Better Know the Board: Kristen Lawson

Meet the UNC Asheville Alumni Association Board of Directors

By UNC Asheville

April 6^th, 2022

A UNC Asheville student's connection to our university doesn't end at graduation. Some of our proud alumni stay connected with UNC Asheville as a member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, providing counsel in matters relating to alumni and their lifelong relationship with the university.

In this series we'll meet a few members of the Board, learn more about them, and about their connections to UNC Asheville.

Name: Kristen Lawson

Class Year: 2014

I live in: Atlanta, GA (currently)

Degree: Management & Accounting

I joined the board in: 2016

Ways I support UNC Asheville: Visit Asheville as much as possible, donate my time and my money back to the university, talk about UNC Asheville and the community often and positively

My first job after graduation: Attended Wake Forest to get my graduate degree – Masters of Science in Accounting; subsequently got my first job at Deloitte

If I had $1 million, I would support scholarships, STEAM programs, general infrastructure

The UNC Asheville class that I enjoyed most was: an Honors class dedicated to building a hovercraft (it sort of worked)

A story that stands out as a UNC Asheville student was: have you ever sat in the caf long enough to enjoy breakfast and lunch?

My family includes: everyone I love – my immediate family (mom, brother, sister in law) and my best friends are all family to me. I’d do anything for them.

A special connection I have to UNC Asheville is: There’s a surreal calm feeling and connection that I have to Asheville as a community. I can drive into the mountains and feel at home. My Dad was a big proponent and supporter of me attending UNC Asheville. I have memories of my parents and my friends across the city, enjoying the fresh air, the food, the culture. My dad especially enjoyed it. He came to every soccer game, every swim meet, every parent’s weekend that he could. He passed away in 2018, but I still remember so vividly how happy he was when he was with me in Asheville. I know his heart is there, too.

A memory from my acceptance into UNC Asheville: Signing my offer letter with my parents

As a student, I was involved in: Women’s Soccer, Women’s Swimming, all athletics really, the Honor’s program (amazing), Student Board, and all sorts of shenanigans off campus ;)

On a Friday night in college, you would have found me: probably on a bus being shuttled to a game or a meet... in the off-season, though, likely in the city trying some of the food or going out with friends

The most significant change to the physical campus since I was a student: Kimmel!

My favorite tradition at UNC Asheville: Changing of the leaves / fall activities on the quad

When I visit Asheville, I have to grab a bite at: don’t get me started... I have a whole list! But I always try to hit up All Day Darling for a long brunch date with my former mentor from the Honors Program.

When this song comes on the radio, I think of college: We would sing Sweet Caroline before swim meets. Either that or a Gorilla Zoe song that pumped us up during pre-season for soccer.

My dream weekend in Asheville includes: seeing my friends in Asheville, eating allllll the food, visiting campus, and enjoying the mountains (maybe mountain or road biking).

No. 1 tip to a fellow UNC Asheville grad who has lost touch with their alma mater: Just go back and visit Asheville – the University is embedded in the culture and community, you’ll find it.