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First in the Pack
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First in the Pack Advisory Committee

What is the First in the Pack (FITP) Advisory Committee?

Vision:

The First in the Pack Advisory Committee at NC State University works collaboratively to create a university experience where first-generation students are fully included, engaged, and empowered to achieve holistic success on campus and beyond.

Mission:

The First in the Pack Advisory Committee enacts the university mission and strategic plan by connecting, advising, and advocating for the success of first-generation students and communities at North Carolina State University. This committee, composed of faculty, staff, and students from across the university, seeks to empower and uplift first-generation students by celebrating their unique perspectives and accomplishments.

2026-2027 FITP Advisory Committee Members

    Committee Co-Chairs

    Courtney Simpson
    Senior Director, TRIO Collegiate and Pack Support Programs

    Lisa LaBarbera-Mascote
    Senior Director, Student Success Initiatives

    First-Gen Graduation Celebration Sub-Committee

    Kerri Fowler
    Executive Director, Parents and Families Services
    Derrick Arnold
    Director of Stakeholder Engagement, Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving
    Kimberly Pender
    Program Manager, Engineering ASCEND
    Lindsay McCallister
    Career Counselor, Career Development Center
    Tameka Whitaker
    Asst. Dean of Student and Academic Services, College of Design

    First-Gen Summit Sub-Committee

    Dr. Carolyn Veale
    Assistant Director, University Honors Program
    Dr. Domonique Carter
    Student and Employee Engagement Program Manager, COE: Office for Wellbeing and Engagement
    Dr. Jamila Simpson
    Associate Dean for College Success and Well-Being, College of Sciences
    Kasey Harris
    Interim Director / Program Specialist for Training and Assessment, Advising Technology
    Michele Kurtz
    Director for Student Leadership and Engagement, Student Leadership and Engagement
    Nick Drake
    Director, Jeffrey Wright Military and Veteran Services

    Outreach & Engagement Sub-Committee

    Dave Johnson
    Associate Director of Student Success Initiatives, DASA
    Ernest Hendley
    Director of Student Success, CHASS
    Jordan McMican
    Director of Student Success and Academic Services, College of Natural Resources
    Dr. Julianne Treme
    Teaching Professor. Director of Undergrad Programs for ARE, CALS
    Pablo Campos
    Outreach Coordinator, Clinician, Counseling Services
    Stevie Kimmet
    Pack Essentials Program Director, Resiliency and Community Support

    Tri-Alpha Sub-Committee

    Katya Mueller
    Libraries Fellow, Libraries
    Yesenia Pedro Vicente
    Assistant Director, C3 Program, EMAS
    Dr. La’Toya Cesar
    Assistant Director of College Programs, Shelton Leadership Center
    Laryssa Banks
    Assistant Director of Student Affairs and Advocacy, Poole College of Management
    Mason Hoyle
    Full-Time Student, Agricultural and Resource Economics
    Savannah Matherly
    THRIVE Village Program Director, University Housing, Residential Learning