Students Nominated for Prestigious Scholarship and Fellows Program, Hopper Discusses First-Gen Excellence Awards, and more

February 20, 2025
Categories: Niner Insider
Chancellor Gaber with the Truman and Gaither nominees

Charlotte Students Nominated for Prestigious Scholarship, Fellows Program

Four UNC Charlotte students from various academic colleges are nominees for the prestigious Truman Scholarship and the James C. Gaither Junior Fellows Program. Meet the nominees.

What you need to know: faculty and staff

  • Nomination Deadline Extended: Nominations for the 2025 Staff Employee of the Year awards have been extended through 5 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 27. Recommend a colleague for this honor!
  • Career Collaborator Awards: Nominate a colleague who has taken initiative to support students’ career development in the past year! Nominations for Career Collaborator Awards will be accepted through Friday, Feb. 28.
  • Community-engaged Teaching: urbanCORE invites faculty interested in community-engaged teaching to register for a virtual conversation with Erin Washburn, professor of reading and elementary education, from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m., Monday, Feb. 24.
  • Aetna 101 Lunch and Learn: Join State Health Plan staff and Aetna representatives for a webinar at noon, Tuesday, Feb. 25, or Thursday, Feb. 27, to answer the top 10 questions received since the transition to Aetna.
  • New Research Series: The new Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Scholars Series begins Tuesday, March 11. Join the Center for Teaching and Learning as it showcases and discusses successful faculty scholarship of teaching and learning research projects.

what you need to know: students

  • University Honors and Awards: Each April, the University Honors and Awards ceremony celebrates select students who made outstanding contributions to Charlotte throughout the academic year. Nominations are now open; the application deadline is Friday, Feb. 28.
  • Spring Bell Ringer Applications: The commencement bell ringer is an honorable tradition that recognizes students who have demonstrated exemplary 49er spirit. Apply to be a spring bell ringer by 11:45 p.m., Sunday, March 16. 
  • AI Helpful Tip: UNC Charlotte is offering faculty, staff and students access to CAISY, a cutting-edge AI simulator designed to enhance communication and interpersonal skills. 

event spotlight

Critical Media Literacy

Join the Critical Media Literacy Collaborative, Niner Times and Atkins Library for a series exploring social media ownership and digital privacy. The first event is from 10 to 11 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 25, at Atkins Library, Halton Reading Room.

upcoming event: students

49ers4LIFE Blood Drive: Save the date for the 16th annual 49ers4LIFE Blood Drive scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday, March 17, in Popp Martin Student Union, Room 340. Search for sponsor code 49ers4life on the Red Cross website to find the drive and schedule your appointment.

additional news, events and announcements: faculty and staff

  • International Speaker Series: The next International Speaker Series event is from 3:30 to 5 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 25, at Atkins Library, Halton Reading Room. Nicole Bintner-Bakshian, ambassador of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, will discuss Luxembourg’s role in international affairs, contributions to economic innovation and more.
  • TIAA Webinar: Register for the TIAA webinar “Family Wealth Education” at 3 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 27.
  • Concur User Group Forum: Join the February Concur User Group Forum for important updates at 10 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 27. Register on the Learning and Development Portal.
  • AI Professional Certificate Course: CTL100, the Next-Generation Learning with Generative Artificial Intelligence Tools Professional Certificate, is scheduled from Wednesday, Feb. 26, through Tuesday, March 11. Register now to earn a digital badge in teaching and learning with generative AI.
  • 49ers4LIFE Blood Drive: Save the date for the 16th annual 49ers4LIFE Blood Drive scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday, March 17, in Popp Martin Student Union, Room 340. Search for sponsor code 49ers4life on the Red Cross website to find the drive and schedule your appointment.
  • My Pension Support Emails: Some employees reported receiving an email from an individual at My Pension Support. This is not an approved communication from a legitimate vendor associated with the UNC Charlotte Benefits Office.
  • Sign Up: Stay up-to-date on your NCFlex plans and State Health Plan benefits, and learn more about how to maximize your options by signing up for the NCFlex newsletter and the State Health Plan Member Focus newsletter.
  • AI Helpful Tip: UNC Charlotte is offering faculty, staff and students access to CAISY, a cutting-edge AI simulator designed to enhance communications and interpersonal skills.

only at charlotte

Lorenzo Hopper First Gen

First-generation students who are graduating this spring can apply for the First-Generation Excellence Awards through Monday, Feb. 24. Faculty member Lorenzo Hopper discusses the importance of promoting first-generation students and establishing a blueprint for first-gen success at Charlotte.

Meet a Niner - Cai Fox

As the assessment coordinator in the Office of Sustainability, Cai Fox coordinates data gathering and reporting for the assessment of campus sustainability. Fox talks about his passion for sustainability and more.

around campus

CO-LAB at UNC Charlotte Center City

UNC Charlotte hosted the quarterly meeting of the CLT Alliance at The Dubois Center Wednesday, Feb. 5. This event included a tour of the new CO-LAB at UNC Charlotte Center City. Check out pictures from the event.

Playboy of the Western World

Over the weekend, the College of Arts + Architecture’s Department of Theatre presented “Playboy of the Western World.” Check out some pictures from the stage. 

campus resources

join the niner conversation on social media

There are a lot of ways to stay up-to-date and show your Niner pride. Make sure to follow Charlotte on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X and YouTube.

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