Team from UNC Charlotte shares AI literacy for STEM education expertise at Malmö University, Sweden, check out the Niner Ghost Bus and make your plan to vote

October 22, 2026
Categories: Niner Insider
AI literacy summit in Sweden

Team from UNC Charlotte shares AI literacy for STEM education expertise at Malmö University, Sweden

Charlotte members of the Network for AI Literacy in STEM education collaborate with international experts to develop research-backed approaches for teaching about AI in STEM in PK-12 settings.

Doctoral students earn national recognition for transportation research

Doctoral students Elnaz Banani Ardecani and Ninh Nguyen were selected as recipients for the Transportation Research Board’s 2026 Airport Cooperative Research Program Graduate Research Award.

what you need to know: faculty and staff

  • Distinguished Speaker Series: Join the College of Computing and Informatics for the Distinguished Speaker Series featuring biometrics expert Anil K. Jain from 1 to 2 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 27, in the Popp Martin Student Union, Room 340GHI. Jain will explore the challenges and advancements of large-scale biometric identification through his work with India’s national biometric identification system.
  • Recipes needed: Submit your favorite recipe and the story behind it by Monday, Oct. 26, for a chance to attend the second annual holiday dinner with Chancellor Gaber and Chartwells on Monday, Nov. 9.
  • Open Enrollment: Benefits-eligible employees have two weeks left to make benefits elections during open enrollment, which ends Friday, Nov. 6. Make sure to make elections in both platforms required for enrollment and save a copy of your elections.
  • Support Charlotte engineering teams: Six engineering clubs and teams have “pick-started” crowdfunding campaigns to rally support as they head to national tournament championships. Help these Niners reach their fundraising goals by Friday, Nov. 6.
  • Crucial conversation: Join the Maternal and Child Health Workgroup and Melissa Manus, faculty member in the Department of Anthropology, for its next conversation, “The Human Milk Microbiome at the Intersection of Early Life Environments and Global Health Outcomes,” from 11 a.m. to noon, Friday, Oct. 23, via Zoom.
  • UNC System survey: Share your feedback for the UNC system strategic plan, which will be updated ahead of its 2027 expiration. Complete an anonymous, 10-minute survey to help identify priorities for the updated plan, through Monday, Nov. 30. For technical assistance, contact strategy@northcarolina.edu. 
  • Every vote counts: Student leaders and Charlotte student-athletes share in this video why civic engagement matters and encourage Niners to make their voices heard in this year’s election.
  • Niner Grind Pass: Unlock unlimited coffee all semester with the Niner Grind Pass, a sustainable and budget-friendly way to get your daily coffee fix on campus.
  • Sewage leak: UNC Charlotte experienced a discharge of untreated wastewater on Oct. 16, measuring an estimated 2,000 gallons from its collection system components located near Atkins Library on Library Lane. The untreated wastewater was discharged into Toby Creek. The University took immediate action to stop the discharge and prevent further discharge.  This notification is required by law. 

what you need to know: students

  • Housing ambassador: Do you love UNC Charlotte and living on campus? Apply to be a spring 2027 housing ambassador by 11:59 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 25.
  • Recipes needed: Submit your favorite recipe and the story behind it by Monday, Oct. 26, for a chance to attend the second annual holiday dinner with Chancellor Gaber and Chartwells on Monday, Nov. 9.
  • Distinguished Speaker Series: Join the College of Computing and Informatics for the Distinguished Speaker Series featuring biometrics expert Anil K. Jain from 1 to 2 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 27, in the Popp Martin Student Union, Room 340GHI. Jain will explore the challenges and advancements of large-scale biometric identification through his work with India’s national biometric identification system.
  • Graduate workshop: Learn about the Accelerated to Industry program led by the Center for Graduate Life and Learning and the upcoming session, “ Job Hunting with Intention: Finding a Culture That Fits,” from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 5.
  • Support Charlotte engineering teams: Six engineering clubs and teams have “pick-started” crowdfunding campaigns to rally support as they head to national tournament championships. Help these Niners reach their fundraising goals by Friday, Nov. 6.
  • Niner Grind Pass: Unlock unlimited coffee all semester with the Niner Grind Pass, a sustainable and budget-friendly way to get your daily coffee fix on campus.
  • Sewage leak: UNC Charlotte experienced a discharge of untreated wastewater on Oct. 16, measuring an estimated 2,000 gallons from its collection system components located near Atkins Library on Library Lane. The untreated wastewater was discharged into Toby Creek. The University took immediate action to stop the discharge and prevent further discharge. This notification is required by law.

the difference is charlotte

Doctoral students Elnaz Banani Ardecani and Ninh Nguyen were selected as recipients for the Transportation Research Board’s 2026 Airport Cooperative Research Program Graduate Research Award.

Student leaders and Charlotte student-athletes share in this video why civic engagement matters and encourage Niners to make their voices heard in this year’s election.

professional development: faculty and staff

  • AI@Work session: Join Brandon Rosenlieb, director of OneIT for CHHS, at the next AI@Work session from 10 to 10:45 a.m., Friday, Oct. 23, and learn to unlock the mystery of AI while keeping your data under lock and key.
  • Reminder: The next HR Power Hour will take place from noon to 1 p.m., Monday, Oct. 26. The webinar will inform Charlotte employees about new hiring processes, review best practices and allow participants to ask any questions.
  • CORE Series workshop: Learn strategies for sharing academic work beyond campus in the next CORE Series presentation hosted by Asha Ellison, director of research translation and engagement at the Charlotte Urban Institute, from 2 to 3 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 29, in Sycamore 306. 
  • Digital accessibility clinics: Additional digital accessibility clinics have been added in November to get hands-on support with accessibility challenges in your teaching material. Explore upcoming workshops and register.

to-do list: faculty and staff

  • Share in creative expression: Join the English Learning Community, Writing Resources Center and Atkins Library for an afternoon of treats and creativity. Share your favorite poem or short prose, create something new or sit back and enjoy the readings from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., today, Thursday, Oct. 22.
  • Participate in the Reuse Rodeo book swap: Clear out your bookshelf and refresh your stash with new-to-you reads from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 27, and Wednesday, Oct. 28, in Belk Plaza.
  • Stay informed: Review ongoing disruptions, delays and detours on campus.

To-do list: students

  • Find your inner peace: Attend “Mindfulness Through Nature Mandalas” with Jennifer Bueno-Hutchens, lead horticulturist, from 1 to 2 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 5, at the Botanical Gardens. Use leaves, branches and petals to create designs while practicing mindfulness, focusing on the present moment and embracing the art of letting go.
  • Stay informed: Review ongoing disruptions, delays and detours on campus.

upcoming events: students

The Niner Ghost Bus will be rounding campus from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 27, for candy, treats and spooky selfies. Take a selfie on the bus and tag and follow @CLTAuxServices on Instagram for a chance to win a Charlotte-branded picnic set. Look for the bus labeled “BOO” along the Green Route.

  • Reuse Rodeo book swap: Clear out your bookshelf and refresh your stash with new-to-you reads from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 27, and Wednesday, Oct. 28, in Belk Plaza. Drop off books in advance during the Office of Sustainability tabling in exchange for tickets to redeem on event days.
  • Creative expression: Join the English Learning Community, Writing Resources Center and Atkins Library for an afternoon of treats and creativity. Share your favorite poem or short prose, create something new or sit back and enjoy the readings from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., today, Thursday, Oct. 22.
  • Digital detox: Join Counseling and Psychological Services and Atkins Library for Disconnect to Reconnect, a digital detox to unplug from devices and engage in activities designed to relax your mind, soothe your spirit and connect with others from 3 to 5 p.m., today, Thursday, Oct. 22.