Student Affairs

Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week (Nov. 18-23) will provide learning and volunteer opportunities to the UNC Charlotte community. 

There are several ways to define a first-generation college student. Whether they’re the first in their family to attend college at all or the first to attend a four-year institution to attain a bachelor’s degree, there is no denying that first-generation students encounter unique experiences different from fellow students with family who can help them navigate college life.On Friday, Nov. 8, UNC Charlotte will celebrate its first-gens by joining other colleges and universities across the country in recognizing National First-Generation College Students Day.

Gabby Douglas, three-time world champion and Olympic gold medalist, will discuss her athletic career, Olympic journey and motivations at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 5, in Popp Martin Student Union, Room 340.The Campus Activity Board (CAB) is hosting this free, public event; UNC Charlotte students will receive priority seating with their student IDs.“We are elated to have Gabby Douglas come to UNC Charlotte to speak to the student body about her story, accomplishing her goals and inspiring others,” said Jasmine Dove, CAB’s special events student coordinator.

Monday, Nov. 11, is Veterans Day, and it is the appropriate date for the grand opening ceremony for UNC Charlotte’s new Veterans Park.The park was conceived by Christopher Orr ’18 as a place on campus to recognize UNC Charlotte’s historical connections to veteran students and to honor all past, present and future veterans who will attend or work at the University.

Voting early in this year’s local elections is easy with “Party to the Polls.” From Monday, Oct. 28, through Wednesday, Oct. 30, shuttles to the closest polling location, 8802 J.W. Clay Boulevard, will be offered.This effort is a partnership between the 49er Democracy Experience and the Student Government Association. Shuttles will depart from the Popp Martin Student Union between 2 and 4 p.m.; the last shuttle will return to campus by 5 p.m.

WSOC-TV reporter Joe Bruno is credited with breaking the news regarding election fraud in North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District. He and producer, Mike Stolp, will visit campus to give an insider’s look at the investigation into falsified absentee ballots.“A Conversation with Joe Bruno and Mike Stolp” is scheduled for 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 24, in the Popp Martin Student Union, Room 340. This event is being sponsored by Leadership and Community Engagement in the Division of Student Affairs.

Planning for the second annual TEDxUNCCharlotte, an independently organized live TEDx event, has begun.During TEDxUNCCharlotte 2020, scheduled for March 27, speakers will present ideas that center around the theme “Thinking Future. Thinking Forward.”The online speaker application is available on the TEDxUNCCharlotte website and is open to all students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members. The deadline to apply is Thursday, Oct. 31, by 11:59 p.m.

Tyler Oakley, an American content creator, LGBTQ+ activist and New York Times best-selling author, will speak at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 1, in the Cone University Center, McKnight Hall, as part of the Forty-Niner Forum Speakers Series.

The Dean of Students Office is seeking student speakers and bell ringers for UNC Charlotte’s Fall Commencement ceremonies (Friday and Saturday, Dec. 13-15). Faculty and staff are requested to encourage students graduating in December to apply for one of these prestigious honors.

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).