Our Staff

Shelley Gist Kennedy, she/her, MPA

Shelley is a double Tar Heel, having earned both a BS in Psychology (2014) and Master of Public Administration (2020) from UNC. Shelley's professional background has been centered around gender equity and violence prevention in the higher education and nonprofit sectors. This includes previous work at the Carolina Women's Center and Orange County Rape Crisis Center. She was excited to return to UNC in November 2021 as a VPC.

For self-care, Shelley enjoys baking, working in her vegetable garden, taking nature walks, and working through her endless to-read list.

Sloan Thompson, she/her, MFA

Sloan joined Carolina as a VPC in November 2021. She is a proud alumna of UNC, with a BA in Sociology (2013). She earned her MFA in Directing from the University of British Columbia Department of Theatre and Film (2020). Before coming to UNC, Sloan served as the Training and Outreach Specialist and Language Access Coordinator at the DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence. She has also worked as a case manager for incarcerated individuals in the federal prison system and as a primary school teacher in Budapest, Hungary. 

In her downtime, Sloan loves trying out new recipes, hanging out with her kittens, or reading a good book!

Holly Lovern, she/her, M.Ed.

Holly served as a GVSC at Carolina from 2016 – 2022 and returned to the role in 2023. She graduated from the University of Lynchburg with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and earned a Master of Education from the University of South Carolina in Higher Education and Student Affairs. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from East Carolina University. Most recently, Holly worked at NC State University as an Assistant Director/Case Manager with the Violence Prevention and Threat Management team. At UofSC, Holly provided confidential support and advocacy for members of the campus community impacted by gender-based violence and harassment. She also worked on prevention efforts and developed programming, outreach, and trainings on topics including healthy relationships and consent, supporting victims/survivors, and bystander intervention. Holly has student affairs experience in new student orientation, first-year experience, fraternity and sorority life, and academic coaching and advising, including in the community college system. Holly is a certified Victim Service Practitioner through the North Carolina Victim Assistance Network, holds certifications in the Danger Assessment and College Student Wellbeing, Trauma, and Resilience, and is a member of Campus Advocacy and Prevention Professionals (CAPPA) and the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP). 

For self-care, Holly enjoys reading, listening to country music, and snacking on her favorite snack combo: M&M’s and Dr. Pepper.

UNC-CH trainings completed: HAVEN, Safe Zone, Safe Zone: Gender Identity & Gender Expression, Mental Health First Aid, Embody, Green Zone, and UndocuCarolina.

Kayla Zollinger, she/her, MSW

Kayla joined Carolina as a GVSC in 2020. She graduated from Baylor University in Waco, Texas with a Bachelor of Business Administration and earned a Master’s of Social Work from Baylor University. After earning her MSW, Kayla continued serving with a local organization as a case manager for women working in the commercial sex industry where she connected them with resources and provided emotional support. Most recently, Kayla worked with the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney’s office in Tacoma, Washington as a Crime Victim Advocate where she provided advocacy and education regarding the legal process and in-court accompaniment and support for individuals impacted by relationship violence. Kayla is a certified Victim Service Practitioner through the North Carolina Victim Assistance Network, holds certifications in both the Danger Assessment and College Student Wellbeing, Trauma, and Resilience, and is a member of Campus Advocacy and Prevention Professionals (CAPPA) 

For self-care, Kayla enjoys officiating basketball, baking for friends, and drinking cold press coffee.

UNC-CH trainings completed: Safe Zone, Green Zone, and UndocuCarolina.