Faculty and Staff News

Akin Ogundiran, Chancellor’s Professor and professor of Africana studies, anthropology and history, is preoccupied with studying the past, specifically the African past.Disciplinary norms and methods don’t define his research. Ogundiran asks questions and looks for answers in any source available, including working with archaeological materials, collecting and analyzing oral traditions, doing ethnographic research and using documentary sources. Learn more about Ogundiran in this Q&A.

Employees can vie for prizes at the Staff Council’s 2023 Chili, Soup and Cornbread Cook-off, scheduled for 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday, March 13, in the Cone University Center, Lucas Room. Register by 5 p.m., Wednesday, March 8.

Prizes will be awarded for the best:

Nominations are being accepted for a number of faculty governance positions. Faculty members can nominate themselves or other qualified faculty members for:

UNC Charlotte awards and recognizes exemplary employees for their hard work and dedication to the campus community and beyond. The Human Resources Department is now accepting nominations for the 2023 Staff Employee of the Year awards. Any permanent employee of UNC Charlotte can submit a nomination, and employees are encouraged to recommend colleagues for this honor. 

Associate Athletic Director Kelly Weatherman ’88 is now chief operating officer of the UNC Charlotte Athletic Foundation. She has more than 20 years of experience with the 49ers.
For the past three years, Weatherman has served as associate athletic director for development and administration. Under her leadership, the Athletic Foundation membership increased by nearly 50% from 2020 while the annual fund has grown from $1.6 million to more than $2.25 million.

Meet Katie Turner, marketing director for business services, and Josh Miller, teaching assistant professor of political science, a husband and wife whose love story started in Florida and blossomed at UNC Charlotte. Read their story, what they love about working together and UNC Charlotte and their favorite spots on campus.

How did you two meet? 

My husband and I met as undergraduates in Florida and relocated to North Carolina for Josh’s graduate program. He received his Ph.D. from UNC Chapel Hill, where I worked for a little over seven years. 

We asked you to share your best love stories and your favorite things about UNC Charlotte and you did not disappoint. Read some heartwarming submissions from couples who work at UNC Charlotte.

Melanie White, executive assistant to the vice chancellor for institutional integrity and general counsel, and Matthew White, customer service representative in the Office of Parking and Transportation Services: 

Meet Deborah Beete, MPH, M.Div., who is a certified health education specialist and lecturer in the Department of Public Health Sciences. She also is program director for the Master of Public Health program and a representative of the Honors College Faculty Council. Learn her advice for new students and why she’s passionate about her field.

Describe your role as a faculty member.

Volleyball’s Karen Weatherington is a passionate coach with a deep respect for the game, her players and coaches. The head coach of the Charlotte 49ers volleyball team for eight seasons, she was named Conference USA Coach of the Year in 2021. Learn more about Weatherington in this Q&A.What is the most rewarding part of your job? 

UNC Charlotte Camps on Campus offers academic enrichment camps for children and young people in rising grades one through 12.

University staff and faculty can participate in priority registration by calling 704-687-8900. A valid UNC Charlotte ID is required.

Week-long programs, which start June 12 and run through Aug. 11, include: