Class of 2025:
Tassel turning and future focused
By Bryson Foster, Alex Reynolds and Meg Whalen
Photos by Amy Hart, Jenn Conway and Sunnie Stainback
The members of UNC Charlotte’s spring graduating class are embracing the future as they kick-start careers, head to graduate school, broaden their horizons through travel or moving to a new city, and adventurously ask, “What’s next?”
Graduating Niners are betting on themselves by applying lessons learned, knowledge gained and leadership skills acquired during their time at Charlotte to the next chapter of their lives. As they accept their diplomas May 8-10, the value of every moment spent in class, labs, the library and the field will become evident; every challenge overcome will be appreciated; and every memory of Niner Nation will take focus.
Congratulations to the class of 2025!
Here are just a few of their stories:
Maya Barbee
B.A. Sociology, Spanish
“UNC Charlotte was my dream school, and honestly it’s been a dream experience.”
Hannahlisa Breakfield
B.S. Systems Engineering
“Professors in the systems engineering department see that you're working hard and they want you to go far.”
Jada Briscoe
M.S. Athletic Training
"Being a 49er means getting 1% better and working hard to be the best leader you can be — and making sure everybody around you succeeds."
Madison King
B.A. Theatre, B.S. Marketing
“I’ve loved just how supportive everybody is. It makes me want to create more.”
Will Russo
B.S. Computer Science
"Publishing research as an undergraduate is something I did not imagine was possible; it has prepared me for graduate school."
Bryan Lopez Villanueva
B.S. International Business, Finance, Accounting
"UNC Charlotte is a growing university. I plan to be involved as an alumnus to expand access leadership development opportunities."
Kendall Wilson
B.A. Elementary Education
"Teaching is not just something you can ‘go into.’ You have to have a passion for it. Being a 49er means being your best self and authentically you."
Taylor Yonemura
B.A. Biology
"The most important thing is how much I've advanced. UNC Charlotte is a place to grow, and it fosters adult thinking.”
Bryson Foster '23, an intern with the Office of University Communications, will complete a Master of Arts in Communication Studies in May 2025; Alex Reynolds is a communications specialist with University Communications; Meg Whalen is director of communications for the College of Arts + Architecture.