Featured Members
Celebrating and Recognizing Our Members’ Achievements
2024 Love of Learning Recipients Shaianne Nickerson and John Reeves
Congratulations to our 2024 Phi Kappa Phi Love of Learning recipients! These awards help fund post-baccalaureate professional development for active Phi Kappa Phi members. Two hundred awards, at $1,000 each, are distributed each year.
2023 Phi Kappa Phi Dissertation Fellowship Recipient Jessica Hoyle, PhD Candidate
Jessica Hoyle has been awarded the Phi Kappa Phi Dissertation Fellowship 2023. She was one of the ten students selected nationally for this award. Hoyle is a Ph. D. candidate at University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Her research is focused on social relationships and the health and well-being of people with developmental disabilities as they age.
2022 Phi Kappa Phi National Literacy Grant Recipient Victor Mack, Director of Educational Outreach
Victor Mack, in collaboration with Professor Emeritus Dr. Laurie Garo, has been awarded a 2022 Phi Kappa Phi Literacy Grant to support the 100 Ways to Nutritional Literacy program. In partnership with the 100 Black Men of Greater Charlotte and The University of North Carolina at Charlotte Center for STEM Education Pre-College Program, 100 Ways to Nutritional Literacy is a program for middle and high school students in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg region. The purpose of the initiative is for its participants to understand the link between nutrition and health; demonstrate how diet impacts school and extra-curricular activity performance; and gain knowledge and skill in culinary arts to promote a healthy lifestyle. The target audience consists of African-American and other traditionally-marginalized populations who do not have consistent access to healthy foods and/or positive examples of healthy lifestyles.
2022 Phi Kappa Phi National Dissertation Fellowship Recipient Mukulika Bose, PhD Candidate
Mukulika Bose has been awarded the Phi Kappa Phi Dissertation Fellowship 2022. She was one of the ten students selected nationally for this award, and is the first student to have received it from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Bose is a PhD student in the Department of Biological Sciences. She has been involved in pancreatic cancer research in Professor Pinku Mukherjee’s laboratory since Fall 2017. Since then she has published in multiple reputed and peer-reviewed biomedical journals, presented her research in international conferences and has mentored about ten undergraduate students in the laboratory. Currently, her research is focused on studying the role of a tumor-antigen called Mucin1 in cancer progression. Bose’s dissertation work aims to elucidate the mechanism of action of a novel antibody that blocks Mucin1-mediated cellular oncogenic processes in different cancers. This work has great potential to be translated into the clinic as part of a prophylactic or therapeutic strategy to reduce recurrence in solid tumors.
Bose has also served in a number of leadership roles on campus, for instance, as a member of the Graduate and Professional Student Government (GPSG) Finance Committee member. She was inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society in 2019 at UNC Charlotte. Bose will utilize the fellowship to write her thesis and enhance her knowledge and communication skills, which will eventually help her evolve as an independent research investigator in the future.
2022 National Phi Kappa Phi Graduate Fellowship Recipient and Bonnie E. Cone Scholarship Winner Claire Patrick, B.S. Candidate
Claire Patrick is from Lexington, NC, and a graduating senior in the University Honors Program, the Global Engagement Scholars Program, and Geography Honors. She is graduating with a BS in Geography, concentrating in GIScience and Technology with minors in public health and religious studies. She would like to sincerely thank all of those she has had the privilege of learning from over the course of her UNC Charlotte journey. She plans to attend graduate school in the fall where she will pursue a Masters degree in City and Regional Planning, focusing on the intersections of environmental health, GIS, and urban agriculture. With the help of this award, she is thankful and excited to begin her career as an urban planner to help create and maintain equitable and sustainable communities.
2022 Bonnie E. Cone Scholarship Winner Brianna Kolsin, B.A. Candidate
Brianna Kolsin is originally from Staten Island, New York and is a graduating senior double majoring in Political Science with Honors and Sociology. Along with being a member of Phi Kappa Phi, other honors Brianna has received include being named a Who’s Who at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, a member of Pi Sigma Alpha the Political Science Honor Society, Alpha Kappa Delta the Sociology Honor Society, Political Science Honors Program, Order of Omega, and a member of the TELOS distinguished Greek leaders program. She has been on the Chancellor’s List every semester, and is graduating with a 4.0 GPA overall.
Brianna is the current Vice President of Intellectual Development for Alpha Chi Omega and in the past served as the Vice President of Finance and Risk Management Representative. She is passionate about being an advocate for others and has been a volunteer at Safe Alliance Domestic Violence shelter since 2019, and a volunteer custody advocate for the Council of Children’s Rights. Throughout her time at Charlotte, Brianna has worked at two different law firms and was a preceptor for American Politics.
Brianna will be attending Campbell University Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law in August where she will pursue her goals of becoming a practicing attorney. She is so thankful to the Phi Kappa Phi committee for awarding her with this scholarship that she will use to fund her law school studies.
2022 Bonnie E. Cone Scholarship Winner Phoebe Pruneda, BSW Candidate
Phoebe Pruneda is a graduating senior in the Martin Scholars and the Social Work Honors program. Phoebe is originally from Illinois but has called North Carolina home for the last five years. This year she will be graduating with a bachelor’s of social work and a minor in criminal justice. After graduation, Phoebe will be continuing her studies here at UNC Charlotte in our Advanced Standing Master’s of Social Work program. Whichever way Phoebe’s career path carries her, whether that be into practice or towards research, she is intent on working to improve the lives of survivors of interpersonal violence. Phoebe is deeply grateful to Phi Kappa Phi and the advisory committee for this honor, award, and scholarship.
2021 Love of Learning Award Recipient Hamideh Hosseini, PhD Candidate and MS Candidate
Hamideh is a dual degree student; PhD in INES (Infrastructure and Environmental Systems) and MS (Master of Science in Building Technology) at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She has been involved in research studies in different areas including user performance enhancement, renewable energies, thermal comfort and natural ventilation. Currently, her research is focused on solar PV integrated facades. Hamideh joined Phi Kappa Phi in 2021 at UNC Charlotte and she will use the funds from the award to profound her knowledge and enhance her skills, so she will be able to develop career confidence and a path to leadership.
Love of Learning Awards help fund post-baccalaureate studies and/or career development for active Phi Kappa Phi members including graduate or professional studies, doctoral dissertations, continuing education, career development, travel related to teaching/studies, etc. Two hundred awards, at $500 each, are distributed to Phi Kappa Phi members each year.
2021 National Phi Kappa Phi Graduate Fellowship Recipient and Bonnie E. Cone Scholarship Winner Megan Bird, B.A. Candidate
Megan is from Charlottesville, VA and is majoring in Spanish and political science with a minor in statistics. During her time at UNC Charlotte, she served for three years as news editor for the Niner Times, was a teaching assistant for various professors, and coauthored a paper about judicial clerks with Dr. John Szmer. She plans to attend law school in the fall where she hopes to pursue public interest law.
2021 Bonnie E. Cone Scholarship Winner Josephine Jenita Justin, B.A. Candidate
Josephine Jenita Justin was locally awarded the Bonnie E. Cone scholarship by the local chapter. She is a senior at UNC Charlotte double majoring in Political Science and Communication Studies, Mass Media and will be graduating May 2021. Josephine will be starting her Masters of City and Regional Planning (MCRP) at UNC Chapel Hill and plans to use this award to fund this opportunity. As an urban planner, she has an interest in environmental planning, specifically in disaster management and coastal resiliency. With the help of this award, she looks forward to completing her MCRP and developing healthy, sustainable, and equitable communities.
2021 Bonnie E. Cone Scholarship Winner Dmitry Tereshenko, B.A. Candidate
Dmitry Tereshenko is a graduating senior in the Levine Scholars Program and English Honors Program. He is graduating with a BA in English, concentrating in Language and Digital Technology, and a BA in Applied Anthropology with minors in Russian Studies and Linguistics. He will be attending Georgetown University on a full tuition scholarship for an MA in Language and Communication (MLC). Throughout his undergraduate journey, Dmitry became increasingly interested in applied language study in social and multicultural contexts. While at Georgetown, he hopes to further his understanding in the field of sociolinguistics while learning about the professional implications of sociolinguistic analytical skillsets. Dmitry’s current interests include conflict mediation, intercultural and multilingual communication, gatekeeping in education and, digitally mediated communication. As of now, Dmitry is unsure about whether or not he wants to pursue a PhD and is confident that the faculty and resources at Georgetown will be able to help lead him along the best path forward, academically and professionally.
2020 Love of Learning Award Recipient Jenna Taylor, PhD Candidate
Jenna L. Taylor, Class of 2020, is a recipient of the 2020 National Phi Kappa Phi Love of Learning Award and received a $500 award, which will support her doctoral education and research in Counseling and Play Therapy at the University of North Texas. Jenna graduated from UNC Charlotte in August 2020 with a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a concentration in Play Therapy. She is currently a doctoral student at the University of North Texas studying Counselor Education with a specialization in Play Therapy.
Love of Learning Awards help fund post-baccalaureate studies and/or career development for active Phi Kappa Phi members including graduate or professional studies, doctoral dissertations, continuing education, career development, travel related to teaching/studies, etc. Two hundred awards, at $500 each, are distributed to Phi Kappa Phi members each year.
2020 Love of Learning Award Recipient Jessica Hoyle, PhD Candidate
Jessica Hoyle is a recipient of the 2020 National Phi Kappa Phi Love of Learning Award and received a $500 award, which will support her research on the relationship of social capital with the mental and physical health of adults with developmental disabilities. Jessica is currently a doctoral student in Public Health Sciences at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Love of Learning Awards help fund post-baccalaureate studies and/or career development for active Phi Kappa Phi members including graduate or professional studies, doctoral dissertations, continuing education, career development, travel related to teaching/studies, etc. Two hundred awards, at $500 each, are distributed to Phi Kappa Phi members each year.
2020 National Phi Kappa Phi Graduate Fellowship Recipient and Bonnie E. Cone Scholarship Winner Elizabeth Kay, B.S. and B.A. Candidate
Elizabeth Kay is the recipient of the 2020 Phi Kappa Phi Graduate Fellowship and was locally awarded the Bonnie E. Cone Scholarship for $500 by the Chapter. She is a senior at UNC Charlotte and will graduate with the Class of 2020. When she began her college career at UNC Charlotte, one of the first names she heard spoken was that of our founder, Bonnie E. Cone. During her time at UNC Charlotte, Elizabeth has seen how Bonnie E. Cone’s spirit, tenacity, and dedication to higher education laid the groundwork for the institution we know today. She plans to use the funds from the award to purchase her surgical loupes and textbooks for dental school this fall at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
2020 Bonnie E. Cone Scholarship Winner Kayla Blackburn, B.S. Candidate
Kayla Blackburn was locally awarded the Bonnie E. Cone Scholarship for $500 by the Chapter. She is senior at UNC Charlotte who will graduate in May 2020. She plans to use this award during medical school. While she is still deciding which school to attend, she has been accepted at Duke University School of Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, and University of Florida College of Medicine.
2019 Study Abroad Grant Recipient, Chiamaka Okonkwo
Chiamaka Okonkwo is a Levine Scholar from Gastonia, North Carolina and one of three UNC Charlotte students to receive the Study Abroad grant from Phi Kappa Phi. Chiamaka expects to graduate in May 2021 with a double major in biology and Spanish with a minor in public health. The Phi Kappa Phi study abroad grant has already helped to fund her study abroad this summer at Universidad Veritas in Costa Rica. The Spanish Language and Culture program was an amazing four-week experience that allowed her to learn Spanish – alongside its cultural context – within a beautiful nation. Chiamaka hopes that she can continue to use the remainder of these funds during a future study abroad experiences in a different Spanish-speaking nation.
2019 National Phi Kappa Phi Graduate Fellowship Recipient and Bonnie E. Cone Scholarship Winner Michael Seth Flynn, B.S. and B.A. Candidate
Seth Flynn is from the small town of Burnsville in Western North Carolina. He is graduating in May of 2019 with degrees in Biology and Chemistry and a minor in Sociology. He participated in the Honors in Biological Sciences Program, in which he investigated the relationship between inflammation and the formation of new blood vessels in triple negative breast cancer under the mentorship of Dr. Didier Dréau. Seth will be pursuing a Doctor of Medicine degree this fall and he tentatively intends on specializing in geriatric medicine. His favorite volunteer experiences include calling Bingo and leading crafting sessions at an assisted living home, as well as serving as a companionship volunteer with Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region.
2018 Love of Learning Award Recipient Amanda R. Casto, PhD Candidate
Amanda R. Casto, Class of 2020, was a recipient of the 2018 National Phi Kappa Phi Love of Learning Award and received a $500 award, which will support her research at the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Conference in San Diego, California. Amanda is currently a doctoral student working on a doctoral dissertation in Urban Elementary Curriculum and Instruction at the University of North Carolina at Charltote. Amanda was selected from more than 700 applicants.
Love of Learning Awards help fund post-baccalaureate studies and/or career development for active Phi Kappa Phi members including graduate or professional studies, doctoral dissertations, continuing education, career development, travel related to teaching/studies, etc. One hundred forty-seven awards, at $500 each, are distributed to Phi Kappa Phi members each year. More than 700 members applied for Love of Learning Awards in 2018.
2018 Love of Learning Award Recipient Gordon Christopher Culleto, MA Candidate
Gordon Christopher Culletto, Class of 2019, was a recipient of a $500 Love of Learning award from Phi Kappa Phi. Gordon is pursuing his Master’s degree in Communication Studies and currently serves as a research and teaching assistant in the department of Communication Studies at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Gordon was selected from more than 700 applicants.
Love of Learning Awards help fund post-baccalaureate studies and/or career development for active Phi Kappa Phi members including graduate or professional studies, doctoral dissertations, continuing education, career development, travel related to teaching/studies, etc. One hundred forty-seven awards, at $500 each, are distributed to Phi Kappa Phi members each year. More than 700 members applied for Love of Learning Awards in 2018.
2018 National Phi Kappa Phi Graduate Fellowship Nominee and Bonnie E. Cone Scholarship Winner Jakob Zalman Breunig, B.A. Candidate
Jakob Zalman Breunig, Class of 2017, was the recipient of UNC Charlotte’s Bonnie E. Cone Scholarship for $1,000 by the Chapter. Jakob is a Religious Studies major with a minor in Women’s and Gender Studies and founded UNC Charlotte’s first Religious Studies Undergraduate Student organization. Jakob is headed to Indiana University Bloomington next fall to begin his Ph.D in Religious Studies.
2017 National Phi Kappa Phi Graduate Fellowship Recipient and Bonnie E. Cone Scholarship Winner Thomas Simonson, MA Candidate
Thomas Simonson, Class of 2017, was the recipient of a 2017 National Phi Kappa Phi Graduate Fellowship and received a $5,000 fellowship, earned through a competitive award process. Thomas was also locally awarded the Bonnie E. Cone Scholarship for $1,000 by the Chapter. Thomas will pursue graduate studies in English at Wake Forest University, starting this fall.
2017 Love of Learning Award Winner Matthew Simmons, PhD Candidate/Alumni
Matthew Simmons, Class of 2005, earned a $500 Love of Learning award from Phi Kappa Phi. Matthew is currently working on a doctoral dissertation in history at the University of Florida.
2016 Student Vice President Leadership Summit Participate, National Phi Kappa Phi Graduate Fellowship Nominee and Bonnie E. Cone Scholarship Winner Noe Pliego Campos, B.A. Candidate
Noe Pliego Campos, a student vice president of UNC Charlotte’s Phi Kappa Phi chapter, is UNC Charlotte’s 2016 Graduate Fellowship Nominee at the national level and was locally awarded the Bonnie E. Cone Scholarship for $1,000 by the Chapter. Noe attended Phi Kappa Phi’s Student Vice President Leadership Summit in July 2015 which brought together student vice presidents from chapters across the country to engage in activities to strengthen leadership development skills. Noe is currently pursuing his M.A in History, having earned his B.A. with History Honors.
Noe has proved to be an attribute to the UNC Charlotte community, having won the Avenir scholarship from the Honors College for his honors thesis and receiving the unique opportunity to be one of the 10 UNC Charlotte honors students to present their research at the Southern Regional Honors Council Conference last spring. Besides receiving these honors, Campos is a first-generation college student and is fluently bilingual.
Noe ultimately hopes to use what he has learned at UNC Charlotte, as well as opportunities like the upcoming summit, to increase access to higher education for minorities and first-generation college students, just like himself.
2015 National Phi Kappa Phi Graduate Fellowship Nominee and Bonnie E. Cone Scholarship Winner Elizabeth Sanford, B.A. Candidate
Elizabeth Sanford graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and two minors in Management Information System and Operations and Supply Chain Management in December 2014. Elizabeth is UNC Charlotte’s 2015 Graduate Fellowship Nominee at the national level and was locally awarded the Bonnie E. Cone Scholarship for $1,000 by the Chapter.
2014 National Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship Nominee and Bonnie E. Cone Scholarship Winner Kate Moore, B.A. Candidate
Kate Moore was UNC Charlotte’s 2014 National Graduate Fellowship Nominee, and was awarded the Bonnie E. Cone Scholarship for $1,000 by the Chapter. Kate earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and minored in Women’s and Gender Studies in May 2014.
2013 Love of Learning Award Winner Danay Downing, MA Candidate
Danay Downing, an Anthropology and Psychology major, used her award funds toward graduate thesis research. Danay conducted observational summer research focusing on gaze following, joint attention, and social enrichment in a population of semi free-ranging primates at the Center for Great Apes in Wauchula, Florida. Danay was selected from more than 1,400 applicants.
Love of Learning Awards help fund post-baccalaureate studies and/or career development for active Phi Kappa Phi members including graduate or professional studies, doctoral dissertations, continuing education, career development, travel related to teaching/studies, etc. One hundred forty-seven awards, at $500 each, are distributed to Phi Kappa Phi members each year. More than 1,400 members applied for Love of Learning Awards in 2013.
2013 National Phi Kappa Phi Graduate Fellowship Recipient and Bonnie E. Cone Scholarship Winner Andrew Morimoto, B.A. Candidate
Andrew James Morimoto, Class of 2013, was the recipient of a 2013 National Phi Kappa Phi Graduate Fellowship. Andrew graduated with degrees in political science and history in May 2013. He was a member of the Honors College throughout his undergraduate career in the University Honors Program and graduated with departmental honors in History. He served in leadership roles in a number of student organizations on campus and was selected to speak at Commencement. Andrew was awarded the UNC Charlotte Chapter’s Bonnie E. Cone Scholarship for $1,000 and was nominated by the Chapter for the National Fellowship.