blog about their experiences at Carolina. They come from all over the country and are interested in everything from linguistics to women's studies to biology. I really encourage you to ask them any questions you have--they will be a very helpful and enthusiastic resource for you as you learn more about Carolina and decide if this is the right place for you.

Our returning bloggers are also getting back into the swing of the new school year and filling us in on all the excitement of a new semester. So head on over and say hello to our student bloggers!

Celebrating Exams

I know I'm biased, but I think we have the greatest and friendliest students in the world, and the most spirited. If you need evidence of the latter, take a look at this clip of how our students came together this week to blow off a little steam during exams.



You don't have to be able to dance to be a Tar Heel. But it helps to love life--and to be willing to love your classmates.

--Stephen Farmer

Why do they seem so happy?

Yesterday morning in the media center at West Charlotte High School, one of the students asked Holden Thorp, our chancellor, what makes UNC students special. Chancellor Thorp said: “They love the University, and they love each other.”

I just walked back to my office from the Pit, the shaded, sunken plaza that’s the heart of student life at Carolina. It’s a short trip—maybe 400 steps—but on the way at least a dozen students smiled and said hello. The few who didn’t were walking in twos or threes, laughing and lost in conversation.

Why do students smile so much at Carolina? Why do they seem so happy?

I think Holden Thorp has the right answer—and I’m not just saying that because he’s the chancellor.

--Stephen Farmer

A New Semester

I meant to get out and shoot some pictures of the first day of classes, but you'll have to settle for pictures of the second day of classes. After the relative quiet of the summer, the Pit seems to be bursting with students. It's probably the busiest place on campus, since it's bordered by the Student Union, the Undergraduate Library, Lenoir (one of the main dining halls), and Student Stores. A lot of student organizations also set up tables and signs to recruit new members, so it's a great way to see what's going on around campus.



Watch the Pitcam to see what's going on in the Pit right this second.



This morning in the Daily Tar Heel, I read a great column written by first-year Olga Kuzmina. She writes about how she made the decision to come to Carolina, and also about the challenges of adjusting to college life. It's a beautifully written and honest piece. She ends by saying:

"We all bring our own ideals of how our UNC experience should be. We put aside parts of our old lives and look to fill those voids with something new; a membership in the Campus Y or the friendship with a roommate that extends beyond Facebook wall posts. Rather than wallow in the absence of familiar faces, I'm throwing out preconceived notions, wearing the tar on my heel with pride and leaving my own footprint on campus."

It's exciting to think about all the first-years who are settling in and contemplating how they'll leave their footprint here. And in the Admissions Office, we're already thinking about the next class of amazing students (that'll be the Class of 2013!). The ones who will be walking through the Pit this time next year, feeling slightly lost, a little homesick, but confident knowing that Carolina is the right place for them. Is it the right place for you?

Our student bloggers are back on campus, and blogging over at the Tar Heel Blog. They are an incredibly enthusiastic and helpful group of students. Check it out, and ask them any questions you have.