A foundation for entrepreneurship success, Niner Career Challenge awards spring tuition and more

February 26, 2026

Categories: Niner Insider

Editor’s Note: Did you see this insane half-court shot for free tuition at last night’s men’s basketball game?!

A foundation for entrepreneurship success

Miguel Avila ’18 developed his business, Daily View Pools LLC, while participating in 49er Foundry, UNC Charlotte’s student incubator, as an undergraduate. Now, the company employs more than 15 people in Charlotte — and has three locations, including one at the PORTAL Building at UNC Charlotte, the University’s workspace and talent innovation center for regional and global businesses.

Niner Career Challenge winner holds tuition check

Niner Career Challenge winners receive spring tuition

Six UNC Charlotte students earned spring 2026 tuition as winners of the Career Center’s annual Niner Career Challenge . Congratulations to Kevin Andoh, epidemiology graduate student; Saispandhana Billupati, computing and informatics, computer science graduate student; Hari Keerthi Uppalapati, health informatics and analytics graduate student; Julian Leake, senior psychology major; Emerson Schoneld, junior construction management major; and Tiffang Zheng, junior marketing major.

Don’t miss out: The next Niner Career Challenge will take place from September through November 2026. All full-time students enrolled in at least six credit hours or a co-op, master’s or doctoral program are eligible to participate.

what you need to know: faculty and staff

Introducing AD White: Kevin White, the next director of athletics at UNC Charlotte, will be officially introduced at a public press conference today, Thursday, Feb. 26, at 4 p.m. in the third-floor salons at Halton Arena. It will also be streamed.
Deadline Approaching: The deadline to nominate a student for the 2026 Student Employee of the Year Award is tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 27.
Niner Career Challenge winners: Six UNC Charlotte students earned spring 2026 tuition as winners of the Career Center’s annual Niner Career Challenge.
New Benefit: Eligible State Health Plan members can join Eat Smart, Move More, Prevent Diabetes — a CDC‑recognized, 12‑month virtual program designed to help prevent or delay Type 2 diabetes. Classes begin in March; register using voucher code SHP2026.
Honors College Failure Showcase: Guest speakers will share personal stories of failure and resilience at the sixth annual Honors College Failure Showcase from 4 to 5:30 p.m., Monday, March 2, in the Union Theater. All are welcome; register in advance.
Reminder: Extended OneIT maintenance work will take place during spring break, March 6-15.
Submit a nomination: Recognize UNC Charlotte community members making a global impact. Nominate faculty, staff, students or alumni for the International Women’s Day awards by Friday, March 6, and celebrate the winners from 3:30 to 5 p.m., Tuesday. March 24, in the Lucas Room.
Stock the Closet: It’s time to clean out those closets for a great cause! Faculty and staff are encouraged to bring gently used business casual and professional attire to the Career Center’s Stock the Closet event Wednesday, March 18.

what you need to know: students

Prepare for registration: As a reminder, Course Program of Study limits financial aid to courses required for your degree. Confirm your major and check DegreeWorks to ensure your schedule is aid-eligible or connect with your academic advisor.
Submit a nomination: Recognize UNC Charlotte community members making a global impact. Nominate faculty, staff, students or alumni for the International Women’s Day awards by Friday, March 6, and celebrate the winners from 3:30 to 5 p.m., Tuesday. March 24, in the Lucas Room.
Housing ambassador applications: Do you love living at UNC Charlotte? Share your passion with incoming students as a housing ambassador for summer 2026 and/or the 2026-27 academic year! Visit the housing ambassador webpage to apply. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m., Sunday, March 6.
AI Accelerator in Teaching and Learning: UNC Charlotte continues its statewide, regional and national leadership in integrating the use of artificial intelligence into curricular and classroom practices with the launch of the AI Accelerator in Teaching and Learning.

the difference is charlotte

UNC Charlotte continues its statewide, regional and national leadership in integrating the use of artificial intelligence into curricular and classroom practices with the launch of the AI Accelerator in Teaching and Learning.

upcoming events: students

Failure is just the beginning. Guest speakers will share personal stories of failure and resilience at the sixth annual Honors College Failure Showcase from 4 to 5:30 p.m., Monday, March 2, in the Union Theater. All are welcome; register in advance.

Blood drive next week: The annual 49ers4LIFE Blood Drive is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday, March 3, in Popp Martin Student Union, Room 340. Register to donate on the Red Cross website. Search for sponsor code “49ers4life” to find the drive and schedule your appointment.

professional development: faculty and staff

March Workshops: Register for three Unleash Your Niner Potential workshops, presented by the HR learning and development team, centered on mentoring, being a good team player and public speaking.
Great Decisions Lecture: Register for “Tariffs and the Future of the World Economy” scheduled for 6:30 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, March 4, presented by Dale Smith, chair and professor of global studies at UNC Charlotte. The lecture is part of the 2026 Great Decision lecture series.
STEM fellowship opportunity: North Carolina Sea Grant is accepting applications for the 2026 NC STEM Policy Post-Graduate Fellowship program until Monday, March 9. This fellowship provides post-graduate opportunities to serve full-time for a year in high-level state offices, focusing on STEM-related policy topics.
Register for annual AI Summit: The fourth annual AI Summit for Smarter Learning is set for Wednesday, May 13, at the Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte Center City. This full-day event is free to Charlotte faculty and staff.

to-do list: faculty and staff

Try today’s trivia: Think you know the Queen City? Test your knowledge of Charlotte landmarks in today’s Niner Insider trivia.
Check it out: The Cato College of Education shared literacy activities through functional texts, games and books during a special screening of Phoebe and Jay, a new PBS Charlotte children’s show consulted by Charlotte’s Kelly Cartwright.
See who impressed at TEDx: Attendees of this year’s TEDxUNCCharlotte shared the presentations that blew their minds!

to-do list: students

Try today’s trivia: Think you know the Queen City? Test your knowledge of Charlotte landmarks in today’s Niner Insider trivia.
Join the press conference: Kevin White the next director of athletics at UNC Charlotte will be officially introduced at a public press conference today, Thursday, Feb. 26, at 4 p.m. in the third-floor salons at Halton Arena. It will also be streamed.
See who impressed at TEDx: Attendees of this year’s TEDxUNCCharlotte shared the presentations that blew their minds!