Faces – Nassim Nozartash

Nassim Nozartash joined New Student & Family Services in July 2019 as its assistant director. In her role, she helps students and families transition to University life during SOAR (Student Orientation, Advising and Registration) and throughout their first year as 49ers.

Originally from Tampa, Florida, Nozartash graduated from the University of South Florida with a bachelor’s degree in health science and a minor in dance. On track to become a physical therapist, she worked at her university’s Orientation Office during all four years as an undergraduate.

Her experience was so positive, it inspired her to pursue a Master of Arts in Student Affairs Administration from Appalachian State University. While working on her graduate degree, Nozartash was a graduate assistant with Appalachian’s Student Activities Center.

“Working within student activities, I realized that orientation is the gateway for involvement,” Nozartash explained. “As assistant director, I continue to work with a vast number of students, community members and families as their first connection to the University.”

This initial connection is vital for new students, said Nozartash.

“The goal of New Student and Family Services is to expand incoming students’ scope of the Charlotte community and what constitutes Niner pride,” she said. “We want to create that initial connection that the UNC Charlotte community is a place for all students.”

Nozartash works with incoming students and families throughout their first year. Her programs focus on transition beyond traditional orientation, and her focus is to build connections through programs such as Family Weekend and New Family Reception.

“Transition is continuous, while finding community is key for student success,” Nozartash said. “We assist in the balance between students finding autonomy and families feeling a sense of belongingness to the University’s community.”

Although every day is different for Nozartash, whether she’s supervising 32 orientation student counselors, conducting fall recruitment or family programming, she enjoys this proactive work style and having the opportunity to foster leadership among students while at UNC Charlotte.

“UNC Charlotte is this gem of a school. It is a thriving school and gives me that feeling of a home away from home,” Nozartash said.