Graduate School Staff
Suzanne Barbour
Dean of The Graduate School
sbarbour@unc.edu, (919) 962-3521
Bynum Hall, Room 214-A
Suzanne Barbour, who has received 20 awards for teaching excellence in her academic career, became dean of The Graduate School on Sept. 3, 2019. She also is a professor in the School of Medicine’s biochemistry and biophysics department.
Barbour received her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Rutgers University and her doctorate in molecular biology and genetics from Johns Hopkins University. She received postdoctoral training at the University of California San Diego within chemistry.
Barbour previously served as dean of the University of Georgia Graduate School (2015-2019), and she also was professor of biochemistry and molecular biology. In her role as dean, she was responsible for administering more than 250 graduate degree programs.
Before joining the University of Georgia, she was a program director (2013-2015) within the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Directorate for Biological Sciences. Barbour is currently a member of the NSF’s Biological Sciences Advisory Committee.
From 1993 to 2013, Barbour held several positions at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), including faculty appointments in microbiology and immunology, biochemistry, biology and African American studies; and director of research training within the VCU Center on Health Disparities (2010-2013). She received her 20 teaching excellence awards while a member of the VCU faculty.
Barbour has extensive national service in initiatives focused on increasing opportunities within graduate education and preparing graduate students for careers of the future. Among her national leadership positions are membership on the Graduate Record Examination Board (2019-2023), the NSF Committee for Equal Opportunities in Science and Engineering (2018-2021), the National Professional Science Master’s Association Southern Region working group (2018-present) and the Council of Graduate Schools Diversity and Inclusiveness Advisory Committee (2018-2019).
Rob Bacchus
Assistant Dean for Development and Alumni Relations
rbacchus@email.unc.edu, (919) 966-4933
Bynum Hall, Room 214
Rob Bacchus is the assistant dean for development and alumni relations and leads The Graduate School's overall advancement efforts. In this role, he works to engage alumni and friends in the life of The Graduate School and secure resources critical to the School's mission. An important partner in these efforts is the Graduate Education Advancement Board, whose meetings and initiatives he helps to facilitate.
Prior to The Graduate School, Bacchus held leadership roles in development at The University of Texas at Austin, Elon University and Southwestern University. Before moving into fundraising, Bacchus worked with international corporations such as Dell Inc. and Hewitt Associates (now Aon), as well as Convio (now Blackbaud). After seeing the impact of graduate education on his own life, he strongly believes in the power of supporting graduate students and their success.
Born in Austin, Bacchus received his bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at Austin as a Plan II/History major and a Master of Nonprofit Administration degree from the University of Notre Dame. He and his wife are the parents of three boys. He is a huge soccer fan and general sports enthusiast, and is also a voracious reader in his fleeting moments of leisure.
Renata Buchanan
Admissions and Enrolled Students Specialist
Supporting: School of Government, Kenan-Flagler Business School (PhD), and Gillings School of Global Public Health MPH@UNC
rcbuchan@email.unc.edu, (919) 962-6316
Bynum Hall, Room 205
Renata Buchanan serves as the first line of contact providing information and administrative assistance for applicants, students and staff members in the programs listed above; administers admissions applications, enrollment, registration and graduation; reviews graduate student applications for in-state residence and assists graduate students in submitting electronic theses and dissertations.
Jason Cramer
Director, Experiential Professional Development
cramerj@email.unc.edu, (919) 962-4658
Bynum Hall, Room 200
Jason Cramer is responsible for development, delivery, and evaluation of programming to support graduate students' exploration of non-academic career options, including careers with companies, nonprofits, and government units. He works closely with alumni, faculty, staff, and other key stakeholders to advance existing partnerships supporting professional development programs. He coordinates and administers career exploration and professional development activities, including courses and events associated with the Graduate Certificate in Business Fundamentals (GCBF). Cramer also serves as The Graduate School’s direct liaison to industrial and other external partners.
Rhonda Ethridge
Administrative Support Specialist
rhondae@email.unc.edu, (919) 966-2611
Bynum Hall, Room 200
Rhonda Ethridge provides information to prospective applicants, currently enrolled students, visitors, and faculty and staff members of the campus community; provides accounting and administrative support for The Graduate School.
Pam Frome
Research Associate for Graduate Education Studies
frome@unc.edu, (919) 843-8611
Carr Building, Room 306
Pam Frome conducts research and tracks data related to graduate students and graduate education.
Jennifer Gerz-Escandón
Associate Dean for Interdisciplinary Education and Fellowship Programs
jenge@email.unc.edu, (919) 962-6323
Bynum Hall, Room 215
Ally training: Mental Health First Aid, Safe Zone, Green Zone, Carolina F1RSTS Advocate, HAVEN, UndocuCarolina
Jennifer Gerz-Escandón is the associate dean for interdisciplinary education and fellowship programs in The Graduate School. In this role, she develops and implements graduate funding policies and oversees the review processes for a dozen fellowships, six awards, plus several grants, scholarships and assistantships annually administered by The Graduate School, including the Royster Society of Fellows and Weiss Urban Livability Fellowship. She also oversees initiatives supporting graduate students receiving external fellowships and grants from private foundations and federal agencies, including the National Science Foundation professional training initiative. Gerz-Escandón serves as Chair of the Fellowship Committee of The Graduate School Administrative Board. In collaboration with the director of fellowships, she manages the Graduate Funding Information Center and initiates innovative programs to meet the changing needs of graduate students.
Interdisciplinary education and professional development activities in The Graduate School also fall under her scope of responsibility. To ensure master’s and doctoral students develop professional skills and core competencies, Gerz-Escandón collaborates with the assistant dean for academic and professional development to provide oversight of The Graduate School's professional development workshops and courses and international student/scholar support efforts such as the Preparing International Teaching Assistants Program.
During her 15 years of higher education administrative leadership, Gerz-Escandón has served in the roles of chair and associate professor in the International Relations Program, and director of the Center for International Programs and Services at Lynn University and director of International Studies and assistant professor in the Political Science Department at the University of Evansville. She previously served as director of National Scholarships and Fellowships in the Honors College at Georgia State University. As a visiting faculty member at universities in Japan and the United Kingdom, she enjoyed teaching interdisciplinary courses and was recognized by Lynn University students as Teacher of the Year. Gerz-Escandón is a 2001-2002 recipient of a Fulbright International Education Administrator grant to Germany and a 2018 German Academic Exchange Service grant. In The Graduate School, she supports graduate education across international borders through opportunities such as Royster Global and encourages graduate students to engage globally by pursuing international dissertation research funding.
Gerz-Escandón holds a bachelor's degree in government from Georgetown University, and a master's degree and a doctorate in international relations from the University of Miami. She represents graduate education interests on several university-wide committees, including the Carolina Engagement Council, Tuition and Fee Advisory Task Force, Global Affairs Leadership Group and the Humanities for the Public Good Steering Committee. She is active civically and professionally, most notably as an advisory board member of the State Employee’s Credit Union and as a member of the Council of Graduate Schools. Her recent presentations and workshops emphasize strategic improvements to the fellowship review process, fellowship best practices, and strategies for engaging faculty and campus stakeholders. Gerz-Escandón has also served as a national reviewer for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute graduate and public policy fellowships and the Asian and Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund.
Chris Harris
Admissions and Enrolled Students Specialist
Supporting: College of Arts & Sciences- Natural Sciences & Mathematics and School of Dentistry
harriscr@email.unc.edu, (919) 843-9899
Bynum Hall, Room 205
Chris Harris serves as the first line of contact providing information and administrative assistance for applicants, students and staff members in the programs listed above; administers admissions applications, enrollment, registration and graduation; reviews graduate student applications for in-state residence and assists graduate students in submitting electronic theses and dissertations.
Sarah Jacobson
Assistant Dean for Admission/Enrolled Students
sjacobson@unc.edu, (919) 962-6312
Bynum Hall, Room 204
Sarah Jacobson manages the office of admissions and enrolled students services, and serves as ETD Site Administrator, providing statistical information and responses to inquiries regarding admission, enrolled student services and graduation.
Betty Lewis
Admissions and Enrolled Students Specialist
Supporting: College of Arts & Sciences- Social Sciences, School of Information & Library Science, School of Social Work, and Professional Science Masters in Biomedical & Health Informatics and Digital Curation
bhaggert@email.unc.edu, (919) 962-6307
Bynum Hall, Room 205
Betty Lewis serves as the first line of contact providing information and administrative assistance for applicants, students and staff members in the programs listed above; administers admissions applications, enrollment, registration and graduation; reviews graduate student applications for in-state residence and assists graduate students in submitting electronic theses and dissertations.
Faye Lewis
Executive Assistant to the Dean and Alumni and Donor Relations Coordinator
flewis@email.unc.edu, (919) 962-6311
Bynum Hall, Room 214
Faye Lewis is the primary administrative support for the dean of The Graduate School. This position oversees the dean's calendar as well as creates correspondence on the dean's behalf as needed. She is the prime contact for questions related to the dean's participation in numerous internal and external activities. As the alumni and donor relations coordinator, she works with the assistant dean for development and alumni relations, the office of University Development as well as other staff members as part of a development team that oversees and manages events, communications, solicitations, acknowledgements, stewardship, and other activities.
Jenny Lewis
Admissions and Enrolled Students Specialist
Supporting: College of Arts & Sciences- Fine Arts & Humanities, School of Education, Hussman School of Journalism & Media, and the Gillings School of Public Health-Public Health Leadership
lewis923@email.unc.edu, (919) 962-6322
Bynum Hall, Room 205
Ally training: Mental Health First Aid, UndocuCarolina, Green Zone
Jenny Lewis serves as the first line of contact providing information and administrative assistance for applicants, students and staff members in the programs listed above; administers admissions applications, enrollment, registration and graduation; reviews graduate student applications for in-state residence and assists graduate students in submitting electronic theses and dissertations.
Kate McAnulty
Associate Dean for Student Affairs
kmcanulty@unc.edu, (919) 962-6329
Bynum Hall, Room 203
Kate McAnulty, associate dean for student affairs, is responsible for overseeing and supporting the overall graduate student experience. McAnulty coordinates award processes and campus-wide events promoting graduate student achievement; leads Graduate School initiatives related to recruitment and retention, with special emphasis on students from underrepresented groups; and directs a variety of graduate student support services and student affairs issues.
Abby Mitcham
Admissions and Enrolled Students Specialist
Supporting: Gillings School of Global Public Health-all programs except MPH@UNC and Public Health Leadership
amitcham@email.unc.edu, (919) 962-6206
Bynum Hall, Room 205
Ally training: Mental Health First Aid, Safe Zone, HAVEN, UndocuCarolina
Abby Mitcham serves as the first line of contact providing information and administrative assistance for applicants, students and staff members in the programs listed above; administers admissions applications, enrollment, registration and graduation; reviews graduate student applications for in-state residence and assists graduate students in submitting electronic theses and dissertations.
Julie Montaigne
Director of Fellowships
julie_montaigne@unc.edu, (919) 843-8392
Bynum Hall, Room 216
Ally training: Green Zone, Carolina F1RSTS Advocate, HAVEN
Julie Montaigne coordinates internal and external fellowship support, including funding initiatives and The Graduate School fellowship review process and processes payments of tuition, grants and fellowships.
Lian Niu
Functional Data Analyst
Lniu@unc.edu, (919) 962-1026
Bynum Hall, Room 207
In her role as functional data analyst, Lian Niu is responsible for the collection, analysis, and reporting of academic data of graduate education at UNC-Chapel Hill. The focus of her work is to quantitatively identify and reveal trends, strengths, and weaknesses in the practice of graduate education in support of data-driven decision making.
Niu works on research projects involving institutional data collection through student, alumni, and faculty surveys, conducts quantitative analysis of longitudinal institutional data, designs data visualization shared with both internal and external stakeholders, creates written reports in support of academic program review studies, conducts data reporting to external funding agency, and responds to ad hoc data analysis requests related to graduate education.
Niu earned a PhD in Higher Education Administration and has conducted research projects using a variety of national and institutional datasets such as the ELS:2002, IPEDS, and NPSAS.
Yesenia Pedro Vicente
Asst. Director, Diversity and Student Success
yesipv@email.unc.edu, (919) 843-7261
Graduate Student Center, Room 102
Ally training: Mental Health First Aid, Safe Zone, Green Zone, Carolina F1RSTS Advocate, HAVEN, UndocuCarolina
Yesenia Pedro Vicente supports the Diversity and Student Success Program. Areas of responsibility include event management, program management, and working with financial awards to students. Pedro Vicente updates the DSS website, creates invitations, events and newsletters, and collaborates with the communications team. She is also a facilitator for the UndocuCarolina training program.
Lou Anne Phelps
Program Review & Student Services Coordinator
laphelps@email.unc.edu, (919) 962-8145
Bynum Hall, Room 218
Lou Anne Phelps assists with scheduling student services, such as the foreign language proficiency assessment and GRAD professional development courses, assists with revising publications, coordinating workshops, scheduling academic program reviews, and special projects and maintains The Graduate School's Contact Directory.
Laura Pratt
Fellowship Programs Coordinator
lepratt@email.unc.edu, (919) 843-7262
Bynum Hall, Room 218
Ally training: Mental Health First Aid, Safe Zone, Green Zone, HAVEN, UndocuCarolina,Carolina F1RSTS Advocate
Laura Pratt is responsible for planning and implementing various activities and events, managing student services and information, and communicating with programs, students and alumni as relates to The Graduate School’s interdisciplinary fellowship programs. These fellowship programs include the Royster Society of Fellows, the Weiss Urban Livability Program, and the National Science Foundation grant recipients. She manages annual student assessments as well as student and program data. She earned a B.A. from UNC Charlotte and an M.A. in Higher Education Administration from Georgia Southern University.
Alicia Rogers
Human Resources Manager
alicia_rogers@unc.edu, (919) 962-7011
Bynum Hall, Room 209
Ally training: Mental Health First Aid
Alicia Rogers manages the overall provision of human resources services and policies for The Graduate School.
Shaun Rutherford
Admissions and Enrolled Students Specialist
Supporting: School of Medicine, School of Nursing, College of Arts & Sciences-Exercise & Sport Science, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, and Professional Science Masters in Toxicology
srutherford@unc.edu, (919) 966-4524
Bynum Hall, Room 205
Ally training: Mental Health First Aid
Shaun Rutherford serves as the first line of contact providing information and administrative assistance for applicants, students and staff members in the programs listed above; administers admissions applications, enrollment, registration, and graduation; reviews graduate student applications for in-state residence and assists graduate students in submitting electronic theses and dissertations.
Brian Rybarczyk
Assistant Dean for Graduate Student Academic & Professional Development
brybar@unc.edu, (919) 962-2505
Graduate Student Center, Room 101
Ally training: Mental Health First Aid, Safe Zone, Green Zone, Carolina F1RSTS Advocate, UndocuCarolina
Brian Rybarczyk coordinates and implements academic and professional development training for graduate students across disciplines; manages the Graduate Student Center; teaches courses and directs the Preparing International Teaching Assistants Program (PITAP); is program coordinator for the SPIRE Postdoctoral Fellowship program and is co-administrative director at UNC for the Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL).
Stephanie Schmitt
Associate Dean for Academics
sschmitt@email.unc.edu, (919) 962-6306
Bynum Hall, Room 217
Ally training: Safe Zone, HAVEN
Stephanie Schmitt is the associate dean for academics in The Graduate School. In this position, she is responsible for administrative oversight for graduate education assessment efforts such as the campus-wide Program Review Process. This includes approximately 8 external reviews each year and an equal number of closure meetings and midpoint evaluations for prior reviews. The review process is conducted for all undergraduate and graduate programs at the university in concert with the Provost's Office and includes the preparation of a self-study, a site visit by external reviewers from peer institutions, and extensive follow-up from the recommendations such as program responses and midpoint progress evaluations.
Schmitt also has collaborative oversight for several academic initiatives, including The Graduate School's academic policy interpretation, admissions and enrolled student services for graduate programs, academic and professional development for graduate students, international collaborations and initiatives, and major data collection and reporting initiatives within The Graduate School. Other academic initiatives falling within the scope of Schmitt's responsibilities include facilitating new and revised degree/program requests for graduate studies at Carolina, overseeing the graduate certificate policies process, chairing the Academic Policy Committee of The Graduate School's Administrative Board, maintaining the university's polices on graduate faculty designation, and updating academic policies like the Graduate Handbook relevant to graduate education.
Schmitt also represents graduate education interests on various university-wide committees, including the Student Data Stewards, Friday Center Advisory Board, International Advisory Council, Curriculum Committee, Diploma Task Force, and Academic Planning Task Force.
Prior to coming to The Graduate School Schmitt was an executive with a management consulting firm and served as a nonpartisan policy analyst with the North Carolina General Assembly. An alumna of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Schmitt earned her BA in International Studies and Political Science, her MPA from the School of Government, and her PhD in Public Policy. She has participated in and worked closely with programs at Carolina Leadership Development, Carolina Women's Center, and the Graduate and Professional Student Federation, for which she was inducted into the Order of the Golden Fleece honor society and the Frank Porter Graham Graduate & Professional Student Honor Society.
Antonio Squire
Graduate Funding Coordinator
antonio_squire@unc.edu, (919) 962-6617
Bynum Hall, Room 200-A
Ally training: Mental Health First Aid, Safe Zone, Green Zone, HAVEN, UndocuCarolina
Antonio Squire manages student funding for current fellows, the GradStar system, GSHIP, and other financial tasks related to students.
Rachell Underhill
Director, Web & Information Systems
runderhill@unc.edu, (919) 843-3494
Graduate Student Center, Room 202
Ally training: Mental Health First Aid, Safe Zone, Green Zone, HAVEN
Rachell Underhill develops and manages Graduate School web sites, builds and administers custom web applications and internal databases, and produces analytical reports and other documents. She develops custom technical solutions to support The Graduate School and provides training and guidance on information technology matters, including digital communications, digital accessibility, and information security.
Underhill serves on the board of directors of the UNC Web Professionals organization and is a charter member of the national HighEdWeb Association where she is currently appointed to the Safety, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee.
Kathy Wood
Director, Diversity and Student Success
kathy_wood@unc.edu, (919) 962-2509
Graduate Student Center, Room 201
Ally training: Safe Zone, Safe Zone - Transgender/Nonbinary, Green Zone, Carolina F1RSTS Advocate, HAVEN, UndocuCarolina, Implicit Bias
Kathy Wood directs a number of initiatives within the Diversity and Student Success program including the Initiative for Minority Excellence and the Summer Undergraduate Pipeline.
Beverly Wyrick
Director, Administration and Finance
beverly_wyrick@unc.edu, (919) 962-6318
Bynum Hall, Room 201
Ally training: Mental Health First Aid, HAVEN
Beverly Wyrick directs and oversees personnel, budgets, and the office of The Graduate School, and manages financial accounting for all Graduate School awards to graduate students including fellowships, grants, and tuition support.