Eryn Madison, Class of 2025

I do not feel represented in the slightest. I chose UNC since it was closer to home than my last school (Howard University) and less expensive. If given the chance when I first was applying to college, I would probably not choose it again. It is cliquey, and it’s not just among the races like white and black but the black people are pretty cliquey as well (Africans vs African Americans). We have the Black Student Union, which I am a part of; the Marcus Garvey Cultural Center, a space for Black students to connect and build relationships; African Students United, a space for African students to connect; Black Women of today, a club designed to uplift the voices of black women on campus; and many other organizations. The support I receive on campus as a Black individual is through the organizations I listed above, not from the school itself. UNC seems to only really speak out if something major happens, we’ve had some racial slurs graffitied on campus before and the school sent out an email to students. Other than that, that’s about it. I wish they took more action and spoke out more about things that the black community deals with, not just a simple post or banner change during black history month. However, the school is very supportive when it comes to the LGBTQ+ community as well as women and disabled students. If you are a prospective student: really do your research and maybe try to do a campus visit before committing to a school. Also, if you are someone like me who is coming from predominantly black or minority spaces, be prepared for a big culture shock coming to a PWI. Be secure in who you are as a person and the values you have. Don’t be discouraged to go to a PWI! School is what you make it out to be, even though there might not be a lot of people that look like you on campus, as long as you go through each day with a positive mindset, it will turn out amazingly!