Off and Running

Loflin, who expects to earn his master’s in December, brought a unique skill set to the work. After receiving his undergraduate degree in math and physics from UNC Greensboro in 2001, he taught high school before pursuing his lifelong dream of fighting fires. “I decided that burning buildings was easier than teaching,” he says with a laugh.

Today, he also wears some other hats. He has used his data analysis skills to advocate for improved benefits as an executive board member of the local firefighters’ union. A husband and father of three, he finds time to run two digital marketing and analytics businesses, both of which grew out of early efforts to promote charity fundraisers and events. One of his best-known accomplishments is Greensboro’s annual Running of the Balls 5K. Loflin co-founded this race in 2011 and has seen it grow to more than 5,000 participants during the winter holidays. The run raises money for Second Harvest Food Bank and to date has provided more than 7 million meals.

As a Graduate Student Ambassador, Loflin says he appreciates how the Bryan School allows students to further projects they are already working on and expand their real-world experience. That is a hallmark of Bryan School programs, says Dr. Jeremy Bray, an economics professor and Loflin’s adviser.

“Our goal in applied economics goes well beyond crunching numbers or running statistics,” Bray says. “It’s about seeing a need and understanding that what you are learning can help solve the problem. Nick just took that to heart. He’s a great example of how a master’s degree can help you make an impact in your workplace and give back to the community
in such an effective way.”