Madison Barella is one of our new Thrive Advisors and joined us from Apex Friendship Middle School where she was a School Counselor. In her work as a school counselor, she was able to support students returning from remote learning and helped to increase the percentage of students able to be promoted to the next academic level. Madison also has a lot of leadership experiences from her time at Villanova which has drawn her to make the transition to higher education. Madison received her M. Ed in Counseling from UNC Chapel Hill and her BA in Psychology from Villanova University.
What drew you to UNC Advising originally?
What drew me to UNC advising was the opportunity it allowed me to work with students holistically to discover their passions, unlock their potential, and work towards their academic goals!
What is one item you learned in the previous month, whether connected to advising or not?
That Lenoir Dining Hall has Med Deli to-go!
Who motivates you?
My family and friends, I have a very close unit of people that inspire and motivate me every day!
What is your definition of success?
My definition of success follows a quote I like that says, “strive not to be a success but to be of value.” If I can be helpful to others and myself in that way, I know I have been successful.
Who would you select as a mentor if you could choose anybody, and why?
Brene Brown, I absolutely love following her research on empathy and vulnerability. She also has a pretty great podcast entitled, “Unlocking Us.”
What was the most recent book you read?
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. It is about all of the choices that go into a life well-lived.
What would you eat if you had to eat only one meal every day for the rest of your life?
Homemade fettuccine alfredo!
Could you imagine yourself doing something else instead of what you do now? If so, what would that be?
I love to write music, so maybe a singer-songwriter? I wouldn’t want to be famous though!
Are you striving to be known for anything in particular?
I have a quote on the wall of my office that says “be the reason someone smiles today”. Simple, but I strive to be known as someone who is capable of doing that for someone every day.
One thing you would tell your 13-year-old self, what would it be?
Do not wear plaid Bermuda shorts with a striped black and white shirt! I have no idea what I was thinking!
