The Department of Civic Engagement and Outreach Services is dedicated to offering the Undergraduate Student Body ways to get involved with service, build impactful relationships with UNC alumni, and aid in impactful sustainability efforts. We believe that there are plenty of opportunities to get involved with service on campus and in the greater Chapel Hill community and want to recruit students of all backgrounds to join this effort in making transformational change. We believe that the role of one of the nation’s leading public universities is to be on the forefront of this effort and with the establishment of this department, there is clear intention to cultivate public service, sustainability, and civic engagement among the student body.

Meetings of the Department of Civic Engagement and Outreach Services are currently not being held during the summer. When regular meeting times for the school year are decided, meeting times and places will be posted here.

For all CEOS-related inquiries, please email Co-Director Adamson-Thompson (vanwes1@email.unc.edu) or Co-Director Tillman (btillman@unc.edu).

Van Adamson-Thompson (he/him) Co-Director of the Department of Civic Engagement and Outreach Services || vanwes1@email.unc.edu Van Adamson-Thompson is a Junior Economics major minoring in Public Policy and Education from Spartanburg, South Carolina. In addition to being Co-Director of Civic Engagement and Outreach Services, he is also involved with Audacity Labs, the Smart Mentoring Program, and as an assistant coach of Girls on the Run.

Barbara (BJ) Tillman (she/her) Co-Director of the Department of Civic Engagement and Outreach Services || btillman@unc.edu Barbara Joy “BJ” Tillman from Columbus, GA, is a sophomore double majoring in Public Policy and Media and Journalism. At UNC, prior to serving as Co-Director of Civic Engagement and Outreach Services, she worked as a Campus Life and Student Experiences staff member. She also serves as an Honors Carolina Student Association (HCSA) Board Member and Co-Director of the Honors Carolina Special Initiatives Committee.

Department Initiatives for the Vann Administration

Voter Registration Drives: For this initiative, CE&OS will host a series of voter registration drives on campus and in the Carolina community at large. We will use nuanced strategies to engage more voters so that they can be equipped and encouraged to make their voices heard.   

Compost Pick-up Collaboration with Compost Mates: One Saturday each month, CE&OS will partner with Compost Mates to lead a compost pick-up event. This will give students the opportunity to serve their community directly by contributing to environmental sustainability.  

Student Voices Forum: For this project, CE&OS will establish a platform that engages and centers students’ voices and addresses how Carolina can better serve them.  This creates a safe space where students can voice their concerns and become their own advocates. By making it completely virtual through QR codes around campus, the Student Voices Forum is accessible to all students. 

Building Nuanced Alumni Networks:  CE&OS will partner with Student Alumni Association, General Alumni Association, and Black Alumni Reunion to coordinate new events that will engage disconnected alumni and provide robust networking spaces for the student body.   

Launch a Service-Oriented Residence Hall Competition: For this project, CE&OS will partner with Residence Hall Association and Carolina Housing to create a competition among every residence hall on campus that has a service initiative. This will give a considerable amount of students the opportunity to serve their community in a huge capacity.