Angie Melchor-Roque Dresses for the Doors She Wants Open

She walked into the WNCU 90.7 FM jazz radio station in a suit, résumé in hand and walked out with a paid internship the same day.

That's how Angie Melchor-Roque moves.

Born and raised in Durham, Melchor-Roque is preparing to graduate from North Carolina Central University (NCCU) with momentum already building. A transfer student from Durham Technical Community College, where she earned dual associate degrees in general education and arts, she arrived at NCCU with a plan.

"I went on LinkedIn before I even started classes," she said. "I messaged student leaders so they would remember me."

Mentorship Matters

Melchor-Roque credits her NCCU enrollment to alumna Dway Pulliam, who first gave her a paid marketing and communications internship at Durham Tech. There, Melchor-Roque learned branding fundamentals, including what not to do.

"I put the logo on its side," she said, laughing. "The look on her face nearly shattered me."

Lesson learned.

That experience sparked her passion for marketing, storytelling and strategy. When she transferred to NCCU as a business administration major with a concentration in marketing, she arrived to engage and lead.

Her first semester, she worked in the Office of Transfer Services as a work-study student, learning how community college credits translate to a four-year institution. From there, she transitioned to undergraduate admissions, leading campus tours and serving as an ambassador for the university.

Leading With Purpose

Melchor-Roque maintains a 3.8 GPA while holding significant leadership roles, including president of RAÍCES, a Latinx-centered student organization focused on advocacy and representation. She views the organization as a family and a welcoming community open to all students, with alumni who regularly return to support current members and strengthen its legacy.

One of her proudest accomplishments was organizing the RAÍCES Networking Mixer. While turnout wasn't as high as she hoped, she considers the marketing execution a win, from mass emails to tabling to social media outreach.

"I finally got to hear that what I did was enough," she said. "You don't need validation, but it helps."

She also mentors students through the PEAK (Peer Eagle Advancement Knowledge) program, guiding underclassmen toward leadership and service opportunities. She leads with flexibility and keeps communication at the center of everything, knowing that people do their best they feel heard.

"We're all busy," she said. "But with open communication, we can get anything done."

Melchor-Roque's impact doesn't go unnoticed.

"Angie leads with heart and determination," said Emily Guzman, director of the Women's Center and Student Development Initiatives. "She inspires the people around her, connects with them genuinely and approaches challenges with care and energy. Her commitment to mentoring and making a difference is exactly what makes NCCU shine."

Choosing the Next Step

This fall, Melchor-Roque will continue her academic journey at North Carolina State University, pursuing a master's degree in management with a focus on marketing analytics. She was admitted the same day as her interview.

"My decision to pursue NC State was fueled by my mentors who are NCCU alumni," Melchor-Roque said. "Many of them are either current students at NC State or are now NC State alumni. Seeing their professional success firsthand made me certain that State was the right next step for me."

Melchor-Roque also credits Kimberly Weston-Moore, Ph.D., whose organization and management course helped shape her decision to pursue the Master of Management degree program.

"She had no idea how much she influenced me," Melchor-Roque said. "Sometimes people don't find out until later."

Long term, Melchor-Roque plans to become a marketing manager. She also intends to stay connected to NCCU through alumni engagement, mentoring and community building.

Her advice for other transfers?

"Dress nice. Smell nice. Reach for your dreams. If you really want something, you have to stretch."

And just as important:

"Be open to rejection. Keep moving. There's more departments, more leadership, more opportunities. Or maybe the thing you're searching for will find you when you least expect it."