Bobcat Partnership Fuels Innovation and Scholarships, Inside the Haunted Union and more

October 30, 2025
Categories: Niner Insider

Niner Engineers Receive First-ever Bobcat Scholarships

Twenty Niners preparing for careers in STEM, supply chain and logistics each received $3,000 scholarship from Bobcat as part of a new partnership between the company and UNC Charlotte . In addition to the scholarships, students will be mentored by Bobcat professionals and will gain unique hands-on learning experiences — all designed to cultivate the next generation of skilled professionals for the company and broader industry.

Emily Teitelbaum at Haunted Union

Take a Look Inside The Haunted Union 

“I love seeing it all come to fruition and my favorite part is seeing students get so scared and having a great time,” said Emily Teitelbaum, associate director for student involvement, who has been setting up the Haunted Union for seven years. She shares an exclusive look inside creating the haunted house.

  • Don’t Miss Out: The Haunted Union is from 7 to 10 p.m., tonight, Thursday, Oct. 30, throughout the Popp Martin Student Union. The event will feature caricature artists, a Halloween pop-up game show, balloon artists, DIY door signs and more!
  • Halloween Poll Results: Almost half of Niner Nation (47%) are having a chill Halloween night with movies and snacks. The most popular movie to watch on Halloween was “Hocus Pocus,” and the most picked Halloween candy was Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. 

what you need to know: faculty and staff

  • Deadline Tomorrow: Benefits-eligible employees have until tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 31, to make their health insurance elections during open enrollment for the 2026 plan year. Be sure to make elections in both platforms and save a copy of your elections.
  • Charlotte to Support AI Policy, Practice: Twelve Charlotte faculty and staff members have been to participate in the AAC&U Institute on AI, Pedagogy and the Curriculum.
  • Bike Lane Markings: Installation of bike lane markings on roads around campus, starting with Phillips Road, will begin Monday, Nov. 3, and are expected to last through the month. Flaggers will help with any lane restrictions throughout the project, and Archibus notices will be published with additional details.
  • Updated Policy: The State Human Resources Commission recently approved updates to the SHRA Employee Grievance Policy, effective Monday, Dec. 1. These revisions aim to enhance clarity, ensure consistency across agencies and institutions, and align the policy with recent legislative changes.
  • Airport Collaboration: Charlotte Douglas International Airport and UNC Charlotte have entered into a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on research, innovation and workforce development initiatives that will accelerate the future of aviation in the Charlotte region and beyond.
  • Sophomore Athletes End Fall on Top: Pinky Chaisilprungruang, women’s golf, captured her fourth individual title as a Charlotte 49er at the French Broad Collegiate Invitational, hosted by UNC Asheville; and Ni Xi, women’s tennis, claimed the women’s singles title without dropping a set in the American Conference Individual Championships.

what you need to know: students

  • Bike Lane Markings: Installation of bike lane markings on roads around campus, starting with Phillips Road, will begin Monday, Nov. 3, and are expected to last through the month. Flaggers will help with any lane restrictions throughout the project, and Archibus notices will be published with additional details.
  • Airport Collaboration: Charlotte Douglas International Airport and UNC Charlotte have entered into a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on research, innovation and workforce development initiatives that will accelerate the future of aviation in the Charlotte region and beyond.
  • Sophomore Athletes End Fall on Top: Pinky Chaisilprungruang, women’s golf, brought home her fourth individual title as a Charlotte 49er at the French Broad Collegiate Invitational, hosted by UNC Asheville; and Ni Xi, women’s tennis, claimed the women’s singles title without dropping a set in the American Conference Individual Championships.
  • Early Voting: The last day to vote early in the Mecklenburg County local election is Saturday, Nov. 1.

the difference is charlotte

Guide to Green Colleges 2026

UNC Charlotte has made the Princeton Review’s 2026 Guide to Green Colleges, an annual publication that recognizes academic institutions that foster a culture of environmental responsibility and demonstrate a commitment to sustainability.

upcoming events: students

First-Gen Week

Get ready to celebrate first-generation Niners all next week, Nov. 3-8. Connect with first-gen Niners, get some free swag and celebrate their journeys beginning with the First-Generation Kickoff, from 9:30 to 11 a.m., Monday, Nov. 3, in Belk Plaza.

👋 Transfer First-Gen Pop-in from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 4, at the Atkins sidewalk and Belk Plaza
🎥 First-Gen Week Movie Night from 6 to 8:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 4, in the Popp Martin Student Union, Union Theater
📝 First-Gen Resource Fair from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 5, in the Cauble Quad, formerly CHHS/CoEd Plaza
🍖 First-Gen Cookout from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 6, in Star Quad

professional development: faculty and staff

upcoming: faculty and staff

  • RPT Narrative Workshop: Learn to frame your research and teaching for reappointment, promotion or tenure at a zoom-hybrid CORE Series session led by Holly Middleton, associate director of engaged scholarship, and Kim Buch, professor in the Department of Psychological Science, from 10 to 11:45 a.m., Friday, Nov. 14, in Sycamore 306. 
  • Project Request Deadline: Project requests utilizing 2026 fiscal year-end funds, which need to be completed and invoiced by Monday, June 15, 2026, will be considered until Saturday, Nov. 15. Each project until that date will be evaluated for scope, complexity and material delivery lead times to ensure it can be completed before year end. If you have any questions, contact Jeanine Bachtel. 
  • Lantern Benefit Webinar: Benefits-eligible employees are encouraged to attend one of two webinars hosted by the State Health Plan to learn more about the new benefit offered via Lantern that covers certain procedures at no cost. Register for one of the webinars at noon, Tuesday, Nov. 18, or Thursday, Nov. 20.

to-do list: faculty and staff

  • Attend Tuition and Fees Meeting: Hear recommendations for changes to tuition and mandatory student fees during the second Tuition and Fees Advisory Board open meeting at 6 p.m., Monday, Nov. 3, in the Popp Martin Student Union, Room 340. An opportunity for public comments will be offered during the meeting.
  • Submit Holiday Recipes: Submit your favorite recipe and the story behind it for a chance to attend a special holiday dinner with Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber and Chartwells on Monday, Nov. 17.
  • Vote Early: The last day for early voting in the Mecklenburg County local election is  Saturday, Nov. 1.
  • Preview Haunted Union: Emily Teitelbaum, associate director for student involvement, has been setting up the Haunted Union for seven years. She shares an exclusive look inside creating the haunted house.

to-do list: students

  • Get Hype for Registration: Registration Week, featuring events and giveaways to celebrate and encourage students to register for the upcoming term, started Wednesday, Oct. 29, and runs through Tuesday, Nov. 4. Check out the fun events planned.
  • Attend Tuition and Fees Meeting: Hear recommendations for changes to tuition and mandatory student fees during the second Tuition and Fees Advisory Board open meeting at 6 p.m., Monday, Nov. 3, in the Popp Martin Student Union, Room 340. An opportunity for public comments will be offered during the meeting.
  • Submit Holiday Recipes: Submit your favorite recipe and the story behind it for a chance to attend a special holiday dinner with Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber and Chartwells on Monday, Nov. 17.