Niners selected for inaugural Housing Innovation Challenge, 49er Gear Shop drops summer edition and more

June 8, 2026
Categories: Niner Insider
UNC Charlotte team for Housing Innovation Challenge

Editor’s Note: Today is National Best Friends Day! Snap a picture of you and your bestie on campus and send it to Niner Insider.  

Charlotte team chosen to participate in national design-build challenge to address affordable housing shortage 

A team from the David R. Ravin School of Architecture has been chosen to participate in the inaugural Housing Innovation Challenge, a national design-build competition taking place in Uptown, that brings students together with builders to help address the affordable housing shortage. Check out the renderings from their proposals.

what you need to know: faculty and staff

  • Share your favorite summer recipe today: In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, we’re celebrating the flavors that bring Niner Nation together. 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 today, Monday, June 8.
  • Spending cutoff deadlines: As the fiscal year winds down, please review the fiscal year 2026 spending cutoff deadlines and other year-end reminders.
  • Request a Student AI Fellow: Do you have an AI project in mind for your department and need a Student AI Fellow to help? Complete this request form by Friday, July 31, to be considered for a fall project.
  • ACE Awards: Nominations are now open for the 2026 49er ACE Awards! If you know a deserving alumni campus employee, submit a nomination by Friday, July 31.
  • Gemini notice: Google Gemini looks a bit different without the data shield icon, but your University account data remains safe and protected.

what you need to know: students

  • Share your favorite summer recipe today: In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, we’re celebrating the flavors that bring Niner Nation together. 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 today, Monday, June 8.
  • Gemini notice: Google Gemini looks a bit different without the data shield icon, but your University account data remains safe and protected.
  • Free ice cream: Join the International Student and Scholar Office for free ice cream treats and games from 3 to 5 p.m., Friday, June 12, at the College of Health and Human Services, ground floor.
  • Graduate Education Day: Two doctoral students, Caroline West, bioinformatics, and Kayla Lenz, mechanical engineering, proudly represented UNC Charlotte at the 2026 Graduate Education Day in Raleigh, showcasing their research and its impact to state legislators, including alumni Senator Mujtaba A. Mohammed ’08 and Representative Terry M. Brown Jr. ’09.

the difference is charlotte

Group shot from Graduate Education Day in Raleigh

Two doctoral students, Caroline West, bioinformatics, and Kayla Lenz, mechanical engineering, proudly represented UNC Charlotte at the 2026 Graduate Education Day in Raleigh, showcasing their research and its impact to state legislators, including alumni Senator Mujtaba A. Mohammed ’08 and Representative Terry M. Brown Jr. ’09.

Cover of the GearShop Guide Summer Edition 2026

The 49er Gear Shop has released its summer edition of the Gearshop Guide, which includes a brand spotlight on a local South End shop and Father’s Day finds from Barnes & Noble Charlotte. All images are “click to shop” while supplies last! For updates on Charlotte merch follow @49ersgearshop on Instagram.

professional development: faculty and staff

  • AppsAnywhere coming soon: The way you download software is getting an upgrade. OneIT will switch the back-end software provider from Kivuto to a new system called AppsAnywhere effective Monday, June 15.
  • Retirement planning: Register to meet with a TIAA financial consultant on campus between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Tuesday, June 23, or Tuesday, July 28, in the Cone University Center, Room 109, to learn more about your specific investments and retirement needs.
  • 49er Mart users: Attend the 49er Mart virtual forum from 2 to 4 p.m., Thursday, June 25. 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

to-do list: students