Long-Term Success: Building Community through UTOP
“I cannot imagine my college experience without UTOP. In a way, it changed my life.”
By Susan Messina
Photos by Kat Lawerence
As an incoming first-year student, Kris Seberry had convinced himself that he would find the University Transition Opportunities Program unenjoyable — even unnecessary. Although he longed for a traditional college experience after completing high school during the COVID pandemic, Seberry, a self-described loner, hesitated to enroll in UNC Charlotte’s signature six-week summer program for first-time-in-college students. Fortunately, he took the advice of his older brother Kevin ‘23, a past UTOP attendee, and decided to give it a try.
It didn’t take long for Seberry to realize his choice was the right one. “With UTOP, I met people who still are part of my life, earned seven college credits and became familiar with the campus,” he said. “It gave me a great head start on the fall semester.”
Now as he prepares to graduate from UNC Charlotte this spring with a degree in computer science — after returning to UTOP twice to serve as a mentor — Seberry’s enthusiasm for UTOP is stronger than ever.
The lessons I learned from my experience, developing leadership skills as a mentor and through involvement in student organizations and my fraternity, and an internship with IBM all have been important to my success at Charlotte."
A strong foundation
“Kris exemplifies UTOP’s core purpose,” said Jahtoya Means, the program’s director. “The program is designed to help students build a strong foundation so they can define their path at UNC Charlotte and beyond. It provides participants the tools and resources to personalize their undergraduate journey and find success.”
Established in 1986, UTOP supports underrepresented students as they transition from high school to college. Through two six-week sessions that in 2024 served a total of 158 students, its highest number to date, the program combines an introduction to rigorous, college-level academics and student support services as well as the opportunity to meet new people, navigate campus and begin to build a network that includes other students, peer mentors, and faculty and staff members.
UTOP students earn college credits ahead of their first semester. Debra Smith, professor of Africana studies, prepares students for the expectations of college coursework.
UTOP Founder Herman E. Thomas
“A sense of community and sharing… Since you love yourself and the staff loves you, you learn to respect yourself and the community that loves you and shares with you… [UTOP] gives tough love in all aspects, and academic mediocrity will not be tolerated.”
–Herman E. Thomas
Living on campus for the length of the program, students experience classrooms and the library, dining halls and recreation facilities. Fees cover accommodations, meals, tuition and group activities, such as bowling, arts and culture excursions, and off-campus weekend trips. Scholarships are available to those with demonstrated need.
In 2022, Charlotte-based Bank of America invested $2.5 million in UTOP to make participation a reality for an additional 300 students through 2027, a gift that Means indicates has contributed significantly to the program’s growth and the development of new opportunities.
Bank of America has been a steadfast partner to UNC Charlotte for more than 60 years, and our investment in this specific program helps support student success and upward mobility for the region. Participants in UTOP receive access to an exceptional education, while the program contributes to the talent pipeline for the Charlotte business community and beyond.”
-Kieth Cockrell, president, Bank of America Charlotte
Far-reaching value
According to a recent study, “Analysis of Social Issues and Public Policy” (July 2024), first-gen students are at higher risk of low performance and completion than their continuing-gen peers. Reasons vary but involve the need to often navigate “familial, cultural and social obligations and transitions while balancing academic obligations and institutional structure not designed for them in higher education.”
Since UTOP’s inception, program graduates consistently see increased GPAs as well as higher retention and graduation rates than their non-participating peers. UTOP participant and 2023 Golden Niner Kenan Moore ‘24, a marketing major, is now an operation program analyst with Wells Fargo.
“Being exposed to new opportunities can be overwhelming,” confirmed Means. “With a program like UTOP, students learn they can overcome ‘the not knowing’ that is part of being — in many cases — the first in their families to attend college. Experiencing campus life first hand helps build a sense of community and a feeling that they belong at UNC Charlotte. Even small successes help build personal confidence and a sense that they can achieve beyond their original reach. A culture of community is a major factor in retention — and ultimately, for graduation.”
Kris makes sure I remain on track; I know I can contact him for advice anytime, especially for help with studying for tests.”
–Kayla Bridges, psychology major
Mentor of the Year
For Seberry, the value is clear. He credits his early UTOP experience with opening his eyes to self-sabotaging attitudes that could potentially get in the way of success — and made a choice to heed the advice of his UTOP mentors and student coordinators to correct them. More importantly, as a twice-selected mentor, he has developed the skills to recognize comparable patterns in new students and is able to advise them similarly.
“Our goal is to make sure our mentees are prepared to do well in college — and also have fun,” Seberry said. “When a student says, ‘I’m ready for UNC Charlotte; it felt like you were being hard on us, but we’re grateful,’ it makes me feel like I did my job.”
It’s been great getting to know Kris – just hanging out or playing basketball at UREC. He takes time to make sure doing okay and offers advice when we need it.”
–Carter Compton, exercise science major
At the conclusion of the summer 2024 UTOP season, the only one surprised when he was named a recipient of the Herman E. Thomas Mentor of the Year Award was Kris Seberry.
“Kris is a tremendous example of student development,” said Means. “The way he’s given back to the program that invested in him, I couldn’t be more proud that UTOP has helped him develop academically, socially and professionally.”
Kris Seberry and fellow mentor Chandler Elliott were voted UTOP’s Mentors of the Year for their outstanding commitment to the success of the program’s participants.
Additional images courtesy of UTOP.