The power of peer mentorship, online syllabus system launches, blood drive tomorrow and more

June 1, 2026
Categories: Niner Insider
Illustration of a nighttime mountain landscape with silhouetted hikers climbing a cliff beneath a constellation diagram labeled “Peer Mentor,” connecting stars marked Faculty, Student, Staff, Family, and Community.

Editor’s Note: We’re putting together another Niner Nation recipe book, this time with summer dishes to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. Learn more below.

A constellation of mentorship: Faculty research aims to elevate the Niner experience

New research by Carmen Serrata, an assistant professor of higher education in the Cato College of Education, is putting peer mentorship in focus. Explore the impact of mentorship on student success and why it takes a network of support.

what you need to know: faculty and staff

what you need to know: students

  • Summer blood drive: The Red Cross summer blood drive will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday, June 2, in the Barnhardt Student Activity Center. Schedule an appointment to donate on the Red Cross website.
  • Mark your calendars: Kickoff times and TV designations for four Charlotte Football games have been announced.
  • Calling August graduates: Applications are open for undergraduate students to apply for Commencement Bell Ringer until 11:45 p.m., Sunday, July 5. 
  • Apply for Niner 9: Applications are open for the next Niner 9. The deadline is significantly earlier than previous years with applications closing Sunday, Aug. 9, before the start of the new academic year.

the difference is charlotte

Photo of summer foods

In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, UNC Charlotte is celebrating the flavors that bring Niner Nation together by creating a digital community cookbook. Share your recipe and the story behind it by Monday, June 8, to be included in UNC Charlotte’s digital community cookbook to be published in July.

professional development: faculty and staff

  • June workshops: Register for six Unleash Your Niner Potential workshops, presented by the HR learning and development team, centered around conflict resolution, customer service, effective networking, mentorship and time management.
  • June Concur updates: Review revised workflows for personal travel and new international travel email notifications. To learn more, attend the Concur for Travelers virtual training from 10 to 11 a.m., Tuesday, June 9, by registering on the Learning and Development Portal.
  • Worksite wellness webinar: Register for “Protein Supplements—Do You Need Them?,” a worksite wellness webinar, at 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, June 9. Registered dietitian Katie Godin from LifeStyle Medical Center will break down when supplements may be helpful and share food-based strategies for meeting protein goals without them.
  • AI@Work session: Join Erin Murtha, assistant vice chancellor for planning, projects and process strategy, on Friday, June 12, for the next AI@Work session —  a new discussion series centered on real-world applications and honest peer-to-peer learning. This session will cover a GPT that was developed to help standardize student communications. Register on the Learning and Development Portal.
  • June OneIT training sessions: Summer is the perfect time to catch up on training and dive into new skills! Join OneIT this month to explore AI, master Google Workspace or get hands-on help at our Open Swim sessions.
  • AI helpful tips: Have you noticed the “Ask Gemini” tab in Google Chrome browser? The tab can be connected to your Charlotte email to get data protection and provides an AI-assistant alongside your open web pages, providing a more integrated experience.

to-do list: faculty and staff

  • Retirement celebration: The campus community is invited to celebrate the retirement of Johnna Watson, associate dean of graduate enrollment management and funding, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 9, at the Harris Alumni Center.
  • Connect with nature: The Botanical Gardens offers two free signature events that help faculty and staff connect with nature. The next Gratitude in the Gardens Walk is from noon to 2 p.m., Friday, June 5; the next Nature Therapy Walk is from 9 a.m. to noon, June 6. Registration is required for both events.
  • Stay informed: Review ongoing disruptions, delays and detours on campus.

to-do list: students