‘I never wanted to look back and say I failed because I didn’t try.’.
By Michela Gritti
There’s a new energy inside UNCP’s Resource Center, sparked by the arrival of Pardon Ndhlovu, the recently hired basic needs project manager.
Born in a rural village near Hwange, Zimbabwe, Ndhlovu grew up with few resources and discovered that running—once just part of daily life—could carry him far beyond home. That path led him to the United States on a scholarship, four trips to the national championships, and the 2016 Rio Olympics. Now, he’s back at UNCP with a mission: to help students the way others once helped him.
Where did your journey start?
I grew up in Zimbabwe and discovered sports early. As kids, we spent a lot of time around the police camp where we lived, mainly playing soccer, and that’s where I first got into running. I joined the police club when I was about 13, running alongside older athletes. At first, it was tough, but over time it became easier, and I started to realize that running might take me somewhere. My brother chose a different path. Running never came naturally to him, and he became a police officer. For me, instead, running became central to my life.
How did you end up in UNCP?
In both primary and high school, I saw that my talent could open doors. After high school, I had the chance to attend the International Sports Academy because of my abilities. I had always heard about how big, exciting, and full of opportunities the United States was. For that reason, I set my sights on coming here, not only to compete, but also to earn an education. College gave me both: a team to compete with and the chance to see how far I could go as a runner while also getting a degree.
How did you move from running from UNCP to running in the Olympics ?
After graduating college, I was inspired by the fact that Zimbabwe only had two athletes competing in the 2012 London Olympics. I thought, maybe I could qualify for the marathon. I gave it a try, running my first marathon in Minnesota. It was a terrible experience. I finished dehydrated, in pain, and I swore I’d never run another one. I didn’t qualify, so I returned to school, finished my senior year, and began helping as an assistant coach at Augusta University.
By 2016, I was ready to try again. With the support of my coach, I built a better training plan and entered the Houston Marathon in 2015. This time, I hit the qualifying standard for the Olympics. Zimbabwe could send three athletes, and I was chosen.
What’s your biggest achievement and what are your future plans?
Going to the Rio Olympics was one of the best experiences of my life. No matter how much I struggled to get there. Financially, physically and emotionally… it was tough. Regardless, walking into the Olympic Village and eating alongside the best athletes in the world was surreal. I finished 46th, which remains one of my proudest achievements.
After years of trial and error, I finally found balance in 2022. I learned how to fuel properly, made changes to my diet, and ran one of my best marathon times. At that point, I felt I had achieved everything I wanted as an athlete. Now, I run mostly for health, while focusing my main energy on coaching and helping others.
When did you start working at the Resource Centre?
I started working in this university on July 7. My role as a case manager allows me to support students with their basic needs: housing, childcare, food, and mental health resources. One of the most eye-opening things has been seeing how many students rely on the campus pantry, which proves just how important it is. Research shows that students can’t succeed academically if their basic needs aren’t met.
Where does the passion for this job come from?
It comes from experience. During my junior year, I lost housing and my meal plan, and I didn’t have a campus address. I had to rely on the kindness of my community to get by. I used to sleep in a friend’s place, who was feeding me as well. Resources like today didn’t exist for us, so I just had to push through—for my family back home and for the opportunity education could bring. The expectations were always high, but I did my best, even when I was struggling silently. Looking back, I now understand that I was battling depression, but at the time I didn’t have the words for it, and neither the time to take care of it.
That’s why I’m passionate about making sure students today know they are not alone. Asking for help is not weakness, it’s strength. The community here is special, and once you say “I’m not okay,” there are people ready to support you. For me, family is what keeps me grounded. Seeing them happy gives me joy. My work, based on solving problems, guiding students, and building opportunities, also fulfills me.
If you had to give one piece of advice to campus students, what would it be ?
If I could give advice to athletes or students, I’d say: time flies, so make the most of every opportunity. Be present, give your best, and remember that mistakes don’t define your future. Failure is just one day, and it’s part of success. What matters is that you try.
If you had to describe yourself with a single word, what would it be and why?
Resilience. When I was young, I thought about becoming a police officer like my brother, or maybe a pilot. But once I learned that education could open doors, that became my goal. It took me six tries to pass the SAT, but I made it to the U.S. because I never gave up. America truly is a land of opportunities, and resilience has carried me through.
At the end of the day, I never wanted to look back and say I failed because I didn’t try.