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Ashley Lyons | 49er Graduate | Charlotte, NC

What degree(s) are you earning? What do you plan on doing after graduation? 

I am earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in both Finance and in Management. I will be moving to the Ballantyne area this summer to start my full-time job as an international accounting analyst! 

What organizations were you involved in? 

I was involved in Alpha Kappa Psi, co-ed business fraternity, along with Sigma Alpha Lambda national honors society, and the Belk College Women in Business Initiative. All of these organizations had such a great impact on my college experience! 

Favorite spot on campus and why? 

My favorite spot is a tie between the tenth floor of the library and the hammocks over by Robinson. The tenth floor of the library is peaceful, and has amazing views of campus. I usually go up to this floor if I am looking for a quiet place to study or just to unwind. The hammocks are so serene and are the perfect place to go hang out on a sunny day! 

What has been your favorite memory at UNC Charlotte?

My freshman year, I had the opportunity to go to the first ever UNCC football game. I had never been to a college football game before, so I had no idea what to expect. Just thinking back to the moment of that first kick off still gives me chills. All of the students chanting "forty-niners" together gave me extreme pride for my school and made me feel like a part of the niner family. I actually still have my ticket from that first game! Knowing that I was able to be a part of the beginning of a tradition is what makes this one of my favorite memories.

Most valuable lesson learned during your college career? 

That what you put in is what you get out. If you just go to class and go home, then you are not capitalizing on all that college has to offer you! I am so thankful and appreciative of all that I learned outside of the classroom through the organizations I am a part of. If I had just gone to class and not been involved, I would have missed out meeting so many great people and would not have found some of my closest friends. My goal was to get the most out of my college experience, and I am happy to say that I achieved this!