UNCW prepares its students to spread their wings and take flight beyond the nest. As Seahawks, we take pride in celebrating our alumni who continue to make an impact at UNCW as well as in their local, regional, national, and international communities. Through active involvement and engagement with the UNCW Alumni Association — as well as attending events; networking with students and alumni; and giving back with their time, talents, and treasures — the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients are no exception.
Join the UNCW Alumni Association in honoring our 2025 award honorees including Robert Abbotts '85, Distinguished Alumnus; Laurel Shackelton Hillen Engel '14, Distinguished Young Alumna; Mary Claire (MC) Curran '11, Distinguished Citizen; and John Scholz '84, Distinguished Diversity and Inclusion honoree.
Explore below to learn more about our Distinguished Young Alumna, Laurel Shackleton Hillen Engel '14.
Laurel Shackleton Hillen Engel is the clinical coordinator for KidsCAN!, a support program at UNC REX Cancer Care in Raleigh, NC, dedicated to helping children whose parents have been diagnosed with cancer. Since November 2021, she has been leading the program, which she first joined as a participant in 2002 when her father had cancer. Before her current role, Engel served as a grief counselor for children and teens at Transitions LifeCare from 2016 to 2021.
Her career in counseling began with her internship at Lower Cape Fear Hospice and Life Care Center during her senior year at UNCW, where she facilitated grief support groups and provided bereavement counseling. Her dedication and skills led to a part-time position at the center after her internship.
Engel graduated cum laude in 2014 with a bachelor’s in psychology and leadership studies. She furthered her education with a Master of Social Work from UNC Chapel Hill in 2016.
In addition to her professional achievements, Engel has been a volunteer with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network since 2005, hosting fundraisers and coordinating events to raise awareness and support for pancreatic cancer research. She has also volunteered with various organizations, including the Appalachian Service Project and the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher.
Reflecting on her time at UNCW, Engel credits her success to the mentorship of UNCW staff dedicated to student community engagement. Engel's involvement in various student leadership and community service programs at UNCW, including UNCW’s Student Ambassadors, laid the foundation for her professional career and passion for helping others.
“So much of what I do in my professional career now has grown from the foundation I received by working at the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement," said Engel. "I am so thankful to have Jaime (Russell) as a mentor.”
Learn more about all 2025 honorees, qualifications for awards, and more at alumni.uncw.edu/awards. The 2025 Distinguished Alumni Awards Reception will be hosted on Saturday, June 7, as part of the second annual Weekend in Wilmington — registration is now open.