Student Life

When Gabie Stanfield visited UNC Charlotte for the first time, she knew she had found her home. A first-generation college student from Burlington, North Carolina, she sought a bigger city to cultivate her creativity that also had smaller supportive spaces where she could thrive. 

Serena Bemmo Kamdem, who was born in Cameroon, moved to the U.S. Virgin Islands at the age of 7.

Relocating was tough, and her new school suggested ESL classes to avoid being held back a grade. But her dad, a middle school math teacher, created workbooks to help Kamdem and her three siblings learn English with their native French. She recalls sharpening her English by watching PBS and was excited when an episode of “Arthur” mentioned her native country during a song of the 54 nations of Africa. 

The gift announcement topped a conversation on campus by company co-founder and CEO Demond Martin ’97.

Crowdfund UNC Charlotte is an online platform that harnesses the power of the broader UNC Charlotte community to help students create detailed campaigns and raise funds to fuel their passions, innovations and ideas. It enables students to become leaders and fosters a philanthropic force across campus.

Traditionally, university counseling centers shoulder the bulk of student mental health support services. However, at UNC Charlotte, where the student population exceeds 30,000, the approach to mental health care extends campuswide.

Bryonna Gray is a junior computer science major in the Honors College. Learn why she chose UNC Charlotte, where she hangs out on campus when she isn’t studying and her love for eight ball. 

Why did you choose UNC Charlotte?

I chose UNC Charlotte because of the different concentrations within the computer science degree. My career interests are web and mobile app development, so I chose the web and mobile app concentration. 

Have you obtained any awards or accolades here during your time? 

She is a devoted wife, loving mother, dedicated nontraditional student and a proud Marine Corps veteran. The senior, majoring in operations and supply chain management and minoring in management information systems, served in the Marine Corps for four years, stationed at Camp Pendleton in California. Here is her story.

Why did you join the Marine Corps and what were your duties?

UNC Charlotte’s Air Force ROTC Detachment 592 is a commissioning program and leadership training program centered around the college experience. Cadets are students first, focused on academic excellence. In addition, they participate in classes and training sessions to hone their leadership and management skills. And upon graduation, they are commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Air Force or US Space Force.

Looking for a unique way to spend spring break? Alternative Service Break is a volunteer experience during which students forgo their traditional spring break activities and engage in direct service to a community beyond their own. 

The “49ers” moniker has an interesting — and scrappy — origin.