Share your favorite summer recipe, students design EcoDome for a local farm and more

May 26, 2026
Categories: Niner Insider
Art in various formats in a park

Gambrell Faculty Fellowship, local farm sow seeds for a good life

A collection of 45 architecture and urban design students, directed by Kyle Spence, assistant professor of architecture and Gambrell Fellow, built and installed an EcoDome at Deep Roots CPS Farm in west Charlotte. Explore the project from start to finish.

what you need to know: faculty and staff

  • Imaging system upgrade: The University’s imaging system, Perceptive Content, will be down for software and server upgrades starting at 6 p.m., Friday, May 29.
  • Share your favorite summer recipe: In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, we’re celebrating the flavors that bring Niner Nation together. Have a go-to summer dish — a refreshing salad, a crowd-pleasing entrée or a nostalgic dessert — others should know about? Submit your recipe and the story behind it to be included in a UNC Charlotte digital community cookbook coming out in July. The deadline to submit recipes is Monday, June 8.
  • Inaugural ThinkAI Research & Innovation Symposium: The Charlotte AI Institute for Research convened artificial intelligence experts and innovators, including top UNC Charlotte researchers, business and community leaders, for the inaugural ThinkAI Research & Innovation Symposium on Thursday, May 14.
  • Fourth annual AI Summit: More than 400 faculty, staff and students gathered for a day of presentations, workshops and hands-on AI learning. Led by the Center for Teaching and Learning, the event drew participants from all academic colleges and 131 departments, reflecting growing campuswide momentum in AI innovation.
  • Niners qualify for NCAA East First Round: Fourteen athletes across 10 events have qualified to represent Charlotte Track and Field at the 2026 NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Championships East First Round competition, May 27-30, in Lexington, Kentucky.

what you need to know: students

  • Share your favorite summer recipe: In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, we’re celebrating the flavors that bring Niner Nation together. Have a go-to summer dish — a refreshing salad, a crowd-pleasing entrée or a nostalgic dessert — others should know about? Submit your recipe and the story behind it to be included in a UNC Charlotte digital community cookbook coming out in July. The deadline to submit recipes is Monday, June 8.
  • Niners qualify for NCAA East First Round: Fourteen athletes across 10 events have qualified to represent Charlotte Track and Field at the 2026 NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Championships East First Round competition, May 27-30, in Lexington, Kentucky.
  • Keeping students cyber-safe: With the financial support of Google through a cybersecurity-focused research grant, Sarah Tabassum is shedding light on the factors that make international students vulnerable to cyber threats and how to protect them. 
  • Fourth annual AI Summit: More than 400 faculty, staff and students gathered for a day of presentations, workshops and hands-on AI learning. Led by the Center for Teaching and Learning, the event drew participants from all academic colleges and 131 departments, reflecting growing campuswide momentum in AI innovation.

the difference is charlotte

Layne Riggs '24 wears UNC Charlotte

Niner Nation is back in Victory Lane as Layne Riggs ’24 powered the newly designed UNC Charlotte No. 34 truck to a rain-delayed, caution-filled win at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Riggs took the checkered flag under caution after 110 laps, earning his second win of the season and his first at Charlotte.

professional development: faculty and staff

  • Concur users: Attend the Concur User Group virtual forum from 10 to 11:30 a.m., Thursday, May 28. Registration is encouraged on the Learning and Development Portal.
  • 49er Mart users: Attend the 49er Mart virtual forum from 2 to 4 p.m., Thursday, May 28. Registration is encouraged through the Learning and Development Portal and additional information can be found on the 49er Mart message board.

to-do list: faculty and staff

  • Free chips and salsa: Head to QDOBA in Upper Prospector to get free chips and salsa with any entrée through Wednesday, June 24.
  • Register for Juneteenth Block Party: Join the Black Alumni Chapter for the fourth annual Juneteenth Block Party from 4 to 6:30 p.m., Saturday, June 20, at the Hauser Alumni Pavilion. All are welcome to enjoy this free event with music, food trucks, line dancing and more! Register by Friday, June 12.
  • Stay informed: Review ongoing disruptions, delays and detours on campus.

to-do list: students