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Better Know the Board: Rachel Prather Chen

Meet the UNC Asheville Alumni Association Board of Directors

By UNC Asheville

May 5^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: Rachel Prather Chen

Class Year: 2010

I live in: Wake Forest, NC

Degree: Sociology, with a 9-12 social studies teaching license

I joined the board in: 2018

Ways I support UNC Asheville: I serve on the alumni board of directors, I encourage my students to research UNCA as a college choice for themselves, I attend UNCA sporting events when I can, and I donate financially.

My first job after graduation: teaching high school, at the same school where I work now!

If I had $1 million, I would support the _____ fund on campus: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion!

Better Know the Board: Rachel Prather Chen

The UNC Asheville class that I enjoyed most was: The Food of Chemistry (only at a liberal arts school would a Soc major have this as their favorite class!!)

My family includes: My husband Zeke (also a bulldog, but from Mississippi State), my greyhound Mushu, and my cat Lucy

A special connection I have to UNC Asheville is: Myself, my twin sister, and my brother all attended UNC Asheville, and we all graduated on the same day.

As a student, I was involved in: the RA program, the student conduct board, OLLI classes, intramural softball and volleyball, and Teaching Fellows (I also spent a summer month in England, and a semester in Hawaii!!).

On a Friday night in college, you would have found me: in my dorm leading a game night or movie night for my hall!

My favorite tradition at UNC Asheville: Late Night Exam Breakfast! When professors served food in the dining hall for those of us staying up late studying for exams :)

When I visit Asheville, I have to grab a bite at: Sunny Point Cafe in West Asheville

My dream weekend in Asheville includes: Walking around the Botanical Gardens, drinking tea at Dobra, visiting the Arboretum, and stumbling upon whatever protest is happening in downtown that weekend.

No. 1 tip to a fellow UNC Asheville grad who has lost touch with their alma mater: Go back to campus, walk around, and let the memories start flooding in!! That's the first step to reengaging- next step is attending sporting events, donating money, and coming back for Homecoming!

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