tar heel global ambassadors 2025-26 IMPACT REPORT
tar heel global ambassadors The Edward and Charles Wilkins families established the Tar Heel Global Ambassadors Fund with a unique vision to unlock worldwide opportunities for Carolina student-athletes through study abroad experiences tailored to their rigorous athletic schedules. The fund creates educational opportunities in a demonstrated area of need for our student-athletes — an opportunity otherwise unavailable. Now fully funded, the program will ensure annual participation of a minimum of 10 student-athletes to study abroad each year. SELECTION COMMITTEE Cricket Lane // Senior Associate Athletic Director, Student-Athlete Development Jenn Townsend // Associate Director, Academic Support Program Briana Singleton // Assistant Director, Student-Athlete Development Alyssa Matthews // Academic Counselor
SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS 2022-2023 INAUGURAL CLASS
2023-2024 CLASS
Bela Emerling - Softball, England Bailey McCachren - Softball, Germany Sarah Redden - Rowing, Chile Ciana Riccardo - Field Hockey, Italy Molly Warden - Rowing, The Galapagos Islands
Alyssa Hernandez - Track & Field, Spain Anna Lily Laborde - Rowing, Denmark & Scotland Carson Tenold - Wrestling, France Qian Zhiyan - Fencing, South Korea Sully Shelton - Cross Country, Italy Sydney Tuck - Rowing, The Netherlands, Bosnia, and Herzegovina
2024-2025 CLASS
JAYLEN MARSH
VIVIAN STOVALL
TRACK & FIELD ENGLAND
TRACK & FIELD ITALY
ANNA KATE GWIAZDOWSKI ROWING PORTUGAL
HALEY CARVER
MAX MARTIN
LACROSSE ENGLAND
WRESTLING PORTUGAL
CADE TENOLD
DELEA MARTINS
MIA SMOTRITSKY
WRESTLING SPAIN
TRACK & FIELD SPAIN
FENCING FRANCE
27 student-athletes representing 12 sports have participated in the Tar Heel Global Ambassador program since its inception.
2025-2026 CLASS Eight Tar Heel student-athletes representing six sports had the opportunity to study abroad through the Tar Heel Global Ambassadors program:
MICHAELA CHOKUREVA SWIMMING SPAIN
AALIYAH BERRY TRACK & FIELD UNITED KINGDOM
ELLA MALAFA ROWING SPAIN
RODOLFO VÁZQUEZ MONTAÑO
GABRIELLA ALFARACHE
DIVING SPAIN
FENCING JAPAN
LILIANE DEMARCO HARRISON SCHLINE ROWING SPAIN & DENMARK
LACROSSE ENGLAND
ANNA TEMIRYAEV FENCING FRANCE
dear wilkins family, I went to Barcelona, Spain. It was a three-week study abroad program in Barcelona exploring sport science, technology, and data analytics through elite soccer. We learned how different organizations such as FC Barcelona, Barcelona Innovation Hub, Girona FC, and the Olympic Performance Center use technology, biomechanics, AI, and data to improve athlete health, performance, and team dynamics. We had the opportunity to be behind-the-scenes and have hands-on exposure to the teams and companies. This experience allowed me to learn more about myself both inside and outside of the classroom. I was able to put myself in uncomfortable situations, ask difficult questions, and challenge myself to think in ways I had not before. Our final presentation was more than just a recap of everything we had learned; it challenged us to look critically at the teams and companies we visited and ask whether they were doing enough to grow, adapt, and keep up with the changing sports industry. It pushed me to think beyond what these organizations are currently doing and consider what they could do differently in the future. Overall, this was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that helped me grow personally, academically, and professionally. I think one of the most impactful experiences was seeing the different levels of soccer in Spain, from FC Barcelona all the way to city-level teams. What stood out to me most was the amount of pride surrounding each team, not only from the fans but also from the people who work within the organizations. Every tour guide we met was genuinely excited to talk about their team, and you could tell how much they cared about what they did. It was more than just a job to them, and seeing that level of passion made the experience even more meaningful. Academically, one of the biggest things I hope to take with me is my ability to think critically and come up with creative solutions for large organizations. This program challenged me to think about how different soccer teams and the EuroLeague can enhance fan engagement while also developing new opportunities for athletes and their communities. At the same time, we had to consider how these ideas could generate additional revenue and expand the brands of both the athletes and the organizations. It pushed me to look at the sports industry from different perspectives and think beyond what is already being done. Culturally, I hope the sense of calmness I experienced in Spain stays with me. I rarely saw people rushing from place to place or seeming overwhelmed by everything going on in their lives. It honestly felt like people were moving through their days as if they were on a Sunday stroll, taking the time to enjoy where they were and who they were with. That is something I hope to bring into my own life. I will also never forget the memories I made outside of the classroom. Getting to experience places like the Sagrada Família and Park Güell, explore the city, and immerse myself in a culture different from my own made this trip so much more than an academic experience. I would like to thank the Wilkins family for giving me the opportunity to not only expand my academic experiences, but also deepen my cultural understanding of Spain. Their generosity gave me the chance to fully immerse myself in Spanish culture and gain experiences that will extend far beyond the classroom. This trip was truly an experience I will never forget, and I am incredibly grateful to have had this opportunity.
Sincerely,
MICHAELA CHOKUREVA
Swimming Studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain
dear wilkins family, I participated in the UNC BURCH in Manchester Sport Entrepreneurship program. While in Manchester, UK we worked with football clubs and organizations regarding their social media, fan engagement, advertisement and sponsorships, AI, and how they can use AI in all these fields to improve the overall outcome of their organization. To me it was an amazing experience as it was my first time spending a significant time out of the country and I have an interest in sport business, so getting an inside look at organizations and their priorities and conflicts resonated with me. Being able to have a presenter role at our conference, teaching best practices to improve an organizations social media and utilize behind the scenes content, was most impactful for me as it gave me a sense of confidence in actual doing this in the real world and for a career, as well as expanding my thoughts on where to establish a career. From the experience I hope I always remember that it is important to integrate and learn about different cultures and ways of living, as it can open new doors and ways of thinking.
Sincerely,
AALIYAH BERRY
Track & Field Studied abroad in Manchester, United Kingdom
dear wilkins family, Thanks to the generosity of the Wilkins family, I had the opportunity to spend three weeks studying abroad in Barcelona, Spain. This was truly one of the best experiences of my life, and I am incredibly grateful that the Wilkins family helped make it possible. While in Barcelona, our program focused on sport science, technology, and athlete performance. We had the opportunity to learn from professionals working in elite sports and visit places such as FC Barcelona, the Barcelona Innovation Hub, and the Olympic Performance Center. What I hope stays with me most are the friendships I made and everything I learned from experiencing a different culture. Spending three weeks together in another country allowed our group to become extremely close, and those relationships are something I hope to carry with me long after the program. I also hope to remember how much I learned simply by being somewhere new, meeting different people, and being open to experiences outside of what I am used to. The most impactful moment for me was visiting FC Barcelona and seeing the stadium in person. I have dreamed of seeing it since I was a kid, so actually standing there was a surreal moment. It was more than just seeing a famous stadium; it reminded me how special it was to have an experience that I had once only imagined being able to have. This trip gave me memories, friendships, and experiences that I know I will carry with me for a long time. I cannot thank the Wilkins family enough for their generosity and for giving me the opportunity to experience Barcelona in a way that I never would have been able to otherwise. I am extremely grateful to have been given this opportunity, and it is one I will never forget.
Sincerely,
RODOLFO VÁZQUEZ MONTAÑO Diving Studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain
dear wilkins family, This past summer, thanks to the Wilkins family and the Tar Heel Global Ambassador Scholarship, I was able to study abroad in Osaka, Japan. Over six weeks, I took a UNC faculty-led computer science course on hardware and computer organization. It was my first time traveling internationally, so I had no idea what to expect. Now, I find it difficult to put into words just how much this experience meant to me. This program was, without question, one of the most impactful things I’ve been part of at UNC. I fell in love with everything about it: the locals, the food, the culture, my classmates, my professors, and my area of study. My favorite day of the trip was when we visited a local elementary school and spent the day with the students, making origami, playing tag, and helping them practice English. It was so special to find ways to connect and overcome our linguistic, generational, and cultural differences. The generosity of the Wilkins family made it possible for me to build connections with parts of the world I’d always dreamed about, as well as with peers and professors who became some of my closest mentors and best friends. Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful that, as amazing as my time in Japan was, the best part of the trip came home with me: the connections and memories I made. This was a truly unforgettable summer, and I would never be able to thank the Wilkinses enough for making this experience possible.
Sincerely,
GABRIELLA ALFARACHE
Fencing Studied abroad in Osaka, Japan
dear wilkins family, I traveled to Paris, France. This experience was so amazing in terms of immersing myself in the French culture and experiencing the most beautiful city in the world. I think the most impactful experience was making new friends and being able to explore Paris and travel to new cities with them. I hope the people I met will stay with me and we can cherish those memories we made abroad. Thank you to the Wilkins family for this opportunity.
Sincerely,
ANNA TEMIRYAEV
Fencing Studied abroad in Paris, France
dear wilkins family, This June, I studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain, through Barcelona SAE, where I took a course on the history and culture of Spain. During my three and a half weeks abroad, I explored the city’s art, architecture, food, and history. Some of my favorite experiences included visiting the Sagrada Família, trying authentic tapas, practicing my Spanish with locals, and experiencing the excitement of living in a major sports city during the World Cup. I also traveled to Venice and Lake Como, Italy, on the weekends. This experience meant so much to me because it was my first time traveling abroad. The most impactful part was learning to adapt to a completely different environment. I worked through language barriers, adjusted to cultural norms such as eating dinner and starting the day later, and learned to navigate a large city using metros and trains. These everyday experiences pushed me outside my comfort zone and helped me become more confident and independent. I hope to carry that confidence, independence, and willingness to embrace unfamiliar experiences with me throughout college and beyond. I am incredibly thankful to the Wilkins family for making this opportunity possible. Their generosity gave me an experience that I will always remember and may not have otherwise been able to pursue. I truly appreciate their support of UNC student-athletes and the Tar Heel Global Ambassador program.
Sincerely,
ELLA MALAFA
Fencing Studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain
dear wilkins family, I studied creative marketing in Copenhagen for three weeks, with a five-day study tour to Mallorca, Spain. In Mallorca, we toured multiple production studios and other entertainment industry related companies based there, but we also spent some time in the water. It was a beautiful place, unlike anywhere I have been before! Copenhagen was incredible in a different way—it is an extremely sustainable city with bikes everywhere and 17-17.5 hours of daylight every day. Learning how to navigate and live in a brand-new foreign city was the most impactful experience I had, becoming familiar with the public transit but also meeting new people at every turn. Many of these people I have already visited since returning to the United States! This trip will stay with me forever, it was a phenomenal experience that allowed me to explore on my own and learn more about who I am and where I can see myself following graduation—I would love to return and spend more time in Denmark. I cannot thank you enough for providing me with this experience and I am so grateful to receive your generosity!
Sincerely,
LILIANE DEMARCO
Rowing Studied abroad in Mallorca, Spain and Copenhagen, Denmark
dear wilkins family, I went to London, England, this past summer to study at the London School of Economics. I took their intro to accounting course, and I learned so much in a very different environment. Their grading system was different, and teaching styles were different as well. I had a great time becoming familiar with their ways. I had many friends that took classes at LSE as well, and my favorite part was exploring the city and interacting with the local population. There are so many miniscule differences about the way they live and the way Americans live. I even got to attend Wimbledon, after waiting in line all night. Also, I got a great taste of history from touring the Winston Churchill War Rooms in London. I am very grateful to get to experience that with my own eyes and explore their beautiful city with some of my best friends. Being able to experience another culture firsthand gave me a new perspective and made me extremely grateful for the opportunity to live and study in such an incredible city. I also took a trip during the weekend to Mallorca, Spain. Mallorca was beautiful, and some of my favorite memories were our trip on a boat around the island and spending time on the beaches and in the local restaurants. The most impactful part of my time abroad was getting outside of my normal routine and experiencing new places, people, and cultures firsthand. I hope the independence and appreciation for different ways of life that I developed abroad will stay with me throughout college and beyond. Thank you so much to the Wilkins family for your incredibly generous support. Your generosity helped make this experience possible, and I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to study abroad, especially as a student-athlete with a busy schedule during the school year. I have made many memories that will last a lifetime. This was an experience I will always remember, and I truly appreciate your support.
Sincerely,
HARRISON SCHLINE
Men’s Lacrosse Studied abroad in London, England
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