After nearly six years of creating and fostering relationships with sponsors, Chancellor Carol Folt will be concluding her tenure as the University's primary liaison to outside financial and educational partners.
Under Folt's leadership, the university created partnerships with Burt's Bees, Deerfield Capital Management, United Health Foundation, GlaxoSmithKline and many more. These relationships have fostered a steady influx of donations and fundraising contributions to UNC for the growing development and progression of education.
Under Folt, UNC's medical departments have worked with the support of Deerfield Capital Management to form Pinnacle Hill, LLC, which provides drug development expertise through administering funding to therapeutic areas. The $65 million from this hedge fund allows for innovative drug research with University researchers. Usually investing in the health care sector, Deerfield sees a promising future for drug development with UNC.
The Three Zeros Environmental Initiative started by Folt in 2016 aims to reduce emission, minimize water usage and increase recycling. From using non-potable water in more effective ways to getting rid of straws in the stadium and handing out recycling bags at tailgates, strides have been taken across campus to minimize UNC’s environmental impact.
Under Folt, UNC partnered with the United Health Foundation to increase diversity in health care. Over a three year period, $1.6 million will be used to create an education and training program for people interested in health care careers. The support is targeted toward African-American, Latinx and other minority students, due to that fact that they are underrepresented within the health care field.