Carol “AmeriCarol” Dougherty

Carol Dougherty is the epitome of a CNU Captain. From her involvement on campus to her impecible leadership skills, Carol has every quality of a true CNU student. Carol is a 21-year-old senior from Charlottesville, Va. She is an American Studies Major with Minors in Women’s & Gender Studies and Leadership Studies, or as she likes to say, “I am studying ‘studies.'” Some people know Carol as “AmeriCarol” because of her love for our country and dreams of becoming president of the United States one day! 

Carol with President Trible 

Carol is involved in many things on campus including: Take Note a Cappella, Phi Mu Fraternity, Class Council, Orientation (Crew Leader, SLAP Facilitator, Student Director), Front Desk Assistant for the Center for Academic Success, and is a Student Ambassador/Tour Guide. 

Carol Performing with Take Note

Carol just recently received the Dean’s Service Award for her service to the university over the past four years. Carol also added, “That same night, President Trible said he would hold onto the CNU Presidency until I was ready to take over… We shook hands on it, so I would say that’s quite the accomplishment.”

Winners of the 2016 Dean’s Service Award

Carol will be a University Fellow for the Center for Academic Success next year. She says regarding the opportunity, “I’m so excited to give back to the university and help students on their way to success!” When asked what her favorite CNU memory is, she said, “Wow, there are just too many to count… I would have to say either watching my Crew Leader staff excel on stage during Setting Sail, closing Glow in the Darcappella with Take Note my senior year, putting a tent up with friends on the steps of Christopher Newport Hall right after it opened, or getting hit on the head by glow sticks at Light the Night. That last one was my favorite new tradition!”

Carol’s Senior Send-Off for Phi Mu Fraternity

“Being a ‘Captain for Life’ means two things to me,” Carol says. “First, it means finding ways to give back to CNU once you graduate, whether that’s financially if you are able, promoting CNU to possible future Captains, or attending alumni events.  Second and more importantly, it means taking what you learned throughout your four years and the values cultivated in this community to be successful and to do miraculous things for others. I truly believe that’s what CNU is all about, learning how to ‘set the world on fire.'” 

Carol and her sisters! 

When asked if she had anything else that she wished that she had done at CNU during her time as a student, she said, “I wish I had spent more time learning from my professors outside of the classroom.  I definitely did not take enough advantage of those office hours to learn how to be successful like them!  I also wish I had auditioned for the dance concert because I love the Theater and Dance Department!” Carol believes that you should take in every moment during your time here at CNU, whether you’re an incoming freshman or a rising senior. “CNU is a very special community that will love and support you,” she said. Her advice to rising seniors is to “Appreciate that [community] and soak it all in during your final year.  Also, find ways to start giving back to CNU! Use what you learned to mentor underclassmen and find new ways to serve the campus to transition into being a Captain for Life.”