Summer Commencement preview, Concur Verify deactivated, University Convocation, review the upcoming academic calendar and more

August 3, 2026
Categories: Niner Insider
Confetti at commencement ceremony

Summer Commencement preview

UNC Charlotte will award more than 1,100 degrees and certificates during its 2026 Summer Commencement ceremony on Friday, Aug. 7, celebrating graduates across all colleges, the graduate school and doctoral programs. Graduates represent 13 countries, 23 states, 63 North Carolina counties and range in age from 18 to 62.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: FACULTY AND STAFF

  • Academic Affairs Weekly Digest: The Office of Undergraduate Research is looking for faculty fellows and advisors to  support faculty and student engagement in research projects and dissemination. Learn how to apply, along with other important updates in this week’s news digest.
  • Leadership change: Robert Keynton, dean of the William States Lee College of Engineering, has announced his intention to step down from the leadership role, effective July 1, 2027.
  • Special session: The UNC System Board of Governors convened in special session July 23, 2026. A summary of the reports shared with the board and actions taken by the board is available for review.
  • Concur update: Concur Verify was deactivated on Friday, July 31. Learn more about all recent Concur updates and attend the upcoming purchasing card training tomorrow, Tuesday, Aug. 4, by registering on the Learning and Development Portal.
  • Convocation and faculty meeting: This year’s University Convocation for faculty and staff will be held at 9:30 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 13, in the Popp Martin Student Union, Room 340. The fall faculty meeting will follow convocation at 10:45 a.m.
  • Enterprise Salesforce Program: OneIT has launched the Enterprise Salesforce Program to unify campus systems and modernize service delivery across UNC Charlotte. The initial focus is on migrating academic advising and expanding HR tools.

what you need to know: students

The difference is charlotte

unc charlotte circus arts program

UNC Charlotte is celebrating 10 years of circus arts instruction, marking a decade of providing the only curricular circus arts training program in North Carolina. Take a look inside this summer’s circus class and the 10th anniversary showcase.

professional development: faculty and staff

  • AI learning workshop: Kiran Budhrani, director of teaching and learning innovation, is hosting the next AI@Work session from 10 to 10:45 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 5. This session covers the entire process, from collecting data to how AI uses it.
  • Innovate Your Teaching workshops: Register for the fall Innovate Your Teaching workshops to earn teaching microcredentials, apply for a Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Grant on AI and explore AI Across the Curriculum resources.
  • Registration reminder: Registration for the fall Career by Design cohort closes tomorrow, Tuesday, Aug. 4. Confirmed participants will be notified Wednesday, Aug. 5. 
  • OneIT training schedule: OneIT’s August training sessions will focus on ways to build your skills with workshops on artificial intelligence and Google Workspace as well as a new session on Adobe Express.

to do list: faculty and staff

to do list: students