Aug. 11, 2022 | Jessica Shafer '25
The summer is winding down, which means it’s time for one of the UNCW Alumni Association’s favorite annual gatherings – the Durham Bulls Picnic. Seahawks from across the state, especially those in the Triangle area, will gather for an evening of hot dogs, storytelling and fireworks as the Bulls host the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp on August 13.
UNCW Triangle Chapter President Tiffany Chan ’08 is ready to welcome all to her region.
“I joined the UNCW Steering Committee,” Chan said of her first involvement with the UNCW Alumni Association after arriving in the Raleigh area in 2015. “It has since then evolved into our current structure, where I was offered the position of president. It’s cool to be involved and give back to an institution that gave me so much.”
What Chan received from UNCW far outpaced simply her psychology degree. She found a place to be, and an institution like no other that created her future.
“UNCW set me up for what I’m doing today,” she said. “I made many great friendships, found ways to stay engaged on campus and took advantage of all the opportunities I had."
"Overall, the friendships and experience laid the groundwork for who I am today.”
From the Involvement Fair to Wagsgiving to Beach Blast and being involved with her Delta Zeta sorority, a few of Chan’s favorites, she believes there is something for everybody at UNCW.
She also helped co-found the institution’s Up ‘til Dawn involvement, an annual event in partnership with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital that helps support pediatric cancer research.
“Our first year we raised $15,000 and our second or third year raised close to $30,000,” Chan said. “We were able to go to visit the hospital itself. Being there and seeing the amazing work they do was inspiring.”
Tiffany at the Up ‘til Dawn fundraiser.
All the activities at UNCW guided the path to Chan’s current position, serving as the program coordinator for the education team at the Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy. There, she works to support and advance the educational experience across the Center and for undergraduate students.
“I’m currently running a summer internship program and a couple of other educational programs through our portfolio,” Chan said of her most recent undertakings.
She has built her career within student affairs and aiding undergraduates. Before arriving at Duke-Margolis, she led all programmatic efforts and moving parts of two Living Learning Communities at NC State, where she also gained experience in student advisement, program management and evaluation. Prior to heading back to North Carolina and joining NC State, she served as an administrator at Brandeis University and Newbury College.
Helping create opportunities and connections for others does not end with her day job, however. Chan has been part of the UNCW Alumni Associations’ restructuring of regional chapters, a task she is thrilled to have undertaken.
“Setting up the new structure with executive leadership and the liaisons and empowering our volunteers to be more involved within their roles is something I’m proud of."
“We have several opportunities to get involved with the chapter. There are the Alumni Ambassadors, who support our events with volunteer work and their presence. It’s a great way to help without feeling like you’re over committing yourself. We also have leadership opportunities you can apply for!”
Among the current opportunities available for alumni volunteers are UNCW Move-In and engaging with freshmen on their first day of classes. Alumni are also encouraged to follow the association on Facebook, Instagram to stay up-to-date on the latest opportunities.
Chan will be doing what she does best at the Durham Bulls Picnic on Saturday, connecting and engaging with fellow Seahawks and opening doors of opportunity.