2026 Niners To Know, Graduate Teaching Assistant Awards, STEM Fair and more

February 2, 2026
Categories: Niner Insider

Editor’s Note: The Charlotte region saw 11 inches of snow on Saturday, the heaviest single-day snowfall since 2004. Continue to monitor your email and text messages for NinerAlerts related to condition changes.

2026 Niners to Know 

From global stages and pro arenas to boardrooms, studios and startups, the 2026 Niners to Know list spotlights alumni turning talent into impact across sports, entertainment, business and technology. 

what you need to know: faculty and staff

  • Academic Affairs Weekly News Digest: Learn about the early alert deadline and CONNECT best practices training modules, along with other important updates in this week’s news digest.
  • Remembering Christine F. Price: The University remembers alumna and philanthropist Christine F. Price ’82, whose commitment to the University and its students is reflected in the Center for Counseling and Psychological Services named in her honor. 
  • Graduate Teaching Assistant Awards: Each year, UNC Charlotte’s top graduate teaching assistants are honored and recognized for their outstanding and innovative teaching techniques. Learn more about nominations for the Teaching Assistant and Instructors of Record Awards.
  • Connect with Nature: The Botanical Gardens offers two signature events free to faculty and staff to help you connect with nature. The next Gratitude in the Gardens Walk is from noon to 2 p.m., Friday, Feb. 6; the next Nature Therapy Walk is from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Feb. 7. Registration is required for both events.
  • New Punch-out Catalog: Last week, the supplier Action Plus Ideas encountered technical difficulties with the production punch-out enablement in 49er Mart. It has been resolved.
  • New Location: Voluntary shared leave requests are now posted on the HR website. Check this page often to find employees requesting leave and how you can donate.
  • Gambrell Faculty Fellows: Congratulations to Cato College of Education professors Dania Fakhro and Kristie Opiola for being named to the 2026 Gambrell Faculty Fellowship.

what you need to know: students

  • Remembering Christine F. Price: The University remembers alumna and philanthropist Christine F. Price ’82, whose commitment to the University and its students is reflected in the Center for Counseling and Psychological Services named in her honor.
  • Become a Graduate Life Fellow: Applications are now open for Graduate Life Fellows. GLFs receive professional development training while helping to support graduate student success.
  • STEM Career Fair: Network with employers at the STEM Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 5, in the Barnhardt Student Activity Center and Halton Arena. The event is open to all students.
  • Green Dot Overview: Sign up for Green Dot Overview training to take place from 5 to 6 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 10, to learn to recognize, react and prevent interpersonal violence at Charlotte.

the difference is charlotte

Afonin and Johnson

Researchers from the UNC Charlotte Klein College of Science discovered how to translate a new language to unlock human immunology in the first-ever study to decode microglia, the cells of the brain’s immune system.

upcoming events: students

Charlotte ice hockey player squares off against App State in front of Bojangles Coliseum

Charlotte Club Ice Hockey plays App State at Bojangles Coliseum at 9 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 7, following a Charlotte Checkers game in a first-of-its-kind event for the team. The purchase of a ticket to the Charlotte game guarantees admission to the Checkers game at 6 p.m.

  • Want More Hockey?: The Charlotte Checkers are offering a ticket discount for Niner Nation to the game at 4 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 15, at Bojangles Coliseum.

professional development: faculty and staff

  • OneIT Open Swim: OneIT is hosting a series of casual, drop-in sessions focused on Google Workspace, AI and more.
  • The Joy of Invention: Join the Division of Research and the National Academy of Inventors for a webinar featuring Ishwar D. Aggarwal, NAI fellow and research professor in physics and optical science, for “2+2=5: The Joy of Invention” at 3 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 4.
  • Virtual Info Session: Join Sarah Powell, associate director, 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 community partners can benefit from student research support ahead of the fall request for proposals.
  • Concur for Travelers: Register to attend the Concur for Travelers virtual training from 10 to 11 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 5. Registration is available through the learning and development portal. 
  • Master the Art of Feedback: The University Ombuds office is hosting an interactive training that provides new frameworks for effective feedback. Register in the learning and development portal for this training from 11 a.m. to noon, Monday, Feb. 9, in Fretwell Building, Room 100.
  • Attend Staff Council Meeting: The next Staff Council meeting will be held from 3 to 4 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 11, Atkins Library, Halton Reading Room. You can also sign up to attend virtually.
  • HR Power Hour: The next virtual HR Power Hour will take place from noon to 1 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 11. Alex Flippins will provide information on policy and legislative changes that impact recruitment and hiring for staff and temporary positions, along with exciting recruitment initiatives and project improvements underway.
  • Community Engagement Showcase: The Charlotte Urban Institute is hosting a Community Engagement Showcase featuring the Cato College of Education, Tuesday, March 24, at the Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte Center City. This event will highlight education-centered research, programs and partnerships in the region through three-minute lightning presentations followed by a networking reception.

to-do list: faculty and staff

  • Thursday Trivia Results: Last week’s Niner Insider trivia tested your knowledge of the Grammys. Sixty-three percent knew the Grammy nominated band started by Charlotte alumni — The Moody Brothers.
  • Shop Orchids: Don’t miss the Valentine’s Day Orchid Sale, presented by the Charlotte Botanical Gardens, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 7, and Monday, Feb. 9, at McMillan Greenhouse.
  • Catch a Hockey Game: The Charlotte Checkers are offering a ticket discount for Niner Nation to the game at 4 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 15, at Bojangles Coliseum.
  • Nominations Open: The Student Employment Office is accepting nominations for the 2026 Student Employee of the Year Award through Friday, Feb. 27.
  • Stay Informed: Review ongoing disruptions, delays and detours on campus.

to-do list: students

  • Thursday Trivia Results: Last week’s Niner Insider trivia tested your knowledge of the Grammys. Forty-six percent knew the Grammy nominated band started by Charlotte alumni — The Moody Brothers.
  • Connect with Nature: The Botanical Gardens offers two signature events that are free to students to help you connect with nature. The next Gratitude in the Gardens Walk is from noon to 2 p.m., Friday, Feb. 6; the next Nature Therapy Walk is from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Feb. 7. Registration is required for both events.
  • Get Weird with Recycling: Check out the new Weird Recycling Centers recently installed in the Storrs Building and Atkins Library, Area 49.