From Capitol Hill to the United Nations: Global fellows explore leadership in action

In March, the inaugural class of Morehead-Cain Global Fellows traveled to Washington, D.C., and New York City for a week of immersive learning. The dozen scholars engaged with alumni leaders, explored global institutions, and reflected on their own paths towards the end of their year at Carolina.  

The trip began in Washington with a tour of the U.S. Capitol led by Frances Seymour ’81, a senior policy advisor at the Woodwell Climate Research Center and IPAM Amazônia. She offered the global fellows an insider’s perspective on climate policy.

Throughout their time in D.C., global fellows connected with alumni across industries. David Gardner ’88, co-founder of The Motley Fool, spoke about investing, entrepreneurship, and long-term thinking. A session at the National Museum of Asian Art with Katie Ziglar ’79 and David Royle ’78 highlighted careers in the arts and media, while Grant Heskamp ’14 of the Clinton Health Access Initiative shared perspectives on global health and strategy. 

Morehead-Cain Global Fellow Eniola Hawawu Salawu ’26 said every interaction with alumni “made clear the impact that the Program has had” on both their lives and those around them.

“Global impact to me looks like identifying challenges within my community that I am positioned to address; investing my time, effort, and energy to solving that problem; and empowering those that will come after me to maintain and uphold this legacy,” Eniola said, reflecting on her spring break. 

Midweek, the group traveled to New York City, where programming focused on global governance, finance, media, and sports. At the United Nations headquarters, Seth Shelden ’98, who represents the Nobel Peace Prize–winning International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), offered a close look at international law and nuclear disarmament, emphasizing the importance of collaboration across borders. The group also heard from Phil Berney ’86 at Kelso & Company and Alan Murray ’77 at News Corp, gaining insights into private equity, leadership, and media.  

The week concluded with a visit to Major League Soccer headquarters, where Camilo Durana ’03 shared perspectives on global sports business and the league’s expanding international reach. 

Beyond formal programming, the experience carried personal significance for many of the scholars. Reflecting on his final moments in New York, global fellow Mohammad Hamza ’26 shared: 

“Walking alone through the streets of New York on the last day . . . I had this feeling that all my efforts had paid off,” he said. “For me, New York doesn’t represent a city, but a milestone for success.” 

Global fellow Fadilullahi Ayodeji Adeniyi ’26 said the exposure to people, ideas, and possibilities has stretched how he thinks about what is possible while grounding him more firmly in the kind of impact he wants to create.

“This year has expanded how I think about solutions. I am returning with a broader perspective, stronger networks, and a deeper commitment to building sustainable energy systems that are locally relevant and globally informed,” the chemical engineering major said.   

About the Morehead-Cain Global Fellows program 

The Morehead-Cain Global Fellows program identifies, invests in, and empowers emerging leaders who are committed to positively shaping communities around the world.

Morehead-Cain Global Fellows undertake a fully funded year of undergraduate study and research at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The program includes funded travel experiences across the United States, personalized coaching from a team of Morehead-Cain advisors, and yearlong leadership development.  

Global fellows return home with world-class research experience, an international network, and the skills to lead with purpose.