Morehead-Cain Scholars Reflect on Award’s “Opportunities and Experiences”

Maurrasse: I’ve actually told many people that, in some ways, I got to college and the class experience was actually easier than some of my high school courses — and I say that with gratitude! One of the best things I learned at Ravenscroft was how to write. It sounds so basic, but the majority of my courses were about researching, articulating a point of view, supporting it with facts and writing all of that in a concise and cohesive way. One of my favorite classes was a multisemester course that walked through all the philosophy classics, from Greek historian Heroditus to more modern Locke and Rousseau. We discussed in class and then wrote a paper every week on the book or excerpt. I learned to write purposefully at Ravenscroft and honed the skill more in college. I continued to use that skill when I was in business school and in my work today.

Bell: Ravenscroft prepared me well for college, both academically and personally. The studying techniques and foundational skills (especially writing) I learned at Ravenscroft made college-level courses more manageable. Ravenscroft’s broad selection of Advanced Placement classes also allowed me to more quickly move into courses specific to my majors. I also valued being able to develop a personal leadership style through Ravenscroft’s unique approach grounded in Lead from Here. I leveraged these skills constantly while leading on-campus clubs and working in summer internships. Finally, Ravenscroft encouraged me to pursue a well-rounded set of activities (violin, cross country, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Strategic Acts of Kindness) that I enjoyed carrying over to college. The time-management and prioritization skills I picked up at Ravenscroft also served me well when pursuing multiple majors and leadership roles on UNC’s campus.

Crosby: Ravenscroft’s numerous clubs, sports teams and classes successfully prepared me for my academic experience at UNC-Chapel Hill. I quickly learned how to juggle my responsibilities. I held many leadership positions that taught me valuable skills — such as the importance of communication and resiliency — that I have transferred to college.

Maurrasse: It’s hard to choose just one memorable experience! Each part of the enrichment summers has a theme, so a few highlights were tracing the steps of Machiavelli through Italy, even into some of the ancient scholarly Italian libraries, to write a paper on his political impact into modern times; teaching English and environmental education to elementary students in the cloud forests of Ecuador; studying abroad in London; writing for “The Charlie Rose Show”; and meeting movers and shakers, from then-Chancellor of the Exchequer of the UK Gordon Brown to Denzel Washington. Many of those experiences were aided by Morehead-Cain alumni who helped open opportunities that shaped my summer and even school experience. And through all of the travel, I remember one of my UNC advisors, Professor Kirkpatrick, giving me the wise advice that to interpret and understand the cultures around you, you need to take Latin, art history and politics to make sense of it all. I did just that, and these years later I can say he was right!

Bell: One of my favorite parts of the Morehead-Cain scholarship was the ability to grow through on- and off-campus opportunities. On campus, older scholars recommended both of my favorite professors, Dr. Lloyd Kramer (European history) and Professor Nick Didow (business marketing). Dr. Kramer developed my interest in the history of nationalism and served as my advisor for my senior year thesis — and we now serve together on the board of Carolina Public Humanities. Professor Didow sharpened my interest in marketing and had an enormous impact on my career path. Both professors remain valuable mentors for me.

Off campus, each of my summer experiences provided invaluable friendships, learnings and travel. I initially planned to go into nonprofit work and was introduced to the worlds of tech and digital marketing via my first two nonprofit internships in San Francisco. The following summer I focused exclusively on marketing for Olay at Procter & Gamble, which then led to my first full-time role at McKinsey, focusing on marketing and sales strategy for tech clients. I feel very fortunate to have had the foundation of the Morehead-Cain scholarship and the experiences it provided me.

Crosby: In July of 2021 [my first summer in the program], I traveled to Absaroka, Wyoming, through the Morehead-Cain scholarship. I strengthened my ability to collaborate and lead in emergency situations while accomplishing a 100-mile course through the backcountry. This was entirely out of my comfort zone, and some days were much more difficult than others. However, another scholar on my trip taught me so much about confidence and peace. Now, she is one of my closest friends on campus, and I am so grateful for the genuine relationship.

Maurrasse: A common theme among fellow Morehead-Cain scholars is that rarely are they satisfied with the status quo. There is a drive and a desire to enact change where it’s needed, to pursue passions that may not even be the popular thing but tie intrinsically to what they find interesting. This kind of change-making continues to inspire me as I interact with alumni in my years since graduation, whether friends I stay in touch with or others who are giving me advice about a topic or career move. It’s a big reason I’ve had the opportunity and courage to try so many professional experiences that can grow with me, from media and television, nonprofit work at Habitat for Humanity and creating consumer products at Unilever to now starting my own business.

Bell: Several valuable lessons I learned through my Morehead-Cain experiences stick with me today: (1) the importance of working with and learning from strong leaders, (2) the value of a professional role that further develops your strengths and passions and (3) the immeasurable impact of kindness and good character. These principles guide the work I do and, I imagine, will continue to guide my career choices. They also inform how I do my work and who I hope to become as a person.

Crosby: In the future, I hope to pursue a career in law. The summer enrichment opportunities provided by the Morehead-Cain scholarship immerse scholars into different programs and experiences that most would not have tried otherwise. I hope to strengthen my passion for law and advocacy through these summer programs while simultaneously gaining new interests and obtaining knowledge.

Maurrasse: College is so much more than just the class experience. I look back at my time at UNC and, yes, the class experience shaped how I think and how to articulate my point of view. But what I really remember are the dorm-hallway conversations with friends, the clubs I was involved in that taught me how to manage a team or be exposed to new ideas, and the Morehead-Cain staff who advised me through it all. So when you’re thinking about where you might want to go, consider the kind of students who attend, the environment and location and what kinds of extracurricular activities are available. And talk to alumni from the college to get a sense of what made that place or program so special.

Bell: I would encourage all Ravenscroft students to look for college programs that provide them with connections to inspiring leaders and opportunities to grow within and beyond the college campus. The Morehead-Cain scholarship was a phenomenal fit for me, and there are many other outstanding programs across the country.

Crosby: Be authentic! It is essential to stay true to yourself when pursuing opportunities like this. While it can be easy to compare yourself to others during the college-application process, recognize and celebrate your accolades and know you are capable and worthy!