Taliyah Daniels, a 2023 graduate and former SGA president at UNC Pembroke, has been selected as a Presidential Scholar for the UNC System for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Daniels was among three recent graduates of UNC System institutions selected for the prestigious program. Presidential Scholars provide a wide range of professional functions for the system office.
“I am honored to be selected,” Daniels said. “This is a great opportunity to learn about the different sectors and cross-functional teams from education, the budget office, research, academic affairs, student affairs and the various administrative roles that impact higher education. My rotation will begin in the division of strategy and public policy.”
The scholars will have the opportunity to interact with President Peter Hans, his senior leadership team and UNC Board of Governors members. Daniels and the other scholars––Patience Jones, a North Carolina Central University graduate, and Ezana Tamrat, a North Carolina A&T graduate–– began their one-year commitment this week.
Daniels, a Longwood, N.C. native, earned a bachelor’s degree in political science in May. While at UNCP, she held numerous student leadership positions, culminating in her role as student body president and ex-officio member of the Board of Trustees. For three years, she devoted her time to peer mentorship as a LEAD Fellow, working to educate students on leadership qualities. Daniels also serves as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
She plans to use her time as a scholar to develop leadership and campus engagement skills further and gain the knowledge necessary for her future career plans in public service while learning from some of the state’s most impactful leaders.
“I’m not sure what my future holds, but this internship will provide me with the experience and, hopefully, the direction I want to go in my career,” she said. “I plan to bring what I learned at UNCP––those relationships, engagements and leadership skills––to the System Office. I’m glad to have the opportunity to represent UNCP and tell others about all the great things happening on campus.”
