Dr. Devetta Holman-Copeland, Student Wellness’ resiliency and student support programs coordinator, was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Gov. Josh Stein on March 10. One of North Carolina’s highest honors, the award recognizes individuals who have dedicated exemplary service to the state.
Known affectionately around campus as “Dr. D”, she has spent more than 40 years empowering students to cultivate their own well-being, resilience, and sense of belonging. From wellness coaching sessions to several signature Student Wellness initiatives, including Sister Talk, Sister Talk After Dark, and REAL Talk, she has supported generations of Tar Heels.
Her guiding foundational principle is “Esse Quam Videri,” which means to be, rather than to seem. She describes herself as an “advocate of the human spirit,” a philosophy reflected in her intentional approach to student development.
Students and alumni credit Dr. D with inspiring and shaping their personal and professional growth.
One student remarked, “[She] is more than a mentor; she is an example of what it means to lead with compassion and care. She sees me as a whole person, not just a student, and pours into me with honesty, empathy, and guidance that always feels personal and intentional…Watching the way she leads and uplifts others has set the standard for the kind of woman and changemaker I aspire to become.”
A Tar Heel alum shared, “As an out-of-state student that strongly considered transferring after my first year, she curated a sense of belonging here at Carolina — a ‘home away from home.’Dr. D’s support did not stop after I left Carolina as an undergraduate student, proving her care and dedication to me as a person, not just a student.“
A double Tar Heel and North Carolina A&T State University alum, Dr. D is a certified wellness coach who has built a legacy of care at Carolina and beyond through advocacy and support.