The Pride of Niner Nation Celebrates 10 Years, ACE Award Recipients and more

October 16, 2025
Categories: Niner Insider
UNC Charlotte marching band members in green shirts, black overalls, and white hats perform enthusiastically in the stadium stands during a football game, smiling and playing their instruments with gold glitter on their faces.

The Sound of Spirit

For a decade, the Pride of Niner Nation Marching Band has been the heartbeat of Charlotte — uniting students, alumni and fans through music, tradition and pride.⁠ Read about the program’s history and the Niners carrying its legacy.

what you need to know: faculty and Staff

  • Open Enrollment Underway: Benefits-eligible employees have just over two weeks left to make elections during open enrollment, which ends Friday, Oct. 31. Make sure you make elections in both platforms and save a copy of them.
  • Atkins Tower Update: The completion time frame for the Atkins Library tower project has been extended to fall 2026.
  • Continuing a Legacy: Mirsad Hadžikadić played a pivotal role in the inception of the School of Data Science. He now leads the Data Science and Business Analytics program, continuing to bridge the gap between academic rigor and industry demand.

what you need to know: students

  • Celebrate Transfers Next Week: National Transfer Student Week is Oct. 20-24, and the University Transfer Center is hosting exciting events, highlighting resources and ways to maximize the transfer experience, and sharing facts and stories about the transfer experience here at UNC Charlotte.
  • Become a Housing Ambassador: Do you love UNC Charlotte and living on campus? Apply to be a housing ambassador for spring 2026! Visit the housing ambassador webpage for more about the position and how to apply. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 2.
  • Atkins Tower Update: The completion timeframe for the Atkins Library tower project has been extended to fall 2026.

the difference is charlotte

ACE Award Recipients with Chancellor Gaber and Jodi Kaplan

The UNC Charlotte 49er Alumni Campus Employees Network bestowed its 2025 ACE Awards to two outstanding alumni employees, Natalie Huie ’14 and Sejal Foxx ’08 Ph.D., and its 49er ACE Scholarship to Ana Krstanovic ’25, a student in the Master of Public Administration program.

event spotlight: students

Niner Nation Week commemorative cups

Niner Nation Week: Homecoming 2025 is in full swing, but the best is yet to come! Don’t miss the Homecoming Carnival at 4:30 p.m., tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 17. Then, on Saturday, Oct. 18, wear Niner Green to the Game Day Spirit Tents along 49er Way and at the Homecoming football game against Temple at 3:30 p.m.

  • Health FEST: Learn about campus and community health resources and services at Health FEST, Thursday, Oct. 23, in the Popp Martin Student Union and the CHHS/CoEd Plaza.
  • Global Learning Symposium: Explore how global education equips students with the skills to thrive in a competitive, interconnected world by registering for the inaugural Office of International Program Symposium from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 19, in the Barnhardt Student Activity Center Salons.

professional development: faculty and staff

  • Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace: Human resources is partnering with ComPsych Guidance Resources to offer a virtual workshop from noon to 1 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 22, to discuss how leaders can create a psychologically safe environment for their employees. Please register in advance.
  • Register for Legal Symposium: Time is running out to register for the 2025 Legal Symposium, presented by the Division of Institutional Integrity, scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 2:50 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 23, in the Barnhardt Student Activity Center Salons.
  • AI in Library Research: Faculty are invited to “AI in Library Research: An Exploration of Database Tools with Librarians,” Thursday, Oct. 30, in Atkins Library, Area 49.
  • Microcredentials Forum: Register to attend “Charlotte Microcredentials Forum: Bridging Talent for Tomorrow’s Workforce” from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday, Nov. 3, in the Cone University Center, Lucas Room.
  • Global Learning Symposium: Explore how global education equips students and professionals with the skills to thrive in a competitive, interconnected world by registering for the inaugural Office of International Program Symposium from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 19, in the Barnhardt Student Activity Center Salons.

to-do list: faculty and staff

  • Attention Managers: Sharpen your feedback skills and learn about off-cycle reviews for SHRA staff. Sign up now for an upcoming session in the learning and development portal.
  • Celebrate Transfer Students: Celebrate National Transfer Student Week, Oct. 20-24, as the University Transfer Center hosts special events, shares stories and facts about the transfer experience and highlights the unique paths that bring students to Charlotte.
  • Get Tickets to SECC Event: Join the State Employees Combined Campaign for Breast Cancer Awareness Night as the Charlotte Hornets face the Orlando Magic, 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 30, at Spectrum Center. Tickets purchased through SECC support breast cancer organizations and include early access to pregame warmups.

to-do list: students