Résumé

Dayna Wilkerson

daywil@ad.unc.edu  ·  Chapel Hill, NC  ·  linkedin.com/in/dayna-wilkerson-269111386

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Education

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

B.A. Journalism & Media, Political Science · Chapel Hill, NC

Expected May 2027
  • Dean's List: Fall 2023, Spring 2024, Fall 2024, Fall 2025, Spring 2026
  • Order of Omega Honor Society (Fall 2025)
  • Carl Council Scholarship (Spring 2026) · Reese Felts Scholarship (Spring 2025) · Quincy Sharpe Mills Memorial Scholarship (Spring 2024) · Chick-fil-A Leadership Scholarship (Spring 2023, Spring 2024)

Experience

Reporter

Carolina Week · Chapel Hill, NC

Aug. 2026 – Present
  • Produce and provide content for the weekly student-run newscast covering local news.

FactCheck Research Intern

CNN · Atlanta, GA

June – Aug. 2026
  • Fact-checked CNN's live packages, stories, podcasts and digital video on a tight timeframe.
  • Ensured what came out of the outlet was factual through meticulous vetting.

Assistant Copy Desk Editor

The Daily Tar Heel · Chapel Hill, NC

Aug. 2025 – Present
  • Serve on the Copy Desk leadership team, laying out articles for print in Adobe InDesign and serving as a final editor for accuracy and clarity before publication.
  • Previously a Copy Desk staffer, University Desk writer and Editorial Board member (columns and board opinions).

Student Assistant

NCSMA / Hussman School of Journalism and Media · Chapel Hill, NC

May 2024 – May 2026
  • Organized and ran Hussman School summer camps, including the National Scholastic Media Summer Institute and Carolina Sports Camp.
  • Administered statewide media contests for high school and collegiate journalism programs.

Resident Advisor

Carolina Housing, Granville Towers · Chapel Hill, NC

Aug. 2025 – Present
  • Build relationships with residents and maintain a safe, supportive floor community while guiding students through their UNC experience.

Leadership & Service

Chapter President

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. — Kappa Omicron Chapter · Chapel Hill, NC

Apr. 2026 – Present
  • Lead the chapter's community service initiatives and foster collaboration among members.
  • Previously served as Treasurer (Apr. 2025 – Apr. 2026) and Political Awareness & Involvement Co-Chair (Apr. 2024 – Apr. 2025).

Activities

Member

Black Pre-Law Association · Chapel Hill, NC

Aug. 2024 – Present

Member

Black Student Movement · Chapel Hill, NC

Sept. 2023 – Present

Skills

Reporting & Editing

AP Style, fact-checking & verification, copy editing, news & political reporting, editorial leadership, deadline-driven writing

Production & Design

Adobe InDesign, Adobe Premiere Pro, content management systems

Research

Primary source research, RStudio

References

Available upon request.  Contact me →