A New Year Message from Chancellor Gaber, Gold Rush is Here, Update on AD Search and more

January 12, 2026
Categories: Niner Insider
campus file photo

happy 2026

Welcome to a new semester and a new year. Winter break offered a welcome pause across campus, but it’s always great to welcome our students, faculty and staff back “home.”

UNC Charlotte enters 2026 with remarkable momentum. We anticipate setting another spring enrollment record, continuing the expansion of our research enterprise and advancing toward the $500 million goal of our For the Love of Charlotte fundraising campaign – each reflecting growing confidence in the power of our mission and our people.

REad the full message from chancellor Sharon L. Gaber

Spring 2026 Gold Rush is Here

Gold Rush, Charlotte’s campuswide welcome back event starts today, Monday, Jan. 12, and runs through Friday, Jan. 16. This year, attending five or more Gold Rush events will score you big prizes. Here’s a taste of what’s happening this week.

📸 Strike a Pose: Take first day of class photos from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., today, Monday, Jan. 12, at Cauble Quad.

⛏️ Get SWAG: Connect with campus organizations at the Gold Rush Resource Fair from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 14, at the Popp Martin Student Union, Room 340.

👥 Find Your People: Connect with more than 150 student organizations at the Winter Student Org Showcase from 5:30 to 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 15, at the Barnhardt Student Activity Center.

🪩 Party in PJs: A comfy vibe with PJ attire is encouraged for CAB @ Nite from 6 to 9 p.m., Friday, Jan. 16, in the Popp Martin Student Union, Room 340.

get ready for the spring semester: students

Charlotte students walk past a "Welcome Back" sign on the first day of class
  • A Message From Chancellor Gaber: Welcome to a new semester and a new year. Winter break offered a welcome pause across campus, but it’s always great to welcome our students, faculty and staff back “home.” Read the full message here.
  • Prepare for the Spring Semester: Review these important reminders and updates on parking, dining, Niner Course Pack and more.

what you need to know: faculty and staff

what you need to know: students

  • Notice: Motorized mobility devices such as scooters, hoverboards and bicycles are prohibited in campus buildings. This excludes ADA devices. Help keep your fellow 49ers safe by parking devices outside. Locks are now available at Barnes & Noble Charlotte. Refer to the transportation policy for more information.
  • Student Program Change Deadline Reminder: The deadline to submit student program change requests (i.e., degree, major, catalog year) for the spring 2026 semester is Friday, Jan. 16.
  • AD Search Committee Named: Chancellor Sharon Gaber has named the members of the search committee for the new director of athletics. The search will begin later this month, and feedback is sought from the community. 
  • Crowdfund with PickStarter: Is your student organization looking to raise money for travel, competitions or supplies? PickStarter can help! Apply here, and sign up for the virtual information session at 4 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 20.

the difference is charlotte

Staff Employee of the Year Nominations Open graphic

Human resources is accepting nominations for the 2026 Staff Employee of the Year Awards through 5 p.m., Friday, Feb. 6. Any permanent Charlotte employee can submit a nomination, and employees are encouraged to recommend colleagues for this honor in the categories of Devotion to Duty, Innovation, Human Relations, Community and Public Service, and Safety and Heroism.

Aerial of Woodward Building and campus

Two UNC Charlotte researchers are recipients of new grants from NCInnovation for the promise of their pioneering work to be commercially viable, and possessing potential to propel economic growth in North Carolina.

upcoming events: students

Niner Networking Mixer

Calling student-athletes! Don’t miss the Niner Networking Mixer from 6 to 7:15 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 27, in the Barnhardt Student Activity Center Salons.

  • MLK Holiday Parade: Join the UNC Charlotte Black Alumni Chapter and celebrate Dr. King’s legacy of unity while showing your Niner pride at the 2026 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Parade, at 8:30 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 17, in uptown Charlotte. Register today!
  • Niner Aux Guide Bingo Bash: Join Bingo Bash from 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 13, in the Popp Martin Student Union, Room 340. Make friends, win prizes and learn about becoming a student ambassador for Business Services. RSVP on Niner Engage.

professional development: faculty and staff

  • Applications Open: Join the spring 2026 cohort of the LEADing What’s Next Certificate program, a leadership development curriculum designed for Charlotte supervisors and managers. The curriculum focuses on enhancing critical leadership soft skills and equipping participants with the tools and knowledge to be successful and impactful leaders.
  • Annual Training: The Environmental Health and Safety Office annual compliance training has been assigned to all faculty, staff and student workers. Employees have 45 days to complete the required training, which can be accessed through the learning and development portal.
  • Concur Training: The next Concur for Purchasing Card (non travel) virtual training is at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 13. Register on the learning and development portal, and learn about upcoming Concur updates.
  • HR Power Hour: Human resources will host an HR Power Hour at noon, Wednesday, Jan. 21, to guide participants through NinerWorks.
  • 49er Mart Users: Attend a virtual forum from 2 to 4 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 22. Registration is encouraged on the learning and development portal, and more information is on the 49er Mart message board. 
  • Microcredentials at Charlotte: Interested in learning more about microcredentials? Don’t miss “Charlotte Microcredentials Open Mic for Faculty and Staff,” at 11 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 29. 

to-do list: faculty and staff

  • Staff Appreciation Breakfast Pictures: Check out these photos from the Chancellor’s Staff Appreciation Breakfast last week at SoVi!
  • PaTS Survey: Shape the future of parking and transportation at Charlotte by completing a 10- to 15-minute survey by Friday, Jan. 23, to be entered into a random drawing for one of five $100 Barnes & Noble Charlotte gift cards.
  • MLK Holiday Parade: Join the UNC Charlotte Black Alumni Chapter and celebrate Dr. King’s legacy of unity while showing your Niner pride at the 2026 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Parade at 8:30 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 17, in uptown Charlotte. Register today.
  • Stay Informed: Review ongoing disruptions, delays and detours on campus.

to-do list: students