UNCP Graduate John Squier Selected for Prestigious UNC System Presidential Scholars Program

UNC Pembroke graduate and former student body president John Squier has been selected as a 2026-27 UNC System Presidential Scholar. He is one of just four recent graduates chosen from across North Carolina's 16 public universities for the prestigious 11-month leadership and professional development fellowship.

A 2026 graduate with a bachelor's degree in applied physics, Squier was recognized for his academic achievement, leadership and commitment to service. His selection marks the fourth consecutive year a UNCP graduate has been named a Presidential Scholar.

“John has embraced every opportunity to lead, whether as student body president, representing his fellow students on our Board of Trustees or serving our country. In every role, he has consistently demonstrated the maturity, integrity and collaborative spirit that will serve him well as a UNC System Presidential Scholar," Chancellor Robin Gary Cummings said. "“John distinguished himself as an exceptional leader whose character, intellect and commitment to public service have left a lasting impact on our university community." 

During his time at UNCP, Squier combined rigorous study in applied physics with a deep commitment to campus leadership and public service. He served as student body president  throughout the 2025-26 academic year and as an ex officio member of the UNCP Board of Trustees, representing the student body while helping strengthen communication between students and university leadership.

Squier also serves in the U.S. Army Reserve as a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear specialist. He credits his father, Tom Squier — a Vietnam veteran who served 23 years in the U.S. Army Special Forces in addition to stints with the U.S. Navy and the Jacksonville Police Department — with instilling the values of service and leadership that continue to guide him today. He is just the second Presidential Scholar in the program’s 20-year history to serve in the U.S. Army Reserve.

"I’m incredibly honored to be selected and excited to learn about the inner workings of the university system while representing the university I love," he said.

Squier shared the UNCP experiences that prepared him for this fellowship extended far beyond the classroom. Small class sizes allowed him to build meaningful relationships with faculty mentors, while leadership opportunities through Student Government, the UNCP Career Center and a fellowship with EVHybridNoire, a national nonprofit focused on sustainable energy and environmental policy, challenged him to broaden his perspective and engage with issues beyond his field of study. Learning alongside classmates from diverse backgrounds further shaped his approach to leadership and collaboration.

"UNCP gave me opportunities to grow not only as a student, but as a leader,” Squier said. “The administrators, faculty and staff cared about my development as a professional and challenged me to think differently, serve others and pursue opportunities I never imagined."

Established in 2006, the UNC System Presidential Scholars program is an 11-month, full-time fellowship that provides outstanding recent graduates with firsthand experience in public higher education leadership. Scholars work alongside senior leaders at the UNC System Office while rotating through departments responsible for areas such as academic affairs, finance, legal affairs, communications and student affairs, contributing to strategic initiatives that shape public higher education across North Carolina.

UNC System President Peter Hans said the program benefits both the scholars and the university system.

"Our Presidential Scholars do excellent work and bring a hugely valuable perspective as recent graduates," Hans said. "It’s a joy for all of us at the System Office to work with such talented young people and help them make an impact in North Carolina."

Since its inception, the program has helped launch more than 60 UNC System graduates into leadership roles in higher education, state and federal government, nonprofit organizations and the private sector, with many former scholars continuing to serve communities across North Carolina.

Following the fellowship, Squier plans to pursue graduate study in physics while completing the Reserve Officer Training Corps program, preparing for a career as both a military officer and a higher education leader.