Academic profile of incoming UNC Charlotte students reaches new highs and Layne Riggs ’24 racing in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series this weekend

October 8, 2026

Categories: Niner Insider

Two students smile and engage in a lecture hall, with one looking toward the speaker and the other smiling broadly.

Academic profile of incoming UNC Charlotte students reaches new highs

UNC Charlotte is enrolling larger and more academically accomplished incoming classes than ever before. Since 2022, the University has grown its first-year class from 4,157 students to a record 5,165 in 2026, an increase of approximately 25%, while continuing to raise key academic measures.

Niner Nation, start your engines

After welcoming NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series regular-season champion and Charlotte alum Layne Riggs ’24 back to campus for Homecoming, it’s our turn to follow him to the track. Riggs will be racing at Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend as he continues his run for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship. UNC Charlotte students, alumni, faculty, staff and fans can get 25% off Friday or Sunday race tickets with promo code FortyNiners2026.

what you need to know: faculty and staff

Last chance: Applications close tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 9, for the Charlotte Urban Institute’s 2026-27 Gambrell Faculty Fellowship program. The Institute will provide grants up to $25,000 each for six projects related to quality of life in the Charlotte region.
Prepare for open enrollment: Open enrollment starts Monday, Oct. 12, for benefits-eligible employees. Review the open enrollment website to prepare and make your elections before Friday, Oct. 30.
Get ready to vote: The deadline to register to vote is Friday, Oct. 9. Visit the 49er Democracy Experience for resources on early voting and same-day registration, and learn about upcoming election-related events on campus.
Move your web data: OneIT is retiring hosting.charlotte.edu at the end of the 2026-27 academic year, so plan to move your web data or deactivate your account by May. Beginning Monday, Oct. 12, new user accounts will no longer be created.
Zoom upgrade: Starting Monday, Oct. 12, Zoom will feature an updated interface designed to make it easier to find settings, join meetings and manage your account.
Staff Council meeting: The next Staff Council meeting will take place from 9 to 10 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 14, in Atkins Library, Halton Reading Room or over Zoom. Chancellor Gaber will be the featured speaker; submit questions for Chancellor Gaber.
Legislative bonus: Eligible employees will receive the one-time legislative bonus reflected in their Thursday, Oct. 15, payroll. Review this FAQ for information.
Simulated crisis: JL Price MBA students tested their leadership skills in a simulated crisis at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, navigating decisions around operations, communications and passenger needs.
Inaugural State of Our Region report: New research released by UNC Charlotte’s Charlotte Urban Institute shows that residents across the Charlotte region reported life satisfaction higher than the national average, while identifying housing affordability, financial security and uncertainty about the region’s future as key concerns.
Holiday shipping rates: USPS has announced a temporary increase in holiday shipping rates through Jan. 17, 2027.

what you need to know: students

Get ready to vote: The deadline to register to vote is Friday, Oct. 9. Visit the 49er Democracy Experience for resources on early voting and same-day registration, and learn about upcoming election-related events on campus.
Zoom upgrade: Starting Monday, Oct. 12, Zoom will feature an updated interface designed to make it easier to find settings, join meetings and manage your account.
Gambrell Student Research Fellowship: Attend the Gambrell Student Research Fellowship virtual information session from 2 to 3 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 13. Applications for the 18-month fellowship, hosted by the Charlotte Urban Institute, open Thursday, Oct. 15.
Move your web data: OneIT is retiring hosting.charlotte.edu at the end of the 2026-27 academic year, so plan to move your web data or deactivate your account by May. Beginning Monday, Oct. 12, new user accounts will no longer be created.
Inaugural State of the Region report: New research released by UNC Charlotte’s Charlotte Urban Institute shows that residents across the Charlotte region reported life satisfaction higher than the national average, while identifying housing affordability, financial security and uncertainty about the region’s future as key concerns.
Holiday shipping rates: USPS has announced a temporary increase in holiday shipping rates through Jan. 17, 2027.

the difference is charlotte

UNC Charlotte senior Emily Schmidt is combining her passions for music and science as she prepares for dental school. A biology major and music minor, Schmidt says years of playing violin have strengthened skills such as manual dexterity, communication and emotional awareness.

professional development: faculty and staff

Discover Gemini Notebook: Join Justin Cary, program director of human-centered AI, at 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 14, to learn how to use Gemini Notebook to organize course materials, interact with documents, create customized notes and generate short audio podcasts.
Ethics training: Join the Violence Prevention Center and Director Apryl Alexander for “Person-Centered and Inclusive Clinical Documentation,” from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 15, on Zoom. Learn about common documentation pitfalls and practical strategies for using person-centered, humanistic language.
NSF I-Corps training: Join the virtual NSF I-Corps Fall 2026 Regional Course Program to gain hands-on experience in customer discovery, identifying market needs and research commercialization. Teams must include one faculty member and one graduate student. Apply by Thursday, Oct. 15.
Worksite wellness webinar: Register for “Science of Cravings,” a worksite wellness lunch-and-learn webinar at 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 20. The webinar will explore the biological and psychological factors that drive cravings, how they influence our choices and what research tells us about managing them in a healthier way.

to-do list: faculty and staff

Regalia rental: Rent regalia for the December commencement ceremony by Friday, Oct. 23. Custom regalia (non-rentals) must be ordered on or before Sunday, Oct. 11.
Holiday card artwork: Submit original artwork for the 2026 Chancellor’s holiday card. The selected design will be featured on the University’s official holiday card. Submit your artwork by 11:59 p.m., Friday, Oct. 23.
Food discount: Enjoy a 10% discount on Wendy’s combo meals ordered between 9 and 11 p.m. for the month of October. Valid only at the Popp Martin Student Union location.
Stay informed: Review ongoing disruptions, delays and detours on campus.

to-do list: students

Holiday card artwork: Submit original artwork for the 2026 Chancellor’s holiday card. The selected design will be featured on the University’s official holiday card. Submit your artwork by 11:59 p.m., Friday, Oct. 23.
Food discount: Enjoy a 10% discount on Wendy’s combo meals ordered between 9 and 11 p.m. for the month of October. Valid only at the Popp Martin Student Union location.
Stay informed: Review ongoing disruptions, delays and detours on campus.

upcoming: faculty and staff

Transportation Fair: Explore transportation services, alternative options and transportation research across campus and the Charlotte region at the Transportation Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 14, in the Cauble Quad.
AI policy and scholarly publishing: Join faculty who serve as journal editors from 11 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, Oct. 28, in the Atkins Library Visualization Lab to explore how evolving AI policies may affect journal submissions and research collaborations.
Annual Legal Symposium: Join the Division of Institutional Integrity for its annual Legal Symposium from 8:30 a.m. to 2:50 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 29, in the Barnhardt Student Activity Center Salons, and learn about timely legal topics relevant to the University community.
Faculty mobility program: In addition to the successful exchange between students from Baden-Württemberg and North Carolina, a faculty mobility program exists to focus on the collaboration between researchers in the future. Grants are available for travel expenses for short research stays that are intended to help establish new collaborations and strengthen existing partnerships. Apply by Saturday, Oct. 31.

upcoming events: students

A person smiles while sitting on a bicycle mounted on a stand outdoors, gesturing upward with one hand.

Explore transportation services, alternative options and transportation research across campus and the Charlotte region at the Transportation Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 14, in the Cauble Quad.

Wizard Day: Celebrate all things magical at the 3rd Annual Wizard Day from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 15, at the Hight Architecture Library, Storrs 200. Drop in for snacks, crafts, wizard hat and wand making, and more.
Ethics training: Join the Violence Prevention Center and Director Apryl Alexander for “Person-Centered and Inclusive Clinical Documentation” from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 15, on Zoom. Learn about common documentation mistakes and practical ways for using person-centered, humanistic language.
Student Sustainability Summit: Attend the Student Sustainability Summit to connect with campus and community sustainability leaders, and get insider advice from the Career Center from 1 to 4:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 17, in Cone University Center, Room 210.