What does it mean to embody a servant’s heart? It means being involved in the community, even when you’re off the clock. It means sacrificing weekends. It means going above and beyond through planning, strategizing and serving for the betterment of others and the overall growth of the community.
UNC Charlotte defines exceptional community service as an employee who has made outstanding contributions by participating in or implementing community and public service projects such as volunteering with various non-profit organizations.
Courtney Hunt ’18 defines and embodies such a person and is the 2022 Employee of the Year for the community service category. Hunt is the event coordinator at The Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte Center City and an active member of the Young Alumni Chapter Board of Directors.
As an event coordinator, Hunt has devoted her time and energy to many successful occasions. For example, the Thanksgiving Potluck, in partnership with Roof Above and RunningWorks, provides Thanksgiving meals to those who may not have one. Beyond feeding 100-plus homeless people in the Charlotte area, Hunt works with local nonprofits and businesses to collect supplies such as toiletries, snacks, gloves, socks and more, to make care packages for them.
Hunt’s servant’s heart goes beyond her day job. She has served as a general board member, student engagement chair, president and now immediate past president of the UNC Charlotte Young Alumni Chapter. According to Natalie Huie ’14, who nominated Hunt, this has been one of her most meaningful roles.
“Being president and immediate past president, during a pandemic, has been the most challenging yet rewarding leadership role she has ever held,” said Huie. “All of the board’s regularly scheduled events were canceled and Courtney, as well as the executive board, had to completely restructure what these years would look like for them. As the board adapted, it began to excel beyond what they ever thought was possible.”
During the pandemic, unbelievable goals were reached. Under Hunt’s leadership, they collected more than 4,500 items benefiting Niner University Elementary, collected 4,000-plus items for the UNC Charlotte Veterans drive supporting active-duty military and raised $1,545 for the Student Emergency Fund.
A Classroom Central volunteer, Hunt was selected to be a part of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s STANDOUT Charlotte Class of 2021, which honors the Charlotte area’s most active and engaged professionals who demonstrate leadership, are active in the community, have excelled in their chosen profession or vocation and have a desire to grow both professionally and philanthropically.
“During the time I have known Courtney, she has distinguished herself among her peers, bringing passion, curiosity, strategic ideas and hard work to her involvement with STANDOUT,” said Gretchen Rohleder, associate executive director of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. “She is continuing her involvement into 2022 as a member of the STANDOUT committee team and has already started bringing fresh new ideas to the group that will lead to the betterment of the program.”
As a Niner, staff member and alumna, Hunt has and continues to leave her mark on the Charlotte community.
“She will never stop giving all that she has back to the University that has given her so much,” said Huie. “I believe she is a great representative for this award and the University.“
All 2022 recipients will be honored at the Employee of the Year event Tuesday, April 26.