Program Coordinator for Development & Alumni Relations
Zyra Dent graduated from North Carolina Central University in May 2024 with a BA in Mass Communication, concentrating in Public Relations. A distinguished scholar, she is a Mellon Grant Scholar and a 2024 ColorComms Fellowship recipient. She also received the Best Student Feature Reporting award from the 2023 Radio Television Digital News Association of the Carolinas (RTDNAC) for her radio report on NCCU’s first Mellon Grant.
Passionate about storytelling and community engagement, Zyra has gained experience in communications through roles in higher education and media. She recently served as a Communications Intern at Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy, where she contributed to marketing and storytelling efforts by writing faculty profiles, creating social media content, and developing promotional materials for admissions and events. Before that, she worked as a Communications Intern for Duke University’s Department of Medicine in its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion office, assisting with event planning and researching best practices in communication strategies.
Her communications career began as a Production Assistant Volunteer for WNCU Radio, where she wrote stories on news and public affairs across the Triangle area and assisted with pre-production tasks, including research, scriptwriting, and guest coordination.
Outside work, Zyra enjoys braiding her hair, socializing with friends, and exploring Durham’s rich landscape. Inspired by her family’s deep-rooted commitment to civic engagement, she is driven to use her skills to uplift others. Looking ahead, she aspires to leverage her expertise in communications to benefit the community.