UNC Rural honors the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s mission to serve our state by connecting community priorities with Carolina partners and resources. UNC Rural strengthens community-campus partnerships that advance well-being because our vision is a thriving rural North Carolina through a trusted and supportive network of community-campus partnerships.
Giselle is the UNC Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Kenan Distinguished Professor of Medicine, Co-Director of the Center for Health Equity Research and Associate Provost for Rural Initiatives.
Jada Brooks, PhD, MSPH, RN, FAAN
Co-Director
Jada is Associate Professor and Ross Distinguished Term Scholar in the UNC School of Nursing, and adjunct faculty in the Environmental Sciences and Engineering Department in the Gillings School of Global Public Health. She lives on the traditional homelands of the Lumbee, Tuscarora and Cheraw in Robeson County, NC, where she serves on the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina IRB.
Adam Sotak, MSW
Associate Director
Adam joined UNC Rural after 25 years serving in various roles in the nonprofit sector in North Carolina. He earned his BSW from Appalachian State University and his MSW from UNC-Chapel Hill.
Gabby Diekmann
Communications Specialist
Gabby has spent the past 11 years partnering with small business, nonprofit & community leaders to reach their goals with strategic communications, digital marketing & storytelling.
Carissa Whitehurst
Executive Assistant
A North Carolina native, Carissa graduated from Guilford Technical Community College in 2013 with an A.A. in General Education. She brings years of administrative experience from her previous role as an administrative assistant where she worked with faculty, staff and students.
Gail Currin Fallon
Program Manager
A North Carolina native and UNCG graduate, Gail has devoted over 16 years to UNC-CH in both research and programs focused on community health. From Murphy to Manteo, she has travelled the state throughout her personal and professional life and is dedicated to building authentic, lasting relationships across NC.
Internal Advisory Board
Anita Brown-Graham, Chair, ncIMPACT Initiative, UNC School of Government
Margaret Barrett, Carolina Center for Public Service
Meredith Bazemore, Robert A. Ingram Institute
Lynn White Blanchard, Carolina Center for Public Service
Aaron Gard, UNC School of Law
Carolyn Fryberger, NCGrowth, UNC Kenan-FlaglerBusiness School
Mark Holmes, Sheps Center for Health Services Research, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health
