Lelia Lovell is an elementary education major who is minoring in psychology. The Greensboro, N.C., native expects to graduate in May of 2026.
Why Did you Choose UNCG?
I transferred to UNCG after graduating from community college in 2024. I chose it because UNCG is really good about working with transfer students. I was able to take one of my School of Education prerequisites at UNCG through the GCC consortium agreement while still a student at GTCC. I also appreciate that UNCG is close to home and has many commuter and nontraditional students, so I never feel excluded on campus.
What is your favorite place on campus?
My favorites spots are the EUC and the library. I love how many people you can be around in the EUC and still be able to find places where no one else is in order to study and complete schoolwork. I also like the library, I have been on every single floor and enjoyed the places they have on each one. I enjoy the DMC, or the Digital Media Commons & Makerspace, which has a sewing room, 3-D printers, regular printers, and study spaces. I love the Hodges Reading Room and the exhibits that are displayed in there. I love the archives, they contain so much fascinating and useful information related to the college, Greensboro, and more.
What activities and organizations are you involved in on campus?
Student Government Association – Senior Class Senator and Finance Committee
Spartan Leadership Challenge
Minerva Transfer Student Mentor
Minerva Alumni Mentee
Student Research Assistant – URCA recipient
I also work part time at Jackson Library in the Special Collections and University Archives.
What experience at UNCG has had the most significant impact on you?
Probably the Spartan Leadership Challenge. I am trying to complete it, and the different tasks really get me moving around campus and exploring new opportunities and activities that I may not have done otherwise. Research or presentations, career center appointments – mock interviews, resume help, career fairs, on-campus jobs, wellness activities. I really recommend students give it a try, it’s a lot of work but I learn something new about campus almost every day because of it.
What has been your favorite class and why?
SES 361, with Dr. Tolulope Sulaimon. He was a wonderful teacher who was able to convey every lesson with his joy for learning. He was very adaptable to student needs, and he loved when students were able to connect content from his lessons to things they’ve experienced outside of it.
What are your career goals?
I have a strong in interest in global learning, but also in science. I would love to eventually end up in a place in my career where I’d be able to practice one or both of these.
What made you want to choose a career in This Field?
I was inspired by my fifth grade and seventh grade science teachers due to the way they approached teaching students the content. They both were fans of using hands-on activities, projects, and demonstrations as ways to convey information both accurately and interestingly. They inspired me to try and do the same with the next generation, and I hope to do them justice.
What advice would you give a student considering UNCG and the School of Education?
Get everything done as soon as you can – homework, projects, events, classes, wellness meetings, etc. You not only will stay ahead, but you will have more free time to relax and do things unrelated to school. I would also suggest being nosy and looking all around campus and seeing what you can find there. That’s how I found out about some of my favorite events that I’ve been to.
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