Our Staff

Dr. Rosalyn Beecham-Green, Ph.D. was appointed Director of the North Carolina Health Careers Access Program, also known as NC- HCAP, at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2010. NC-HCAP is an inter-institutional program based at UNC-Chapel Hill with Offices also located at North Carolina Central University (NCCU), a Historically Black University; University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNC-P), an American Indian Serving University; and Elizabeth City State University (ECSU), a Historically Black University.

NC-HCAP seeks to increase the number of historically Underrepresented Minority, First-Generation, Rural and Economically Disadvantaged students who successfully pursue careers in the Health Professions. The overarching goal of NC-HCAP is to create a continuous, seamless pipeline of programs for underrepresented, rural, first-generation and economically disadvantaged students in North Carolina from kindergarten through college and expose, spark and support their interest in health professions careers. In January 2012, the TRiO Programs – Upward Bound and the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program – were merged with NC-HCAP and the Office became the Carolina Higher Education Opportunity Programs Office, also known as CHEOP. CHEOP’s mission is to enhance college access and success at the Pre- College, College, Graduate and Professional School levels for the targeted population of students who participate in the three programs. Dr. Beecham-Green provides the leadership for the three programs (NC-HCAP, Upward Bound Program and the McNair Scholars Program) and is the Senior Director of the CHEOP Office, Senior Director for NC-HCAP and the Principal Investigator (PI) and Director, TRiO Programs from January 2012 – May 30, 2022

Prior to being appointed Director of CHEOP, Dr. Beecham-Green was the Associate Dean of Student Affairs, Director of Academic Success Program and Associate Professor, Department of Behavioral Sciences at Ross University School of Medicine in the Commonwealth of Dominica, West Indies. In addition to her Associate Provost and Executive Director positions for the Urban Health Program and Adjunct Assistant Professor, Division of Health Policy and Administration, School of Public Health at the University of Illinois at Chicago, other notable health-related leadership and faculty positions she has held are as the: Director of The Urban Health Program and Assistant Professor, Department of Social Work, Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois; Director for the Medical Education Preparatory Post-Baccalaureate Program (MED-PREP), Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, Illinois; Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and Admissions at Southern Illinois University (SIU) School of Medicine; Carbondale and Springfield, IL, Director of Minority Affairs and Research Assistant Professor, Department of Medical Education at SIU School of Medicine; and Director and Chair, Faculty and Curriculum Committee, Office of Medical Education, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, D.C.; Director, Office of Special Support Services, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa; Director of Student Services, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas; Director of Student Services and Coordinator of the Educational Opportunities Program and Admissions Chair, The University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa.

Dr. Beecham-Green earned all her degrees from The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa. A Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Work, Masters of Social Work Degree with emphasis in Medical Social Work, and Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Higher Education Administration with major foci on Higher Education Administration, Sociology of Education and Educational Philosophy.

Dr. Paula Borden serves as the Co-Director for the Carolina Higher Education Opportunity Programs (CHEOP) Office. As the Co-Director, in collaboration with the Senior Director, she provides oversight for the day-to-day office operations and programs. For over a decade, Dr. Borden has supported scholars as they navigate admission into higher education, the Ph.D. pathway, and the health professions pathway. She is passionate about supporting first generation, lower socioeconomic, rural and/or underrepresented minority students navigating the peaks and valleys of the educational spectrum.

In addition to her role as Co-Director, Dr. Borden serves as Principal Investigator for CHEOP’s TRiO Programs, Director for the Science Enrichment Preparation (S.E.P.) Program and Advisor for the NC-HCAP Health Careers Club.

Dr. Borden serves on several Boards and Committees which include, but are not limited to, the Wingate University Board of Trustees, UNC Adams School of Dentistry Admissions Committee, Hill Learning Center Board of Directors, UNC Chancellors Science Scholars Admissions Committee and serves as Member of the North Carolina Alliance for Health Professions Diversity.

Dr. Borden earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Wingate University, Master of Arts Degree from North Carolina Central University and Ph.D. from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.

In her free time, Dr. Borden enjoys spending time with family and friends. She is a proud Dog Mom (and encourages others to adopt via animal shelters and rescue organizations!) and enjoys running and cross training. She is also a strong supporter and advocate for organizations that focus on concern related to Alzheimer’s Disease, Lymphoma, Prostate Cancer, and Social Justice.

Will joined the CHEOP Family as the Data and Technology Specialist of TRiO Programs in March of 2016. He earned his Bachelors Degree in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management from The University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, and his Masters Degree in Land and Atmospheric Science from The University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. Prior to earning his Masters Degree, Will worked in the Web Development Industry and later worked for the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District. After relocating to North Carolina, Will found his passion in CHEOP. In his free time, Will enjoys reading, hanging out with his cats, and engaging in other fun nerdy activities. Will’s life goal is to help make the future a better place for all people.