Faces

Thomas Lawrence Mellichamp ’70, former director of the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens, died Sept. 12.

A professor emeritus in the Biology Department, Mellichamp retired in 2014 after nearly four decades directing the development of the University’s Botanical Gardens. He completed a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from the University and went on to earn a doctorate in botany from the University of Michigan before returning to join the Charlotte faculty in 1976.

Thomas Lawrence Mellichamp ’70, former director of the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens, died Sept. 12.

A professor emeritus in the Biology Department, Mellichamp retired in 2014 after nearly four decades directing the development of the University’s Botanical Gardens. He completed a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from the University and went on to earn a doctorate in botany from the University of Michigan before returning to join the Charlotte faculty in 1976.

Paula Keeton, Ph.D., recently joined UNC Charlotte as director of the Center for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), and she believes in the power of community.With 25 years of experience providing mental health services in college and university settings, Keeton now oversees the development, implementation and administration of clinical, outreach and training services for CAPS.During her career, Keeton has witnessed the shift in mental health offerings on campuses across the country.

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.  

Alicia Bartosch ’05, ’06 MACC may be new as the assistant controller of compliance, but she’s no stranger to UNC Charlotte; the University has been woven in and out of Bartosch’s life story and family tree. Before ever stepping foot on campus, her Niner roots were already established. Her mother graduated from UNC Charlotte’s nursing program in 1975. Early on, Bartosch knew where she wanted her academic journey to start. UNC Charlotte was her first choice. 

Alyson Ebaugh is a self-described lifelong learner. Throughout her previous roles as assistant director of human resources at Appalachian State University and global training director for Samaritan’s Purse, Ebaugh established goals that stayed the same: help adult professionals become lifelong learners, too, and to ensure they learn well. 

UNC Charlotte encompasses more than 1,000 acres and 100-plus buildings, and that’s just the main campus. It takes a lot to keep it functioning well, not to mention beautiful, for the University’s students, employees and visitors. For eight years, Nathaniel “Lee” Snodgrass has made sure it all works together. 

Tyris Gillis, assistant director for Identity, Equity and Engagement, oversees the Student Advising for Freshmen Excellence (SAFE) program.A peer mentoring program, SAFE was created to support the transition of first-year students to college through personal development programming to foster academic achievement, positive self-efficacy and increase personal growth. It is open to all first-year students, although it has a unique focus on underrepresented student populations (students of color, first-generation students and low socioeconomic status).

It’s important to Ashley Pauling that her work changes lives. In her job as learning community coordinator for the University Advising Center, she helps students—many of them first-generation college students—navigate college life and explore career choices.

It seems Darin Spease ’89, deputy athletics director for the Charlotte 49ers, was destined for a sports-focused life and career. Growing up, he played many different sports and knew he wanted to continue to be a player, in college and beyond, even if he wasn’t physically in the game. Now with 25-plus years in the field, no pun intended, he has made a career out of a passion.

Spease, who grew up in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, became a 49er to pursue an undergraduate education through the Belk College of Business.