Nov 6, 2025 | Emily Reier ’28
For Leta Huntsinger ’92, the journey to college started at a fast-food counter.
As a Wilmington native and first-generation college student, Huntsinger wasn’t sure how to navigate the admissions process. But working at Arby’s near campus brought her into contact with UNCW students – one of whom, a physics major, would change the course of her life. “He was an amazing guide,” Huntsinger recalls. “He helped me navigate the process of applying for admission and financial aid, and just general encouragement.”
That sense of community and support would define Huntsinger’s experience at UNCW.
She was drawn to the energy of the campus and the welcoming environment of the Physics department, where small class sizes allowed her to build strong relationships with faculty. Two mentors in particular made a lasting impact: Dr. Moorad Alexanian and the late Dr. Hildelisa Hernandez. “I spent many hours in their offices receiving support that influenced me not only academically but personally,” Huntsinger says. “As a woman in physics, Dr. Hernandez was a great role model for young women studying STEM.”
Huntsinger’s undergraduate experience provided her with more than just a technical foundation; it also gave her confidence. With her degree from UNCW in hand, she went on to earn a master’s and Ph.D. in civil engineering and build a successful career in transportation planning and analytics. Today, as a Professor of Practice at UNC Chapel Hill, she continues to inspire the next generation of planners and engineers.
But her commitment to supporting students didn’t stop in the classroom.
After meeting with Lindsay Crighton, UNCW’s Senior Director of Development for Major Gifts, in 2019, Huntsinger established the Huntsinger Scholarship in STEM with an initial $30,000 commitment. She expanded her support during Seahawks Give 2025 with an additional $20,000 gift. The scholarship honors Dr. Hernandez while also opening doors for students who are following a similar path. “Without the generosity of others, I would not have been able to afford college,” Huntsinger said. “My college degree positioned me to pay it forward in a way that benefits others who are where I was.”
Huntsinger also recently gave $5,000 to support the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) at UNCW, a relatively new organization on campus. “I thought financial support could help them get established and give them some financial backing to accomplish the things they hope to accomplish,” she says. “I also value professional student organizations and the framework they provide for building relationships and learning leadership skills."
Huntsinger previously helped energize students at UNC Chapel Hill to form the first Institute for Transportation Engineers (ITE) student chapter at a planning school, witnessing firsthand how students rose to leadership and carried that momentum into their professional lives.
For Huntsinger, supporting UNCW is not just about giving back, but about amplifying the power of education. “If you enjoyed your time at UNCW and have benefited from your education, what better way to honor that experience than by creating opportunities for others to share that path?”
This year, Leta was recognized as the Extraordinary Alum of the Year by the UNCW College of Science and Engineering, a fitting tribute to her impactful career, dedication to mentorship and generous support of future STEM leaders.
Her advice to current students, and particularly women in STEM, is simple but powerful: "Find your voice and the courage to share it with others in whatever way works best for you. You can do more than you ever imagined, so don’t be afraid to learn and try new things. Work hard, but also take time to enjoy the journey. Invest in people and relationships, at the end of the day that is what matters the most.”
To learn more about how you can support UNCW and impact the Seahawk student experience, visit giving.uncw.edu.