Support Grows for 2019 Legislative Priorities
Chancellor Philip L. Dubois, members of the Board of Trustees and Special Assistant for Constituent Relations Betty Doster have been meeting with dozens of legislators in Raleigh, and hosted Gov. Roy Cooper, Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger and state Sen. Dan Bishop on campus.
At each opportunity, the campus leaders have made the case for the University’s 2019 legislative priorities, including funding for renovations to Cameron and Burson buildings, increasing lab and classroom space for fast-growing fields including STEM, computing and informatics, engineering and other physical sciences.
“We are encouraged that all the political leaders are proposing plans to address the capital needs in the state, including the UNC System,” said Doster. “We are hopeful that action will be taken this year to provide significant funding for big renovation projects like the Cameron and Burson project, and for deferred maintenance.”
Gov. Roy Cooper led an education roundtable during a visit to campus.
Cooper Observes Teacher Training Programs
Gov. Roy Cooper visited UNC Charlotte on March 13 for a briefing on the Charlotte Teacher Early College (CTEC) and how the University is helping to bolster the teacher pipeline for the region and state.
Cooper visited CTEC, where he participated in an education roundtable with students, teachers, a student-teacher, CTEC Principal Will Leach ’00, Chancellor Dubois and Cato College of Education Dean Ellen McIntyre.
Cooper said North Carolina’s success depends on a robust public education system, emphasizing that a quality teacher in every classroom and a quality principal in every school make for great public schools.
Senate Leader Phil Berger and Sen. Dan Bishop hosted an education roundtable on campus.
Senators Berger and Bishop Host Education Roundtable
Senate Leader Phil Berger and Sen. Dan Bishop recently hosted an education roundtable at UNC Charlotte with local members of the education community and industry partners. Participants included teachers and administrators from area schools and colleges, and members of the local business community.
The discussion centered on ensuring that North Carolina students are prepared to enter college or the workforce when they graduate high school.
“A well-trained workforce is vital to the economic future of North Carolina,” Berger said.
Bishop added, “This was a very important discussion for us to have. Education is key to ensuring that employers across North Carolina continue to have a high-quality talent pool to hire from."
Sen. Ted Alexander ’82, Rep. Mary Belk '06, Rep. Kelly Hastings ’09, Sen. Joyce Waddell ’73, Sen. Mujtaba Mohammed ’08, Sen. Vickie Sawyer ’97, Rep. Jason Saine ’95 and Rep. Dean Arp ’99 in Raleigh.
UNC Charlotte Hosts Charlotte Regional Legislators
More than 30 legislators from the Charlotte region attended a recent dinner hosted by Chancellor Dubois and the UNC Charlotte Board of Trustees in Raleigh.
“It was very heartening to see the passion and excitement of our regional legislators for UNC Charlotte and I was encouraged by their support of our priorities,” said Dubois.
Returning and newly-elected 49er alumni legislators in attendance included Sen. Ted Alexander ’82, Rep. Dean Arp ’99, Rep. Mary Belk ’06, Rep. Kelly Hastings ’09, Sen. Mujtaba Mohammed ’08, Rep. Jason Saine ’95, Sen. Vickie Sawyer ’97 and Sen. Joyce Waddell ’73.
During the day, Dubois and Board of Trustees member Brett Keeter ’99 met with Sen. Dan Bishop, Sen. Kathy Harrington, Sen. Todd Johnson, Rep. Becky Carney and Rep. Jason Saine ’95 to discuss the University’s legislative priorities.
Senator Thom Tillis’ Education Aide Visits UNC Charlotte
Andrew Nam, education legislative aide for U.S. Senator Thom Tillis, visited UNC Charlotte to get an in-depth view of the career services offered to students and the critical need for financial aid.
While on campus, he had an opportunity to meet with Patrick Madsen, director of the University Career Center, and Bruce Blackmon, director of financial aid.
At the University Career Center, which translates students’ classroom learning into career skills that lead to employment, Nam learned about the unique services and professional development programs available to students.
Nam was keenly interested in the importance of financial aid to UNC Charlotte students, as 75 percent of undergraduates receive financial aid and 41 percent of those receive Pell Grants, the federal program for the neediest students.
Blackmon urged Nam to ask Tillis to advocate for the modernization of the Higher Education Act, to shorten the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA), simplify the current student loan repayment system, and support and increase Pell Grant funding. These are all areas where Congressional bipartisan efforts could make higher education more accessible.
Nam emphasized that Tillis is a supporter of higher education and a proponent of legislative efforts to develop a strong, diverse workforce in North Carolina.