Carolina ranks 4th among publics
In the U.S. News & World Report list, the University is the best value among public institutions for the 19th year.
Best of 2023
In 2023, the Carolina community conducted groundbreaking research, made a difference across the state and stuck to its mission of being passionately public.
As we begin 2024, take a look back at some of the most inspiring, innovative and exciting stories from UNC-Chapel Hill in the past year, as chosen by University Communications staff.
Our most-read stories
State budget includes state employee pay raises
The North Carolina General Assembly also approved funding for renovations at the business and nursing schools.
Study shows habitual checking of social media may impact young adolescents’ brain development
The study provides some of the first findings about social media's possible consequences on the development of adolescent brains.
Standout Tar Heels
Chancellor’s Science Scholar builds on late dad’s work
The daughter of a surgical oncologist, Logan Amos will research cancer and microbiology.
Carolina junior kicks off fall semester with debut novel
Victoria Wlosok signed a book deal for her young adult thriller with a “big five” publisher when she was still a first-year student at Carolina. On Sept. 19, her work will hit the shelves.
Covenant Scholar enjoying the ride
Through her health policy studies and skateboarding, Louise Hoff is finding community in Chapel Hill.
‘Poetry isn’t just what you write. It’s how you live’
The UNC School of Education doctoral candidate is a scholar, educator, cultural organizer and now, the Town’s official poet.
Environmental scientist looks at climate from all angles
Incoming doctoral student Ruitian Yan wants to help vulnerable communities safely manage their risks, including financial.
Third-shift housekeeper brings the clean — and the joy
Massey Award winner David Barnette Jr. is busy on and off the job, but he always makes time to connect with others.
Campus happenings
Video: Tar Heel sailors teach students the ropes
The UNC-Chapel Hill Sailing Club runs regular beginner clinics and races against other colleges.
Grounds crew creates diamond perfection
It takes teamwork and a long day of meticulous care to prepare Bryson Field for a baseball game.
Karen refugees find home at Carolina
After “running from war” in Myanmar as children, Bleh Po and Kyaw Po now work on a Grounds Services tree crew.
Full-circle moment for Tar Heel brings hope to North Carolina family
A UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School course has been raising money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation for more than a decade. Will Fickling was on the receiving end of those donations as an eighth-grader. Now a Tar Heel, he enrolled in the class to give back.
From kindergarten to Carolina
Kacie Horton and DeAndre Sawyer have been at each other's side for almost two decades. The two graduating Tar Heels will celebrate another milestone together this weekend at Spring Commencement.
Taking the air with WXYC
Broadcast out of the Student Union, WXYC is the University’s free-form radio station. The station aims to bring new and different music to the airwaves.
Athletic successes
Tar Heels top Northwestern for field hockey national title
Carolina's 2-1 shootout victory is the program's 11th NCAA title and fifth in the past six years.
Austin O’Connor wins national championship
With the win, he becomes Carolina wrestling's sixth national champion.
Aranza Vazquez wins second NCAA title
Twenty-four hours after winning the one-meter at the 2023 NCAA Women's Swimming and Diving Championships, Aranza Vazquez made it a springboard sweep by claiming the three-meter.
Women’s tennis downs NC State for NCAA title
The Tar Heels, who have won the last four ITA Indoor Team National Championships, captured their first outdoor title to cement their place as perhaps the top women's tennis program in the nation.
Carolina 8th in final 2022-2023 Learfield Director’s Cup standings
This is the Tar Heels' fourth consecutive top-10 finish and seventh in the past eight years of the all-sports competition.
Carolina hosts historic fútbol match
Fans local and international alike showed up, and showed out, for an experience that was memorable for them, and both teams.
Groundbreaking research
Drug-checking project cuts overdoses
Supported by the N.C. Collaboratory, epidemiologist Nabarun Dasgupta and his team analyze street drugs and alert communities about dangers.
Carolina researchers take lead on historic NASA water survey
The first satellite to measure Earth’s surface water launched late last year, and Tamlin Pavelsky's team is verifying its data.
Turning trash into treasure
Frank Leibfarth tests molecules to turn plastic waste into useful materials, diversifying options for recycling.
Tiny lifeforms fascinate senior biologist
Lilly Papell studies how certain microscopic organisms survive in extreme environments.
Building a better battery
Scientists don’t understand a lot about the process that charges batteries. Miguel Reyna’s research may improve that understanding and improve batteries, as well.
She trains Black doulas to close the maternal mortality gap
Black women die from childbirth at higher rates than white women. The School of Medicine’s Venus Standard hopes to change that.