# @uncchapelhill on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DKuqMsSPC93
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/33972671-uncchapelhill-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/0a5c351218.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-06-10T17:42:26.000+00:00

## Caption

As we continue to celebrate #UNC25, hear from #UNCgrad Izzy Richards, the face behind the Heels of the Hill project, about a few of her favorite moments at #UNC. 

🎓 Izzy is a military student who grew up around the world. This May, she received her bachelor’s in journalism and media with a focus in advertising and public relations from unchussman. 

🐏 A highlight of her #UNC experience was all of the places Carolina took her. “I had the chance to study abroad in Sweden and Croatia. I traveled to New York City to meet alumni who are living the dreams I hope to pursue. As a social media intern, I got to explore dozens of restaurants and campus clubs I might have never discovered.”

💬 Izzy’s advice to Tar Heels is to not stare at your work until you hate it. “Carolina is full of second chances and second opinions. It’s easy to compare yourself, burn out quickly or feel like you’re falling behind. But you are not alone. Turn in your draft to the Writing Center. Let the Career Center read your resume. Talk to a wellness coach. There are people here who have built their lives and careers around helping students. You are the best person to fight for yourself, but no one can do this alone.” 

🩵 After graduating, Izzy will miss her Tuesday / Thursday morning routine. “I purposely took Tuesday and Thursday classes my last two years just to stick to my morning routine. It was my little moment of predictability before diving into the chaos of class and jobs where the only thing you can expect is the unexpected.”

👣 When asked how she imagines her Heelprint, she said, “I imagine my Heelprint as one of resilience. I’ve faced failures, started during the pandemic, lost friends and even withdrew for a semester. I’ve felt heartbroken, lonely and desperate. But my Heelprint isn’t defined by the degree I’ll earn after all the struggles. It’s about proving that no matter how many times you stumble or how long the journey feels, you have the power to rise. I want to be remembered as someone who made others feel comfortable, made them laugh and advocated for the outstanding students here. After all, UNC does not define the students. The students define UNC.”

📸: izzy.richie

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## Tags

unc, uncgrad, unc25

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