Dean’s Circle Spotlight: Alexis Payton
May 14, 2025
Q&A with young alumni Dean's Circle member, Alexis Payton '20, MS '21
Being a part of the Dean’s Circle means you’re helping to shape the future of the College of Arts and Sciences in profound ways. But what motivates you to make such a difference? Read on to see what Dean’s Circle member Alexis Payton had to say!
Tell us a little bit about yourself!
I’m Alexis Payton and I graduated from Carolina with a BSPH in Environmental Health (’20) and a MS in Environmental Sciences and Engineering (’21). I have continued the research I started as a UNC student and now I work as a data analyst researching the impact of environmental exposures on human health at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health. I’m currently based in New York City where I’m also pursuing a professional dance career as a Radio City Rockette.
What is your connection to the College of Arts and Sciences?
I took a wide variety of classes in the College of Arts and Sciences, including math, physics, computer science, chemistry, and biology for my degree program. I minored in biology, but I was particularly interested in the intersection between data science and public health.
What is your biggest inspiration for giving to the Arts and Sciences Fund?
I give to the College of Arts and Sciences because I was an Elizabeth “Pepper” Dowd scholar as an undergraduate student. That scholarship was a huge help to me, and I’d like to pay it forward. Additionally, there were so many professors that I had in the College that encouraged me and were very supportive of my journey, and I want to continue to enrich all of what Carolina has to offer.
Fun fact about yourself!
I chose to have a random roommate in my first year at UNC, and we’re still friends to this day!
About the Dean’s Circle
The College of Arts and Sciences recognizes annual donors to the Arts and Sciences Fund of $1,500 or more as members of our Dean’s Circle. Young alumni also qualify at the following levels: $500 for alumni classes 2020-2024 and $1,000 for alumni classes 2015-2019.
Donors with an annual contribution of $5,000 or more to the Arts and Sciences Fund are recognized as members of the Margaret Harper Society within the Dean’s Circle. In 1975, Margaret Harper became the first of many donors to the Foundation with a gift of $1,000, the equivalent of about $5,000 today.
New for 2025, donors who pledge $50,000 or more to the Arts and Sciences Fund will become inaugural members of the 1975 Society, named after our founding year (payable over five years).
