Winifred Metz
In October, the Tar Heel Bus Tour returned for the first time since 2019. For four days, UNC-Chapel Hill employees traveled across the state to learn how Carolina is having an impact and can continue to make a difference in the lives of North Carolinians.
Winifred Fordham Metz, media librarian and head of the Media & Design Center at the University Libraries, was on this year’s tour and shared some reflections about her experience.
For those who aren’t familiar with the bus tour, how would you describe it?
The Tar Heel Bus Tour is an amazing opportunity to connect with colleagues and hear from people around the state about their needs and concerns. At each of the communities we visited, there were programs set up for us to interact and engage with the presenters. Between stops, we had ample time on the bus to get to know colleagues from across campus.
Why did you apply to go on the tour?
The University’s mission is about public service and contribution to the common good. More specifically, my work at the Media & Design Center revolves around helping people effectively communicate their research, advocacy and innovations. I thought the bus tour would provide a meaningful way for me to build relationships with colleagues who could use our services while also learning more about UNC programs and projects impacting the state and hearing directly from North Carolinians.
What were the stops on the tour like?
The through line for every stop was community, and each stop showcased projects that address real needs in that community. In Kannapolis we went to see folks working on The SUN Project, an initiative led by Carolina faculty that provides a network of comprehensive care for pregnant women with substance abuse disorder. In Burlington, we visited Fairystone Fabrics, which has partnered with Carolina’s Our State Our Work program to create career pathways for young people by providing an apprenticeship while they earn a post-secondary degree.
I can’t say enough how valuable it was to hear about projects that I either wasn’t fully versed in or had no knowledge of before the tour. I found myself thinking, “Wow, Carolina does so much for the state.” And also, “there’s so much more to do.”
What was it like making the trip with colleagues from across the University?
The Media & Design Center works with faculty and staff across the University, but there’s always more to learn and I was blown away by the diversity of experience and interests on the bus. For example, it was lovely to meet Aysenil Belger from the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute. I was also so happy to meet Ramona Denby-Brinson, the new dean for the School of Social Work. There were a couple of stops where I sat beside her, and it was nice to be able to engage with those projects from the social work perspective.
What were your big takeaways from this experience?
The trip was really motivating. The compelling stories we heard helped me think of potential projects and partnerships. I truly believe the Library has an impact in all of this. We’re either providing resources for the folks serving these communities or offering the expertise of our staff to help people utilize those resources. We’re listening to their needs and responding. We’re partnering with them on the output of their research.
The tour allowed me the time and the space to reconnect with my passion and my service to the state. I got to build relationships with colleagues and with the presenters we met. I’m thankful I had the opportunity to go on the Bus Tour and grateful to all the folks that were involved in making it a meaningful and seamless experience.
