Bernice Meja

A proud member of the Beyhive. A dedicated scholar. A lighthearted jokester. Greetings everyone! My name is Bernice Meja and I’m the eldest daughter of Zimbabwean immigrants. Being American born but raised in Canada, I’ve had an interesting experience with education and I hope to be able to share those experiences with Equity Fellows! I did my undergraduate studies at Duke University, majoring in Physics and Philosophy. Upon completing my bachelor’s degree, I served with Duke College Advising Corps for the next two years! During this time, I had the privilege of assisting over 500 seniors with their college and post-secondary plans, an experience that enriched my understanding of mentorship and guidance. Becoming an Equity Fellow is a milestone I embrace with boundless enthusiasm. My primary mission is to provide unwavering support and empowerment to my students as they navigate their transformative journey at UNC.

Deanna Gibson

Hello Everyone! My name is Deanna Gibson! In addition to working as a 1789 Mentor, I am also an Autism Technician with a background in child development and advocacy for equitable access to education. I received my Bachelor of Science in Psychology from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After graduation, I looked for something to align with my passion for advocacy and equity and became a College Adviser with the Carolina College Advising Corps from 2021-2023 at Granville High School. I am currently attending UNC Chapel Hill again for the Master in Social Work program. I look forward to applying my skills to helping first-year students achieve their life goals while making long-lasting relationships with those around me! In my free time I play coed and women’s slow pitch softball.

Elijah Geist

Hi! My name is Elijah Geist, and I am originally from Eureka, California. I moved to North Carolina a few years ago and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and a Minor in International Studies from NC State University. I was a part of the NC State College Advising Corps, and I was stationed at Bunn High School, where I also coached track and field.

I recently picked up running last summer and I ran my first full marathon this past March! I plan to join the Men’s Rowing Club at Chapel Hill while I continue my studies. I am part of the Carolina Planning Program at UNC-Chapel Hill, and I will be earning my Master of Arts (MA) in City and Regional Planning with a focus in Transportation Planning.

Taylor Kromer

Hello! My name is Taylor Kromer. As a non-traditional student who graduated from University of North Carolina at Asheville in 2023 with a BA in Psychology, I became the first in my family to earn a four-year degree. I am passion about enhancing access to post-secondary education as a means to improve the health and wellness of rural North Carolina communities. I served as a College Adviser for the Appalachian College Advising Corps where I offered underserved high school students access to resources and information that make education more attainable. My background is in wellness and includes a Licensed Massage Therapist certification and a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training. I am currently working on my Master of Social Work (MSW) at UNC Chapel Hill School of Social Work and aspire to integrate the skills gained during this program into my current practice to provide a comprehensive mind-body approach to health services.

Lauren Bryant

Hello! My name is Lauren Bryant, and I am excited to serve as a 2024-2025 Equity Fellow. I am a recent graduate of Appalachian State University and I’m from Cary, NC. This past year, I served as a College Advisor at Fike High School in Wilson County through Carolina College Advising Corps. Currently, I am in the Advanced Standing Master of Social Work Program at UNC Chapel Hill. The Equity Fellows program is an amazing opportunity for mentors and students alike to explore ways to foster and maintain positive personal, academic, and social health outcomes for current college students. I aim to support and empower students to grow, while offering them all of the tips and advice that I wish I knew before completing undergrad. Please feel free to reach out for any questions/concerns. I look forward to working with each of you this upcoming school year!

Emily Winterich-Knox

My name is Emily Winterich-Knox, and I am a graduate student in the School of Social Work at UNC. This year, in addition to being a 1789 mentor, I am an intern at the Alexander YMCA in Raleigh working with their Community Case Manager. I also attended UNC-Chapel Hill for undergrad, where I studied Psychology and Sociology. After graduating, I was a College Advisor from 2020-2022 at Walter Williams High School in Alamance County. Since 2022, I have worked at Elon Academy, a college access and success program in Alamance County. Over the last four years working in college access and success, I have worked with hundreds of incredible students as they’ve navigated the college process and transition to college, and my love for my students and passion for advocacy has only grown. I can’t wait to get to know each of you and be a part of your support system in this next chapter!

Gaelyn Dent

Hello! My name is Gaelyn and I am from Fayetteville, North Carolina. I obtained my Bachelor of Arts in Neuroscience from Duke University in 2021. I served for three years with Duke College Advising Corps at Hobbton High in Newton Grove. I am currently pursuing my Master of Social Work (MSW) and Master of Public Administration (MPA) at UNC. I enjoy movies and painting.