Online degrees ranked No. 4 nationally, 2026 Gambrell Faculty Fellowship, Botanical Gardens’ orchid sale and more

January 29, 2026
Categories: Niner Insider
Online bachelor's programs ranked number 4 in the nation

Editor’s Note: More winter weather on the way. Stay safe and warm, Niners! Continue to monitor your email and text messages for NinerAlerts related to the storm.

UNC Charlotte was ranked No. 4 nationally and No. 1 in North Carolina for online bachelor’s programs in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Online Programs rankings, marking the University’s fifth consecutive year among the nation’s top 10.

what you need to know: faculty and staff

  • 2026 Gambrell Faculty Fellowship: The UNC Charlotte Urban Institute named professors Dante Bryant, Helen Davies, Nathaniel Elberfeld, Marianna B. Ganapini, Braveheart Gillani, Carlos Gonzalez-Calderon, Sijia Qian and Tamara Williams recipients of its 2026 Gambrell Faculty Fellowship.
  • Staff Employee of the Year Awards: Nominations for the 2026 Staff Employee of the Year awards are being accepted through 5 p.m., Friday, Feb. 6. Recommend a colleague for this honor!
  • Insurance Reminder: Health insurance deductions began with your December paycheck. If you enrolled in the State Health Plan for the 2026 plan year, verify the benefit plan and deduction on your paycheck with your open enrollment confirmation statement through eBenefits. Report any discrepancies to the Benefits Office.
  • Retirement Information: Employees participating in the UNC System-sponsored mandatory retirement plan (e.g., the Optional Retirement Plan) or any of the UNC-sponsored supplemental plans (e.g., UNC 403(b) or UNC 457(b) plans), will see slight changes in the underlying asset allocation targets for the UNC Target Date Models, effective Monday, Feb. 2. Learn more about the change.
  • AI Summit Deadline: Proposals for the fourth annual AI Summit for Smarter Learning are due Thursday, Feb. 5.
  • Dell Punch-out Catalog: To ensure accuracy during frequent price changes, the “upgrade” options on the Dell punch-out within 49er Mart have been disabled until further notice. All standard lists and quote generation remain fully functional and available.

what you need to know: students

  • CPOS Reminder: Starting with fall 2026 registration, Course Program of Study will limit financial aid to courses that apply to your degree program. Before registering later this spring, you’re encouraged to verify your major and review courses in DegreeWorks.
  • Great Decisions Lecture: Register for “The Future of NATO and Human Rights and International Law” scheduled for 6:30 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 4, presented by Amal Khoury, associate teaching professor of global studies at UNC Charlotte. The talk is part of the 2026 Great Decisions lecture series.

the difference is charlotte

The cover of James Grymes new book "Partisan Song"

“Partisan Song: A Holocaust Story of Resilience, Resistance and Revenge,” authored by James Grymes, professor of musicology, was released Tuesday, Jan. 27, which is International Holocaust Remembrance Day. In a Q&A, Grymes reflects on his research, the hero at the book’s center, Jewish resistance fighter and amateur musician Moshe Gildenman, and how music provided courage and hope in harrowing times.

upcoming events: students

Pink, purple and white orchids at UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens

Shop beautiful orchids at the Charlotte Botanical Gardens’ Valentine’s Day Orchid Sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 7, and Monday, Feb. 9, at McMillan Greenhouse. Want to learn more about orchids? There is an intro to orchids class starting at 8:30 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 7. The class is $20.

  • Cheer on the 49ers: Both basketball home games have been moved to tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 30, due to winter weather. Charlotte women’s basketball takes on ECU at 3 p.m.; men’s basketball faces Rice at 7 p.m.

professional development: faculty and staff

  • Green Dot Training: Faculty and staff at Charlotte play a key role in preventing interpersonal violence. Attend a virtual Green Dot training from 1 to 2:30 p.m., Monday, Feb. 2, to learn to recognize, react and prevent sexual assault, dating violence and stalking on campus.
  • Community Scholars Program: Join Sarah Powell, associate director for the Office of Undergraduate Research, for a virtual info session on the new Community Scholars Program from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 4. Learn how your community partner can benefit from student research support ahead of the fall request for proposals.
  • Great Decisions Lecture: Register for “The Future of NATO and Human Rights and International Law” scheduled for 6:30 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 4, presented by Amal Khoury, associate teaching professor of global studies at UNC Charlotte. The talk is part of the 2026 Great Decisions lecture series.
  • Community Engagement Showcase: The UNC Charlotte Urban Institute is hosting a Community Engagement Showcase featuring the Cato College of Education, Tuesday, March 24. This event will highlight education-centered research, programs and partnerships in the region through three-minute lightning presentations followed by a networking reception.
  • Apply Today: Faculty members are invited to apply for the Global Learning and Internationalization Institute, a faculty engagement and development initiative designed to advance global learning across the curriculum. Sessions will be held May 11, 12, 14 and 15.

to-do list: faculty and staff

  • Niner Insider Trivia: The 2026 Grammy Awards take place this Sunday, Feb. 1. Do you know all of these Grammy-nominated artists (two of whom have ties to Charlotte)?
  • Cheer on the 49ers: Both basketball home games have been moved to tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 30, due to winter weather. Charlotte women’s basketball takes on ECU at 3 p.m.; men’s basketball faces Rice at 7 p.m.
  • Upcoming Orchid Sale: Shop beautiful orchids at the Charlotte Botanical Gardens’ Valentine’s Day Orchid Sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 7, and Monday, Feb. 9, at McMillan Greenhouse. Want to learn more about orchids? There is an intro to orchids class starting at 8:30 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 7. The class is $20.
  • Wellness Program: State Health Plan members are encouraged to register for the Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less wellness program, which begins next week. Registration is required, and the program is free for plan members with the coupon code GNC2026.

to-do list: students