It’s the first week of classes at UNC, with thousands of students back in Chapel Hill for the start of the fall semester. New student body president Devin Duncan is among them: he was elected in the spring despite being only a sophomore when he filed to run. Now a junior, Duncan’s bringing an ambitious agenda to student government – and a lot of energy and optimism about the possibility of making a difference in students’ lives.
97.9 The Hill’s Aaron Keck spoke with Devin Duncan on Monday, the first day of class at UNC.
Click here to listen to their full conversation. The transcript below has been edited for clarity.
Aaron Keck: You got elected as student body president heading into your junior year rather than your senior year. Why run then? What was the thinking?
Devin Duncan: Yeah, (that was) very unique, (especially) being that I’m an out-of-state student. I came here two years ago not knowing anything about this campus, and then to be entering my third year having the extraordinary privilege and honor of being student body president, it’s not something I take lightly. When I came here, I was impressed by all the opportunities and obligations of Carolina being the first public university, and I want to be a part of what’s next. I always say that being the first public university is not just an historical distinction, it’s a directional one: it compels us, it gives us a responsibility, an obligation, to keep asking what’s next, how our students experience this university, how we show up for the integrity of a public university, the very important mission that we do, and also the idea that talent is everywhere and your circumstance shouldn’t determine what education you have.
So lots of people came up to me and said, “Devin, you should consider running for student body president.” And I’m like, “All right, I’ll give it a shot.” And it worked out in my favor.
Follow Devin Duncan on Instagram.
Keck: Tell us about yourself. Who are you, where are you from, what’s your major?
Duncan: I’m from Cincinnati, Ohio, but now live on the border of Charlotte in Fort Mill, South Carolina, studying public policy and public relations. I want to stay in the higher education space, so I care deeply about the mission of a public university: the idea that we take people from all over the world and the country, bring them here in the pursuit of knowledge, and give them the opportunities to change the trajectory of their lives and hopefully the lives of the people around them.
Keck: And that vision is important: I think a lot of people (are) concerned, and possibly horribly anxiety-ridden, about the future, with AI and everything else that’s changing so rapidly – but that core mission isn’t going to change, or it’s highly unlikely to change.
Duncan: And I appreciate you mentioning AI, because right now, college students are living extraordinarily complex lives. We have mental health challenges, financial challenges, all the things. It’s why a part of my vision is rejecting the idea that there is one ‘Carolina student experience,’ and (making sure) we create a ‘no wrong door’ experience…
But I especially want to deliver the message to students that that’s something I care a lot about. Basic needs. Your wellbeing. Can you find and afford dinner? Do you have a place to study? Can you get a job?
Devin Duncan (right) with 97.9 The Hill’s Aaron Keck. (Photo by Aaron Keck/Chapel Hill Media Group.)
Keck: What have you been hearing from students about their biggest concerns? You mentioned a few of them right there.
Duncan: Students want to see universities doing more, not just saying more. So: how easy is it to find a resource? When you get to resources, are they helping you? I think we have to centralize our resources, make them easier to access. On Wednesday, Carolina will open its Heels Hub, a one-place, one-stop shop where students can go to access essential university services. It’s a great way to kick off the first week, (giving students) one place they can go to get the help they need…
(And) one of the things that we want to do is integrate a student wellness hub into our campus environment. Your wellness is your academics, and your academics is your wellness. We want you to be your whole self, because being your whole self is contributing to you being able to perform your best in the classroom. (So) we’re going to have all of the resources across the eight dimensions of wellness – (not just your) physical health, but also your mental health, your social health, your spiritual health, your financial health. And we want (students) to be able to see all the different units and offices that can help you advance on all the different areas of wellness…
I think that’s something that’s taken me by surprise: the many offices and resources that are available to students to help support them throughout their time here. We in student government can do a better job of making people aware of those resources and helping get them connected.
Keck: So that’s what students are concerned about. What are students excited about? What are they telling you that’s positive?
Duncan: We have a 232-year enduring legacy here, and that legacy extends across the many different enterprises. Athletics is one: we’ve got a new basketball coach, Coach Malone, (and) I think there’s a lot of excitement about all the energy that he’s going to bring in the Dean Dome this year. (And) our football team’s kicking off in Ireland. I’ll have the honor of being in Ireland for that – it’s actually on my birthday. We’re hoping the second season goes a little bit better this year.
And we’ve got the best pharmacy school. We’ve got a new social work (bachelor’s degree) program. Our School of Government’s introducing a minor for folks interested in public service. We have a world-class (journalism) school. Just a couple weeks ago, I got the chance to tour one of our labs on campus and saw undergraduate and graduate students carrying on the legacy of the Freeman Lab, world-class research. Arts is a big thing, the Board of Trustees just (voted) to expand the Ackland Art Museum…
And then outside of all of that: being in The Pit, walking around, meeting people you’ve never met before, cheering for the Tar Heels, going out and enjoying Franklin Street. I think everyone is excited about that. Certainly I am as well.
Featured photo via Jon Gardiner/UNC-Chapel Hill.
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