U N C CHA R LOT T E | S EN I O R Y E A R 22 McKenzie Walsh is a senior, Health Communication Studies major from Charlotte, NC. During her time at UNC Charlotte, she has been a Peer Advisor for the Emerging Leaders program, given campus tours as a Niner Guide and involved with Greek Life. She also served as an Orientation Counselor, Student Alumni Ambassador and volunteered for the Ronald McDonald House Charities. She is also the Promotions Outreach Intern for a cancer community called Patient Power. Exploring different opportunities on and off campus taught McKenzie a great deal about herself. She discovered her own personal leadership style, gained a better understanding of her strengths and realized she is capable of more than she ever thought possible. As a senior about to graduate, McKenzie is sad her time at UNC Charlotte is coming to an end. To those entering their senior year, she advises: “Take advantage of every opportunity possible and appreciate the small things. Do your best in your classes, but also make sure you take the time to enjoy your senior year. Coming into this year, I wish someone had told me not to get so focused on graduation that I wish my last few months away. The time will go by so much faster than you expect, and before you know it, you will be at the end. Although I will miss UNC Charlotte, I have some great memories to look back on.” McKenzie’s fondest memory from her time at UNC Charlotte is the year she spent as an Orientation Counselor. She worked with an awesome group of people and assisted new students and family members in their transition to the University. “This experience deepened my love for UNC Charlotte and gave me a better understanding of what it means to be a 49er,” McKenzie admitted. “To me, being a 49er means not only working hard to do well academically, but also striving to better yourself and the campus community as a whole, as well as taking advantage of opportunities to serve your fellow Niners. UNC Charlotte has given me so much and I am honored to have been able to give back during my time here. This campus and everyone I met here will always have a special place in my heart.” WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE ASPECT OF UNC CHARLOTTE? “Kelsey is only two-and-a-half hours away for us to visit with her, or for her come home for a weekend if she needs a break. UNC Charlotte has given her a wonderful experience, both academically and socially. Her involvement in the business fraternity and oncampus job has given her more confidence and made her step outside her comfort zone. She has made some great friendships that will last her beyond college. Kelsey is happy and that makes us, as parents, happy.” ANY ADVICE FOR OTHER UNC CHARLOTTE PARENT AND FAMILY MEMBERS? “Stay connected to your student; have them call you at least once a week to check in; don’t just text all the time. Try to attend some of the sporting events or family weekends. If you do not live close by, try to visit them on an off weekend and just hang out with them, take them out to eat, go shopping and just have some bonding time. It does wonders for both you and your student. Also sign up for the newsletters and alerts.” S E N I O R S P O T L I G H T : McKenzie Walsh BY ENA WALKER, NEW STUDENT AND FAMILY SERVICES “Take advantage of every opportunity possible and appreciate the small things.“
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