Jones ’20 Alumni Spotlight
From ‘I Accept’ to
‘I Do’:
Our Journeys with LSP and How LSP Brought Our Family Together
In the spring of 2016 in my Chicago home, I opened a letter that would change my life; I received an offer to join the Levine Scholars Program. Little did I know that in a different house in North Carolina, someone else whose life would become intertwined with mine, was opening the same letter.
Four months later, Riley and I met in the Denver airport before boarding a bus headed to Lander, Wyoming. That night we were ping-pong partners at the lodge and a strong, dare I say, winning partnership was forged. Over the next four years, we strived to make the most of the opportunities afforded us by the Levine Scholars Program and had a blast while doing it.
I’ll start by saying my husband has always been one who can take the world on his shoulders and not break a sweat. He triple-majored in mathematics, business and Spanish while seamlessly integrating them into his study abroad experiences. He wrote an economics paper in Shanghai, furthered his language skills in Costa Rica and applied statistics to an internship in Spain. He used his nonprofit internship with Prospera as the basis for his civic engagement project empowering Spanish-speaking
entrepreneurs in Charlotte. The whole experience looked like a well-thought-out road map. I, on the other hand, had a narrower goal: to become a midwife. This had a more direct path and involved a singular nursing major. Which—as Riley attests— was harder than his three. I accomplished this while anxiously bouncing around from one idea or experience to the next while trying not to spill my ever-filled coffee mug on my scrubs. I studied abroad in South Africa to experience another country with fellow scholars, Ireland to get in touch with heritage and Ghana to learn from the traditional midwives there (I’ll admit that program coincided with my major). After learning about nutritional deficits while abroad in Stellenbosch, I centered my civic engagement project around hosting an interactive nutrition fair at a local elementary school. My time was less planned and a little more “take it as it comes.”
The Joneses
Our paths were very different, to say the least, but that’s what the program is all about. Taking students from all walks of life with a wide variety of interests and supporting them to find their callings, learn from their mistakes and write their own stories. Riley and I wrote our own stories during our time at UNC Charlotte and started writing the story of our future family senior year when we began to date. Following graduation, I returned home to start my doctorate program at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Riley accepted a job offer as an actuary and moved to Chicago as well. In the years since, we have gotten married, traveled, moved homes and welcomed two beautiful sons into our growing family. Since everyone who hears our story asks… No, Riley isn’t used to the cold yet and yes, returning to the Carolinas may still be in the cards for us.
We owe the program more than we can adequately put into words. When Mr. Levine
Riley enjoying an excursion during his study abroad program
passed away, it was met with great sadness in our home.
The man who had funded our education, expanded our worldview and inadvertently made our family a possibility was gone. I still wonder if he knew just how much he impacted our lives. All we can do now is give back to the program he started and try to extend his legacy by emulating his generosity in our own lives.
One day, when our sons apply to the scholarship program, whether accepted or not, at least they will have a funny story to tell about how their parents met and how much this program means to our family.
Sarah and Riley attending a Charlotte 49ers football game
Sarah collecting water in Ghana
The Class of 2020 at the National Outdoor Leadership School
Sarah and Riley holding their sons: two future 49ers!
The happy couple on their wedding day
Grad photos with their education abroad alumni stoles
NINER NATION GIVES BEGINS TODAY!
1. Make a Gift 2. Become an Ambassador
You can support LSP by: Becoming an Ambassador WITH YOU+2 EARN EXCLUSIVE CHARLOTTE MERCH It’s never been easier to support LSP!
1. Sign up 2. Make a gift
3. Get two friends to give with your special link
Dr. Z and Dr. Smith have come together to issue a special challenge! One hundred (100) gifts is is quite the stretch goal—but they believe that between program alumni, current scholars and their families, we can make it happen!
Just as discretionary funding, largely amassed from donations, supported your scholar during their years, the LSP Faculty Directors hope you will give back for the benefit of scholars to come. Donations are directed to the ASPIRE fund, which provides necessary funding for initiatives like:
• Charlotte Immersion
• Alternative Spring Break
• Whole Group Meals
• LSAT, MCAT and GRE testing
• Maymester Service Trips
• ...and so much more!
LEARN MORE AND SIGN UP
MAKE A GIFT
ASB 2025 brought scholars to Western North Carolina to help with disaster recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Helene
Lisa File Family Spotlight
From Siblings to Scholars: Continuing the Niner Legacy Through the Levine Scholars Program at UNC Charlotte
As a third-generation Niner, Allison has always had a soft spot in her heart for UNC Charlotte. Listening to her grandma share her pride in going back to school to fulfill her dream of receiving her undergraduate and master’s in education while balancing a family and other commitments, or her dad and two uncles reminiscing over their college shenanigans and memorable engineering professors, Charlotte has always held a special place within the family. Attending the Levine Scholars Finalist Program and seeing the incredible community and opportunities within the program completely sealed the deal. When Allison received the call to join the Levine Scholars Program (LSP) Class of 2023, she was ecstatic and eager to start preparing for NOLS and her time at UNC Charlotte. However, she had no idea that her sister Madison would be able to join her as part of the LSP family in the Class of 2026, allowing for a oneyear overlap in the program together. Their parents, Tony ’89 and Lisa, were able to experience the gravity of a second daughter receiving this high honor. They felt excitement beyond words.
While the concept of NOLS and the vast opportunities LSP offers were relatively unknown to Allison before she became a Niner, by the time Madison entered the program she was well acquainted with the various facets of UNC Charlotte and LSP—certainly giving her a leg up in her freshman year.
Madison’s familiarity allowed her to quickly become acclimated to the new environment. This was particularly helpful while preparing for NOLS since Allison was able to give her sister a detailed list of exactly what she should pack, and more importantly, what she should NOT bring to keep her backpack as light as possible. Furthermore, as a member of the first-year cohort, she already knew all the seniors and felt comfortable chatting with them. It was also easier to reach out for advice when selecting classes, nonprofit internship selections and navigating her own career pathway. While the freshman and senior classes are typically more isolated at vastly different stages of life, this occurrence helped bring the two cohorts together and formed a lot of friendships
The Files
and informal mentorship opportunities within the program. This was especially fruitful when several members of the freshman and senior year cohorts embarked on a study abroad program in Stellenbosch, South Africa. Both Allison and Madison were able to spend the summer together exploring Cape Town and the beautiful town of Stellenbosch. The sisters studied health and social-spatial justice within the context of South Africa and both pursued individual research projects of their choosing. They had such a wonderful time on the LSP trip that the following summer Madison decided to join the LSP trip to Sendai, Japan, in which she was able to study disaster recovery and trauma response.
While the South Africa study abroad program was the last of Allison’s experiences before graduation, there were still many ways for the whole family to come together and celebrate their Niner Pride. They would often attend the UNC Charlotte football games, including the Levine tailgates that Dr. Mike hosts. After Christmas break the family looked forward to a special time in February, when they would volunteer at Finalist Program in different ways to help give back to the program and share their experiences with incoming students. While Madison would serve on the student panels, Allison would help moderate them or contribute to the alumni panel. Tony and Lisa were always particularly excited to have the opportunity to serve on the parent panel, having contributed the last five years, minus one year of course, when Madison was a finalist. After having
observed firsthand all the growth, independence and unwavering support offered to Allison through the Levine program, they were beyond thrilled that Madison had the opportunity to chart her own course with the excellent guidance and direction of the LSP staff, mentors, community leaders and faculty at UNC Charlotte. Tony is particularly excited that he gets to share his love of UNC Charlotte with both his daughters, carrying on the family tradition. Over the course of the program, they have befriended many parents of other scholars and the LSP staff. They feel that attending every tailgate, Finalist Program, and other LSP events is almost like a family reunion. They love answering the parent panel questions that they had pondered during Allison’s finalist weekend and sharing how meaningful the program and LSP staff have been in the family’s life.
Looking back, the File family couldn’t have written a better script for Allison and Madison to have their college experience. By developing an international perspective from immersive study abroad experiences, to individualized support from LSP staff who are dedicated to helping scholars succeed to the countless volunteer opportunities and connections made along the way. After seeing Allison complete the program and Madison in her second semester junior year, Tony and Lisa understand unequivocally that LSP embodies high standards, academic rigor and realworld experiences to allow the young men and women that enter the program an unparalleled opportunity to thrive and be successful. On a personal note, for Allison and Madison having both experienced being a Levine Scholar means that it is something they can share forever, both able to attend alumni events and share in the broader Levine network, something they will carry with them the rest of their lives. Lisa and Tony continue to spread the word about the Levine Scholars Program whenever they have an opportunity with neighbors and friends, as they view this as one of the best kept secrets of major scholarships and are so honored and proud that both of their daughters were able to experience it.
The File Family at Finalist Program 20246==
Madison and Allison in Stellenbosch, South Africa
Families are always welcome to attend tailgates with Dr. Mike!
