Introducing the new sophomores in the Morehead-Cain Class of 2028

The Morehead-Cain Foundation has announced that sixteen students enrolled at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill will join the Morehead-Cain Class of 2028 through its Sophomore Selection process. 

Morehead-Cain launched Sophomore Selection in fall 2023 to identify sophomores at UNC–Chapel Hill who have demonstrated exceptional scholarship, leadership, and character, and invite them to join the Morehead-Cain Program. 

The process of selecting the class involves an extensive application review and participation in a Final Selection Experience assessed by members of the Morehead-Cain Central Selection Committee. 

Sophomores are nominated by Morehead-Cain’s network of campus partners, including professors, department heads, and teaching assistants, as well as staff of service, extracurricular, cultural, and scholarship programs. Transfer students are eligible through partnerships with the North Carolina Community College System and UNC Office of Undergraduate Admissions. 

The scholars join a community of thinkers, leaders, creators, and adventurers at Carolina who are empowered to set their potential free. Scholars gain access to a network of peers and mentors, summer enrichment programming, advising, Lovelace Fund for Discovery, funded study abroad, and a living stipend. 

Sophomore Selection provides an ideal entry point into the Morehead-Cain Program for exceptional students who have demonstrated meaningful impact during their first year at Carolina, Morehead-Cain President Chris Bradford said. 

“Carolina is shaping the next generation of leaders to take on the world’s most pressing issues,” Bradford said. “Morehead-Cain identifies emerging leaders on campus and amplifies their impact through the Program’s signature leadership development model and access to transformative opportunities.” 

High-resolution images of the Morehead-Cain Scholars can be downloaded here. A biography of each scholar is below. 

Morehead-Cain Scholars 

Catalina Aldana-Archila (Cata) studies biochemistry on the pre-med track with a minor in health and society at Carolina. She recently received an associate’s degree in science from Guilford Technical Community College, where she served as the president of the Student Government Association and a member of the Board of Trustees. Cata is a medical interpreter and previously worked at inpatient and outpatient facilities in Greensboro, North Carolina. At Carolina, she volunteers as a clinical interpreter with SHAC. A graduate of Western Guilford High School, she is the daughter of Yolanda Archila-Gonzalez and Marcos Aldana-Reyes of Bogotá, Colombia, who reside in Greensboro, North Carolina. 

 

Anaya Sia-May Andre (Anaya) studies business administration and media and journalism, with a concentration in advertising and public relations at Carolina. As the founder and executive director of Promote Her, Period., a youth-led nonprofit dismantling menstrual barriers, she leads over thirty interns across South Florida and has distributed over ten thousand menstrual products to underserved communities. On campus, Anaya serves on the Student Advisory Committee to the Chancellor, contributing to the Enrolling the Future Project, and is a leadership intern for Black Campus Ministry. She is also an active member of the Marketing Club and serves on the marketing committee of the Minority Business Student Alliance. Anaya is passionate about brand storytelling and product marketing, with the long-term goal of founding her own marketing agency. A graduate of Pembroke Pines Charter High School in Pembroke Pines, Florida, Anaya is the daughter of Felisha Hinds-Andre and Antony Andre of Miami, Florida. 

Aline Awada (Aline) studies political science and history with a minor in philosophy, politics, and economics (PPE) at Carolina. At UNC, she serves as vice president of community involvement for the Intersection of Business and Politics Club at Kenan-Flagler, sits on the executive board of BRASA, and is developing Her Voice (صوتها), a mentorship and career development initiative aimed at increasing Arab female labor force participation. She is also the founder of Inspiring Female Youth (IFY), an empowerment initiative in São Paulo that provides young women with workshops in leadership and self-advocacy. Aline spent the summer of 2024 interning at Nasser Advogados in São Paulo, supporting an international trade litigation team and volunteering with local NGOs focused on refugee education, later reconnecting with family in Beirut and New York City. She is passionate about youth leadership and building inclusive communities across cultures. In her free time, she enjoys working on her poetry and prose book, quality time with her loved ones, and watching or playing soccer. Aline graduated from St. Francis College in São Paulo, Brazil. She is the daughter of Eklass and Jay Awada of Beirut, Lebanon. 

Kate Alexander Bynum (Kate) studies Hispanic linguistics and journalism with a minor in history at Carolina. On campus, Kate is a member of the Agora Fellows with the Program for Public Discourse and an active member of Chi Omega. Kate interns as a legal assistant at the Community Resource Center of Mamaroneck, New York, where she is working toward becoming a Department of Justice Accredited Representative. She also works as a campus growth lead for the startup Doorlist. Kate is passionate about exploring how language and communication can challenge inequality, shape social understanding, and promote justice across diverse communities. A graduate of Mamaroneck High School in Mamaroneck, New York, she is the daughter of Stephanie Hennings Bynum and the Rev. Dr. Peter Bynum of Larchmont, New York. 

Devin Amir Duncan (Devin) studies public policy and media and journalism with a focus on public relations at Carolina. He currently serves as student body secretary, a Tar Heel Ambassador, and as a chair, advisor, and facilitator of the Student Conduct Board, where he helps lead initiatives that strengthen integrity, academic policy, and student engagement across campus. Devin also serves on several university committees, including the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee and the Faculty Council, where he works to bridge student perspectives with university leadership. Beyond governance, he mentors peers as a resident advisor and continues his passion for civic dialogue as a Democracy and Dialogue Fellow. After graduation, Devin plans to attend law school and pursue a career in educational law and administration—ideally right back at Carolina. A proud graduate of Fairfield High School in Fairfield, Ohio, Devin is the son of Lashandra Duncan of Fort Mill, South Carolina. 

Hannah Hayes (Hannah) studies political science and public policy at Carolina. She is an attorney for Carolina mock trial, advocate for the student advocacy network, and executive board member for the Legal Action Project, where she seeks to center student voices. In summer 2025, she was a legal intern at a law firm in Des Moines and hopes to continue working in criminal justice advocacy after graduation. With a passion for advocacy and social justice, she is a member of the community outreach team for Students Demand Action and co-hub coordinator of the Sunrise Movement–UNC. In 2023, Hannah was one of four youth activists nationally who received the Emerging Changemaker award from the Sierra Club. Hannah is also a member of the North Carolina Fellows Program and the Presbyterian Campus Ministry. A graduate of Theodore Roosevelt High School, she is the daughter of Sarah and Jim Hayes of Des Moines, Iowa. 

Willow Brooke Lawson (Willow) studies American studies and English with a minor in food studies. She is the owner of Babbling Brooke Productions, a company founded to produce her documentary The Memory of Cornbread, filmed in Brasstown, North Carolina. The documentary explores how cornbread is a symbol for the Appalachian community and started with her love of Southern culture. Her passion for Southern food has led her to pursue research in examining how food insecurity impacts rural areas in the South. She volunteers her culinary skills to her church, Acts 2 Fellowship, and also spends her weekends cooking meals to stock community fridges. She is a part of Cellar Door Literary Magazine as a member of the poetry staff and hones her creative writing by working on a feature film script with her peer and a mentor. A graduate of Surry Early College High School in Dobson, North Carolina, she is the daughter of Susanna Slate Speas and Terry Lawson of Mount Airy, North Carolina. 

Jeidy Menina Tevalan Lezama (Jeidy) studies public policy and political science at Carolina. She mentors first-year honors students as a Carolina Honors Ambassador and contributes to the Undergraduate Research Program. As finance chair for Linking Immigrants to New Communities, she dedicates her time each week to offering free classes and resources to immigrants from across the globe. Her role as events coordinator for the First-Generation Student Association helps foster belonging and connection. She also serves as the wellness and leadership director for Kenan Community Government, where she organizes engaging events and promotes mental health resources to support community well-being. Jeidy hopes to pursue a career in law to advance justice. She is especially passionate about researching feminicide among Latin American Indigenous women, a topic that fuels her dedication to equity, visibility, and systemic change. She loves reading novels, baking, and singing karaoke. A graduate of Greene Early College High School, Jeidy is the daughter of Lucy Lezama Juarez and Marco Tevalan Espinoza of Snow Hill, North Carolina. 

Cash Elliott Robinson Mendenhall (Cash) studies political science and geography at Carolina. Cash works at the UNC Water Institute, where his team is developing a novel statistical framework for the World Health Organization to assess the efficacy of their water infrastructure investments worldwide. He is also working on legal research on preemption in Durham with Dr. Nina Martin and is on the executive teams for Linking Immigrants to New Communities and the Philosophy, Politics, and Economics Student Society. Outside of Carolina, Cash is currently working with the Utah Department of Water Rights on revamping data center water policy in his home state. A graduate of West High School, he is the son of Erin Mendenhall and Jared Mendenhall of Salt Lake City, Utah. 

 

Judson Chad Ohmstead (Judson) studies neuroscience and chemistry at Carolina. He assists in research at the Adams School of Dentistry under Dr. Joshua Little, where he studies the effect of glial cells and the role they play in chronic pain. He also works for the Honors Carolina Student Association as a student ambassador and mentor. Additionally, Judson is an active member of multiple pre-dental organizations, including the Emerging Research Committee for the American Student Dental Association–Pre-Dental Chapter, and serves as treasurer for Smile Scholars at Carolina. A graduate of the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics in Morganton, North Carolina, he is the son of Jill and Chad Ohmstead of Shelby, North Carolina. 

 

Connor Ryan Parker (Connor) studies business administration and political science with a minor in history at Carolina. He serves as the director of finance for Stomp Out Hunger, a nonprofit dedicated to combating food insecurity through campus and community initiatives. As a volunteer firefighter, Connor is committed to serving his local community and developing teamwork and leadership skills in high-pressure environments. He also works in the Department of State and External Affairs for the Student Government, helping strengthen relationships between the student body and university administration. A graduate of Ardrey Kell High School, he is the son of Allison Parker and Jamie Parker of Charlotte, North Carolina. 

 

Siddharth Ram (Sid) studies public policy and business with a minor in data science. As a Southern Futures Fellow and director of the Southern Civic Spark Project, he partners with mayors across the country to design youth internship programs, expand civic participation, and encourage youth activism. Sid is also a bassist, guitarist, drummer, and vocalist who has performed with many bands and ensembles at UNC and has toured the United States with the reputed QFR Band from India. Sid also holds leadership positions in Musical Empowerment, the Nonprofit and Public Sector Club, and Carolina Chords, and is an active member of 180 Degrees Consulting and UNC Admissions Ambassadors. A graduate of Apex Friendship High School, Sid is the son of Mathu Ramji and Ram Athmanathan of Apex, North Carolina. 

Harrison Amedee Roy (Harrison) studies United States history and economics with a minor in philosophy, politics, and economics (PPE) at Carolina. He serves as the intramural chair for Scale and Coin, works in scouting and recruiting for the UNC Football program, and is a student manager for UNC Wrestling. He is also a member of 180 Degrees Consulting and a Parr Center for Ethics Scholar in the Business Ethics Pod. Academically, Harrison is interested in the relationship between religion and sports, as well as public policy related to equity in college sports business and athletics recruiting. In his free time, he enjoys lifting weights at the gym, writing, and wrestling or playing football with friends. Looking ahead, his future aspirations range from becoming a CIA agent to an attorney. A graduate of Weddington High School in Matthews, North Carolina, he is the son of Linda Roy of Bellwood, Pennsylvania, and Darryl Roy of Gardner, Massachusetts. 

Ekaterina Denisovna Snegovskikh (Katya) studies psychology and medical anthropology on the pre-medicine track at Carolina. She is dedicated to advancing menstrual health equity through her leadership as head of policy for the Reproductive Health Task Force Executive Branch and her involvement in Flow Forward. She has spent three summers working in an OBGYN lab under Dr. Irina Buhimschi testing scar adhesion prevention sprays, identifying biomarkers for preeclampsia, and mentoring students. She also worked closely with her own pediatric neurosurgeon, Dr. Konstantina Svokos, and is a co-author on a publication in Fertility and Sterility on BRCA carriers and ovarian reserve. Inspired by her personal medical experiences and passion for advocacy, she conducts research in the Neuroendocrinology of Reproductive Mood Disorders (NERD) Laboratory under Dr. Andersen, exploring the intersection of neurology, psychology, and reproductive health. Beyond academics, she is an active member of Carolina Squash. She also serves as a mentor in the Honors Carolina program, Peermed, and Musical Empowerment, an organization that uplifts children through music education. A graduate of Stonington High School in Stonington, Connecticut, she is the daughter of Dr. Victoria and Dr. Denis Snegovskikh of Stonington, Connecticut. 

Auva Vaziri (Auva) studies business administration and political science at Carolina. Auva represents the undergraduate student body on the Student Advisory Committee to the Chancellor and advocates for financial literacy as an outreach committee analyst for the Carolina Credit Union Initiative. In her freshman year she served as the Business Development Intern at PORCH Communities, creating partnerships with food pantries locally and nationally to combat food insecurity across the United States. Auva is an active member of the North Carolina Fellows Program, Buckley Public Service Scholars Program, and she interns at the Innovate Carolina Junction. Auva also founded and leads an international nonprofit that has provided free language classes to over four hundred students worldwide. She is passionate about business and law and enjoys reading, practicing piano, and playing ultimate frisbee in her free time. A graduate of Winston Churchill High School, she is the daughter of Saba Morshed and Kia Vaziri of Potomac, Maryland. 

Natalie Owen Williamson (Natalie) studies biology with minors in Chinese and studio art at Carolina. She serves as a student chaplain for the Episcopal Campus Ministry at Chapel of the Cross, where she is dedicated to fostering a welcoming faith-based community for Carolina students and serving the broader Chapel Hill community. Natalie is an avid runner and member of the UNC Marathon Team, as well as a member of the Phi Delta Epsilon Medical Fraternity. She is passionate about women’s health and U.S.-China relations and hopes to pursue a career in health care abroad. Outside of academics, Natalie enjoys photography and all outdoor activities including hiking, kayaking, mountaineering, and skiing. Before coming to Carolina, she took a gap year to study Chinese at National Taiwan University and work as a Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA)-certified ski instructor in Steamboat, Colorado. She also completed a semester-long National Outdoor Leadership School course in Alaska. A graduate of Milton Academy in Milton, Massachusetts, Natalie is the daughter of Eleanor and Sam Williamson of Miami, Florida.