Advisories and Releases

UNC Charlotte launches largest campaign in history
‘For the Love of Charlotte’ builds powerful momentum, achieving remarkable milestones

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Nov. 18, 2024 – With a transformative vision to strengthen both the University and the city it calls home, UNC Charlotte has officially launched For the Love of Charlotte, its largest and most ambitious fundraising campaign in history. The campaign has already reached a major milestone toward its goal of $500 million — securing half of the total. This progress underscores a powerful belief in the University’s mission.

Rooted in Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber’s commitment to deepen the University’s connection to the city and strengthen its role as a driver of innovation, the campaign is built on three essential pillars, each designed to elevate UNC Charlotte’s mission and deepen its impact across the University and community.

• Student Success & Opportunity: Opening doors through scholarships, hands-on learning and mentorship, this pillar ensures every student has the resources to thrive.
• Academic & Research Leadership: Advancing bold academic and research pursuits, this pillar deepens UNC Charlotte’s commitment to addressing critical challenges and driving innovation.
• Campus & Community Vibrancy: Transforming athletics facilities, arts and entrepreneurial spaces, this pillar serves to strengthen community bonds and spark creativity across the region.

“This campaign is about coming together with a shared purpose,” said Gaber. “It’s about transforming UNC Charlotte to better serve our campus community and this dynamic city. The momentum we’ve built demonstrates the power of Niner Nation to unite behind a cause. Together, we’re building something truly lasting.”

Campaign video	Campaign announcement photos

The bold vision of For the Love of Charlotte comes to life through the remarkable leadership and dedication of the campaign chairs: Craig ’85 and Darla ’83 Albert, Demond ’97 and Kia ’98 Martin, David Ravin ’94 and Dontá Wilson ’97.

“For the Love of Charlotte captures the passion behind UNC Charlotte’s impact,” said Ravin, campaign co-chair. “This isn’t just about a fundraising goal; it’s about opening doors, driving innovation and strengthening our community. We invite everyone to join us in shaping a brighter future.”

“Each of these leaders brings a unique passion for UNC Charlotte and a belief in what we can accomplish together,” said Beth Crigler, vice chancellor for the Division of University Advancement. “Their commitment and generosity embody the spirit of Niner Nation, driving us forward toward a future filled with promise and lasting impact.

“This is a defining moment for UNC Charlotte — a time to come together and build a legacy that will shape lives, fuel discoveries and strengthen our city,” Crigler continued. “For the Love of Charlotte is a call to everyone who believes in our mission. With every contribution, we’re opening doors for students, creating opportunities and building a University that will stand strong for generations — all for the love of Charlotte.”

Visit giving.charlotte.edu to learn more and explore ways to get involved.

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Economic Forecast: Next two years to bring slow growth; inflation still a risk
Here’s what to watch for, according to UNC Charlotte’s North Carolina Economic Forecast

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – May 16, 2024 – The economy is cooling, but 2024 will still bring growth for the U.S. and North Carolina.

“After an incredibly strong 2023, the economy seems to be showing signs of slowing slightly,” said John Connaughton, UNC Charlotte professor of financial economics. “For the first quarter of 2024, GDP in the U.S. came in at a lackluster 1.6%, well below the expected 2.5%.”

GDP, or Gross Domestic Product, is the main measure of economic output.

Connaughton released the North Carolina Economic Forecast 2024 Second Quarter Report on May 16, noting that the state and national economies continue to resist the impact of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s monetary policy over the past two years.

Two critical questions persist, Connaughton said. Will there be a recession and will the Federal Reserve continue to control inflation? Fiscal policy by Congress and the president is still competing with the Fed’s efforts to slow the economy. The tension threatens a return of demand-pull inflation, but probably not a recession, he said.

“Congress and the president are continuing to stimulate the economy with fiscal policy deficit spending,” he said. “The deficit for fiscal year 2023 was over $1.6 trillion, and the estimate for 2024 is just shy of $1.6 trillion, or almost 6% of GDP. Deficits of this size in the third and fourth years of economic recovery, with the unemployment rate below 4%, are simply irresponsible.”

In North Carolina, 2024 and 2025 will represent the fourth and fifth years of economic growth since the pandemic recession of 2020. Looking to 2025, Connaughton projects the Gross State Product to increase by 2.3% over the 2024 level. The North Carolina economy is expected to add 53,400 jobs in 2025, maintaining a slightly increased unemployment rate of around 4% through December 2025.

2024 Numbers
Looking to 2024, the report forecasts modest growth. North Carolina’s real (inflation-adjusted) GDP growth rate for 2024 is projected to increase by 3%. Of the state’s economic sectors, 14 are expected to see output increases. The sectors with the strongest anticipated growth rates are:

• Mining: 7.8%
• Retail Trade: 6.1%
• Information: 5.9%
• Nondurable Goods Manufacturing: 5.6%
• Construction: 5.1%

North Carolina employment is expected to add 60,400 net jobs, reaching 5,026,000 persons by December 2024, a 1.2% increase over the December 2023 employment level. By December 2024, the state’s unemployment rate is expected to reach 4%.

2023 Gross Domestic Product
For 2023, North Carolina’s real (inflation-adjusted) GDP increased by 2.7% over the 2022 level. Twelve of the state’s economic sectors experienced output increases during 2023. The sectors with the strongest growth rates were:

• Information: 12.3%
• Retail Trade: 9.6%
• Educational and Health Services: 6.5%
• Transportation, Warehousing and Utility: 5.6%
• Business and Professional Services: 4.3%

Three sectors experienced declines during 2023:

• Agriculture: -23%
• Mining: -9.4%
• Other Services: -1.7%

2023 Employment
North Carolina employment reached 4,965,600 persons by December 2023, a 1.8% increase over the December 2022 employment level. The state added 85,800 net jobs in 2023. The state unemployment rate fell during the middle of 2023 but rose to 3.5% by March 2024, according to the report. Of the state’s 14 nonagricultural sectors, 10 saw employment increases during 2023. The sectors with the strongest employment gains were:

• Hospitality and Leisure: 4.6%
• Educational and Health Services: 3.8%
• Construction: 3.6%

May 2024 Economic Forecast Report

About the North Carolina Economic Forecast
The North Carolina Economic Forecast, which debuted in 1982, is released quarterly, under the direction of Connaughton, professor of financial economics with Charlotte’s Belk College of Business. The full report will be available at belkcollege.charlotte.edu/forecast.

About the Belk College of Business
Established in 1970, UNC Charlotte’s Belk College of Business is one of the Carolinas’ largest business schools, with nearly 5,000 students, more than 100 full-time faculty, and an alumni network of more than 36,000. Accredited by AACSB International, the college is committed to building strong partnerships in the greater Charlotte region and beyond as North Carolina’s urban research business school. Learn more about how the Belk College is driving business at belkcollege.charlotte.edu, and on LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.

MEDIA ADVISORY:
North Carolina Economic Forecast set for Thursday, May 16

What: John Connaughton, professor of financial economics for UNC Charlotte’s Belk College of Business, will release the “North Carolina Economic Forecast Second Quarter Report” during an in-person presentation, also available via Zoom livestream.

When/Where: Noon-1 p.m. on Thursday, May 16 at The Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte Center City, 320 E. 9th Street, Charlotte, NC 28202. Registration for the public event is free but registration is required at belkcollege.charlotte.edu/forecast.

About: Under Connaughton’s direction, the North Carolina Economic Forecast has provided invaluable economic data for North Carolina for over 40 years.

Media Information: Media are asked to RSVP if attending in person or register at belkcollege.charlotte.edu/forecast to receive a link to Connaughton’s presentation. Please refer to the attached map for media parking. A limited number of complimentary spaces are available and are highlighted in green on the attached map.

Connaughton will be available for interviews following the forecast event.

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15th class of Levine Scholars to join UNC Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – May 1, 2024 – UNC Charlotte’s Levine Scholars Program has selected 20 exceptional young leaders from across the United States for the 15th class of the University’s most competitive academic scholarship. The scholars will join UNC Charlotte in fall 2024.

The University’s premier merit-based scholarship is valued at approximately $115,000 per North Carolina student and $172,000 for each student from other states. The award covers full tuition, housing, meals, mandatory fees and provides a stipend for books and summer experiences. Scholars also receive additional funding to support civic engagement opportunities and professional development.

“We are pleased to welcome the newest class of Levine Scholars to Niner Nation,” said Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber. “With alumni having a lasting impact around the region and around the world, our Levine Scholars are shining examples of what makes UNC Charlotte such an amazing place to be. We are expecting great things from the Levine Class of 2028 in the future.”

Levine Scholars are selected through a rigorous nomination and interview process, including an in-person finalist program, where invited students and their families tour campus and meet current scholars, program staff and alumni as well as members of the faculty and University leadership. The Levine Scholars Program prioritizes the following characteristics for selection: academic excellence and curiosity, ethical leadership and a demonstrated record of community service. This year’s selection processes included more than 2,400 scholarship nominations and nearly 1,100 applications. Selected scholars come from eight states and 10 counties across North Carolina.

“The individual and collective academic achievements, leadership and community contributions of these extraordinary high school seniors are impressive,” said Heather Smith, faculty director of the Levine Scholars Program. “Their commitment to civic engagements will honor the powerful legacy of our benefactors Leon and Sandra Levine.”

The Class of 2028 Levine Scholars from North Carolina are:

Naami Abbey, Gastonia, Forestview High School; Alyssa Bissonnette, Harrisburg, Cabarrus-Kannapolis Early College High School; Yazi Bulluck, Wilson, Greenfield School; Sabrina Coffaro, Clayton, Clayton High School; Kean Dao, Winterville, D H Conley High School; Frida Guerrero Ochoa, Charlotte, Phillip O Berry Academy of Technology; Benny Heath, Taylorsville, Alexander Central High School; Nika Parui, Matthews, Weddington High School; Irene Quinones-Olmeda, Raleigh, Wakefield High School; Shreyas Raychaudhuri, Apex, Raleigh Charter High School; Andrew Simmons, Huntersville, Lake Norman Charter School; Rokia Sissoko, Pittsboro, Northwood High School; Michelle Song, Greenville, D H Conley High School.

Out-of-state recipients are:

Rachel Alexander, Alpharetta, Georgia, Chattahoochee High School; Aria Cornwall, Olympia, Washington, Capital High School; Maya Kamen, Plano, Texas, Shelton School; Emree Lamb, Colorado Springs, Colorado, Cheyenne Mountain High School; Mara McPhail, Chandler, Arizona, Hamilton High School; Rishita Rokariya, Tampa, Florida, Strawberry Crest High School; and Evelyn Wagner, Reston, Virginia, South Lakes High School.

Established in 2009 through a $9.3 million gift from the late Leon Levine and his wife, Sandra Levine, through their foundation, the Levine Scholars Program was created to recruit extraordinary high school students based on scholarship, ethical leadership and civic engagement. In 2014, the Levines made an additional $13 million gift, which increased the scholarship from 15 recipients to approximately 20 each year beginning with the class of 2016.

Leon Levine founded Family Dollar Stores, Inc., and retired as chairman and CEO in 2003. The Levine family is involved in several civic and charitable causes in the Charlotte region and throughout the Carolinas through The Leon Levine Foundation. Leon Levine died in April 2023, leaving a legacy of generosity, service and impact for scholars to follow.

“The Levine Scholars program with its emphasis on leadership development and community engagement continues to make an impact at the University, in our community and beyond,” said Tom Lawrence, president of The Leon Levine Foundation. “We look forward to seeing this fine group of incoming scholars expand the high traditions of leadership, innovation and community engagement set by the scholars who came before them.”

About the University of North Carolina at Charlotte
More than 30,000 students choose to call North Carolina’s urban research university home. Located in one of the fastest-growing regions in the United States, UNC Charlotte is the city’s great university. Through award-winning focus on student success that fosters economic mobility, internationally recognized programs of research and creative activity that foster societal growth and a commitment to cultural enrichment that makes Charlotte more vibrant, UNC Charlotte is recognized as a Top 100 Public University by U.S. News and World Report. Learn more about what’s great only at Charlotte.

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MEDIA ADVISORY:
UNC Charlotte unveils innovative microalgae window system on Earth Day
System designed to reduce solar heat gain and filter out carbon dioxide

What: UNC Charlotte professor Kyoung-Hee Kim will unveil a high-performing window system that is designed to reduce building energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. Funded by several NSF grants, the unveiling is the culmination of years of research to bring the system to life. The system will be put into practice at Charlotte’s Innovation Barn.

When/Where: 10 a.m., Monday, April 22, 2024 (Earth Day). Innovation Barn (932 Seigle Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205).

Who:

• Kyoung-Hee Kim, professor of Architecture at UNC Charlotte
• Matthew Parrow, associate professor of Biological Sciences at UNC Charlotte
• UNC Charlotte students

About: The “biochromic” windows have multiple environmental, economic, and health benefits, including increased energy efficiency, improved air quality, carbon capture and renewable energy production, since the algae can be collected and converted into biofuel.

Kim is the director of the Integrated Design Research Lab in the School of Architecture and is the founder of EcoClosure, a UNC Charlotte spin-off clean tech start-up. Throughout the years of research and development, Kim has worked with various academic and industry partners, including Matthew Parrow, an associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences.

The microalgae window system won a 2021 R+D Award from Architect Magazine.

More information.

Media Information: Media who wish to attend are encouraged to RSVP to Jason Vaughan or Buffie Stephens. Meg Whalen will be the day-of-event contact.

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WellWithAll invests $100,000 to support mental health resources at UNC Charlotte
The announcement topped a conversation on campus by company co-founder, CEO Demond Martin ’97

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – April 18, 2024 – WellWithAll CEO Demond Martin ’97 announced on Thursday, April 18, his company’s investment of $100,000 to expand mental health resources for UNC Charlotte students. The announcement came as part of Martin’s visit to campus for a fireside chat on mental wellness, resilience and overall well-being.

Demond Martin (left) and Jay Williams (right) discuss mental health at UNC Charlotte. More photos and video.

Martin, who co-founded WellWithAll, a purpose-led health and wellness consumer products brand that directs a significant portion of its profits into health equity for Black, Brown and underserved communities, appeared alongside Jay Williams, ESPN host and chairman and co-founder of Improbable Media, to share their experiences and discuss the skills they have developed to overcome setbacks and life lessons as well as the ways they have reimagined their journeys to pursue their purpose.

“I have been inspired by my conversations with students and the challenges and opportunities they face in today’s world. We realize we can do more for students in need at UNC Charlotte, a place that changed my life,” said Martin. “While we can’t do everything, we can do something. Supporting students in their mental health aligns perfectly with the mission of WellWithAll. Our company is dedicated to making a difference in our communities, and this is just a first step in that for Charlotte.”

WellWithAll’s investment will further enhance the services currently offered to students.

“WellWithAll’s support will provide a tremendous boost to ensuring our students have access to the resources they need,” said Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber. “We are dedicated to a proactive, whole-campus approach to serving the well-being of our students and their success in and out of the classroom. We are grateful to Demond and his team for valuing that approach.”

Ardent supporters of UNC Charlotte, Demond and his wife, Kia Martin ’98, established the UNC Charlotte Martin Scholars Program, a leading merit scholar and professional development opportunity for high-achieving students who have the highest level of financial need. In 2016, Martin joined with Karen Popp ’80 to make a gift to the University, and the student union was officially named the Karen A. Popp and Demond T. Martin Student Union.

Prior to founding WellWithAll, Martin was a senior partner at Adage Capital Management where he invested in the consumer sector for 22 years. He joined Adage after completing an MBA from Harvard Business School and earning an undergraduate degree in accounting from UNC Charlotte. He subsequently worked as the assistant to President William J. Clinton’s White House Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles. Demond Martin has served on a number of nonprofit boards, including as a trustee for the Berklee College of Music, the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Grammy Global Venture Board and the Obama Foundation.

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Event photos and video.

UNC Board of Governors approves $60M expansion of Jerry Richardson Stadium

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – April 18, 2024 – On Thursday, April 18, the UNC Board of Governors approved a $60 million Phase 1 expansion of Jerry Richardson Stadium, marking a significant milestone in the University’s ongoing efforts to enhance its athletic facilities, support student-athletes and elevate the fan experience.

Designed with future expansion in mind, the project builds upon the groundwork laid during the Advance Planning phase initiated in 2023. The expansion will feature the construction of a state-of-the-art tower and the augmentation of stadium capacity. Notable additions include seven luxury suites, club seats, loge boxes, ledge seats and additional general seating. Additionally, the club level will serve as a dedicated team dining area, meeting facility, and conference space, enabling year-round utilization.

With this initial phase, the stadium’s capacity will increase to 18,170, laying the foundation for future growth. Plans are already in motion for further expansion (Phase 2) to a capacity of 21,000 as additional funds are secured. This phased approach enables Charlotte Athletics to proceed promptly with the project, maintaining momentum while fundraising continues for subsequent phases.

The enhanced facilities will attract opponents with regional and national fan bases and position the University to host competitions that drive visitor traffic and economic impact.

“We are grateful for the private and public investments in this expansion, particularly from generous donors and the match from the NC General Assembly,” said Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber. “Their support allows us to pursue this ambitious endeavor, underscoring UNC Charlotte’s dedication to providing a top-tier athletic environment for our students, alumni and the broader community.”

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MEDIA ADVISORY:
Resilience Reimagined: A mental health talk with Demond Martin ’97 and Jay Williams

What: Demond Martin ’97, co-founder and CEO of WellWithAll, and Jay Williams, chairman/co-founder of Improbable Media & ESPN talent discuss mental wellness, resilience, and overall well-being.

They will share their experiences and skills they developed in overcoming setbacks and life lessons. This conversation is rooted in how they have reimagined their journeys to pursue their purpose and thrive to inspire your future paths.

When/Where:11 a.m. to 1 p.m., April 18, 2024. Popp Martin Theater, UNC Charlotte (8845 Craver Rd, Charlotte, NC 28262). Media availability is scheduled for 12:15 p.m.

Who:

• UNC Charlotte alum, investor and philanthropist Demond Martin
• Former Duke basketball star Jay Williams
• UNC Charlotte students and faculty

About: Launched by Charlotte alumnus, investor and philanthropist Demond Martin, WellWithAll is a purpose-led health and wellness consumer products brand. Martin faced a family health crisis, leading him to found WellWithAll to address health equity gaps across the nation. The company is founded on the principles of inclusive capitalism – making wellness easier for customers and healthcare more accessible for everyone.

Jay Williams is Chairman of Improbable Media, a company he co-founded with NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. Improbable Media harnesses the power of content and storytelling to support elite talent and brands in developing and expanding their ecosystem. Jay is also one of ESPN’s top on-air talents and among the most decorated and prolific players in college basketball history. He won a National Championship at Duke University and was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame. Jay was the second overall selection in the 2002 NBA Draft and played for the Chicago Bulls.

His autobiography – Life is Not an Accident: A Memoir of Reinvention – is a New York Times Bestseller.

Media Information: Media who wish to attend are encouraged to RSVP to Jason Vaughan or Buffie Stephens (day of event contact).

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Dontá L. Wilson honored by UNC Charlotte with named building

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – April 10, 2024 – Dontá L. Wilson ’97 deals in HOPE — an acronym that stands for “helping other people excel” — his identified personal purpose in life. On Tuesday, April 9, UNC Charlotte honored the business and University leader for his commitment to spreading that hope to future generations of students with the naming of the Dontá L. Wilson Residence Hall.

Wilson Hall dedication ceremony. More photos.

The 147,000-square-foot residence hall was dedicated in a ceremony that recognized the creation of the Wilson Believe Fund, which makes college education more accessible for first-generation college students majoring in business and education. Wilson is the chief consumer and small business banking officer and a member of the operating council for Truist Financial Corporation, and he serves as vice chair of the University’s Board of Trustees.

“Dontá has been a tireless supporter of our University since his time as an exemplary student leader on our campus,” said Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber. “Even as he has gone on to remarkable success as a leader in banking, he has remained dedicated to his alma mater to ensure that others have the same opportunities and experience he had. For a board and alumni leader who keeps his focus squarely on the success of our students, it is fitting that generations of Niners to come will begin their experience at UNC Charlotte in Wilson Hall.”

The residence hall, which opened in January 2024, will serve as home to nearly 700 first-year students. Wilson Hall is also the campus’s first residence hall named in honor of an African American.

“My greatest hope is to contribute to the kind of rich student experience that lives on long after their time at UNC Charlotte,” said Wilson. “I believe one of the most meaningful investments one can make is positively changing the trajectory of another person’s life for the better, especially one as significant as making an impact on advancing our community forward through education. When you look at all that UNC Charlotte has to offer, it’s about more than just providing a degree — it’s about supporting students through every aspect of the experience.”

Wilson also says he was inspired specifically to support first-generation college students because he knows firsthand the questions a family can face when making choices about the right educational fit. Nearly 40% of UNC Charlotte undergraduate students identify as first-generation college students.

“Navigating the funding processes and living arrangements can be overwhelming and all-consuming,” said Wilson, who hopes to alleviate that concern. “When students can focus more on enjoying the experience and performing to the best of their abilities, the benefits extend far beyond the students and our 49er community; it also contributes to the success of their families, the city of Charlotte and the global community.”

Wilson was previously honored in 2023 for his outstanding service to the University with a Distinguished Alumnus Award by the Alumni Association, one of the highest honors Charlotte can bestow. He received a bachelor’s degree in management from the Belk College of Business and served on the college’s Board of Advisors from 2019-22. In 2021, he was appointed to the University’s Board of Trustees.

“Whether it is mentoring undergraduate fraternity brothers in Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., cheering on the Niners at an athletic event or hosting student leaders at Truist’s Innovation and Technology Center, Dontá is a champion for our students,” said Kevin Bailey, vice chancellor for student affairs. “He sees in each one of them limitless potential, inside and outside of the classroom, and he is willing to use his experiences and influence to help them succeed. He is a role model for all Niners on how to live a life of purpose, achievement and, above all, generosity.”

More About Dontá L. Wilson
Dontá L. Wilson is the chief consumer and small business banking officer for Truist Financial Corporation, a purpose-driven financial services organization committed to inspiring and building better lives and communities. He leads 20,000 teammates who serve retail, premier and small business clients through digital banking, multiple virtual service centers and more than 1,900 community banking branches. Additionally, he oversees core deposit and loan products, including mortgage, auto, credit card and national consumer lending businesses: LightStream, Dealer Financial Services, Regional Acceptance Corporation, Sheffield Financial and Service Finance Company; as well as consumer capital markets; consumer credit underwriting and approval; enterprise marketing; client analytics; client experience strategy; and digital banking, transformation and innovation. He is also a member of Truist’s Operating Council.

Dontá L. Wilson

Wilson was named to the executive leadership team in 2016 and has served as chief retail and small business banking officer and chief digital and client experience officer for Truist. His career leadership responsibilities span both consumer and wholesale client segments, in addition to holding several enterprise function leadership roles. Wilson has led global services and enterprise bank operations, intelligent automation, experience design and research, decision science, corporate communications, CRA and community development, the Truist Foundation and fintech investments through Truist Ventures. Prior to 2016, Wilson served in regional and group president roles leading retail, wealth, mortgage, commercial, corporate banking and commercial real estate. His experience encompasses successfully guiding teams through multiple acquisitions, including the historic Truist merger of equals in 2019.

Wilson serves on the Signet Jewelers Board of Directors and is vice chairman of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s Board of Trustees. He has been named one of Savoy’s Top Black Executives since 2016 and was chosen Digital Banker of the Year by American Banker in 2021. Wilson is a member of Global 50/World 50, Executive Leadership Council, Sigma Pi Phi (Boulé) and Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc.

Wilson earned a bachelor’s degree in management from UNC Charlotte and an MBA from the University of Maryland.

In alignment with the Truist purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities, Wilson’s personal purpose is to be a dealer of HOPE (Helping Other People Excel).

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Charlotte ranks No. 7 in the nation for online bachelor’s programs
University receives third consecutive top-10 honor from U.S. News & World Report.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Feb. 7, 2024 – For the third consecutive year, UNC Charlotte has earned a spot among the top 10 best providers of online bachelor’s degrees in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 Best Online Bachelor’s Degrees rankings, released on Wednesday, Feb. 7.

UNC Charlotte ranks No. 7 (tie), and is one of only six universities to be ranked in the top 10 for three consecutive years.

U.S. News’ metrics for the online undergraduate rankings include student engagement, support given to students and instructor training and credentials.

For Charlotte, U.S. News evaluated its seven fully online bachelor’s programs, including nursing (RN-to-BSN), elementary education (teaching assistant to teacher), respiratory therapy, engineering technology (fire safety), and professional studies. All of these programs were developed as degree completion programs for students who already have some college credit.

Online Master’s Degrees Rankings
In separate 2024 Best Online Master’s Degrees rankings, also released on Feb. 7, U.S. News recognized four Charlotte online graduate or specialty programs:

• Best Online Master’s in Education: No. 23 (tie)
• Best Online Master’s in Special Education: No. 16 (tie)
• Best Online Master’s in Nursing: No. 26 (tie)
• Best Online Master’s in Engineering: No. 72 (tie)

Growing to Serve Working Adults
UNC Charlotte provides more than 50 online degree programs, all geared toward working adults.

“As enrollment and offerings in UNC Charlotte online programs continue to grow to serve our region, state and beyond, we are pleased to see the University consistently recognized as one of the top providers of high-quality and affordable online programs in the U.S.,” said Jennifer Troyer, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “This illustrates UNC Charlotte’s university-wide commitment to supporting working adults as they continue their education and advance their careers. We’re proud of the hard work our dedicated faculty and staff have put in to develop online programs.”

Online programs are powered by the School of Professional Studies, which launched in 2021 to streamline the student experience for working professionals.

Over the last two years, Charlotte has launched an online MBA and three online bachelor’s degree completion programs: B.S. in Professional Studies, B.A. in Political Science and B.A. in Sociology: Concentration in Organizations, Occupations and Work.

Enrollment in Charlotte online programs has increased 36% over the past five years.

In its 12th year, the U.S. News Best Online Programs is designed for individuals looking to complete or further their education. U.S. News evaluated more than 1,600 online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs for the rankings.

According to the publication, while the methodologies are different for each discipline, they all incorporate metrics specific to online learning. Only degree-granting programs that are offered primarily online by regionally accredited institutions are eligible.

This is the latest in a growing number of national rankings that illustrate UNC Charlotte’s rise as a top-tier global research university. In September, Charlotte climbed 41 spots in the U.S. News 2024 Best College rankings, achieving a spot among the nation’s top 100 public universities.

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Economic Forecast: Economy shows signs of a mild slowdown
Here’s what to watch for, according to the latest North Carolina Economic Forecast.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Dec. 14, 2023 – Over the past 21 months, the U.S. Federal Reserve has steadily raised interest rates in an effort to cool the economy and stave off inflation. The North Carolina and U.S. economies are showing signs of slowing, although a return of inflation is still not out of the question.

“The strong Gross Domestic Product growth we saw in the first quarter was not sustained,” said John Connaughton, professor of financial economics for UNC Charlotte’s Belk College of Business. “We saw the second-quarter growth drop to a modest 1.1%, and late 2023 and early 2024 likely will show a continuing slowdown.”

Connaughton, who released the North Carolina Economic Forecast Fourth Quarter Report Thursday, Dec, 14, sees two big questions for 2024. “First, will there be a recession and second, will the Federal Reserve continue to control inflation?” he asked. “The recession question is complicated as fiscal policy by Congress and the president continues to fight the Fed and its attempt to slow the economy by raising interest rates.”

On Wednesday, Dec. 13, the Federal Reserve kept its key interest rate steady and signaled there could be three rate cuts in 2024.

2023 Gross Domestic Product Analysis
For 2023, North Carolina’s real (inflation-adjusted) GDP is forecast to increase by 2.5% over the 2022 level, representing the third full year of growth since COVID-19.

Connaughton expects output increases for 12 of the state’s 15 economic sectors during 2023. The sectors with the strongest expected growth rates include:

• Information: 11.1%
• Educational and Health Services: 6.7%
• Transportation, Warehousing and Utility: 6.7%
• Retail Trade: 6.4%
• Hospitality and Leisure Services: 4.2%

Expectations are that three sectors will have experienced declines during 2023:

• Agriculture: -15.9%
• Mining -10.6%
• Other Services: -0.7%

2023 Employment
Of the state’s 14 nonagricultural sectors, 11 are forecast to see employment increases during 2023. The sectors with the strongest expected employment gains are:

• Mining: 5.7%
• Educational and Health Services: 4.9%

North Carolina employment is projected to reach 4,947,300 persons by December 2023, a 2.0% increase over the December 2022 employment level. The state is expected to add 94,800 net jobs in 2023. The state unemployment rate fell during the middle of 2023 but rose to 3.4% in October, according to the report.

2024 Preview
Looking ahead to 2024, the report forecasts modest growth. North Carolina employment is expected to add 53,400 net jobs, reaching 5,003,700 persons by December 2024, a 0.9% increase over the anticipated December 2023 employment level. By December of 2024, the state’s unemployment rate is expected to reach 4.0%.

North Carolina’s real (inflation-adjusted) GDP growth rate for 2024 is projected to increase by 1.9%. Fourteen of the state’s economic sectors are expected to see output increases.

December 2023 Economic Forecast Report

About the North Carolina Economic Forecast
The North Carolina Economic Forecast, which debuted in 1982, is released quarterly. The December report is sponsored by LPL Financial and The Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte Center City. The full report and a recording of the presentation will be available at belkcollege.charlotte.edu/forecast.

About the Belk College of Business
Established in 1970, UNC Charlotte’s Belk College of Business is one of the Carolinas’ largest business schools, with nearly 5,000 students, more than 100 full-time faculty, and an alumni network of more than 36,000. Accredited by AACSB International, the college is committed to building strong partnerships in the greater Charlotte region and beyond as North Carolina’s urban research business school. Learn more about how the Belk College is driving business at belkcollege.charlotte.edu, and on LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.

2023 State of Housing in Charlotte Report: Rising prices still affecting the region
Childress Klein Center for Real Estate’s research indicates affordable homes are increasingly difficult to obtain as prices rise and supply lags demand

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Nov. 9, 2023 – People with low and moderate incomes are finding it increasingly hard to afford homes in the Charlotte region. Prices continue to rise, and although the number of housing units has increased, supply still lags demand.

Housing pressure comes from a variety of factors, according to the “2023 State of Housing in Charlotte Report,” released by UNC Charlotte’s Childress Klein Center for Real Estate on Nov. 9.

“The Charlotte region has continued to grow rapidly, even picking up the pace following the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Yongqiang Chu, CKCRE director and primary author of the housing research report. “The population growth has created persistent, strong demand for housing. Combined with the continuing disruption of the supply of housing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we see continued pressure on the housing market.”

The Charlotte region additionally is experiencing a shift in the distribution of house prices, Chu said. “The research shows that prices at the lower end of the scale have increased much faster than at the higher end,” he said. “Also of concern is that middle-income housing affordability is emerging as a significant challenge for the Charlotte region.”

In September 2023, buyers needed a family income of $152,000 to purchase a median-priced home, with the median price jumping to $415,000 from January 2022’s median price of $376,000.

Now in its fifth year, the report pulls from six primary data sources and provides an in-depth look at the housing market in the Charlotte region. Part of a multi-year project led by Belk College of Business real estate faculty, the report offers a starting point for discussion on housing policy in the Charlotte region. The research considers owner-occupied, rental and subsidized housing in the eight-county Charlotte region of Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln and Union counties in North Carolina, and Lancaster and York counties in South Carolina.

Key takeaways from the report:

• Houses priced affordably continue to be extremely difficult to find. So far in 2023, just 2.5% of houses sold for under $150,000, and only about 22% of houses were sold for under $300,000. Those numbers are worse than in 2022.
• The affordability of middle-income housing is becoming a significant challenge for the Charlotte region. Rising interest rates and house prices have made housing quickly unaffordable in the Charlotte region.
• House price growth slowed significantly from the peak during COVID-19; yet the market started to rise again in 2023.
• The disruption of housing supply due to COVID-19 continues. The Charlotte Metropolitan Statistical Area underbuilt 10,000 housing units in 2022.
• The housing market continues to be tight. The median days on the market number is still less than 10 days.
• Rent growth has moderated significantly since the middle of 2022.

The 2023 research report also includes an in-depth review of housing in the Charlotte region over the last 20 years. The report was released at the 2023 State of Housing in Charlotte Summit. The summit also included an industry panel discussion that focused on affordable housing.

CKCRE’s State of Housing in Charlotte 2023 report was supported by these industry partners:

• Faison
• Canopy Realtor® Association
• TrueHomes

About the Childress Klein Center for Real Estate
The Childress Klein Center for Real Estate at UNC Charlotte was established in 2005 to further the knowledge of real estate, public policy and urban economics in the professional community through teaching, research and community outreach activities. The center administers the M.S. in Real Estate program, the MBA concentration and certificate programs in real estate finance and development. For more information, visit realestate.charlotte.edu. The center is part of the Belk College of Business.

$5 million-plus from Mecklenburg County, Charlotte City Council and HUD will support a new, cooperative grocery store for West Boulevard

A partnership of the West Boulevard Neighborhood Coalition, community and civic leaders, and researchers from UNC Charlotte and Johnson C. Smith University is leading effort to develop the area’s first full-service food shopping experience in 30 years

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Oct. 5, 2023 – West Charlotte will soon be home to a for-profit, cooperative grocery store. A capital campaign to fund the $10 million cost of the co-op on West Boulevard and Clanton Road has been given a notable boost with funding commitments from key public funding sources, most significantly Mecklenburg County, the project’s longest-standing supporter and partner.

In addition to $3.25 million from Mecklenburg County, the Charlotte City Council has pledged $1.5 million and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has pledged $750,000 (with advocacy from North Carolina Congresswoman Alma Adams) to the West Boulevard Neighborhood Coalition, the nonprofit organization leading development efforts.

Long identified as a “food desert,” West Boulevard is on its way to redefining the neighborhood’s proximity to fresh foods for residents. When it opens in 2025, the co-op – dubbed by community residents as Three Sisters Market – will be the first full-service grocery store on West Boulevard in more than 30 years and include community education and gathering spaces beyond the typical grocery store. It will provide what community leaders define as a catalyst for emerging economic development in the area related to food production, retail and distribution.

“This has been a long-time coming,” said Rickey Hall, who chairs the board of the West Boulevard Neighborhood Coalition, which drives community-led strategies promoting economic and community development for residents and businesses along West Boulevard. “It has taken years of diligence by neighborhood residents as well as institutional support that has come alongside the community’s efforts.”

UNC Charlotte’s urbanCORE facilitated the working group of community leaders and university researchers that developed the blueprint for the community-based, community-owned cooperative. In 2021, the group published “Tackling Food Insecurity in West Charlotte,” a comprehensive report that outlines the challenges, a proposed solution and outcomes as well as projected investment requirements that have been updated since the report’s release.

The report concluded that “bringing food retail to West Boulevard will require a different model than a conventional grocery store,” and deploys a strategy that attracts residents who live nearby and beyond. Expanding the traditional notion of a supermarket, a successful co-op will offer educational programming, food preparation demonstrations, community gathering space and marketing driven by cultural affinity. Its goal will be to support efforts to mitigate widespread health challenges resulting from a decades-long dearth of accessible fresh foods while generating wealth and economic opportunity for residents.

The plan includes the development of a 12,500-square-foot grocery store on federal land currently managed by INLIVIAN, Charlotte’s housing authority. It is projected to cost approximately $10 million to build, equip and staff. When completed, it will be managed by the West Boulevard Cooperative Food Market, an independent organization whose board is made up of community members, including leaders from the West Boulevard Neighborhood Coalition, area churches and representatives from UNC Charlotte, Atrium Health, YMCA of Greater Charlotte, Johnson C. Smith University, Mecklenburg County and former Charlotte bank executive Mac Everett.

“Mecklenburg County is proud to support this initiative to bring a cooperative grocery store to the West Boulevard neighborhoods,” said Mecklenburg County Manager Dena R. Diorio. “This partnership is the result of creative and innovative strategies to improve the lives of our residents. This will be a game changer in the neighborhood to address the inequity in access to fresh foods. This initiative can also serve as a catalyst in the area for employment and career development, wealth building, small business growth, and economic development.”

When established, the business will be owned by community shareholders, with an emphasis on those who live in the co-op’s vicinity. Leaders are in the process of hiring a general manager to lead the project with a $250,000 grant to the West Boulevard Neighborhood Coalition from Mecklenburg County. The goal of the capital campaign to begin in the coming weeks is to raise the balance of needed funds.

Additional Background:

• A cooperative, community-led solution to food insecurity in West Charlotte
• Frequently asked questions about the West Boulevard Food Co-op

About UNC Charlotte
More than 30,000 students choose to call North Carolina’s urban research university home. Located in one of the fastest-growing regions in the United States, UNC Charlotte is the city’s great university. Through award-winning focus on student success that fosters economic mobility, internationally recognized programs of research and creative activity that foster societal growth, and a commitment to cultural enrichment that makes Charlotte more vibrant, UNC Charlotte is recognized as a Top 100 Public University by U.S. News and World Report. Learn more about what’s great only at Charlotte.

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Media contacts:

Buffie Stephens | External Media Relations Director, UNC Charlotte

704-687-5830 | 980-355-3110 | buffiestephens@charlotte.edu

Suzette Nedrich | Public Information Officer, Mecklenburg County

980-219-0495 | suzette.nedrich@mecknc.gov

Sharika Comfort | Executive Director, West Boulevard Neighborhood Coalition

sharika@westblvdnc.org

UNC Charlotte now among top 100 public universities in U.S.
University jumps 41 spots overall in the 2024 U.S. News & World Report Best College rankings

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Sept. 18, 2023 – For the first time in its history, UNC Charlotte has achieved a coveted position among the nation’s top 100 public universities, according to the 2024 U.S. News & World Report Best College rankings, which were released on Monday, Sept. 18.

The new national ranking also places Charlotte as one of the fastest-rising institutions in the nation, climbing 41 spots overall.

“With our largest-ever class of first-time college students this fall, rising enrollment overall and now our best national rankings, there is much to celebrate here at Charlotte,” said Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber. “However, this is just the beginning as we pursue a bold vision as one of this nation’s great public research universities. Through innovative student success initiatives, Charlotte has made significant strides over the past decade, with rising graduation and retention rates, work that is continuing. It’s exciting to see Charlotte being recognized for the work we’re doing to help students of all backgrounds succeed.”

Over the past decade, Charlotte has demonstrated significant gains in a number of several key metrics used by U.S. News, including six-year graduation rates, first-year retention, graduate debt and the graduation rates for first-generation and Pell-eligible students.

Charlotte’s overall ranking is No. 178 (tie), its highest ranking since debuting as a national university in 2008. Among public universities, Charlotte is No. 96 (tie).

Additional Rankings
Charlotte showed strong gains in two U.S. News specialty categories:

• Best Value Colleges: Charlotte moved up 16 spots to No. 164, highlighting its affordability for students receiving financial aid.
• Best Colleges for Veterans: The University rises 22 spots to No. 123 (tie), showcasing its commitment to providing top-quality education for veterans.

Charlotte also maintains its status as a national leader in social mobility, sharing the No. 72 position overall. This ranking underscores Charlotte’s dedication to supporting Pell Grant-eligible students, typically those from households with an adjusted gross income under $50,000.

Charlotte’s undergraduate business, computer science, nursing and engineering programs continue to earn national recognition based on peer assessment scores. The University also debuted in two new program categories introduced by U.S. News: psychology and economics.

For this year’s rankings, U.S. News collected data from more than 1,850 institutions. The U.S. News Best Colleges rankings, first published in 1983, are among the oldest and most recognized in higher education.

The rankings reflect U.S. News’ revamped methodology, which places a heightened emphasis on economic mobility and graduation outcomes.

Climbing the Ranks
This is one of four University rankings released annually by U.S. News, with Charlotte showing overall increases in each:

• 2023 Best Online Programs: U.S. News ranked Charlotte No. 4 (tied) in the nation for its online bachelor’s programs.
• 2023-24 Best Graduate Schools: 11 Charlotte graduate programs or specialties increased their rankings.
• 2022-23 Best Global Universities: Charlotte increased 25 spots overall and is No. 3 among UNC System institutions.

About UNC Charlotte
With enrollment of nearly 30,300 students, UNC Charlotte is North Carolina’s urban research university. It leverages its location in the state’s largest city to offer internationally competitive programs of research and creative activity, exemplary undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, and a focused set of community engagement initiatives. UNC Charlotte maintains a particular commitment to addressing the cultural, economic, educational, environmental, health, and social needs of the greater Charlotte region.

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UNC Charlotte breaks records for first-year, graduate and international student enrollments
Enrollment tops 30,000 for fall 2023

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Sept. 12, 2023 – This fall, UNC Charlotte welcomed to campus its largest-ever class of first-time college students. In combination with new highs for graduate and international students, and along with those transferring from other institutions, they pushed Charlotte’s total enrollment to 30,298. With this achievement, second only to the University’s record-breaking enrollment in fall 2021, UNC Charlotte’s undergraduate student enrollment continues as the second-highest for the UNC System’s 17-member institutions — and defies a trend toward declining enrollments underway in several regions of the country.

“Students are choosing UNC Charlotte for high-quality academics and research opportunities, the co-curricular and extracurricular options available to them — and much more,” said Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber. “Charlotte is designated by U.S. News & World Report as the best city in North Carolina for young professionals and is ranked in the nation’s top 10. Through the University’s deep connections to Charlotte’s innovative tech, health care and financial industries as well as its vibrant cultural scene, students can envision themselves thriving here during and after college. UNC Charlotte is truly Charlotte’s great university.”

First-Year Class: Smart and Diverse
The composition of the new first-year class — whose numbers reach 4,501 — reflects Charlotte’s ascending academic excellence and the region’s growing diversity. With their arrival, first-time college students complete a total undergraduate population that identifies as 17% Black, 14.8% Hispanic and 5% multiracial. More than 9.7% of undergraduates identify as Asian American, a new high for Charlotte. Additional facts about first-year Niners:

Academically Ambitious

• Average weighted high school GPA = 3.98, exceeding that of last year’s class.
• Awarded more than $1.8 million in scholarships (to first-year students) for the academic year, rising 40% over last year as annual scholarships for all students increased to $7.1 million.
• 40% are pursuing science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) majors.
• 175 students were admitted to the University Honors Program

Economic Forecast: Conflicting forces create opportunity for recession or return of inflation
Here’s what to watch for, according to the latest North Carolina Economic Forecast

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Sept. 7, 2023 – A mild recession or a return of inflation are both possibilities in the coming months, depending on how conflicting federal monetary and fiscal policies and other economic factors play out.

“While the Federal Reserve is putting the brakes on inflation by raising interest rates, Congress and the president are continuing to stimulate the economy with fiscal policy deficit spending,” said John Connaughton, professor of financial economics for UNC Charlotte’s Belk College of Business. “After 16 months of increasing interest rates, the conventional wisdom would suggest that the economy should be slowing, or we should be seeing signs of recession. But so far this has not occurred.”

Connaughton, who released the North Carolina Economic Forecast Third Quarter Report during a virtual presentation Thursday, Sept. 7, put the chance of a recession in 2024 at 50-50, but said that a resurgence of inflation cannot be ruled out.

“It is quite possible we will see a mild slowdown during the fourth quarter of 2023 or the first quarter of 2024, but if federal fiscal spending continues unabated, the economy may continue to grow, with inflation coming back in 2024,” he said. The potential return of inflation would be led by government spending rather than by consumers and business, he said.

Recent data suggest the U.S. economy is stronger than most economists believed just three months ago, according to the report.

“As recently as September 1, 2023, the Atlanta Fed GDPNow tracker indicated that third quarter U.S. GDP is likely to increase by 5.9%,” Connaughton said. “That is hardly indicative of a recession.”

Gross Domestic Product Analysis
For 2023, North Carolina’s real (inflation-adjusted) GDP is forecast to increase by 2.4% over the 2022 level, the report indicated.

Connaughton expects an output increase for 13 of the state’s 15 economic sectors during 2023. The sectors with the strongest expected growth rates include:

• Information: 11.2%
• Retail Trade: 5.6%
• Educational and Health Services: 4.9%
• Hospitality and Leisure Services: 4.6%
• Business and Professional Services: 4.4%

Expectations are that two sectors will experience declines during 2023:

• Construction: -3.7%
• Nondurable Goods Manufacturing: -2.0%

Employment
Of the state’s 14 nonagricultural sectors, 12 are forecast to see employment increases during 2023. The sectors with the strongest expected employment gains are:

• Mining: 5.6%
• Educational and Health Services: 3.6%

North Carolina employment is projected to reach 4,950,400 persons by December 2023, a 2.0% increase over the December 2022 employment level. The state is expected to add 96,900 net jobs in 2023. The state unemployment rate declined during the first half of 2023 to 3.3% in July and is expected to increase slightly to 4.0% by December 2024, according to the report.

2024 Preview
Looking ahead to 2024, the report forecasts modest growth. North Carolina employment is expected to add 53,400 net jobs, reaching 5,003,800 persons by December 2024, a 1.1% increase over the anticipated December 2023 employment level.

Considering North Carolina’s Gross Domestic Product, the real (inflation-adjusted) growth rate for 2024 is projected to increase by 2.4%. All 15 of the state’s economic sectors are expected to experience output increases during 2024.

The North Carolina Economic Forecast, which debuted in 1982, is released quarterly. The full report and a recording of the presentation will be available at belkcollege.charlotte.edu/forecast.

The North Carolina Economic Forecast is supported by LPL Financial. The fourth quarter report will be released in December.

September 2023 Economic Forecast Report

About the Belk College of Business
Established in 1970, UNC Charlotte’s Belk College of Business is one of the Carolinas’ largest business schools, with nearly 5,000 students, more than 100 full-time faculty, and an alumni network of more than 36,000. Accredited by AACSB International, the college is committed to building strong partnerships in the greater Charlotte region and beyond as North Carolina’s urban research business school. Learn more about how the Belk College is driving business at belkcollege.charlotte.edu, and on LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.

MEDIA ADVISORY:
North Carolina Economic Forecast set for Thursday, Sept. 7

What: John Connaughton, professor of financial economics for UNC Charlotte’s Belk College of Business, will release the “North Carolina Economic Forecast Third Quarter Report” during a virtual presentation.

When/Where: Noon-1 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 7, via Zoom webinar. Registration is available at belkcollege.charlotte.edu/forecast.

About: The economy continues to expand, consumers keep spending, and labor markets remain tight. While the Federal Reserve holds firm on increased interest rates to control inflation, fiscal policy deficit spending is stimulating the economy. The outcome of these conflicting federal policies could determine whether the U.S. will slip into a mild recession or see a return of inflation in the coming months.

Professor Connaughton will break down the latest numbers as he releases the “North Carolina Economic Forecast Third Quarter Report” with a live presentation and Q&A. The presentation will be presented via Zoom webinar and is free and open to the public.

The presentation detail:

• The current state of North Carolina’s economy and outlook for the state’s employment and output for the remainder of 2023.
• A look at the top sectors.
• What to watch for the remainder of this year.
• A look ahead to 2024.

Under Connaughton’s direction, the North Carolina Economic Forecast has provided invaluable economic data for North Carolina for over 40 years. The North Carolina Economic Forecast is supported by LPL Financial.

Media Information: Media are asked to register for the virtual event at belkcollege.charlotte.edu/forecast. All media who register prior to the event will receive a link to the presentation. Professor Connaughton will be available for interviews virtually following the presentation. The Belk College of Business will live tweet from the Forecast through its Twitter page (@CLTBelkCollege) with #NCForecast.

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MEDIA ADVISORY:
Electric, driverless shuttle being piloted at UNC Charlotte

What: An event to introduce CASSI, an autonomous shuttle on UNC Charlotte’s campus, as part of a partnership between UNC Charlotte Parking and Transportation Services, NCDOT and Beep.

When: 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023; Media arrival at 9:30 a.m.

Why: CASSI (Connected Autonomous Shuttle Supporting Innovation) is an all-electric, autonomous shuttle running at UNC Charlotte for a pilot project until December 2023.

• The driverless, low-speed shuttle runs a six-stop route on the UNC Charlotte campus at no cost to riders.
• There is an attendant in case of any emergencies and to assist passengers.
• Having CASSI on campus will help sharpen autonomous vehicle technology for future adoptions.
• CASSI offers an opportunity for UNC Charlotte researchers as they collaborate with our pilot partners in a ‘working lab’ environment.

Where: Popp Martin Student Union bus stop (Craver Rd.)

Who: University and student leadership, NCDOT, Beep and other elected officials

Media Information:

• Media members are welcome to do a ride-along in CASSI following the event
• Please RSVP if you are attending
• Media should arrive by 9:30 a.m.
• Media trucks should park on the brick pavers across Craver Rd. from the Popp Martin Student Union. Please do not block access. Additional marked trucks can park in the hashed circle near the loading dock of the Student Union (on Student Union Lane via Cameron Blvd.). Media in cars should park in the Union Deck.

Parking opportunities on brick pavers	Parking opportunity outside of Union Deck

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Research reveals boosting strategies that mitigate risks of COVID-19 in cancer patients

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Aug. 22, 2023 – For many, the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic seems over. However, for patients whose immune systems are compromised by cancer or by cancer therapies, fear of COVID-19 infection and severe disease remains very real.

Currently, CDC guidance recommends that immunocompromised patients receive COVID-19 booster shots “as needed.” While this flexibility is useful for patients with complex medical conditions, more specific guidance is lacking as to when additional COVID-19 boosting would be most effective.

New research led by scientists at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and Yale University provides this critically needed information. The rate at which additional COVID-19 boosters are needed for cancer patients, the researchers say, depends on the treatment they are receiving.

The study, published Aug. 21 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, quantifies the long-term likelihood of future infection among cancer patients undergoing various common therapies after they received updated Pfizer vaccine booster shots.

According to the research, increased boosting among cancer patients provides benefits similar to those obtained by non-cancer patients. The study predicts that one out of every three people who forgo boosting will be infected within two years. In contrast, boosting every six months reduces that risk to 1 in 20.

“It turns out that most cancer patients are protected nearly as well as the non-cancer population by COVID-19 boosting,” said Yale School of Public Health Professor Jeffrey Townsend, the study’s lead author. “But there is a big exception.”

“Some cancer therapies directly attack immune cells,” said the study’s co-leader Alex Dornburg, an assistant professor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. “This is great for battling blood cancers such as some lymphomas, but the death of immune cells also opens a window not only for COVID-19 infection but for severe infection.”

For those cancer patients whose therapies directly impact the immune response, a much higher frequency of boosting could be very beneficial, the researchers said. With annual boosting, one out of every three patients on these therapies would still be vulnerable to contracting COVID-19 within two years without other interventions. Boosting every three months cuts this risk almost in half, the study said.

The researchers’ data-driven model of infection risks over time takes advantage of the large number of immunological studies of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) and other coronaviruses. The extensive data available enabled them to assess the long-term risks of infection at a range of frequencies of boosting.

“These results are based on a typical patient with a typical immune response receiving common therapies,” said Townsend. “It remains the case that every patient may have mitigating factors that doctors must consider when advising whether and when an additional COVID-19 booster schedule may be appropriate.”

“Fears of severe COVID-19 are not restricted to cancer patients.” added Dornburg. “We hope to develop similar analyses that provide guidance to protect other patients who are especially vulnerable.”

Funding for the research was provided by the National Science Foundation.

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UNC Charlotte introduces legislators and industry partners to NC’s first battery research center
Officials also toured CIPHER, showcasing the research found only at Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – June 6, 2023 – UNC Charlotte introduced government officials, and economic development and industry partners to two growing research areas of focus: predicting health and environmental risk and next-generation battery research during an open house on Monday, June 5.

During the Powering the Future event, guests toured North Carolina’s Battery Complexity, Autonomous Vehicle and Electrification Research Center, or BATT CAVE, and visited the Center for Computational Intelligence to Predict Health and Environmental Risks, or CIPHER.

“At UNC Charlotte, we are embracing our vision as an emerging top-tier, world-class research university,” said John Daniels, interim vice chancellor of research. “This is needed to support the industries and communities in our fast-growing region. Both CIPHER and BATT CAVE represent the innovative, interdisciplinary team-based research you’ll find only at Charlotte.”

More photos from CIPHER and BATT CAVE

U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, who spoke at the event, said, “This is an exciting opportunity. We are at a convergence point and everything this University has done since I have been involved in politics is proving that the bets you all wanted us to place are returning incredible value. You’ve been good stewards of taxpayer dollars and are graduating capable people. This is just another incredible success story that we have to continue to build on.”

BATT CAVE: Meeting a Critical Need

Part of the William States Lee College of Engineering, BATT CAVE is the only university-led research center in the state focused on advancing the fast-growing field of battery technology, safety and electrification research. This research is directly applicable to vehicles, in particular electric vehicles, and all systems dependent on clean energy use.

Electric vehicle manufacturing is projected to increase 17% over the next decade, making it one of the fastest-growing industries in the United States as well as North Carolina. In 2021, the North Carolina General Assembly made an investment of more than $40 million to renovate research center facilities, purchase state-of-the-art equipment and hire additional faculty—all of which will support an expanded talent pipeline of skilled engineers prepared to meet the industry demand. With this investment and its position in the midst of the state’s EV and battery, mining, processing and manufacturing economy, UNC Charlotte continues to lead transformational energy research and talent production.

Jun Xu, an internationally recognized battery safety and modeling expert, serves as BATT CAVE’s director. Xu and his team of faculty and graduate-level students base their experiential learning and research activity at the BATT CAVE facility on UNC Charlotte’s research campus, near the Energy Production and Infrastructure Center, EPIC, an established leader in energy research.

Demonstrations during the BATT CAVE portion of the tour included an EV race car developed and fabricated by students in 49ers Racing; wireless power transfer designed for rail transportation introduced for Belmont Trolley

MEDIA ADVISORY:
Powering the Future at UNC Charlotte

What: A tour of two reimagined and interdisciplinary research hubs that are powering the future for Charlotte and beyond. Charlotte is applying its research to fuel a well-prepared talent pipeline by finding solutions to some of the most pressing issues facing the local and global communities.

When: 10:30 a.m., Monday, June 5, 2023; Media arrival at 10 a.m.

Why: The tour features a first look at the North Carolina Battery Complexity, Autonomous Vehicle and Electrification Research Center. The BATT CAVE is a collaboration among academia, government and industry and is North Carolina’s only university-led battery research center.

Also on the tour, is the Center for Computational Intelligence to Predict Health and Environmental Risks. CIPHER occupies 25,000 square feet of research space on the newly upfitted fourth floor of the Bioinformatics Building. Interdisciplinary researchers focus on infectious diseases including emergent viruses and durable problems such as: malaria, the global spread of antibiotic resistance, food safety and failing ecosystem health.

Where: Tour begins at the Bioinformatics Building, 9331 Robert D. Sydner Rd. and continues to BATT CAVE, 8415 Phillips Rd. (formerly Motorsports Research and across the street from Bioinformatics)

Who: University leaders, Charlotte researchers, economic development and industry partners, among others.

Media Information:

• If attending, RSVP is highly encouraged.
• Media should arrive by 10 a.m.
• Media relations will meet you in the parking area and assist you to CIPHER.
• Media parking is available in the CRI 3A lot beside Bioinformatics (near the loading dock) and also in the area behind BATT CAVE if 3A is full.
• Please do not park in handicap spaces or block the loading dock.
• A parking map is attached.

Economic Forecast: Possible economic slowdown could be ahead
Here’s what to watch for, according to the latest North Carolina Economic Forecast

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – May 25, 2023 – To better understand the direction North Carolina’s economy will take for the remainder of the year, watch closely what steps the Federal Reserve takes next month, said John Connaughton, professor of financial economics for UNC Charlotte’s Belk College of Business.

Connaughton, who released the North Carolina Economic Forecast Second Quarter Report during a virtual presentation Thursday, May 25, said it’s still unclear if the Fed will raise or pause interest rates when it meets again June 13-14.

“Either way, the recent trouble in the financial sector is slowing lending across all banks and helping the Fed in its inflation fight,” he said. “However, the net impact of increasing interest rates and reduced bank lending is creating uncertainty about the direction the U.S. economy is heading over the next couple of quarters. It is quite possible we will see a mild slowdown during the second half of 2023.”

Connaughton said the odds are tilting that there could be a recession near the end of the year. He gives it a 60/40 chance.

Gross Domestic Product Analysis
For 2023, North Carolina’s real (inflation-adjusted) GDP is forecast to increase by 1.4% over the 2022 level, according to the report.

For the first quarter of 2023, GDP is expected to grow by an annualized rate of 1.1%.

Connaughton expects an output increase for 12 of the state’s 15 economic sectors during 2023. The sectors with the strongest expected growth rates include:

• Agriculture: 15.4%
• Information: 7.2%
• Mining: 7.0%
• Business and Professional Services: 4.0%
• Educational and Health Services: 3.4%

Three sectors are expected to experience declines during 2023:

• Construction: -6.1%
• Nondurable Goods Manufacturing: -5.0%
• Finance, Insurance and Real Estate: -.01%

Employment
According to the report, all 14 of the state’s nonagricultural sectors are expected to experience employment increases during 2023. The sectors with the strongest expected employment increases are:

• Mining: 5.6%
• Information: 4.0%

North Carolina employment is expected to reach 4,930,800 persons by December 2023, a 1.6% increase over the December 2022 employment level. The state is expected to add 78,300 net jobs in 2023.

North Carolina’s unemployment rate, which started 2023 at 3.9%, should close the year at 4%.

2024 Preview
Looking ahead to 2024, the report forecasts slow but continuing growth. The North Carolina economy is expected to add 53,400 jobs in 2024, maintaining the unemployment rate of around 4% through December 2024.

The North Carolina Economic Forecast, which debuted in 1982, is released quarterly. The full report and a recording of the presentation will be available at belkcollege.charlotte.edu/forecast.

The North Carolina Economic Forecast is supported by LPL Financial. The third quarter report will be released on Sept. 7.

May 2023 Economic Forecast Report

About the Belk College of Business
Established in 1970, UNC Charlotte’s Belk College of Business is one of the Carolinas’ largest business schools, with nearly 5,000 students, more than 100 full-time faculty, and an alumni network of more than 36,000. Accredited by AACSB International, the college is committed to building strong partnerships in the greater Charlotte region and beyond as North Carolina’s urban research business school. Learn more about how the Belk College is driving business at belkcollege.charlotte.edu, and on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

MEDIA ADVISORY:
North Carolina Economic Forecast set for Thursday, May 25

What: John Connaughton, professor of financial economics for UNC Charlotte’s Belk College of Business, will release the “North Carolina Economic Forecast Second Quarter Report” during a virtual presentation.

When/Where: Noon-1 p.m. on Thursday, May 25, via Zoom webinar. Registration is available at belkcollege.charlotte.edu/forecast.

About: Three large U.S. regional banks have failed since mid-March, sparking concerns about the financial system and slowing lending. Earlier this month, the Federal Reserve raised its key interest rates to a 16-year high in an effort to stave off inflation.

Professor Connaughton will break down the latest numbers as he releases the “North Carolina Economic Forecast Second Quarter Report” with a live presentation and Q&A. The presentation will be presented via Zoom webinar and is free and open to the public.

The presentation detail:

• The current state of North Carolina’s economy and outlook for the state’s employment and output for the remainder of 2023.
• A look at the top sectors.
• What to watch for this summer.
• Early forecasts for the state’s economy in 2024.

Under Connaughton’s direction, the North Carolina Economic Forecast has provided invaluable economic data for North Carolina for over 40 years. The North Carolina Economic Forecast is supported by LPL Financial.

Media Information: Media are asked to register for the virtual event at belkcollege.charlotte.edu/forecast. All media who register prior to the event will receive a link to the presentation. Professor Connaughton will be available for interviews virtually following the presentation. The Belk College of Business will live tweet from the Forecast through its Twitter page (@CLTBelkCollege) with #NCForecast.

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Alternatives to Violence implemented in Charlotte’s Beatties Ford neighborhood offers promise and lessons for preventing gun violence
Year-one evaluation by the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute outlines strengths and opportunities

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – May 17, 2023 – A program implemented to curb firearm violence in Charlotte shows promising initial results, according to an evaluation of its first year of operation.

The program, Alternatives to Violence, was piloted in the Beatties Ford neighborhood by the city of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County and Youth Advocate Programs. The evaluation document, Alternatives to Violence Evaluation Year-One Report, prepared by program evaluators from the Urban Institute at UNC Charlotte, outlines ATV’s strengths based on collected data and offers several recommendations for sustained violence prevention.

Like many cities across the United States, in 2019 and 2020, Charlotte experienced increased rates of firearm-related violence, which, in fact, rose by 45% across those two years. Guided by a public health model for preventing firearm violence called Cure Violence Global, ATV initiated community-based programming in 2021 designed to interrupt violence before it occurs, focusing on youth ages 14 to 25, who are most at risk of being victims and perpetrators of violence. Additionally, programming aims to identify and change behaviors of those at highest risk for being involved with violence as well as prompt changes in community norms.

“Collaboration across sectors is critical to addressing violence in our communities and understanding the impact of our efforts,” said Julia Martin, special assistant to the city manager. “The initial results of the evaluation are promising, and we are excited about the continuation of this program.”

Program evaluation and findings
To determine ATV’s effectiveness, the evaluation team gathered and studied data from crime records, ATV administrative records, interviews with ATV staff and a program administrator focus group. The program database reported 1,500 hours canvassing the community and over 40 violence interruptions. Among determined program strengths were staff credibility, staff training and partner engagement. Identified challenges included timely data entry, building community trust and ensuring that individuals at highest risk for violence were identified.

Of the program’s outcomes, one takeaway stands out. Results from interviews with ATV staff showed that program participants gained knowledge and skills and have exhibited behaviors (e.g., higher academic achievement, educational aspirations) that protect youth from violence.

“Investing in prevention strategies that foster supportive relationships, promote educational achievement and cultivate strong social skills and competencies is beneficial for youth,” said Urban Institute Research Associate Angelique Gaines.

The evaluation team also examined community outcomes to better understand how ATV’s interaction with individuals might have impacted community violence outcomes. The team studied aggravated assaults with and without a gun, nonfatal gunshot injuries, homicides with a firearm and violent crimes. They found that Beatties Ford, compared with similar neighborhoods, experienced a decrease in firearm-related homicide after the first year of ATV implementation. (There were no significant trends for other types of crime analyzed.)

Recommended actions
Evaluators offer several recommendations for optimizing future program implementation and improving ATV and violence prevention in Beatties Ford:

• Support staff in their suggestions for building community trust
• Address structural or other risk factors for violence that the team is unable to address alone
• Troubleshoot strategies to improve data entry into the program database
• Assess whether individuals in the neighborhood at higher risk of violence are truly being identified
• Prevent or be prepared for staff turnover
• Consider longer periods of initial assessment and funding

“Beyond the scope of this program, it will be important for the broader community to continue to invest in historically disinvested communities like Beatties Ford to support sustained violence prevention,” said Rachel Jackson-Gordon, research associate for the Urban Institute. “We hope the work of the ATV program combined with broader city and county initiatives will foster community safety so that residents can thrive in their neighborhoods.”

Although first-year results lean positive, evaluators concluded it is too early to determine whether crime findings should be interpreted as conclusive due to the brief time frame program effects were examined. A cumulative report that details longer-term outcomes will follow the program’s third year.

About the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute
The UNC Charlotte Urban Institute is its region’s applied research and community outreach center. It seeks solutions to the complex social, economic and environmental challenges facing communities. The institute engages expertise across a diverse set of disciplines and life experiences to curate data, and conducts actionable research and policy analysis that inform decisions to benefit all.

About the city of Charlotte
The city of Charlotte provides services to more than 872,000 residents. The city’s priorities are workforce and business development; transportation, planning and the environment; safe communities; and great neighborhoods.

Contacts
Direct inquiries related to the evaluation to Rachel Jackson-Gordon at rjacks72@uncc.edu or Angelique Gaines at amarcus5@uncc.edu.

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14th class of Levine Scholars to join UNC Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – May 16, 2023 – UNC Charlotte’s Levine Scholars Program has selected 20 exceptional young leaders from across the United States for the 14th class of the University’s most competitive academic scholarships. The scholars will join UNC Charlotte in fall 2023.

The University’s premier merit-based scholarship is valued at approximately $105,000 per North Carolina student and $155,000 for each student from other states. The award covers full tuition, housing, meals, books, mandatory fees and summer experiences. Scholars are provided additional funding to support civic engagement opportunities and professional development.

“Students selected for the Levine Scholars Program show tremendous accomplishment and potential,” said Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber. “We welcome them enthusiastically to Niner Nation and look forward to supporting their undergraduate journeys.”

Levine Scholars are selected through a rigorous nomination and interview process, including an in-person finalist program, where invited students and their families tour campus and meet current scholars, program staff and alumni as well as members of the faculty and University leaders. Among the criteria for consideration for the Levine Scholars Program is a commitment to service and community engagement.

“The academic achievements, leadership, and school and community contributions of these extraordinary high school seniors are extremely impressive,” said Heather Smith, the program’s incoming faculty director. “Their wide-ranging talents and interests will certainly continue the program’s powerful legacy initiated by its benefactors, Leon and Sandra Levine.”

The Levine Scholars for class of 2027 from North Carolina are:

Jadyn Becoats, Greensboro, Walter Hines Page High School; Sindhu Gadiraju, Mooresville, South Iredell High School; Omar Pasha, Cary, Durham Academy; Henry Roe, Charlotte, HOPE Academy; Rohan Salwekar, Apex, Green Level High School; Arnav Sareen, Cary, Raleigh Charter High School; Avery Taylor, Marion, McDowell High School; Tori Teague, North Wilkesboro, West Wilkes High School; Nubia Terry, Asheboro, Asheboro High School; Alecia Washington, Pfafftown, R.J. Reynolds High School; Lily Witcher, New Hill, Northwood High School; R.J. (Ronell) Wright, High Point, Guilford Technical Community College Middle College High School.

The class of 2027 out-of-state recipients are:

Samia Bell, Bowie, Maryland, Bowie High School; Natalie Doerfler, Calera, Alabama, Calera High School; Alyssa Fowler, Cambria Heights, New York, Benjamin N. Cardozo High School; Eden Gibson, Morgantown, West Virginia, University High School; Jasmine Oliver, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Baton Rouge Magnet High School; Mallory Schreiber, Finleyville, Pennsylvania, Bentworth Senior High School; Akshara Sisodiya, Gainesville, Florida, Gainesville High School; and Sophia Torrebiarte, Corrales, New Mexico, Cottonwood Classical Preparatory School.

This year’s selection processes included more than 2,200 scholarship nominations and nearly 1,000 applications. Selected scholars come from nine states and nine counties across North Carolina.

Established in 2009 through a $9.3 million gift from the late Leon Levine and his wife, Sandra Levine, through their foundation, the Levine Scholars Program was created to recruit extraordinary high school students based on scholarship, ethical leadership and civic engagement. In 2014, the Levines made an additional $13 million gift, which increased the scholarship from 15 recipients to approximately 20 each year beginning with the class of 2016.

Leon Levine founded Family Dollar Stores, Inc., and retired as chairman and CEO in 2003. The Levine family is involved in a number of civic and charitable causes in the Charlotte region and throughout the Carolinas through the Leon Levine Foundation. Leon Levine died in April, leaving a legacy of generosity, service and impact for scholars to follow.

“The Levine Scholars program with its emphasis on leadership development and community engagement continues to make an impact at the University, in our community, and beyond,” said Tom Lawrence, president of The Leon Levine Foundation. “We look forward to seeing this fine group of incoming scholars expand the high traditions of leadership, innovation and community engagement set by the scholars who came before them.”

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UNC Charlotte wins inaugural NSF Engines Development Award to fund ‘Clean Carolinas’
Funding to help Carolinas achieve net-carbon-neutral electric grid by 2050

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – May 11, 2023 – UNC Charlotte is selected as an inaugural recipient of up to $1 million from the U.S. National Science Foundation’s Regional Innovation Engines, or NSF Engines, program. UNC Charlotte is leading one of only 40 unique teams nationwide to receive an NSF Engines Development Award, which help partners collaborate to create economic, societal and technological opportunities for their regions.

The initiative, titled “Clean Carolinas,” is designed to support the economy and growth of the Carolinas through clean energy technology, including innovations in offshore wind, solar, clean hydrogen and marine energy. It will focus on the technologies’ energy delivery, storage and integration with the grid.

By leveraging the research and development expertise of UNC Charlotte and its partner groups in North and South Carolina, the initiative will meet the challenges of achieving a net-carbon-neutral electric grid by 2050 and sustaining it for much longer. The initiative’s activities will lay a pathway for clean energy innovation leadership in the Carolinas through a focus on technology acceleration, research and development on disruptive technologies and workforce development. The collaborative team will also target diversity, equity, inclusiveness and accessibility to identify community priorities for energy economic development and support upward economic mobility through skills development and well-paying jobs.

Michael Mazzola, UNC Charlotte

“The Charlotte metropolitan area is the glue that ties together a two-state region teeming with renewable energy resources, especially offshore wind,” said Michael Mazzola, executive director, UNC Charlotte Energy Production and Infrastructure Center and lead principal investigator for the award. “The innovation flowing from North and South Carolina industry and research enterprises, such as our world-class universities, will allow ‘made in the Carolinas’ to support increased social mobility and generate more direct financial investment into our region of service.”

The NSF Engines program is a transformational investment for the nation, ensuring the U.S. remains in the vanguard of competitiveness for decades to come.

“These NSF Engines Development Awards lay the foundation for emerging hubs of innovation and potential future NSF Engines,” said NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan. “These awardees are part of the fabric of NSF’s vision to create opportunities everywhere and enable innovation anywhere. They will build robust regional partnerships rooted in scientific and technological innovation in every part of our nation. Through these planning awards, NSF is seeding the future for in-place innovation in communities and to grow their regional economies through research and partnerships. This will unleash ideas, talent, pathways and resources to create vibrant innovation ecosystems all across our nation.”

By partnering with the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the South Carolina Research Authority, UNC Charlotte will include community priorities from the region’s individual households as well as the diverse businesses across the two states. Education and skills training, in addition to research and innovation, will be key, as the initiative includes collaborators from partner institutions, including East Carolina University, N.C. State University, Clemson University, Fayetteville State University, Elizabeth City State University and E4 Carolinas consortium. Clean Carolinas will leverage and complement collaborator NC A&T State University, which in August 2022 was awarded a $23.7 million grant to develop and implement a clean-jobs education and training program called STEPs4GROWTH from the U.S. Department of Commerce Good Jobs Challenge.

The awardees span a broad range of states and regions, reaching geographic areas that have not fully benefited from the technology boom of the past decades. These NSF Engines Development Awards will help organizations create connections and develop their local innovation ecosystems within two years to prepare strong proposals for becoming future NSF Engines, which will each have the opportunity to receive up to $160 million.

Launched by NSF’s new Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships and authorized by the “CHIPS and Science Act of 2022,” the NSF Engines program uniquely harnesses the nation’s science and technology research and development enterprise and regional-level resources. NSF Engines aspire to catalyze robust partnerships to positively impact regional economies, accelerate technology development, address societal challenges, advance national competitiveness and create local, high-wage jobs.

View a map of the NSF Engines Development Awards. More information can be found on the NSF Engines program website.

UNC Charlotte to help carry on Mebane Foundation legacy through historic gift
The investment of up to $23 million will support PreK-5 literacy education through the Mebane Early Literacy Center

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – May 10, 2023 – UNC Charlotte’s Cato College of Education, a leader in literacy instruction and research, has been selected by the Mebane Foundation to help continue its legacy of supporting innovation in literacy education in North Carolina and beyond through a five-year grant and potential endowment of up to $23 million.

The decision follows a competitive statewide search to identify a partner to continue to carry on founder Allen Mebane’s commitment to support inventive educational endeavors as the foundation winds down operations over the next decade.

“We are grateful the Mebane Foundation selected UNC Charlotte as its long-standing partner,” said Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber, who announced the gift in a message to campus on May 10. “This transformational investment will take Charlotte’s highly rated literacy programming and clinical experiences and move our teacher candidates to the next level. The Mebane name will continue as a gold standard for teacher readiness, assuring Mr. Mebane’s vision is realized. Together, we will create a better future for North Carolina.”

Over the past 25 years, the foundation has granted more than $25 million to educational program partners across the state. In 2019, it invested in the University’s research-based summer reading camps.

Through the free summer camps, elementary school students from across the Charlotte region have access to a place where they can learn to read. They are also a setting for teachers-in-training to apply new educational techniques and skills learned at the University. More recently, the foundation provided additional support to develop Project Enrich, which provides evidence-based tutoring year round to elementary school students who underperform in reading.

The foundation will increase its funding to Cato College over the next five years in support of teacher development, community partnerships, and research and innovation. It is expected the gift will then culminate in the Allen Mebane: Leaving a Legacy for Future Generations endowment to create and fund the Mebane Early Literacy Center into perpetuity.

“From the leadership team down through the college’s faculty and teacher candidates, focus on early childhood literacy is embedded in the Cato College,” said Marianne Mebane, chair of the Mebane Foundation Board. “I know Allen would be pleased with the direction we’ve taken and the partner we’ve chosen to carry on his work. I have no doubt that this partnership will flourish, but more importantly, it will provide world-class opportunities for some of the brightest young teachers in our state while at the same time supporting young struggling readers, both inside and outside the classroom.”

The Mebane Foundation’s gift, one of the largest in UNC Charlotte’s history, comes after a report commissioned by the UNC System Board of Governors that designated the University as “strong” in literacy instruction, the highest rating achievable. UNC Charlotte is the only North Carolina public university to earn the distinction.

“Nationwide, students are struggling to read at grade level,” said Malcolm Butler, dean of the Cato College of Education. “As Mr. Mebane well understood, a child’s future and the future of our society are tied closely to literacy rates. We are grateful to the Mebane Foundation for investing in Cato College’s efforts to ensure our elementary teachers are equipped to give all children in North Carolina and beyond the reading skills they need for success.”

In recognition of the gift, the College of Education building will be renamed Mebane Hall later this year.

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Charlotte graduate programs garner higher marks in U.S. News rankings

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – April 25, 2023 – UNC Charlotte’s graduate programs received increased recognition in the U.S. News & World Report, according to the publication’s 2023-2024 Best Graduate Schools rankings, which were released Tuesday, April 25.

In total, 11 Charlotte graduate programs or specialties increased their rankings this year.

“At UNC Charlotte, we are keenly focused on building the reputation and visibility of our graduate programs,” said Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber. “Our top-notch faculty are committed to providing our master’s and doctoral students world-class teaching, mentoring, research training and professional development opportunities. It’s great to see this work recognized by our peers in the latest U.S. News rankings.”

Charlotte’s Master of Public Administration, offered through the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, increased three spots from last year to its highest ranking ever at No. 46 in the Best Public Affairs Schools ranking. The MPA program ranks second among all UNC System universities’ public affairs programs and in the top 17% of all ranked programs nationally. The Gerald G. Fox MPA program includes ranked concentrations in local government management (No. 13) and public finance (No. 26).

The Charlotte MBA, offered through the Belk College of Business, climbed to No. 47, placing the program first among all public part-time MBA programs based in North Carolina and in the top 15% of all U.S. ranked programs.

Also, public health graduate programs in the College of Health and Human Services increased four spots over the previous year to No. 67, placing Charlotte among the top third of ranked U.S. programs.

Other graduate programs receiving national rankings are:

• Health care management and nursing in CHHS, which both showed year-over-year increases
• The Cato College of Education’s graduate programs in education, which climbed six spots from last year’s Best Education Schools ranking
• Master of Science in Computer Science in the College of Computing and Informatics, which jumped two spots from last year’s ranking
• Graduate programs in the William States Lee College of Engineering, which also was recognized with specialty rankings for civil and environmental engineering, electrical and computer engineering, and mechanical engineering and engineering science
• Mathematics and physics in CLAS also continue to be nationally ranked

Designed for prospective students looking to further their education beyond college, the U.S. News Best Graduate Schools rankings evaluate programs in a variety of disciplines, including business, education, engineering, science and math, law, medicine and nursing.

Including Best Online Master’s Degrees that were released in January and other rankings previously released by U.S. News, Charlotte now has 19 graduate programs or specialties listed among the top 100 in the country.

This is one of several national rankings that illustrate the University’s rise as an emerging top-tier research university. Last fall, the University jumped 25 spots overall in the U.S. News Best Global Universities rankings and increased 136 spots in the 2023 Forbes America’s Top Colleges rankings.

Bank failure prompts questions on inflation, interest rate hikes
Belk College of Business issues First Quarter North Carolina Economic Forecast

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – March 16, 2023 – The recent Silicon Valley Bank closure by regulators is the latest shockwave through the financial system, which adds another level of complexity as the Federal Reserve fights inflation.

The Fed began implementing the recent string of interest rate hikes in March 2022 to slow the pace of increasing inflation. John Connaughton, director of the North Carolina Economic Forecast, says the Fed will need to consider the financial industry’s stability while fighting inflation in 2023.

“The failure of Silicon Valley Bank has brought into question future interest rate hikes. In the short term, the Fed is going to have to balance the need to increase interest rates to fight inflation with the increased risk to the financial sector associated with higher interest rates,” Connaughton said.

“For now, the Fed has stemmed systemic risk by creating a lending facility that effectively insures all banking deposits. That action is quantitative easing in essence and is contradicting the Fed’s inflation fight.”

The First Quarter 2023 North Carolina Economic Forecast, sponsored by LPL Financial, was held virtually and in-person on Thursday, March 16. The forecast included presentations by Connaughton and Jeffrey Roach, senior vice president and chief economist for LPL Financial, as well as a panel discussion between Connaughton and Roach.

Roach said the SVB collapse is an isolated problem in the financial system. He does not expect to see other banking failures this year.

“This is a concentrated issue for under-diversified financial firms insufficiently hedged against rising rates,” he said.

The Belk College of Business released its “First Quarter North Carolina Economic Forecast Report” on Thursday and is available at belkcollege.charlotte.edu/forecast.

Gross Domestic Product Analysis
North Carolina’s real (inflation-adjusted) Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to increase by 1.6% over the 2022 level in 2023, according to the report.

For 2023, 12 of the state’s 15 economic sectors are expected to experience output increases, with agriculture projected to see the strongest growth at 17.6%.

Other top growth sectors for 2022 are expected to be:

• Mining: 6.2%
• Information: 6.0%
• Hospitality and leisure services: 4.6%
• Health and education services: 4.0%

Three sectors — finance, insurance, and real estate (FIRE); government; and transportation, warehousing, and utilities (TWU) — are expected to experience growth below the projected GDP growth of 1.6%.

Employment
According to the report, all 14 non-agricultural sectors are expected to experience employment increases during 2023. The sectors with the strongest expected employment increases in 2022 are:

• Information: 5.8%
• Mining: 5.6%

North Carolina employment is expected to reach 4,920,700 persons by December 2023, a 1.5% increase over the December 2022 employment level. The state is expected to add 74,300 net jobs in 2023.

North Carolina’s unemployment rate, which fell halfway through 2022 but rose to 3.9% by December, is expected to remain steady in 2023, closing out the year at 3.9%.

The North Carolina Forecast, which began in 1982, is published quarterly by UNC Charlotte’s Belk College of Business. The full report and a recording of the presentation will be available at belkcollege.charlotte.edu/forecast.

The Second Quarter 2023 North Carolina Economic Forecast Report will be released in May.

March 2023 Economic Forecast Report

Researchers highlight nucleolar DNA damage response in fight against cancer

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – March 16, 2023 – Cancer, which affects millions every year, requires proteins to spread through the body. In a new strategy to beat the wide-ranging disease, scientists are sabotaging its protein factories.

In a new forum paper published in Trends in Biology, researchers from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte encapsulated the young field of nucleolar DNA damage response (DDR) pathways. The review highlights six mechanisms by which cells repair DNA damage, including one which was published five months ago in Nucleic Acids Research by the same authors. By attacking these mechanisms, future applied researchers will be able to trip up cancer’s reproduction and growth.

“The whole purpose of the Trends paper is to bring attention to scientists in the field and trigger their research,” says Shan Yan, the main author. “I did not realize the significance of this field, which is only fifteen years old, until a couple of years ago.”

In a groundbreaking 2007 paper published in Nature, researchers began the field by unveiling the first pathway within the nucleolus, an area within an organelle, or room, within the cell. Inside the nucleolus, different molecules help copy DNA, which contains the plans for cells. Different factors can cause glitches, such as strand breaks, in the copies. These researchers found a way to help heal glitches when copying ribosomal DNA, or the plans for the protein factories of the cell.

By studying these mechanisms, researchers can target cancer, which relies on ribosomal DNA to make the proteins they need to attack the human body. For instance, a Phase I clinical trial is already underway for a drug that targets the second mechanism listed in the paper—if the cancer cells can’t heal glitches, then they can’t make new factories and hence can’t make new proteins.

While the first four mechanisms take place inside the nucleolus, which is in a room cordoned off within the watery cell, the last two mechanisms use a new cellular process which won the 2023 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences. In the process, called liquid-liquid phase transition, proteins pop up their own liquid ‘tents’ to do their work instead of staying inside a room.

Before working on the nucleolar DDR, Yan researched a protein called APE1. When he discovered that APE1 could locate the nucleolus within a cell and could also pop up these liquid tents to do work, it launched his investigation into these pathways and ultimately to the review paper.

“What’s new is that APE1 acts like a GPS or a first responder,” Yan said. “It says there’s a problem here, we need a police car, a medic, and others to come and be concentrated here.”

Basic researchers like Yan will continue to better define these mechanisms, while more applied scientists can then use those mechanisms as points of attack in the war on cancer.

“This is an exciting and emerging area,” Yan said. “By testing this idea, and if the clinical trial is successful, then these mechanisms will be tickets into new clinical trials and treatments.”

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Media Advisory:
North Carolina Economic Forecast set for Thursday, March 16

What: John Connaughton, professor of financial economics for UNC Charlotte’s Belk College of Business, will discuss the state of the North Carolina economy with Jeffrey Roach, senior vice president and chief economist for LPL Financial during the First Quarter North Carolina Economic Forecast.

The in-person presentation and panel discussion is free and open to the public.

When/Where: Noon to 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 16 at the Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte Center City, 320 East 9th Street, Charlotte, NC 28202.

You may also join via Zoom Webinar. Registration is available at belkcollege.charlotte.edu/forecast.

About: The First Quarter 2023 North Carolina Economic Forecast, sponsored by LPL Financial, will include brief presentations by Connaughton and Roach, as well as a panel discussion about the latest economic trends and issues.

Jennifer Troyer, dean of the Belk College of Business, will moderate the panel discussion incorporating data from Connaughton’s first quarter report, a leading source of economic information for North Carolina for more than 40 years. “The First Quarter North Carolina Economic Forecast Report” will be released immediately following the event.

• The current state of North Carolina’s economy and outlook of the state’s employment for 2023.
• The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) outlook for the remainder of 2023.
• The possibility of a recession near the end of 2023.

Under Connaughton’s direction, the North Carolina Economic Forecast has been providing invaluable economic data for North Carolina for more than 40 years. Connaughton, founding director of the forecast, is considered one of the top regional economists in North Carolina. The forecast report covers the state’s industrial sectors and measures the health of the state’s economy.

Media Information: Media are asked to register for the virtual event at belkcollege.charlotte.edu/forecast and indicate whether they will attend in person or via Zoom. All media who register prior to the event will receive a link to the presentation. Connaughton and Roach will be available for interviews following the presentation. The Belk College of Business will live tweet from the Forecast through its Twitter page (@CLTBelkCollege) with #NCForecast.

Advanced computing at UNC Charlotte indicates current antibodies effective against newly emergent SARS-CoV-2 XBB.1.5

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Feb. 16, 2023 – A team at UNC Charlotte’s Center for Computational Intelligence to Predict Health and Environmental Risks (CIPHER) and Tuple, a Charlotte-based genomics consulting firm, has used artificial intelligence to rapidly assess the public health implications of the newly emergent SARS-CoV-2 XBB.1.5 variant. Results from simulations run by the team indicate the antibodies currently in our arsenal are effective to neutralize SARS-CoV-2 XBB.1.5.

Therapeutic antibody (Tixagevimab; AZD8895, shown in gold) docked against the new viral variant (SARS-CoV-2 XBB.1.5 receptor binding domain, shown in green)

The variant has recently increased its share of COVID-19 infections caused in the United States, creating concern about a potential health care crisis. However, increased transmission ability of the variant does not mean it is not treatable.

“The CIPHER and Tuple team have tied several technologies together to provide rapid health intelligence, which is a dose of good news. It is becoming more clear that with new sciences and hard work we can address emergent diseases,” said Daniel Janies, the co-director of the CIPHER center and Carol Grotnes Belk Distinguished Professor of Bioinformatics and Genomics.

The team used machine learning applications to simulate protein structure and antibody binding. That way, they tested a variety of antibodies including those induced by the Omicron booster vaccine and others used in therapies.

These results are in contrast to those found by the team when the original Omicron variant emerged over a year ago. In 2021, the team correctly predicted the original vaccine and antibody arsenal had reduced efficacy against Omicron.

As this team works in computational simulations on digital representations of the variants and the antibodies, the work is very quick. The team uses protein structures from the program AlphaFold2, then a program called HADDOCK to dock the antibodies to the variants’ receptor binding domain in the Spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 XBB.1.5 and related viruses. The assessment is based on physics models to test the quality of docking and predict maintained or weakened efficacy of the antibodies against the viruses.

The computational work precedes, by weeks, the structural and binding experiments that must be done in a traditional chemistry laboratory. CIPHER researchers leverage new tools and UNC Charlotte’s advanced computing capabilities to provide a valuable early indication of what health officials can expect from the rise of a new variant as well as the therapeutics and vaccines that are effective in response.

A major investment by the N.C. General Assembly helped to fund this research and the CIPHER center.

Computational workflow of the predictive analyses from sequence, to protein structure generation, to protein-antibody docking. The red circles indicate the areas of structural interaction between the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the viral protein and the fragment antigen binding (Fab) region of the antibodies.

The full paper on XBB.1.5 and related viruses can be found here:
Positing changes in neutralizing antibody activity for SARS-CoV-2 XBB.1.5 using in silico protein modeling

The peer reviewed Omicron paper using the same methodology can be found here:
Predictions of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant (B.1.1.529) Spike Protein Receptor-Binding Domain Structure and Neutralizing Antibody Interactions

The authors include:

• Colby T. Ford (1, 2, 6)
• Shirish Yasa (3, 4, 6)
• Denis Jacob Machado (3, 4 ,6)
• Richard Allen White III (3, 4, 5, 6)
• Daniel Janies (3, 4, 6)
• 1 Tuple, LLC, Charlotte, NC, USA
• 2 School of Data Science, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA
• 3 Department of Bioinformatics and Genomics, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA
• 4 Center for Computational Intelligence to Predict Health and Environmental Risks (CIPHER), University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA
• 5 North Carolina Research Campus (NCRC), University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Kannapolis, NC, USA
• 6 College of Computing and Informatics, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA

UNC Charlotte ranks No. 4 in nation for online bachelor’s degrees

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Jan. 24, 2023 – UNC Charlotte has strengthened its reputation as one of the nation’s top providers of online education, rising to No. 4 (tie) on U.S. News & World Report’s 2023 Best Online Bachelor’s Degrees ranking, which was released Tuesday, Jan. 24.

This is the second consecutive year that UNC Charlotte has ranked in the top 10 nationally for its online bachelor’s degree programs, and the University has risen 30 spots over the past three years as its online portfolio supporting working professionals has grown. Charlotte is ranked first in North Carolina, the only university in the state to rank in the top 15.

U.S. News’ metrics for the online undergraduate rankings — which include student engagement, support given to students, and instructor training and credentials — were developed to identify degree completion programs for students who already have some college credit.

Online graduate programs rankings
U.S. News also recognized three UNC Charlotte master’s disciplines in its Best Online Master’s Degree rankings, which also were released on Jan. 24:

• Best Online Master’s in Education: No. 23 (tie)
• Best Online Master’s in Nursing: No. 37 (tie)
• Best Online Master’s in Engineering: No. 62

The Cato College of Education also was recognized for its master’s specialty in curriculum and instruction, which ranked No. 17 (tie) based on a survey of peer institutions across the country.

Rising in rankings
“We are pleased to be recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a national leader in the development of high-quality, affordable online programs for working professionals,” said Charlotte Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber. “This further illustrates the work our award-winning faculty and staff have done to streamline and develop online programs since we launched the School of Professional Studies in 2021.”

Charlotte Online, through the School of Professional Studies, provides access to more than 50 online degree programs. All programs are geared toward working adults.

The Belk College of Business began offering a fully online MBA program in August, and two new online degree programs debuted this month, a Master of Science in Mathematics, Math Education concentration and a bachelor’s in professional studies.

U.S. News evaluated more than 1,800 online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs for the rankings, the most ever.

According to the publication, while the methodologies are different for each discipline, they all incorporate metrics specific to online learning. Only degree-granting programs that are offered primarily online by regionally accredited institutions are eligible.

This is the latest in a growing number of national rankings for UNC Charlotte.

In November, the University ranked No. 18 in the nation on Newsweek’s student-focused “America’s Top Online Colleges for 2023.” Charlotte was awarded five stars out of five in the report, the highest recognition. Charlotte rose eight spots overall in the 2022-23 U.S. News & World Report Best College rankings for undergraduate colleges and universities.

Labor market strong; inflation persists into 2023
Belk College professor issues the Fourth Quarter North Carolina Economic Forecast

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Dec. 7, 2022 – The gap between the consumer price index for all urban consumers (CPI-U) and the Fed Funds Rate remains too wide to reflect progress toward inflation reduction, according to John Connaughton, director of the North Carolina Economic Forecast.

The Federal Reserve, which meets again in December, is expected to roll out smaller interest rate increases, but the pace of inflation likely won’t slow until well into 2023.

“Until the Fed Funds Rate gets closer to CPI-U, we won’t see a significant change in inflation,” Connaughton said.

According to Connaughton, CPI has increased more than 15% since August 2020, while wages have only increased 11%.

“Even when we start slowing price increases, the wages will ultimately need to catch up and may catch up by the end of 2023,” Connaughton said. “There will be wage inflationary pressure for most of 2023.”

Previous concerns over a recession appear to have dwindled going into 2023. Key indicators, such as consumer behavior and labor market trends, simply aren’t pointing toward an economic downturn, according to Connaughton.

“So far, we haven’t seen a significant weakness in the job market,” he said. “The unemployment rate would need to rise before people begin changing the way they spend their money.”

The Belk College released the Fourth Quarter North Carolina Economic Forecast Report Wednesday, Dec. 7, with Connaughton’s virtual presentation.

Gross Domestic Product Analysis
For 2023, North Carolina’s real (inflation-adjusted) GDP is expected to increase by 1.2% over the 2022 level, according to the report. This growth will represent the third full year of growth since the COVID-19 pandemic.

For the first quarter of 2023, GDP is expected to grow by an annualized rate of 1.1%.

Connaughton forecasts an output increase for 12 of the state’s 15 economic sectors during 2023. The sectors with the strongest expected growth rates include:

• Agriculture: 3.1%
• Mining: 3.1%
• Hospitality and Leisure Services: 2.1%
• Other: 2.6%
• Business and professional services: 2.5%
• Information: 1.9%

Three sectors are expected to experience growth rates below the overall state growth rate of 1.2%:

• Transportation, warehousing and utilities: 1%
• Durable goods manufacturing: 0.8%
• Retail trade: 0.5%

Employment
According to the report, all 14 of the state’s nonagricultural sectors are expected to experience employment increases during 2023. The sectors with the strongest expected employment increases are:

• Information: 5.7%
• Other services: 3.6%

North Carolina employment is expected to reach 4,910,200 persons by December 2023, a 1.5% increase over the December 2022 employment level. The state is expected to add 72,800 net jobs in 2023.

North Carolina’s unemployment rate, which started 2022 at 3.9%, should close the year at 3.6%. Connaughton expects the state unemployment rate to increase slightly during 2023, to 3.9%.

2022: A look back
North Carolina GDP defied the national trend during the first two quarters of 2022, according to Connaughton. At the emergence of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, U.S. GDP declined 1.6% in the first quarter and 0.6% in the second quarter, while North Carolina GDP increased 2.8% in the first quarter and only decreased 0.4% in the second quarter.

According to the report, nine of the state’s 15 economic sectors are expected to experience output increases during 2022, a change from the September 2022 report. The sectors with the strongest expected real increases are:

• Mining: 30.1%
• Agriculture: 26.1%
• Business and professional services: 11.2%
• Information: 10.4%
• Hospitality and leisure services: 8.8%

Six sectors are expected to decline in 2022:

• Construction: 7.4% decrease
• Durable goods manufacturing: 4.4% decrease
• Nondurable goods manufacturing: 2.4% decrease
• Retail trade: 2.2% decrease

UNC Charlotte’s Belk College of Business publishes the North Carolina Economic Forecast, which debuted in 1982, quarterly. The full report and a recording of the presentation will be available at belkcollege.charlotte.edu/forecast.

December 2022 Economic Forecast Report

About the Belk College of Business
Established in 1970, UNC Charlotte’s Belk College of Business is one of the Carolinas’ largest business schools, with more than 5,100 students, more than 100 full-time faculty, and an alumni network of more than 34,000. Accredited by AACSB International, the college is committed to building strong partnerships in the greater Charlotte region and beyond as North Carolina’s urban research business school. Learn more about how the Belk College is driving business at belkcollege.charlotte.edu, and on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

UNC Charlotte School of Architecture Named for Alumnus David R. Ravin

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Nov. 18, 2022 – The UNC Charlotte School of Architecture has a new name, and its program will receive unprecedented support, thanks to a generous gift from alumnus David R. Ravin ’94. The gift will enhance the architectural program through supporting student opportunities such as study abroad, enhancing the visibility of the school and developing programs in innovative housing and development practices.

“I’m grateful to David Ravin for his generosity in supporting architecture students, now and for generations to come,” said UNC Charlotte Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber. “His gift will strengthen and expand the quality and significance of design education at UNC Charlotte.”

David R. Ravin

Ravin is president and CEO of Northwood Ravin LLC, a leading full-service development, construction and property management firm and one of the Charlotte area’s largest commercial real estate developers. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture and a minor in geography from UNC Charlotte and went on to earn a Master of Architecture from the University of Michigan and a Master of Science in Real Estate from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

In 2011, he formed Ravin Partners LLC and soon joined forces with New York-based Northwood Investors. Focusing on developing, constructing and managing luxury for-rent and mixed-use housing, Northwood Ravin (NWR) now employs more than 450 associates and has projects in five states, with offices in Charlotte, Raleigh, and Tampa, Florida. Recent local projects include a 15-story apartment building at 500 West Trade Street in uptown Charlotte and Ballantyne Townhomes at Bridlestone, offering luxury townhomes for rent in Pineville. Other Charlotte properties include The VUE, Uptown 550, Providence Row and the Village at Commonwealth.

“To be able to give back to UNC Charlotte and the School of Architecture has always been important to me,” Ravin said. “When I first arrived as a freshman, I was blown away by the workload that we were assigned. However, it quickly tested everyone’s commitment to this path of study, and I am thankful to say I was all in. I was taking courses that truly interested me, and I was surrounded by classmates who shared my passion. After five years at UNC Charlotte, I was ready for anything. I went on to five different graduate programs and felt fully prepared for each. UNC Charlotte taught me how to learn, to be curious and open to new opportunities, and gave me the self-confidence to take on most challenges. I look forward to seeing the School of Architecture continue to grow and educate students on how to realize their true potential, and I am happy to support that effort by giving back.”

David R. Ravin School of Architecture

The endowment for the School of Architecture is the most recent example of Ravin’s longtime support for his alma mater, which has included funding for 49er Athletics and for student scholarships across the University. In addition, NWR has supported programs in the College of Arts + Architecture, the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, the Belk College of Business and the William States Lee College of Engineering. Ravin is a member of the advisory board for the Childress Klein Center for Real Estate.

“David Ravin has said that his experience in our architecture program taught him how to learn,” said Brook Muller, dean of the College of Arts + Architecture. “That says a lot, given David’s educational pedigree. We extend our deep gratitude to David for ensuring that this profound learning experience continues for class after class of our motivated and talented design students. His commitment to the school will expand their opportunities and strengthen the school’s legacy in our community and beyond.”

UNC Charlotte’s David R. Ravin School of Architecture is recognized nationally for the outstanding quality of its faculty, alumni and students; its commitment to environmental stewardship, technological innovation and community engagement; and its significant impact on the Charlotte region.

“The School of Architecture’s greatest legacy is its alumni, who contribute to communities in Charlotte and all over the world,” said Blaine Brownell, director of the School of Architecture. “Coming from one of the program’s most successful graduates, David’s investment is itself an example of that legacy and a testament to the caliber of architectural education at UNC Charlotte.”

Founded in 1971, the school celebrated its 50th anniversary in the 2021-22 academic year and has 2,500 alumni who make contributions to architecture and related disciplines in nearly 700 cities worldwide. More than 500 architecture alumni live and work in Charlotte, with the school represented in nearly every local design office.

The University will announce the David R. Ravin School of Architecture during a campus ceremony today.

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2022 State of Housing in Charlotte Report: High prices still affecting the region
Childress Klein Center for Real Estate’s research indicates affordable homes are increasingly difficult to find

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Nov. 15, 2022 – While the Charlotte housing market shows signs of softening, homes in the region that are priced affordably are becoming increasingly difficult to find.

Home buyers and renters in the eight-county region are entering a second year of high prices and a lack of affordable housing, according to the “2022 State of Housing in Charlotte Report,” which was released by UNC Charlotte’s Childress Klein Center for Real Estate (CKCRE) Tuesday, Nov. 15.

According to the report, only 3.8% of the houses sold in the region are under $150,000 and only about 25% of the houses sold are under $300,000. The report also found a rapid acceleration in rental prices. Over the last three years, average effective rent has increased by $320, or 27% per unit.

“In particular, the prices at the lower end of the distribution have increased much faster than at the higher end, causing significant concerns for housing affordability in the region,” said Yongqiang Chu, CKCRE director and the primary author of the housing report.

Key takeaways from the report:

• Houses priced affordably have become extremely difficult to find. Only 3.8% of the houses sold are under $150,000 and only about 25% of the houses sold are under $300,000.
• While the housing market continues to be tight, it has shown some signs of softening since the summer of 2022. The median number of days on the market has increased from three days in May 2022 to nine days in September 2022.
• House prices increased at an unprecedented rate during the pandemic. The median home prices in the Charlotte market increased from $273,500 in January 2020 to $420,000 in September 2022.
• Middle-income housing affordability is becoming a significant challenge for the region. The rising interest rates and house prices have made housing quickly unaffordable in the Charlotte region.

CKCRE’s 2022 research report also includes an in-depth review of housing in the Charlotte region over the last 20 years.

The report, which pulls from seven primary data sources, focuses on Mecklenburg County and the seven counties that surround it: Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, and Union counties, as well as Lancaster and York counties in South Carolina.

The report was released at the 2022 State of Housing in Charlotte Summit. The summit also included an industry panel discussion that focused on affordable housing.

First released in 2019, the report is part of a multi-year project, led by Belk College of Business faculty, that serves as a critical piece of research and starting point for discussion regarding housing policy in the Charlotte region.

CKCRE’s State of Housing in Charlotte is supported by these industry partners:

• Faison
• Canopy Realtor® Association
• Greater Charlotte Apartment Association
• True Homes Inc.
• Kingdom Development Partners
• Anne Marie DeCatseye

About the Childress Klein Center for Real Estate
The Childress Klein Center for Real Estate at UNC Charlotte was established in 2005 to further the knowledge of real estate, public policy and urban economics in the professional community through teaching, research and community outreach activities. The center administers the M.S. in Real Estate program, the MBA concentration and certificate programs in real estate finance and development. For more information, visit realestate.charlotte.edu. The center is part of the Belk College of Business.

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UNC Charlotte, City of Charlotte, Duke Energy win prestigious Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Cleantech Award for curbside electric vehicle charging technology

Award honors PoleVolt™ and achievements that contribute to diverse, equitable, inclusive clean energy technology initiatives.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Nov. 10, 2022 – UNC Charlotte, the city of Charlotte and Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) have been named the recipient of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Cleantech award by the Research Triangle Cleantech Cluster (RTCC).

The organizations were selected for the award based on their collaborative initiative PoleVolt™, which uses existing streetlights to provide curbside electric vehicle (EV) charging.The solution is the first of its kind in the nation.

Presented at RTCC’s fourth annual Cleantech Innovation Awards, the honor recognizes an organization or initiative that has demonstrated a strong commitment to building a more diverse, equitable and inclusive cleantech economy. RTCC is a not-for-profit organization that supports the creation of sustainable communities through cleantech innovation and adoption.

“North Carolina is growing its presence in the clean energy and technology industry and UNC Charlotte’s Energy Production and Infrastructure Center is a key part of that growth, along with our partners at the city of Charlotte, Duke Energy and Centralina Regional Council,” said Rob Keynton, dean of the William States Lee College of Engineering. “Our PoleVolt™ innovation is just one example of how we are partnering toward a better socioeconomic balance with greater access to clean energy in more communities. It is an honor to be counted among other strong innovators who are also forging solutions for societal challenges across the nation.”

A public-private effort between EPIC at UNC Charlotte, the city of Charlotte, Centralina Regional Council and Duke Energy, PoleVolt™ is funded through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technology Office.

“The option to choose clean energy transportation should be available to everyone, so we’re proud to play a role in efforts like PoleVolt™ that help remove barriers to access,” said Stephen De May, Duke Energy’s North Carolina president. “When you pair UNC Charlotte’s talented research team with the type of innovation we’re constantly developing at our Mount Holly Emerging Technology Center, we can all help make clean energy and an equitable economy a reality.”

Decreasing costs, increasing access
Placing charging stations in the public right-of-way along the curb can be expensive and difficult because of the potential need to run underground wiring and install new charging bollards in or near sidewalks. By utilizing existing streetlight infrastructure and connecting the circuits on overhead wiring, PoleVolt™ can lower the costs of installing EV charging stations by as much as 50%.

Future PoleVolt™ locations are planned in Charlotte and across the state.

Greener driving for all
The first deployment of PoleVolt™ was in February at the Ritz at Washington Heights Park in Charlotte’s Historic West End District – an initiative designed by community leaders in 2018 to improve air quality, reduce carbon emissions and improve health.

Two UNC Charlotte undergraduate engineering students — Grady Harwood and Philip Harmon — led the development of the project’s cloud-based software to launch charging from a smartphone. The students, along with Rob Cox, associate director of EPIC, gave a demonstration of the PoleVolt™ to the governor and Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles at the February deployment event.

“I am grateful we are being recognized for our work to promote both sustainability and equity in new technology,” said Mayor Lyles. “We are committed to investing in our Corridors of Opportunity with clean energy and technological advances that will benefit residents now and into the future.”

Mecklenburg County is part of the nine-county Centralina region. Centralina is home to the Department of Energy’s Clean Cities program for the region – the Centralina Clean Fuels Coalition. The coalition has been working for decades to increase the region’s use of alternative fuels, improve air quality and reduce impacts of climate change.

“The Centralina region will be a model for EV planning and deployment because of these types of innovative partnerships,” said Centralina Executive Director Geraldine Gardner.

PoleVolt™ supports Executive Order No. 246 that seeks to accelerate the state’s transition to a clean energy economy by creating a carbon-neutral, sustainable state transportation system in North Carolina.

About UNC Charlotte
With enrollment of nearly 30,000 students, UNC Charlotte is North Carolina’s urban research university. It leverages its location in the state’s largest city to offer internationally competitive programs of research and creative activity, exemplary undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, and a focused set of community engagement initiatives. UNC Charlotte maintains a particular commitment to addressing the cultural, economic, educational, environmental, health, and social needs of the greater Charlotte region.

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UNC Charlotte names Ohio State leader as next provost
Alicia Bertone, DVM, Ph.D., will begin her duties Jan. 3, 2023

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Oct. 24, 2022 – Alicia Bertone, DVM, Ph.D., has been appointed provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at UNC Charlotte. She will begin her duties Jan. 3, 2023. Bertone, a prolific biomedical researcher and veterinarian, joins Charlotte from The Ohio State University, where she most recently served as interim associate vice provost of strategic data and analysis.

“I am pleased to welcome our University’s next provost, Dr. Alicia Bertone. Her career has demonstrated her deep understanding of the important intersection of interdisciplinary research, data integration, recruitment and academic excellence as integral for a university’s success,” said Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber. “Charlotte has an ambitious 10-year strategic plan ahead of us to achieve top-tier research status, and I am confident Dr. Bertone will bring vision, tenacity and innovation to help make our plans a reality.”

Bertone joined The Ohio State University in 1990 as an assistant professor and achieved the rank of professor in 1997. During her tenure at Ohio State, she served in multiple administrative capacities, including the Trueman Chair in Equine Clinical Medicine and Surgery in the College of Veterinary Medicine, director of research for OSU’s Sports Medicine Center, the ENGIE-Axium Endowed Dean of the Graduate School and the vice provost for graduate education and affairs.

“I have been fortunate to build a career in public education, which provides the access, affordability and inclusivity that serve as the foundation for both individual and societal achievements,” said Bertone. “UNC Charlotte is uniquely positioned as a leader in this space by its urban location, impressive growth and visionary plan for the future. I look forward to working with Chancellor Gaber and colleagues from across all disciplines — humanities, STEM and the arts — to build upon the excellence they have already established in envisioning bold, new strategies to elevate Charlotte to even greater success.”

Among Bertone’s most significant contributions at Ohio State are founding the University’s Consortium for the Advancement of Neuromusculoskeletal Science and Locomotion; directing the Comparative Research Laboratory and Molecular Medicine Suite; enhancing services for graduate students to boost recruitment and retention; launching programs to attract an increasingly academically talented and diverse student body, including the implementation of the ENGIE-Axium Endowment for Fellowships and Scholarships; and leading the digital transformation of multiple systems and offices into state-of-the-art operations.

A world-renowned researcher in molecular medicine and pharmaceuticals, Bertone’s work has been published in more than 180 peer-reviewed publications, the majority of which contain post-graduate students as primary or co-authors. She has authored more than 30 book chapters and served on the editorial board of several journals.

Ohio State’s College of Veterinary Medicine recognized her as one of its top extramurally funded researchers, including prestigious funding from the National Institutes of Health. Additionally, she holds two patents – the GeneChip®, created in partnership with Affymetrix Inc., and a novel joint model to study fluid dynamics of joint inflammation.

She is the recipient of the Pfizer Research Award, the Charles C. Capen Teaching Excellence Award for Graduate Education, the Speaker of the Year by the North American Veterinary Conference and more than 70 awards as an advisor to students. She was also a finalist for TECHCOLUMBUS’s Outstanding Women in Technology and Inventor of the Year awards.

Bertone earned a bachelor’s degree and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, both with distinction, from Cornell University and a Master of Science in surgery and joint pathology and Ph.D. in biomedical sciences, both with distinction, from Colorado State University. She completed a fellowship in gene therapy at Harvard University’s Center for Molecular Orthopedics. Additionally, she is board certified as a Diplomate in the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and as a Diplomate in the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation.

About UNC Charlotte:
With enrollment of nearly 30,000 students, UNC Charlotte is North Carolina’s urban research university. It leverages its location in the state’s largest city to offer internationally competitive programs of research and creative activity, exemplary undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, and a focused set of community engagement initiatives. UNC Charlotte maintains a particular commitment to addressing the cultural, economic, educational, environmental, health and social needs of the greater Charlotte region.

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Woes of possible recession persist
Belk College professor issues the Third Quarter North Carolina Economic Forecast

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Sept. 22, 2022 – The United States likely won’t see a recession this year, but continued interest hikes could send the economy into a recession in 2023, according to John Connaughton, director of the North Carolina Economic Forecast.

“It depends almost entirely on what the Federal Reserve does in the next three or four months,” he explains.

The Federal Reserve, which meets two more times this year, announced another significant increase in interest rates on Wednesday afternoon. Based on the response to combat inflation in recent months, Connaughton says the economy will continue to shrink if more interest rate increases are implemented.

“There will be a significant impact to the economy in 2023 if we get two 50 basis point increases in November and December,” he said.

Connaughton said there are two big stories to watch:

• The decline in U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and real North Carolina GDP in the first and second quarters. U.S. GDP dropped 1% and North Carolina GDP dropped 0.4%. The drop began when the Omicron variant of COVID-19 emerged, but continued through the second quarter as supply chain issues persisted.
• The impact inflation is having on the economy and the Federal Reserve’s response. For example, in the first quarter, U.S. consumers are spending more on goods and services, but less goods and services are delivered due to inflation.

The Belk College released the “Third Quarter North Carolina Economic Forecast Report” Thursday, Sept. 22, with Connaughton’s virtual presentation.

Gross Domestic Product Analysis
For 2022, annual real (inflation-adjusted) North Carolina GDP is expected to increase by 2.1% over the 2021 level, according to the report. This growth will represent the second full year of growth since COVID-19.

For the fourth quarter, GDP is expected to grow by an annualized rate of 1.3%.

This year, Connaughton forecasts an output increase for 10 of the state’s 15 economic sectors. The sectors with the strongest expected growth rates include:

• Hospitality and Leisure Services: 10.3%
• Information: 8.6%
• Agriculture: 7.8%
• Business and professional services: 6.2%
• Other: 3.7%

Three sectors are expected to experience growth rates below the overall state growth rate of 2.1%:

• Manufacturing: 2.1%
• Finance, insurance, and real estate: 1%
• Transportation, warehousing, and utilities: 1%

Employment
According to the report, all 14 of the state’s nonagricultural sectors are expected to experience employment increases during 2022. The sectors with the strongest expected employment increases are:

• Information: 6.0%
• Business and professional services: 5.8%

North Carolina employment is expected to reach 4,818,500 persons by December 2022, a 3.5% increase over the December 2021 employment level. The state is expected to add 162,400 net jobs in 2022.

North Carolina’s unemployment rate is expected to rise slightly to 3.6% by December 2022.

2023 Outlook
The North Carolina economy is expected to add 74,000 net jobs in 2023, driving unemployment up to 3.9% by December 2023.

All 15 of the state’s economic sectors are expected to experience output growth in 2023. The strongest expected growth sectors are:

• Hospitality and leisure services: 4.2%
• Information: 2.9%
• Other: 2.7%

North Carolina’s GDP for 2023 is expected to increase by an annualized real rate of 2.1%.

The North Carolina Economic Forecast, celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, is published quarterly by UNC Charlotte’s Belk College of Business. The full report and a recording of the presentation will be available at belkcollege.charlotte.edu/forecast.

The Fourth Quarter North Carolina Economic Forecast Report will be released in December.

September 2022 Economic Forecast Report

About the Belk College of Business
Established in 1970, UNC Charlotte’s Belk College of Business is one of the Carolinas’ largest business schools, with more than 5,100 students, more than 100 full-time faculty, and an alumni network of more than 34,000. Accredited by AACSB International, the college is committed to building strong partnerships in the greater Charlotte region and beyond as North Carolina’s urban research business school. Learn more about how the Belk College is driving business at belkcollege.charlotte.edu, and on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

New study: vaccine protection against COVID-19 short-lived, booster shots important

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – July 19, 2022 – Researchers from UNC Charlotte and Yale School of Public Health have an answer regarding the uncertainty as to how long COVID vaccine protection lasts, and when it might be necessary for individuals to get an additional booster shot.

Strong protection following vaccination is short-lived.

Alex Dornburg, assistant professor of Bioinformatics and Genomics, UNC Charlotte

The researchers’ study is the first to quantify the likelihood of future infection following natural infection or vaccination by the Moderna, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson or Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines. The findings were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

“We tend to forget that we are in an arms race with this virus, and that it will evolve ways to evade both our natural and any vaccine-derived immune response,” said Alex Dornburg, assistant professor of bioinformatics and genomics at UNC Charlotte’s College of Computing and Informatics, who led the study with Jeffrey Townsend, the Elihu Professor of Biostatistics at Yale School of Public Health. “As we have seen with the Omicron variant, vaccines against early virus strains become less effective at combating new strains of the virus.”

The risk of breakthrough infections, in which a person becomes infected despite being vaccinated, depends on the vaccine type. According to the study, current mRNA vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna) offer the greatest duration of protection, nearly three times as long as that of natural infection and the Johnson & Johnson and Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines.

“The mRNA vaccines produce the highest levels of antibody response and in our analysis confer more durable protection than other vaccines or exposures,” said Townsend, the study’s lead author. “However, it is important to remember that natural immunity and vaccination are not mutually exclusive. Many people will have partial immunity from multiple sources, so understanding the relative durability is key to deciding when to provide a boost to your immune system.”

Dependable protection against reinfection requires up-to-date boosting with vaccines that are adapted to address changes in the virus that occur as part of its natural evolution over time, the researchers said.

The researchers’ data-driven model of infection risks through time takes advantage of the striking similarities of reinfection probabilities between endemic coronaviruses (which cause “common colds”) and SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. These similarities allowed the scientists to make longer-term projections than studies focused solely on current-day infections. Furthermore, the model placed antibody responses following natural and vaccine-mediated immunity into the same context, enabling comparison.

“SARS-CoV-2 mirrors other endemic coronaviruses that also evolve and reinfect us despite natural immunity to earlier strains,” said Townsend. “Continual updating of our vaccinations and booster shots is critical to our fight against SARS-CoV-2.”

The National Science Foundation provided funding for this research.

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Bank of America Invests $2.5 Million to Support Student Success at UNC Charlotte and Upward Mobility for the Region

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – June 16, 2022 – Bank of America is strengthening its long-standing partnership with UNC Charlotte to support student success and upward mobility for the Charlotte region. The $2.5 million investment from the bank will expand the University’s signature bridge program for historically underrepresented students and support the creation of a Community Innovation Incubator.

“As Charlotte’s only public research institution, UNC Charlotte puts access and student success at the core of our mission,” said Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber. “The important work we are doing to reduce the equity gap for students is a national model, helping to create a diverse workforce for our fast-growing region. We are grateful to Bank of America for its long-standing partnership and for continuing its commitment to UNC Charlotte and our community. By partnering, we can create a path for even more students to earn a Charlotte degree and enter the workforce ready to thrive, creating a stronger, more equitable Charlotte.”

Supporting Student Success

The University Transition Opportunities Program (UTOP) powered by Bank of America will expand UNC Charlotte’s signature bridge program by an additional 300 students over a five-year period. UTOP began in 1986, creating a path for underrepresented students to successfully transition from high school to college by providing a rigorous six-week summer collegiate experience. Over the past 30 years, UTOP graduates consistently see increased GPAs as well as higher retention and graduation rates.

“My UTOP experience gave me the foundation I needed to succeed at UNC Charlotte and, ultimately, with my career at Bank of America,” said Assa Sylla ’21, a UTOP graduate and financial management analyst at Bank of America. “The program helped me familiarize myself with campus, make friends and network, sharpen my study skills, take classes and achieve a 4.0 GPA, all before starting my first semester. Had I not done UTOP, it would have been extremely hard for me to have graduated on time with a full-time offer from the bank.”

Supporting Upward Mobility and Social Impact

Bank of America and UNC Charlotte will accelerate upward mobility and social impact in the community through the creation of the Community Innovation Incubator to execute community-centric research in Charlotte’s Corridors of Opportunity. Local residents and community leaders will work as peers with researchers, students and experts to co-design data-driven solutions for the region. The research funded through the investment supports the scholarly mission of the University, while helping to address community issues.

“Bank of America recognizes the importance of investing in equitable access to higher education and the power of data-driven strategy,” said Christine Katziff, Bank of America’s chief audit executive and a member of the UNC Charlotte Board of Trustees. “This funding will expand the reach of UNC Charlotte’s signature UTOP bridge program to help students from underrepresented communities receive the support they need and deserve to realize their career goals. The funding will also propel the creation of the Community Innovation Incubator, which is focused on leveraging research to advance racial equity and economic opportunities within key areas of the Charlotte region. We value our 31-year partnership with UNC Charlotte, and this is another step forward in our ongoing journey.”

In the three-decade relationship, the bank has invested time — which includes leadership roles across the University, adjunct professorships and volunteerism — and more than $10.6 million with UNC Charlotte.

Along with endowed professorships and academic programming, Bank of America provided funding to establish the Applied Technology Program Women in Business & Technology Scholarship. The bank also funded $25,000 and provided volunteers to lead the charge to improve the infrastructure of the Institute for Social Capital (ISC), a signature research initiative of the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute. ISC has become a hub for community data, increasing the Charlotte community’s capacity for data-informed decision-making and deepening understanding of complex community issues including economic mobility.

The bank’s most recent gift aligns with many key and critical components of the University’s recently launched 10-year strategic plan to “shape what’s next” through research, teaching, leadership, and diversity and inclusion.

About UNC Charlotte:

UNC Charlotte is North Carolina’s urban research university. With an enrollment of nearly 30,500 students, the University leverages its location in the state’s largest city to offer internationally competitive programs of research and creative activity, exemplary undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, and a focused set of community engagement initiatives.

About Bank of America:

At Bank of America, we’re guided by a common purpose to help make financial lives better, through the power of every connection. We’re delivering on this through responsible growth with a focus on our environmental, social and governance (ESG) leadership. ESG is embedded across our eight lines of business and reflects how we help fuel the global economy, build trust and credibility, and represent a company that people want to work for, invest in and do business with. It’s demonstrated in the inclusive and supportive workplace we create for our employees, the responsible products and services we offer our clients, and the impact we make around the world in helping local economies thrive. An important part of this work is forming strong partnerships with nonprofits and advocacy groups, such as community, consumer and environmental organizations, to bring together our collective networks and expertise to achieve greater impact. Learn more at about.bankofamerica.com, and connect with us on Twitter (@BofA_News).

For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other important information, register for news email alerts.

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Charlotte 49ers Unveil EverGreen Athletics Facilities Master Vision
Phase I Underway; Includes First Expansion of Jerry Richardson Stadium

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – May 24, 2022 – The Charlotte 49ers Athletics Department has announced its EverGreen Athletics Facilities Master Vision, which will integrate into UNC Charlotte’s overall campus master plan that is being updated. EverGreen includes substantial upgrades to existing facilities as well as the construction of new spaces to enhance the overall development of its entire program.

“As the University embarks upon an overall campus master planning process, the athletics master vision will be a key component of it,” said Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber. “This ambitious plan is reflective of the upward trajectory of UNC Charlotte’s athletics program which is, for many of our constituents, the ‘front porch’ of the University. We are committed to providing an experience for our students, alumni, and fans that mirrors the excellence embodied throughout UNC Charlotte – in our academics, research, community engagement, and every other facet of what we do.”

While the vision offers a 12-15 year look at what the future holds for all 49ers campus facilities, Charlotte is currently focused on the $102 million Phase I, which features the first expansion of Jerry Richardson Stadium, a design already underway for a new softball clubhouse and recently completed upgrades to the football locker room. Phase I also includes the construction of a new stadium to be shared by men’s and women’s soccer and the newly announced women’s lacrosse program, a clubhouse for the baseball program, and men’s and women’s basketball locker room renovations.

“This is a vision of what we intend to become,” said Mike Hill, director of athletics. “We have aspirations to achieve greatness and further elevate the visibility and profile of our University. As we take the next step in our growth by joining the American Athletic Conference, our competition gets tougher against more established programs, so it is imperative that we provide our coaches and student-athletes with the resources necessary to compete for championships. Our fans deserve the very best experience when they come to support their beloved Niners.”

Projects identified in Phase I, for which fundraising efforts have begun, are critical to the 49ers’ transition to the American Athletic Conference and the addition of their 19th sport, women’s lacrosse.

“This initiative is a tangible reflection of Charlotte’s commitment to competition in the American Athletic Conference and at the highest level of Division I athletics,” said American Athletic Conference Commissioner Mike Aresco. “It aligns with the shared vision of our conference membership and the sustained progress that has defined The American since our inception. I applaud Chancellor Sharon Gaber, Athletic Director Mike Hill and all those who strongly support this great university as its commitment to excellence continues. The University leadership’s foresight, acumen and dynamic approach have made this vision a reality that will be transformative for the University and its athletics program.”

The EverGreen Master Vision is led by nationally renowned HOK, a global design, architecture, engineering and planning firm, and Jenkins-Peer Architects, a highly regarded and award-winning local firm. HOK has nationwide experience in the athletic construction field, while Jenkins-Peer designed Jerry Richardson Stadium and the Judy W. Rose Football Center as well as other projects on campus, including the University Recreation Center.

The process included input from coaches, student-athletes, athletics staff, supporters, and university and athletic administrators. Originally, the plan was to be finalized in spring 2020; however, due to the pandemic, it was temporarily paused and subsequently modified.

“The American invited us to join because of the incredible trajectory of our athletics program, university and city,” Hill added. “Our ability to clearly articulate this vision, including expansion of the football stadium, was certainly a factor. To achieve our goals, we will need to galvanize the resources of our amazing city and university. We can do this together.”

PHASE I PROJECTS UNDERWAY OR COMPLETE

BOB DAUGHTRIDGE SOFTBALL CLUBHOUSE
Adjacent to the Lewis Family Softball Training Facility behind the first baseline, the softball clubhouse will serve as the new home for 49ers softball, including locker room and team meeting space, coaches’ offices and a training room. Softball’s departure from the Wells Fargo Fieldhouse allows for future expansion of women’s sports within that facility.

JUDY W. ROSE FOOTBALL CENTER LOCKER ROOM
New lockers maximize space for the football team and provide enhanced technology and equipment storage for over 100 student-athletes.

UPCOMING PHASE I PROJECTS

JERRY RICHARDSON STADIUM EXPANSION
The first expansion of Jerry Richardson Stadium will provide additional access to 49ers games and significantly upgrade the fan experience by offering club seating, loge boxes, hospitality suites, an outdoor terrace and mezzanine club as well as the traditional press suite level. The initial stages of this project will push capacity over 21,000 while the ultimate objective of Phase I is to accommodate over 30,000 fans.

MEN’S AND WOMEN’S BASKETBALL LOCKER ROOMS ENHANCEMENTS
Locker rooms for both the 49ers’ men’s and women’s basketball programs will undergo substantial renovations to allow for a heightened student-athlete experience. The new layouts will create more space and seating as well as player lounges and meeting space.

SOCCER/LACROSSE STADIUM
Phase I calls for the relocation of the playing venue for the Charlotte 49ers’ men’s and women’s soccer programs, which will return the programs to their playing site prior to the construction of Irwin Belk Track and Field Center/Transamerica Field in 1996. The soccer and lacrosse stadium will provide a spectacular new home for the 49ers’ national-caliber men’s and women’s soccer programs as well as the program’s newest sport, women’s lacrosse. The stadium will offer excellent fan amenities while bringing Niner Nation up close to on-field action. Until its completion, the lacrosse program will play home games at Jerry Richardson Stadium.

BARNHARDT-HALTON BASEBALL CLUBHOUSE
To move baseball operations entirely to Robert and Mariam Hayes Stadium, a new clubhouse will feature coaches’ offices, locker rooms, training room and team spaces. The baseball clubhouse will sit on the right field line between the grandstand and indoor facility and will feature a terrace for fans to congregate and watch games. In addition, baseball vacating the Wells Fargo Fieldhouse will create a home for the women’s lacrosse team.

FUTURE PROJECTS
Additional Phases of EverGreen will include construction of and expansion and renovations to other athletics facilities that will impact each and every one of the 49ers’ programs. Those projects include: Basketball Practice Facility and Student-Athlete Enhancement Center, Irwin Belk Track and Field Center enhancements, Dale F. Halton Arena enhancements, Indoor Football Practice Facility, Sue M. Daughtridge Stadium expansion, a new Wells Fargo Fieldhouse, Halton-Wagner Tennis Complex Indoor Facility, and Robert & Mariam Hayes Stadium expansion.

ABOUT CHARLOTTE 49ERS ATHLETICS
The Charlotte 49ers are the NCAA Division I athletics department of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Charlotte sponsors 19 sports and competes in Conference USA. In 2021, the 49ers accepted an invitation to the American Athletic Conference. The timing of that move is to be determined.

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Connaughton warns of rising recession risks
Belk College professor releases the Second Quarter North Carolina Economic Forecast.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – May 19, 2022 – Inflation continues to create uncertainty in North Carolina and across the country, with economic conditions shaping up for a potential recession in 2023, according to John Connaughton, director of the North Carolina Economic Forecast.

“Inflation is clearly not going away any time soon,” said Connaughton, professor of financial economics at UNC Charlotte’s Belk College of Business. “The Fed may have to become more hawkish, and that could spin the economy into recession later this year or early next year.”

Additionally, the uncertainty of new COVID-19 variants arising could temporarily slow economic activity and further compromise the supply chain, Connaughton said.

Connaughton said there are two big stories to watch:

• The first quarter decline in U.S. and North Carolina Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Real North Carolina GDP dropped .04%, partly due to Omicron issues domestically and inventory declines, especially in the new car industry.
• The impact inflation is having on the economy. While consumers spent 6.5% more on goods and services during the first quarter, because of inflation, that increase resulted in decline in goods and services delivered.

The Belk College released the “Second Quarter North Carolina Economic Forecast Report” Thursday, May 19, with Connaughton’s virtual presentation.

Gross Domestic Product Analysis
North Carolina’s real (inflation-adjusted) GDP is expected to increase by 2.7% over the 2021 level in 2022, according to the report. This growth will represent the second full year of growth since COVID-19.

Eleven of the state’s 15 economic sectors are expected to experience output increases during 2022. The sectors with the strongest expected year-to-year growth rates:

• Hospitality and Leisure Services: 10.5%
• Information: 7.4%
• Agriculture: 7.0%
• Business and professional services: 5.4%
• Other: 3.7%.

Six sectors are expected to experience growth rates below the overall state growth rate of 2.7%. Four sectors are expected to a decline in 2022, with these sectors seeing the largest decline:

• Retail trade: Decrease of 2.4%
• Construction: Decrease of 2.0%

Employment
According to the report, all 14 of the state’s nonagricultural sectors of the economy are expected to experience employment increases during 2022. The sectors with the strongest expected employment increases are:

• Information: 6.3%
• Nondurable Goods: 3.9%.
• Hospitality and Leisure Services: 3.7%

North Carolina employment is expected to reach 4,766,200 persons by December 2022, a 2.4% increase over the December 2021 employment level. The state is expected to add 110,100 net jobs in 2022.

North Carolina’s unemployment rate is expected to decline through the rest of 2022 and close the year at 3.4%.

The North Carolina Economic Forecast, celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, is published quarterly by UNC Charlotte’s Belk College of Business. The full report and a recording of the presentation will be available at belkcollege.charlotte.edu/forecast.

The Third Quarter North Carolina Economic Forecast Report will be released in September.

May 2022 Economic Forecast Report

About the Belk College of Business
Established in 1970, UNC Charlotte’s Belk College of Business is one of the Carolinas’ largest business schools, with more than 5,100 students, more than 100 full-time faculty, and an alumni network of more than 34,000. Accredited by AACSB International, the college is committed to building strong partnerships in the greater Charlotte region and beyond as North Carolina’s urban research business school. Learn more about how the Belk College is driving business at belkcollege.charlotte.edu, and on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – May 3, 2022 – UNC Charlotte’s Levine Scholars Program has selected 22 young leaders from across the United States who will be the members of the 13th class of the University’s prestigious and academically competitive scholarship program. The scholars will join UNC Charlotte in fall 2022.

Valued at approximately $105,000 for each Levine Scholar from North Carolina and $155,000 each for those from other states, the scholarship fully covers tuition, housing, meals, books, mandatory fees and summer experiences. Scholars receive additional funding to support civic engagement opportunities and professional development.

“The Levine Scholars Program is a premier merit scholarship that continues to serve as a model for other programs at UNC Charlotte and beyond,” said Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber. “The students joining us this fall as the 13th class of Levine Scholars show a tremendous level of accomplishment and promise, and they continue to raise the profile of this extraordinary program. We are excited to welcome them to Niner Nation and look forward to supporting them as they begin their undergraduate journey.”

Diane Zablotsky, faculty director of the Levine Scholars Program, echoed the chancellor’s sentiments. “It is always exciting to welcome the incoming class of Levine Scholars, and we look forward to the Class of 2026 taking its place in the UNC Charlotte community,” she said. “We anticipate this energized and engaged group of first-year scholars will quickly make their mark on the scholarship program, University and city of Charlotte. We look forward to helping them explore international locations, create impactful civic engagement projects, and join other students in engaged research and scholarship.”

This year’s Levine Scholars from North Carolina are:

Arielle Brown, Raleigh, Needham B. Broughton High School; Abigail Cameron, Apex, Thales Academy; Kennedy Carpenter, Winston-Salem, Mount Tabor High School; Jairus Cook, Raleigh, Ravenscroft School; Eli Elk, Chapel Hill, Woods Charter School; Madison File, Lincolnton, North Lincoln High School; Allie Grice, Mount Holly, East Gaston High School; Brian Loza-Gomez, Robbins, North Moore High School; Emily Marlowe, Gastonia, Gaston Christian School; Marayna Maxwell, Mooresboro, Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy; Shashank Pb, Apex, Apex High School; Eden Ramos, Cary, Triangle Math And Science Academy; Jaiden Ramseur, Newton, Discovery High School; Tara Solomon, Rolesville, Thales Academy; and Tashawna Wilkins, Raleigh, Wake Young Women’s Leadership Academy.

Out-of-state recipients are:

Grace Bricker, St. Louis, Missouri, Cor Jesu Academy; Noorkaran Chima, Streetsboro, Ohio, Streetsboro High School; Chapel Forte, Brentwood, Tennessee, Ravenwood High School; Christian Fuselier, Lafayette, Louisiana, Lafayette High School; Annabelle Hill, Chattanooga, Tennessee, Chattanooga School for Arts and Sciences; Madison Lewis, Floral Park, New York, Floral Park Memorial High School; and Owen Mitchell, Bowie, Maryland, Bowie High School.

Levine Scholars are selected through a lengthy nomination and interview process.

“The program continues to grow the geographic representation of nominations and completed applications,” said Abey T. Dessie, associate director of the Levine Scholars Program.

Established in 2009 through a $9.3 million gift from Leon and Sandra Levine through their foundation, the Levine Scholars Program was created to recruit extraordinary high school students based on scholarship, ethical leadership and civic engagement. To date, the Levines have committed a total of $33.8 million to develop, expand and sustain the scholarship program. Leon Levine is the founder of Family Dollar Stores; he retired as chairman and CEO in 2003. The Levines are involved in a number of civic and charitable causes in the Charlotte region and throughout the Carolinas through The Leon Levine Foundation.

“We are impressed by the impact the Levine Scholars Program has made at the University, in our community and beyond,” said Leon Levine, chairman and CEO of The Leon Levine Foundation. “We look forward to seeing this fine group of incoming scholars expand the high traditions of leadership, innovation and community engagement set by the scholars who came before them.”

Charlotte to launch online, tech-focused MBA
New program will be offered in three high-tech concentrations

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Feb. 22, 2022 – To meet the growing demand from working professionals looking to advance their skills, UNC Charlotte will launch a fully online MBA starting in August.

The new program — developed by the same faculty who teach in Charlotte’s nationally ranked Professional MBA — will be offered in three high-tech concentrations: business analytics, digital marketing and financial technology.

“Charlotte’s new online MBA is designed to help business professionals advance their careers by harnessing the power of technology,” said Belk College of Business Dean Jennifer Troyer. “Through meetings with our industry partners and an analysis of employment data, we know that the skills offered through this unique program are in high demand in the Charlotte region and beyond. As this program offers maximum flexibility, we expect strong interest, not only in Charlotte but across the Southeast.”

According to Janaki Gooty, director of the MBA program, recent data from The Wall Street Journal found the Charlotte Professional MBA offered the best income-to-debt ratio among public universities in the Carolinas.

“The online Master of Business Administration is ideal for working professionals who are seeking to advance or shift their careers into exciting new tech-focused concentrations,” said Janaki Gooty, who is also an internationally recognized scholar in leadership, inclusion and the power of emotions in the workplace. “As with Charlotte’s Professional MBA, the online program will offer high quality at a competitive price, as our faculty are internationally recognized in their domains.”

The program, supported by the School of Professional Studies, is part of the University’s expanded commitment to online education. In January, U.S. News & World Report ranked the University’s online bachelor’s degrees No. 10 in the nation.

The tech-focused online concentrations pull from areas of strength for UNC Charlotte, which launched the first School of Data Science in the Carolinas in 2020, with the Belk College as one of five University academic and research partners.

The 36-credit hour program will include core business courses and concentration courses that focus on many emerging areas, including:

• Business analytics: Decision modeling; recency, frequency, monetary value (RFM) analysis and data mining (SAS and Python).
• Fintech: Cryptocurrency, block chain and fintech regulation.
• Digital marketing: Social media analytics, search engine optimization (SEO) and product strategy.

The Belk College has offered blended courses since 2016, with MBA students in select courses meeting face-to-face and online. However, this will be the first time the college will offer a fully online MBA program.

Online MBA courses will be seven and a half weeks long. Typical part-time students will earn an MBA in two to three years. The courses will be offered through the Canvas learning management system, which includes discussion forums, on-demand lecture presentations, streaming video and group collaboration software.

Core business courses for the online program will begin in August with the concentration in business analytics available in January 2023. Digital marketing and fintech concentrations will begin as early as fall 2023.

UNC Charlotte has the largest and oldest MBA program in the Charlotte region, with more than 500 students enrolled last fall, an increase of 57% over the past five years and 14% since fall 2020.

There are more than 4,000 Charlotte MBA alumni, with the majority of them living and working in the Charlotte region.

The Belk College set an enrollment record last fall as working business professionals looked to advance their skills during the pandemic.

The online MBA is one of several new programs the Belk College has planned in high-demand areas. In August, the college will begin offering an undergraduate certificate in entrepreneurship, which will be available to students regardless of major. A new fintech concentration in the Master of Science in Mathematical Finance also is in development.

Learn more at onlinemba.charlotte.edu.

Amazon selects UNC Charlotte as university partner in Career Choice program to help upskill local workforce

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – March 3, 2022 – UNC Charlotte has been selected as a university partner in Amazon’s Career Choice program. This program provides Amazon’s hourly employees access to fully funded tuition for any of UNC Charlotte’s 171 bachelor’s degree programs in 77 areas of study, including degree completion programs designed specifically for working adults in the School of Professional Studies.

“As Amazon’s select university partner in this region, we provide accessible, affordable, quality higher education to help upskill the local workforce and meet North Carolina’s evolving employment needs,” said UNC Charlotte Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber. “Charlotte is uniquely positioned to provide flexible higher education options that meet the demands of today’s working adults and drive even more economic growth, opportunity and success.”

This partnership also helps strengthen a growing, vibrant city, according to Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles.

“UNC Charlotte and Amazon both contribute significantly to the economic vitality of our city,” said Lyles. “We are fortunate that these two powerhouses are partnering together in efforts to train, educate and expand the workforce in the Charlotte region and North Carolina.”

Students transferring to UNC Charlotte from Amazon’s community college partners – including Central Piedmont, Rowan Cabarrus Community College and Wake Technical Community College – have the opportunity to continue to receive Amazon’s employee tuition benefit. This applies to students in the 49erNext co-admission program for students earning an associate degree and to the 49er Finish program for former UNC Charlotte students who have not completed a degree. Amazon employees who are currently enrolled at UNC Charlotte also may apply to receive free tuition through this program.

Career Choice is part of Amazon’s Upskilling 2025 pledge – a $1.2 billion commitment to upskill more than 300,000 Amazon employees by 2025.

“We’re looking forward to UNC Charlotte coming on board as an education partner for Career Choice, adding to the hundreds of best-in-class offerings available to our employees,” said Tammy Thieman, Global Program Lead of Amazon’s Career Choice program. “We’re committed to empowering our employees by providing them access to the education and training they need to grow their careers, whether that’s with us or elsewhere. We have intentionally cultivated a partner network of third-party educators and employers committed to providing excellent education, job placement resources, and continuous improvements to the experience. Today, over 50,000 Amazon employees around the world have already participated in Career Choice and we’ve seen first-hand how it can transform their lives.”

About UNC Charlotte:

UNC Charlotte is North Carolina’s urban research university. With an enrollment of nearly 30,500 students, the University leverages its location in the state’s largest city to offer internationally competitive programs of research and creative activity, exemplary undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, and a focused set of community engagement initiatives.

About Amazon:

Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, and Alexa are some of the products and services pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit www.amazon.com/about and follow @AmazonNews.

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New UNC Charlotte research center to drive pandemic preparedness and prevention

The interdisciplinary Center for Computational Intelligence to Predict Health and Environmental Risks — CIPHER — will expand the University’s study of emergent viruses, infectious diseases and other public health dangers

The key to preventing another global pandemic may be found at UNC Charlotte. Expanding upon the University’s award-winning development of a novel COVID-19 wastewater surveillance program and rapidly growing success in bioinformatics, the University is bringing together experts in public health, viral discovery, genomic sequencing and artificial intelligence to explore ways to combat threats to human health.

The Center for Computational Intelligence to Predict Health and Environmental Risks (CIPHER) focuses on computational and empirical research to counter the spread of current and emerging infectious diseases and addresses some of the most vexing societal challenges, including antibiotic resistance, food safety and ecosystem health.

CIPHER will incorporate and elevate the University’s Bioinformatics Research Center (BRC), which was awarded $9 million in September 2020 by the North Carolina General Assembly — the largest state appropriation for research in Charlotte’s history — to support COVID-19 research and testing. The funding was instrumental for Cynthia Gibas, professor of bioinformatics and genomics and founder of the North Carolina Urban Microbiome Project, and Jessica Schlueter, associate professor of bioinformatics, to develop a protocol to detect and monitor the presence of the virus in wastewater. At the same time, center researchers analyzed viral and epidemiological data to address viral spread, assess treatments and therapeutics, and combat SARS-CoV-2 and future viruses. The University has rapidly expanded its wastewater surveillance and variant sequencing capabilities to include the local community through partnerships with Mecklenburg County and the state.

“The innovative and cross-disciplinary work of our researchers has shown our campus and the greater Charlotte region the immediate impacts a center like CIPHER has on public health,” said Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber. “We know that further investment will lead to additional positive outcomes for our University and our community as a whole.”

CIPHER is led by Dan Janies, the Carol Grotnes Belk Distinguished Professor of Bioinformatics and Genomics, and Adam Reitzel, professor of biological sciences. They are joined by more than 20 Charlotte faculty colleagues with expertise in computer science, bioinformatics, software and information systems, biological sciences, chemistry, mathematics and statistics, geographical information systems, public health, data science, education and communication.

“As we have seen in other viruses, like the influenza A virus that can also cause pandemics, SARS-CoV-2 and associated variants like omicron will remain a global concern for some time,” said Janies, who led groundbreaking research to determine that the original SARS-CoV originated in bats and is now leading research on how SARS-CoV-2 emerged and evolved to evade immunity. “This is why the support of research focused on all aspects of viral emergence and evolution is critically important, now more than ever.”

To support CIPHER, new physical space is being created to allow additional collaborations. The center is located on the fourth floor of the Bioinformatics Building, where 24,000 square feet is being upfitted through a $10.5 million expansion to provide a state-of-the-art facility that includes 14 computational laboratories for researchers, 10 wet labs, faculty offices, several conference and seminar rooms, and collaborative space for students and visiting scientists.

“Our work can be like searching for specific drops of water in an ocean, sifting through enormous sets of variables to understand biological processes, and ultimately, finding solutions,” Reitzel said. “The investment in new equipment, labs, shared spaces and people is critical to improving the speed, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness of our research, allowing us to use computer models to simulate biological processes and make predictions we can test and validate.”

Additionally, the University is undertaking a new cluster of faculty hires in four research areas to strengthen the center’s areas of expertise: viral discovery and plasticity, whole genome phylogenetics, microbes and environmental health, and epidemiology. The new center corresponds with the University’s launch of its 10-year strategic plan, “Shaping What’s Next,” which includes a focus on accelerating the University to top-tier research status.

“CIPHER demonstrates the power of collaboration and creativity that exists among our talented faculty in many diverse fields,” said Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development Rick Tankersley. “These successful interdisciplinary partnerships are instrumental in elevating UNC Charlotte’s research profile nationally and internationally.”

The cluster of faculty hires is underway, and construction on the new center is expected to be completed in early spring.

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N.C.’s budget includes historic investment in UNC Charlotte
More than $134 million will drive economic growth in Charlotte region and beyond

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Nov. 22, 2021 – The North Carolina General Assembly and Gov. Roy Cooper approved the state budget that provides a historic $134 million investment in UNC Charlotte to fund STEM education growth and capital renovations. The budget also includes raises and bonus pay for eligible faculty and staff.

“We are grateful to the North Carolina General Assembly and Gov. Cooper for their recognition of the unique role our University plays as a driving force in the Charlotte region’s economy as a top producer of job-ready graduates for the state of North Carolina and beyond,” said Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber. “We are also grateful to the UNC System for their advocacy for pay increases and bonuses for our dedicated employees.”

The legislation’s Engineering N.C.’s Future will provide $10 million to grow programs in The William States Lee College of Engineering. An additional $30 million will support expansions to engineering and STEM facilities on campus. In fall 2021, 48% of incoming students at UNC Charlotte chose STEM-related majors.

The legislation also includes a $600,000 investment in data science, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence programs. Charlotte is home of the first School of Data Science in the Carolinas and one of only three schools in the United States. The University also leads the state in awarding computer science degrees.

An additional $87 million will fund improved efficiencies and enhanced facilities through repairs and renovations of campus buildings. Approximately $45 million will be used to renovate the Cameron Building to house STEM research and to transform the Burson Building to house the University’s computer science and data science programs and systems engineering. Other renovations to campus buildings include updates to HVAC and electrical systems and repairs to roofing and exteriors.

The University, which again reported a record enrollment in fall 2021, will receive more than $7 million in enrollment growth funding. In addition to the bonuses and pay increases for eligible employees, the UNC System Faculty Recruitment and Retention Fund received $10 million to support system institutions.

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‘Unprecedented’ housing price increases in Charlotte are creating challenges for affordability, according to new UNC Charlotte report
Median housing prices in the region jumped 16.3% in just a year, according to research from UNC Charlotte’s Childress Klein Center for Real Estate

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Nov. 17, 2021 – As the pandemic rages on, so does the acceleration of increasing housing prices in the Charlotte region.

Home buyers throughout the eight-county Charlotte region are facing towering prices and a lack of affordable housing, according to the “2021 State of Housing in Charlotte Report,” which was released by UNC Charlotte’s Childress Klein Center for Real Estate (CKCRE) on Wednesday, Nov. 17.

According to the report, median home prices in the Charlotte market increased at an annual rate of 16.3% from September 2020 to September 2021. The report also found a dramatic increase in rental prices. In 2021, the average effective rent in the region increased by $198 or 16.6% per unit.

The region was already attracting newcomers prior to the pandemic. However, the pandemic has further accelerated the growth, said Yongqiang Chu, CKCRE director and the primary author of the housing report.

“A persistent and strong demand for housing combined with the struggles from the supply side during the pandemic caused an unprecedented increase in house prices,” Chu said. “The region is also experiencing a rapid shift in the distribution of house prices. Should the trend continue, the Charlotte region may soon face significant challenges regarding housing affordability.”

Key takeaways from the report:

• The supply of owner-occupied housing is extremely tight. Of all the houses sold in January 2020, about 16% of them sold above the listing prices. Compare that to June and July 2021, when the percentage reached a historic high of 59%.
• Affordable houses are becoming extremely difficult to find. Only 4.4% of the houses sold were under $150,000, and only about 35% of the houses sold were under $300,000.
• Middle-income housing affordability is becoming a significant challenge for the region. While the situation is alleviated by the low interest rate, the problem will become more severe when monetary policy tightens post-pandemic.
• The pandemic has affected African Americans and Hispanics disproportionately. At the end of September, nearly 10% of African American households statewide were behind on mortgage payments. African American and Hispanic renters also faced much higher eviction rates during the pandemic.

CKCRE’s 2021 research report also includes an in-depth review of housing in the Charlotte region over the last 20 years.

The main findings from the long-term analysis are:

• House price growth rates are accelerating. The average annual growth rate of median houses was 4.98% from 2010 to 2015, and 7.8% from 2015 to 2020.
• House price growth rates are much higher at the lower end than at the higher end in recent years. The 25th percentile of house prices increased at an annual rate of 8.37% from 2010-20, while the 75th percentile increased at a 4.31% annual rate.

The report, which pulls from seven primary data sources, focuses on Mecklenburg County and the seven counties that surround it: Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, and Union counties, as well as Lancaster and York counties in South Carolina.

The report was released at the virtual 2021 State of Housing in Charlotte Summit. The summit, which opened with a welcome from UNC Charlotte Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber, also included an industry panel discussion that focused on affordable housing.

Since it was first released in 2019, the annual report has become a go-to resource for reporters and governmental officials looking for accurate data on the state of housing in the region. The report is part of a multi-year project, led by Belk College of Business faculty, that aims to serve as a critical piece of research and starting point for discussion regarding housing policy in the Charlotte region.

CKCRE’s State of Housing in Charlotte is supported by these industry partners:

• Canopy Realtor® Association
• Crosland Southeast
• Evergreen Strategies
• INLIVIAN
• Piedmont Public Policy Institute
• True Homes Inc.

About the Childress Klein Center for Real Estate
The Childress Klein Center for Real Estate at UNC Charlotte was established in 2005 to further the knowledge of real estate, public policy and urban economics in the professional community through teaching, research and community outreach activities. The center administers the M.S. in Real Estate program, the MBA concentration and certificate programs in real estate finance and development. For more information, visit realestate.charlotte.edu. The center is part of the Belk College of Business.

MEDIA ADVISORY

UNC Charlotte’s Childress Klein Center for Real Estate to release 2021 Charlotte housing report Wednesday
Research report examines the pandemic’s impact on owner-occupied and rental housing in the Charlotte region over the past year

What: UNC Charlotte’s Belk College of Business and the Childress Klein Center for Real Estate (CKCRE) will release the “2021 State of Housing in Charlotte Report” during a virtual housing summit at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 17.

About: Now in its third year, the “2021 State of Housing Charlotte” research report will provide an in-depth, comprehensive look at the housing market in the Charlotte region. The report, part of a multi-year project led by Belk College real estate faculty, aims to serve as a critical piece of research and starting point for discussion regarding housing policy in the Charlotte region.

The cost of housing in the region increased at an unprecedented rate during the pandemic. This year’s report will provide an overview of what happened in the region during the COVID-19 pandemic, from January 2020 through September 2021.

The report also will:

• Provide a long-term view of the dynamics of the housing market over the last two decades, from 2000 to 2020.
• Compare growth in Charlotte vs. growth in eight regional competitor cities in the Carolinas and Virginia: Asheville, Greensboro, Raleigh, and Wilmington in North Carolina; Charleston, Columbia, and Spartanburg in South Carolina; and Richmond, Virginia.

The report, part of a multi-year CKCRE research project first announced in 2019, provides a comprehensive look at owner-occupied, rental and subsidized housing in the eight-county Charlotte region: Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln and Union counties in North Carolina, and Lancaster and York counties in South Carolina.

About the Summit: The summit will open with a presentation by Yongqiang Chu, director of CKCRE and Childress Klein Distinguished Professor of Real Estate and Urban Economics, with findings from the report and a Q&A moderated by Belk College Dean Jennifer Troyer.

An industry panel discussion and Q&A will follow the presentation with a discussion of topics raised by the report featuring:

• Kris J. Fountain, vice president of family services, Habitat Charlotte Region
• David Kennedy, 2021 president, Canopy Realtor® Association and Canopy MLS
• Todd R. Williams, chief investment officer, Grubb Properties
• Moderator: Kip Womack, associate professor of real estate, Belk College of Business

Summit Agenda:

• 1-2:10 p.m.: Presentation on the report and Q&A
• 2:15-3:15 p.m.: Industry panel discussion

The summit is free and open to the public. Registration is available at realestate.charlotte.edu/stateofhousing.

CKCRE’s State of Housing in Charlotte research is funded by:

• Canopy Realtor® Association
• Crosland Southeast
• Evergreen Strategies
• INLIVIAN
• Piedmont Public Policy Institute
• True Homes Inc.

Media Information: Yongqiang Chu, director of the Childress Klein Center for Real Estate, will be available for media interviews following his presentation. The report will be posted at realestate.charlotte.edu at the start of the summit.

About the Childress Klein Center for Real Estate
The Childress Klein Center for Real Estate at UNC Charlotte was established in 2005 to further the knowledge of real estate, public policy and urban economics in the professional community through teaching, research and community outreach activities. The center administers the M.S. in Real Estate program, the MBA concentration and certificate programs in real estate finance and development. For more information, visit realestate.charlotte.edu. The center is part of the Belk College of Business. start of the summit.

UNC Charlotte Appoints Inaugural Associate Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Inclusion
Brandon Wolfe, Ph.D., will serve on the Chancellor’s Cabinet and direct Charlotte’s efforts to create an accessible, inclusive and equitable climate

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Sept. 22, 2021 – The University of North Carolina at Charlotte has appointed Brandon L. Wolfe, Ph.D., as associate vice chancellor for diversity and inclusion and chief diversity officer, effective Nov. 1. In his role, Wolfe will serve on the Chancellor’s Cabinet and will oversee the University’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, a significant pillar in Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber’s vision for the growing campus.

“To be a leader in our region, Charlotte must also be a leader in diversity, equity and inclusion. Brandon is a distinguished and passionate leader and scholar whose demonstrated expertise and cogent knowledge of DEI strategies will enable him to lead the important work of sustaining a climate of transparency, inclusive excellence and equity across all dimensions of our University,” said Gaber, who created the Office of Diversity and Inclusion shortly after her arrival in 2020. “His role will be pivotal as we launch our new strategic plan, “Shaping What’s Next,” and our related diversity and inclusion plan.”

Wolfe joins Charlotte’s staff with a breadth of experience in diversity in higher education, most recently serving as the assistant vice president of campus and community engagement in the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s (UAB) Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. In his position, Wolfe was tasked with creating a divisional unit to leverage the university’s mission and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion as a resource to foster greater academic discourse and community engagement.

At Charlotte, Wolfe will coordinate with staff, faculty and students to build on the University’s diversity and inclusion efforts to create an accessible, inclusive and equitable climate, as well as identify and address potential barriers and institutional systems that may foster systemic inequalities. He will report directly to Gaber and work closely with leaders to develop and align strategic goals across the University.

“What I love about UNC Charlotte is that this work is already happening throughout campus,” said Wolfe. “There is a lot of amazing energy across the University. There is also a demonstrated commitment from leadership to use our diversity to leverage equity and inclusion to shape strategies and tactics that prioritize and pursue institutional excellence in ways that are both transformational and sustainable. Together, I believe we can seize the opportunity not only to conduct exceptional DEI work, but also to evolve in such a way to position us as a national and international leader.”

Wolfe holds a doctorate in administration of higher education, a master’s in adult education and a bachelor’s in psychology from Auburn University. He has additional postgraduate training experiences in various leadership programs, including the Young American Leaders Program at the Harvard Business School. In addition to his leadership experience, Wolfe conducts research on topics related to diversity, equity and inclusion in higher education. His current research is focused on better conceptualizing the relationship between organizational culture and power dynamics upon minoritized groups.

Prior to serving in his role at UAB, Wolfe held higher education leadership positions at the University of Alabama School of Medicine, the North Alabama Center for Educational Excellence, Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University and Auburn University.

Currently, UNC Charlotte enrolls and graduates one of the most diverse student bodies in the UNC System. The percentage of Charlotte’s undergraduate students who identify as an underrepresented minority rose to 36% in the most recent enrollment period. Enrollment among Black/African American freshmen (18%) and Hispanic new undergraduates (12%) has increased since last year. Over half of the University’s student population (52%) identify as female.

Wolfe succeeds Cheryl Waites Spellman, Ph.D., who has served as the interim special assistant to the chancellor for diversity and inclusion since Sept. 16, 2020.

For more information on diversity at UNC Charlotte, visit diversity.charlotte.edu.

About UNC Charlotte
UNC Charlotte is North Carolina’s urban research university. With an enrollment of nearly 30,500 students, the University leverages its location in the state’s largest city to offer internationally competitive programs of research and creative activity, exemplary undergraduate, graduate and professional programs, and a focused set of community engagement initiatives.

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Forecast: Delta variant slowing economic growth in North Carolina
Belk College Economist John Connaughton says the state’s hospitality and leisure sector continues to struggle.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Sept. 15, 2021 – COVID-related restrictions are likely to slow economic growth in North Carolina for the remainder of the year, according to John Connaughton, director of the North Carolina Economic Forecast.

“This experience provides a cautionary note for economists looking forward,” said Connaughton, professor of financial economics at UNC Charlotte’s Belk College of Business. “While we like to think that driving components of the economy will dictate future growth, we have to realize that the COVID virus will do what it will do, which will have an overriding impact on future economic activity.”

Connaughton said restrictions due to the Delta variant and a spike in COVID-19 cases are likely to be less drastic than earlier restrictions, and the effect on the economy will not be as serious. He released the “Third Quarter North Carolina Economic Forecast Report” on Wednesday, Sept. 15.

Gross State Product Analysis

For 2021, real (inflation-adjusted) Gross State Product (GSP) is expected to increase by 9.1% over the 2020 level, according to the report.

For the fourth quarter, GSP is expected to increase by an annualized real rate of 3.6%.

This year, Connaughton forecasts an output increase for all of the state’s 15 economic sectors.

These sectors will see the strongest inflation-adjusted output increases this year:

• Agriculture: 17.5%

• Hospitality and Leisure Services: 15.7%

• Durable Goods Manufacturing: 11.75

• Information: 9.3%

• Professional Services: 8.5%

• Retail Trade: 6.8%

• Construction: 6.7%

Several sectors are expected to experience growth rates well below the GSP real growth rate, including: Warehousing and Utilities, 2.8%, and Government, .9%.

Employment

The jobs recovery is not evenly distributed among the state’s economic sectors, Connaughton said.

“The real impact of the COVID recession has been on employment,” he added. “As of July 2021, the state’s level of establishment employment is still almost 50,000 lower than February 2019.”

All 14 of the state’s nonagricultural economic sectors are expected to experience employment increases in 2021.

North Carolina employment is expected to reach 4,647,600 by December, an increase of 4.8% over December 2020. The state is expected to add 211,800 net jobs in 2021.

These sectors are expected to have the strongest employment increases for the year:

• Government: 10.4%

• Information: 9.2%

• Construction: 7.9%

Connaughton said the hospitality and leisure sector continues to lag behind, accounting for all of the overall lower North Carolina jobs levels as of July, 155,000 fewer jobs than in February 2019.

The North Carolina unemployment rate, which peaked at 12.9% at the height of the pandemic shutdown in April 2020, is expected to decline through the rest of the year and reach 5.2% by December.

2022 Outlook

According to the report, a second year of economic growth is forecast for North Carolina in 2022. The North Carolina economy is expected to add 126,800 jobs in 2022, reducing the unemployment rate to 4.0% by December 2022.

All 15 of the state’s economic sectors also are expected to experience output increases during 2022. The strongest expected growth rates are:

• Hospitality and Leisure Services: 8.0%

• Educational and Health Services: 4.3%

• Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities (TWU): 4.3%

North Carolina’s GSP for 2022 is expected to increase by an annualized real rate of 2.6%.

The North Carolina Economic Forecast, which debuted in 1982, is published quarterly by UNC Charlotte’s Belk College of Business. The full report and a recording of the presentation will be available at belkcollege.charlotte.edu/forecast.

The fourth-quarter North Carolina Economic Forecast report will be released on Dec. 9.

UNC Charlotte Sets Historic Enrollment Record

Charlotte sees a continued rise in enrollment throughout the ongoing pandemic

CHARLOTTE, N.C., – Sept. 14, 2021 – The University of North Carolina at Charlotte has enrolled 30,448 students for the fall 2021 semester, setting a University enrollment record for the third consecutive year. Throughout the ongoing pandemic, Charlotte experienced historic growth in graduate student enrollment, first-year students and students who identify as underrepresented minorities.

“As we enter our 75th year, the University’s mission to provide quality educational opportunities, strengthen the Charlotte region through research and creative discovery, and lead in equity and engagement is clearly evident in our incoming class of students,” said UNC Charlotte Chancellor Sharon Gaber. “We are proud to welcome our newest group of 49ers as we continue to shape what’s next at Charlotte.”

The University’s graduate student population increased to 6,332 students – the highest number in school history and the third consecutive year of growth. The enrollment increase in master’s programs in computer science, public health, social work and data science and business analytics positions the University to stay on the leading edge of producing top talent in growing industries across the Charlotte region.

Charlotte welcomed the largest freshman class in University history with 4,256 students, a 6.4% increase from 2020. The impressive class of first-year students arrived with an average weighted GPA of 3.95. The University Honors Program incoming class grew by more than 21%, and nearly one-third of all new undergraduate students have selected a STEM major. Additionally, UNC Charlotte remains a leader among UNC System schools in transfer student enrollment, welcoming 2,605 transfer students to campus.

“Enrollment at UNC Charlotte continues to grow along with the academic profile of our incoming students, who join us from every part of the state and beyond, as we enrolled 22% more out-of-state undergraduates than last year,” said Claire Kirby, associate provost for enrollment management and director of admissions. “As our state’s urban research university, Charlotte has the unique ability to provide students from across North Carolina with access to a quality educational experience and all the benefits of being located in a major city.”

UNC Charlotte’s efforts to provide quality and accessible higher education continue as 30% of new first-year students and 42% of new transfer students are first-generation college students. The percentage of Charlotte’s undergraduate students who identify as an underrepresented minority rose to 36%. Female students comprised 52% of all incoming freshmen.

In an effort to combat the ongoing pandemic, Charlotte’s undergraduate admissions office shifted its efforts to a hybrid model of in-person and online engagements to best serve future students. The University offered 435 virtual visits with high schools throughout the year — a 70% increase over typical years — in addition to countless virtual fairs. On-campus visits and tours were safely offered throughout the fall and spring semesters so students and families could physically experience campus.

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UNC Charlotte’s Pandemic Response Receives 2021 AASCU Excellence and Innovation Award

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Aug. 17, 2021 – The American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) has named UNC Charlotte among its 2021 winners of its Excellence and Innovation Awards in recognition of the University’s response to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

The University was selected for a special, one-time award that recognizes model work in achieving student success despite challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“UNC Charlotte’s selection as the 2021 AASCU Excellence and Innovation Award for Campus Pandemic Response in the Urban Category is a testament to the talent and dedication of our employees and the support and hard work of our students,” said Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber. “Through our collective efforts, we were able to deliver the highest quality education to our students — whether remotely or in person — while achieving record-breaking enrollment and fundraising goals. All of Niner Nation has ownership and pride in this award.”

The University’s entry, “Learning in the Time of COVID,” was selected by the AASCU awards committee for its outstanding results and potential to influence and serve as a model for other institutions.

AASCU President Mildred García, in announcing the award recipients, noted, “I am honored to recognize these Excellence and Innovation Award winners, who demonstrated immense creativity, resilience and dedication during an incredibly difficult year. These institutions are paving the way in prioritizing equity, student success and moving their diverse communities and regions forward as Stewards of Place.”

Highlights of UNC Charlotte’s innovative campus response to the global COVID-19 pandemic that were honored in the award include:

Wastewater testing and quarantine procedures: Faculty, graduate students and post-doctoral researchers from several academic disciplines came together to implement wastewater testing that serves as an early-warning system to locate the presence of COVID-19 and signal the emergence of potential clusters of people with coronavirus. The University’s efforts were among those mentioned in an article published by the New York Times in August 2020.

Remote learning and student life: The University’s Center for Teaching and Learning and Audiovisual Integration and Support for Learning Environments teams worked especially hard to give faculty the tools needed to ensure instructional continuity.

Mitigation to vaccination: For the 2020-21 academic year, the University started semesters online and delayed limited student move-in, which allowed time to implement, in collaboration with the Mecklenburg County Health Department, a plan of action that was coordinated predominantly by the University’s Office of Safety and Security. The daily Niner Health Check, a survey tool developed by UNC Charlotte’s Office of OneIT, enabled students, faculty and staff to report COVID-19 symptoms/exposure, resulting in a team of University contact tracers, specially trained graduate students in public health sciences, to determine who had been in close proximity of those infected. In the spring, the University partnered with Atrium Health to host vaccination clinics on campus for faculty, staff and students.

Constant communication: An online dashboard provides information to the wider community about the institution’s COVID-19 status. Updated daily, the dashboard gives real-time health trends. Niner Nation Cares, a comprehensive website with information about COVID-19 safety efforts and academic and administrative protocols was launched, and the Office of University Communications spearheaded the creation of “The New Norm,” an educational campaign with safety information to protect the campus community.

The University will be recognized formally at the AASCU 2021 Annual Meeting, held in-person in Clearwater Beach, Florida, and virtually from Nov. 7–9.

Phi Beta Kappa Approves Chapter for UNC Charlotte

University joins elite group of U.S. colleges and universities in the nation’s most prestigious academic honor society

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Aug. 11, 2021 – Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious academic honor society, has approved a chapter for UNC Charlotte. The University joins an elite group of just 10% of U.S. colleges and universities approved to shelter a chapter.

“Phi Beta Kappa status is one of the highest distinctions a university can achieve,” said Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber. “This honor acknowledges the dedication shown by our faculty and staff to student success, particularly through the enduring experiences that the liberal arts and sciences provide as students pursue their educational, career and life choices. I extend my gratitude to the faculty leaders who have dedicated countless hours to making our Phi Beta Kappa chapter a reality for our students.”

The 46th Triennial Council of The Phi Beta Kappa Society on Aug. 5 approved UNC Charlotte, Rollins College in Florida, and Providence College in Rhode Island to join Phi Beta Kappa’s existing 290 chapters.The council convenes every three years to carry out its business, including granting new chapters.The honor society awards the chapters to Phi Beta Kappa faculty at each approved campus.

The founding members of the UNC Charlotte chapter will organize the official chapter installation and the first induction ceremonies for new members in the coming months. More than 65 faculty, staff and administrators at UNC Charlotte are members of Phi Beta Kappa.

“I remember how excited I was to be elected to Phi Beta Kappa,” said Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Joan F. Lorden. “I am delighted that we will be able to share the opportunity for this honor with our students.”

The approval follows an intensive review process that started in 2018 and included submission of voluminous reports. During a campus visit in March 2020, reviewers met with students, faculty, staff and leadership from the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences and from across the university. The team delved into academics, athletics, facilities, research, financial aid, faculty accomplishments, student achievements and other aspects of campus life.

“Our best students are as accomplished as any in the United States,” said Gregory Starrett, chair of the UNC Charlotte Phi Beta Kappa Steering Committee and professor and chair of the Department of Anthropology. “So it’s fitting that they have this chance to be recognized for their academic excellence. Sheltering a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa is a way to honor great students, and is an affirmation of the University’s commitment to teaching and research in the humanities and sciences.”

Nationwide, chapters invite just 10% of liberal arts and sciences students to join Phi Beta Kappa. At UNC Charlotte, seniors – and some juniors – in the liberal arts and sciences who meet qualifications will be invited as candidates for Phi Beta Kappa membership.

In addition to class standing, qualifications include grade point averages (GPA), foreign language and math courses requirements, breadth and depth of coursework in the liberal arts and sciences disciplines, and other credentials. More information on qualifications for induction to the UNC Charlotte chapter will be available soon.

Those who accept the invitation will join a network of over 500,000 members. Phi Beta Kappa members include 17 U.S. Presidents, 42 U.S. Supreme Court Justices and more than 150 Nobel Laureates.

“Campuses that shelter Phi Beta Kappa chapters reflect their deep and abiding commitment to the liberal arts and sciences, for today and on into the future,” said Phi Beta Kappa Secretary and Chief Executive Officer Frederick M. Lawrence. “These institutions provide a challenging liberal arts and sciences curriculum for the enrichment of their students, and we look forward to recognizing the outstanding accomplishments of these students.”

Founded on Dec. 5, 1776, The Phi Beta Kappa Society’s mission is to champion education in the liberal arts and sciences, foster freedom of thought and recognize academic excellence.

UNC Charlotte Launches School of Professional Studies for Adult Learners

New school addresses the region’s needs for a highly trained professional workforce

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Aug. 4, 2021 – UNC Charlotte’s new School of Professional Studies will harness the University’s expertise in delivering high-quality and flexible online learning to become the premier choice for working professionals seeking further education to advance or transition careers or complete their undergraduate education.

Housed at The Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte Center City, the new school connects professionals to over 90 degrees and graduate certificates with more than 50 available online and 40 available in the evenings and weekends so busy adults can continue their education while working. The school also offers more than 30 professional development certificates and certifications plus many more short-form learning opportunities to help professionals advance their careers. Additional programs are in the works to help more adults complete their undergraduate degrees.

“The School of Professional Studies unites two of the University’s commitments to our city and region’s workforce. We are streamlining the student experience for working professionals to access our large portfolio of programs designed for busy adults through one school that collaborates with each of our academic colleges,” said Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber. “Additionally, through reimagining and developing online undergraduate degree completion programs, we will further live up to our commitment to accessibility for the nearly one million North Carolinians who hold some college credits but no degree.”

In addition to serving the needs of the individual learner, the school will also provide a resource for businesses and organizations seeking employee development solutions such as customized training, executive education and higher education pathways for employees.

“Just as UNC Charlotte was founded in response to the higher education needs of returning veterans of World War II, today we are meeting the growing demand for professional and continuing education options for working professionals,” said Joan Lorden, provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs. “The Charlotte region’s adult population is one of the fastest growing in the nation and we are uniquely qualified to meet the diverse education needs of working adults.”

Through its collaboration with each of the University’s academic colleges, the school will provide programs designed for the varied motivations, preferences and needs of adult learners such as online, weekend and evening programs. The school will support an array of programs including undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees and certificates, skills-based boot camps, noncredit certificates and certifications, and short-form professional development courses. Additionally, through the school’s easy access along the LYNX light rail line, working professionals will be connected to UNC Charlotte’s main campus for access to its 3.8 million volume library, student labs and other resources.

“For today’s working professionals, education has shifted to ‘just in time’ rather than ‘just one time,’” said Asher Haines, executive director of the School of Professional Studies. “A foundational college experience is the starting platform for a successful career, and adults will need to step on and off this platform multiple times for continuing education and training as they advance in their jobs or switch careers. The School of Professional Studies is here to connect people to the right UNC Charlotte programs at the right time for their personal and professional growth and transformation.”

The school is powered by UNC Charlotte’s award-winning Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) and Audiovisual Integration and Support for Learning Environments group (AISLE) to develop high-quality online and blended learning experiences, enabling adult learners to successfully continue their education while balancing work and personal commitments.

$11.5 Million Gift from The Leon Levine Foundation Extends UNC Charlotte’s Transformative Levine Scholars Program

Leon and Sandra Levine’s latest gift to the selective merit-based scholarship program makes the Levine Foundation the largest cumulative donor in University history

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Aug. 3, 2021 – The Levine Scholars Program at UNC Charlotte will continue to recruit exceptional high school students from around the nation with support from a new gift of $11.5 million from philanthropists Leon and Sandra Levine through their foundation.

“Even before attending college, these accomplished students have shown their dedication to improving their local communities,” said Leon Levine, founder and chairman emeritus of Matthews, North Carolina-based Family Dollar Stores Inc. “We look forward to watching as the program continues to develop the interests of talented UNC Charlotte students.”

The Levines’ latest gift extends the University’s most prestigious merit-based scholarship program through 2029. The Leon Levine Foundation’s support of the Levine Scholars Program makes the Foundation the largest cumulative donor in UNC Charlotte’s history. To date, the Levines have donated nearly $30 million through their philanthropic entities to support life-changing scholarships at the University.

“Leon and Sandra Levine’s generous and continued support of the Levine Scholars Program has brought the best and brightest minds to UNC Charlotte,” said Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber. “This latest gift magnifies their remarkable impact on our University and the Charlotte community. It will further enhance the program’s ability to equip the next generation of leaders with the tools, resources and environment needed to engage with the world around them in a significant way.”

Established in 2009 through a gift from The Leon Levine Foundation, the Levine Scholars Program offers standout high school students committed to community service a four-year scholarship to UNC Charlotte valued at approximately $105,000 for in-state students and $155,000 for out-of-state students. The scholarship covers tuition, housing, meals, books and mandatory fees. Beyond the financial award, Levine Scholars benefit from study abroad opportunities, professional networking, personalized mentorship, priority course registration and professional development resources.

“Our scholars possess the inherent desire to make a difference and that has become a unifying characteristic among all 12 classes,” said Diane Zablotsky, faculty director for the Levine Scholars Program. “The generous support from the Levine family has given our students the ability to use their visionary leadership skills to enrich every community they touch.”

Civic engagement remains at the core of the Levine Scholars Program. Recipients have access to an $8,000 grant to implement a service project of their own design and participate in four summer experiences that develop their leadership skills, social awareness and international perspective. Among the Levine Scholars’ community contributions are developing life-skills training classes, college readiness workshops and tutoring programs for young students in Charlotte, building gardening and outdoor spaces for adults in assisted living facilities, and performing post-hurricane clean-up in Puerto Rico. Additionally, scholars have participated in an active archeological dig in Jerusalem, researched HIV transmission and social conflict in South Africa, and taught elementary school students in Shanghai. Students also have interned with Apple, Bosch, British Parliament, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Ernst & Young, Google, Honda and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

“We are so impressed with the exceptional backgrounds of the Levine Scholars, and we enjoy watching them develop into leaders in Charlotte and beyond,” said Sandra Levine, who serves in key leadership positions for several charitable organizations benefiting education, arts and religious causes throughout the community.

The Levine Scholars Program has seen the members of its diverse graduating classes go on to explore and achieve at high levels. The program has more than 100 alumni, several of whom have received U.S. Fulbright grants to study in Ecuador, India, Nepal and Sweden.

“Simply put, the Levine Scholarship freed me from the many practical challenges of being a student and enabled me to focus on becoming a better scholar, a better community member and a better person,” said Megan Bird, a Class of 2021 Levine Scholar who graduated with bachelor’s degrees in political science and public administration and Spanish. “As grandiose as it might sound, being a Levine Scholar changed my life trajectory, allowed me to pursue my passions and gave me the invaluable opportunity to unlock doors I didn’t know existed when I began this journey.”

Since graduating, Bird has been awarded the esteemed Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship, which she will apply toward her studies at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. Other alumni of the Levine Scholars Program have entered graduate and professional programs at Princeton University, Harvard Law School, the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the University of Oxford.

“The Levines’ commitment to student success echoes our University’s central mission,” said Gaber. “The Levine family has gifted our students with an amazing opportunity to reach their fullest potential.”

To honor the couple, UNC Charlotte named Levine Hall, a 425-bed residence hall prominently located near the University’s main entrance, after the Levines in 2016. The hall houses the administrative offices for the Levine Scholars Program and the Honors College.

UNC Charlotte Board of Trustees Announces Three New Leaders and Three Reappointments

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – July 1, 2021 – The UNC Board of Governors appointed three new leaders to UNC Charlotte’s Board of Trustees, effective July 1. Alumna Wendy Grubbs ’83, consultant and former Citigroup managing director and former special assistant to President George W. Bush; Alexander J. (Sasha) Weintraub, Duke Energy’s senior vice president and chief commercial officer of natural gas; and alumnus Dontá Wilson ’98, Truist Financial’s chief digital and client experience officer, will serve four-year terms.

In addition, three current trustees were reappointed to serve a second term. Alumni J. Brett Keeter ’99 was confirmed by the Board of Governors and Dennis Bunker ’81 and Teross Young ’98 were approved by the North Carolina General Assembly.

“UNC Charlotte is fortunate to have a long history of a strong, talented Board of Trustees, including industry leaders committed to leading our state’s urban research University,” said Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber. “This class of trustees continues this tradition, and we welcome Wendy, Sasha and Dontá, and are pleased that Dennis, Brett and Teross will continue their service.”

The UNC Charlotte Board of Trustees is composed of 13 members, including eight elected by the UNC Board of Governors, four appointed by the General Assembly and the University’s Student Government Association president.

About Wendy Grubbs ’83

Wendy Grubbs currently serves as an independent consultant after a distinguished career in legal, governmental and corporate positions, including serving as special assistant to the 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush, and as managing director of Citigroup.

After graduating from UNC Charlotte with a bachelor’s degree in political science, Grubbs completed a law degree at Wake Forest University. She spent time as a law clerk, adjunct professor and practiced law in the private sector before starting her longtime career in Washington, D.C. and New York.

She is a member of the Florida, North Carolina, District of Columbia and New York bar associations. Grubbs is the founder of the Wendy B Ranch Rescue Foundation, which promotes the adoption of senior dogs, and the spaying and neutering of all pets.

About Alexander (Sasha) Weintraub

As senior vice president of Duke Energy’s natural gas business, one of America’s largest energy holding companies, Sasha Weintraub is responsible for the company’s regulated natural gas operations in the Carolinas, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee. In addition, he leads the gas commercial operations, which includes supply, wholesale marketing, transportation and pipeline services, field customer service, sales and delivery, and business development. Previously, Weintraub served as Duke Energy’s senior vice president of customer solutions. He joined Progress Energy in 1999 and held a variety of leadership positions before being named vice president of fuel & systems optimization following the merger of Progress/Duke Energy in 2012.

Weintraub earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a master’s degree in engineering from Columbia University and a doctoral degree in engineering from North Carolina State University.

Weintraub currently sits on the Dean’s Advisory Board for UNC Charlotte’s College of Computing and Informatics. Weintraub also serves on the boards of directors of the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America and the American Gas Association. He is a board member of Envision Charlotte and Charlotte Hearing and Speech Center.

About Dontá Wilson ’98

Dontá Wilson is chief digital and client experience officer and a member of the executive leadership team for Truist Financial Corporation. Wilson oversees digital banking, digital sales, digital transformation, digital strategy and innovation, intelligent automation, client experience strategy, client insights and analytics, omnichannel strategy, experience design and research, marketing, sales optimization, corporate communications, culture alignment and activation, the Truist Foundation, and fintech investments through Truist Ventures.

Wilson has served in various leadership roles during his more than 20-year career at Truist and BB&T. He was named chief digital and client experience officer at BB&T in 2018 and remained in that role after the merger of equals between BB&T Corporation and SunTrust Banks, Inc. that created Truist Financial Corporation in December 2019. He was appointed to the BB&T executive management team and named chief client experience officer in 2016. Prior to that, he was named group/state president of the Atlanta-based Georgia Region in 2014, group/state president of the Alabama region in 2009, and regional president for the Battlefield Northern Virginia Region in 2005. He began his career at BB&T in Bank Operations in October 1995 while in college.

Wilson serves on the board of directors of Signet Jewelers (NYSE:SIG). Passionate about being active in his community, Wilson also has served on many nonprofit, education, and community service boards. Currently, he is founder and board member of I Am My Brother’s Keeper inner city mentor program, serves on the board of advisors for the Belk College of Business at UNC Charlotte and is on the board of Samaritan’s Feet. Wilson is a member of World 50/Executive 50, Executive Leadership Council, Sigma Pi Phi (Boule) and Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc.

Wilson earned his bachelor’s degree in management from UNC Charlotte and an MBA from the University of Maryland. He is also a graduate of the Tuck Executive Program at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth and the BB&T Banking School at Wake Forest University.

About Dennis Bunker III ’81

Dennis Bunker III was first appointed to the UNC Charlotte Board of Trustees in 2017 and was elected to serve as secretary in June 2019.

A Salisbury, North Carolina, native, Bunker began his commercial real estate career in 1981. His early work in the industry consisted of self-investing in real estate, general brokerage and construction. Since 1991, his company, Bunker Land Group, has actively engaged in the development and investment of commercial real estate and provided site selection services for development and investment partners and clients.

Bunker received a bachelor’s degree in economics from UNC Charlotte and a master’s in real estate development from Columbia University.

Bunker served on the executive committee for EXPONENTIAL: The Campaign for UNC Charlotte. He has served on the UNC Charlotte Foundation Board, was president of the Alumni Association Board, served as an advisor to the Chi Phi fraternity and is a member of the UNC Charlotte Alumni Hall of Fame.

About J. Brett Keeter ’99

J. Brett Keeter serves as district director for United States Congressman Patrick McHenry, the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Financial Services. In his official capacity, he serves as the chief district staff member, overseeing the Congressman’s offices and managing outreach, constituent casework, and community and constituent relations in the eight counties of North Carolina’s Tenth Congressional District. He also serves as primary liaison to city, county and state officials, agencies, chambers of commerce, community boards and task forces for the Congressman.

Keeter is a 1999 graduate of UNC Charlotte with a bachelor’s degree in political science and a minor in history. He was the 2012–13 president of the UNC Charlotte Alumni Association and served on the Alumni Association Board of Directors for 10 years.

From 2013–17, Keeter served as a member of the Gaston College Board of Trustees. He is also Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Gaston County Public Library, a member of the Board of Advisors for the Gaston Regional Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the Governmental Relations Committees for the Gaston, Lincoln, and Cleveland County Chambers of Commerce.

He is a 2016 recipient of the William Gaston Award, the highest recognition given by the Gaston County Board of Commissioners for dedication and community service.

About Teross Young ’93

Teross Young was first appointed to the UNC Charlotte Board of Trustees in 2017.

As vice president of government relations for Retail Business Services, a subsidiary of Ahold Delhaize U.S., Young is the chief government affairs officer for the Ahold Delhaize’s U.S. banners, including Food Lion, Hannaford, Giant, Giant/Martin’s, Stop & Shop and Peapod. Young monitors, analyzes, and communicates current and emerging public policy issues at the federal, state and local government levels that impact the operations, business performance, competitive position and business strategy of Ahold Delhaize U.S. brands. He also collaborates with administrative officials at all levels on regulatory matters that impact the business.

Young represents Ahold Delhaize U.S. banners on many national and state-level business, retail and food industry trade associations. He is a former chair of the Food Marketing Institute’s government relations committee, serves on the Retail Industry Leaders Association’s government relations committee, is the past chair of the Virginia Retail Merchants Association, is a founder and former chairman of the South Carolina Retail Association and serves as the board treasurer of the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association.

Young received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from UNC Charlotte and previously served on the UNC Charlotte Foundation Board and on the Alumni Association Board.

Additionally, Young continues to serve on numerous other boards including the Public Affairs Council (Executive Committee), Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, the Children’s Hope Alliance, Iredell Health Systems and the Lion’s Share Credit Union. He is an active Rotarian and a Rotary Foundation, Paul Harris Fellow. Young also serves as the mayor of Troutman, North Carolina.

Inaugural Social Justice Scholarship Recipients Use Architecture, Dance to Advocate for Diversity and Inclusivity

First recipients of the UNC Charlotte Alumni Association Scholarship for Social Justice named

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – June 9, 2021 – Two UNC Charlotte students, Abena Atiemo and Melinda Erickson, have been named the inaugural recipients of the UNC Charlotte Alumni Association Scholarship for Social Justice. Each student will receive $1,500 to assist with their tuition and fees. This funding recognizes their dedication to the pursuit of social action on campus and in their communities.

“Our University is committed to aiding students as they work to help others and create inclusive spaces that benefit UNC Charlotte, their fellow students, their hometowns and the greater Charlotte region,” said Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber. “This scholarship will empower Abena, Melinda and future students to use their talents to advocate for causes that impact us all.”

Established by the Alumni Association in 2020, the UNC Charlotte Alumni Association Scholarship for Social Justice provides support to returning undergraduate students with a demonstrated financial need who show potential for academic success and have a record of service and advocacy. While not automatically renewable, the scholarship may be awarded to the same recipient more than once.

“We want this scholarship to be representative of those who have gone forth to pave the way for our future leaders,” said Frenchie Brown ’91, who serves as president of the UNC Charlotte Alumni Board of Directors. “As alumni, we have a responsibility to speak up about injustices and inequalities and ensure that we are representing our University’s mission and purpose of equality for all.”

Atiemo, who is a junior, chose to major in architecture because her dream is to create structures that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also improve the world. Through her role as a student aide in UNC Charlotte’s Sustainability Office, Atiemo is able to explore her interest in the intersection of architecture, sustainability and accessibility.

“If the work I do doesn’t help my neighbor, my classmate or my friend, there is no use in doing it,” said Atiemo, who is from Portland, Oregon. “Black women compose less than .03% of the architectural field, so I am a part of a community that is not well represented. I want to use my voice, no matter how small it is, to make this field more inclusive and build opportunities for members of marginalized groups.”

This fall, Atiemo was selected as the 2021 recipient of the School of Architecture and American Institute of Architects Traveling Fellowship. She’ll travel to Ghana in July to study how colonialism shaped the architecture of the Gold Coast. As the child of Ghanaian immigrants, Atiemo is looking forward to exploring how architects are bringing the country’s cultural identity back to the region. After graduating, she would like to focus on architectural projects that are accessible to all individuals and empower her community.

Erickson began to explore her love for dance as an adult. She surprised her friends and family when she returned to college to major in the subject. Her work with migrant and indigenous populations as a research associate with the United States Environmental Protection Agency led her to enroll as an early-entry graduate student in Latin American Studies. She combines these two passions when teaching capoeira, a Brazilian martial art that incorporates dance, as an instructor for Upstate Capoeira.

“Educating others about capoeira, which is resistance in motion by brown and Black bodies, allows me to change hearts and minds one class at a time,” said Erickson, who is a mother of two and originally from Lake Vermilion, Minnesota. “Thanks to this scholarship, I am able to continue offering free classes and provide kids with a way to connect to a rich culture and history that empowers them to live as conscious and global citizens.”

After graduating from UNC Charlotte, Erickson wants to study Latin American studies and dance at the doctoral level. She hopes to work with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to expand her teaching of capoeira — and other cultural demonstrations — to refugee populations in Charlotte and abroad.

“I am impressed with the quality of our first class of scholarship recipients and their passion for making a difference on our campus and beyond,” said Sallie Sistare, executive director of Alumni Affairs at UNC Charlotte. “I look forward to seeing the many ways that Abena and Melinda will enact change and inspire others to make a difference in their own fields, workplaces, communities and our world.”

To support the UNC Charlotte Alumni Association Scholarship for Social Justice, visit crowdfund.uncc.edu/socialjustice.

Photo: Melinda Erickson and Abena Atiemo are the inaugural recipients of the UNC Charlotte Alumni Association Scholarship for Social Justice. (high-resolution images are available here)

About UNC Charlotte
UNC Charlotte is North Carolina’s urban research university. With an enrollment of more than 30,000 students, the University leverages its location in the state’s largest city to offer internationally competitive programs of research and creative activity, exemplary undergraduate, graduate and professional programs, and a focused set of community engagement initiatives.

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N.C. Forecast: Economy at Critical Point
Belk College Economist John Connaughton says economic growth should continue through 2022.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – May 26, 2021 – North Carolina’s economy continues to rebound, but recent data show it may be some time before the economy is back to where it was prior to last year’s COVID-19 shutdowns, according to John Connaughton, director of the UNC Charlotte Economic Forecast.

“We’re at a critical point right now,” said Connaughton, professor of financial economics in the Belk College of Business. “The economy has been coming back for four straight quarters, but we have some more to go before we erase the damage done by the shutdown last year. While the shutdown is behind us, we’re not back yet. We still have a couple of quarters to go before we get back to the employment level we had before this all began.”

Connaughton, who released his second-quarter UNC Charlotte Economic Forecast Report on Wednesday, May 26, said among the factors he is watching are:

• Work disincentives and employment.

• Creeping inflation caused by stimulus spending, and what it’s doing to the sum of the national debt.

• How the Federal Reserve will respond to hefty price increases.

Gross State Product Analysis

Real (inflation-adjusted) Gross State Product (GSP) is expected to increase by 5.3% over the 2020 level, according to the report. This growth in 2021 will represent the first full year of growth since COVID-19.

For 2021, Connaughton forecasts an output increase for 14 of the state’s 15 economic sectors.

These sectors will see the strongest inflation-adjusted output increases in 2021:

• Agriculture: 19.6%

• Hospitality and Leisure Services: 15.5%

• Educational and Health Services: 7.8%

• Durable Goods (Manufacturing): 6.6%

• Wholesale Trades: 6.1%

• Information: 5.9%

• Business and Professional Services: 5.8%

• Retail Trade: 5.7%

• Construction: 5.5%

Mining is the only sector forecast to decline with an expected decrease of 0.1%.

Employment

All 14 of the state’s nonagricultural economic sectors are expected to experience employment increases during 2021.

North Carolina employment is expected to reach 4,635,500 by December, an increase of 4.5% over December 2020. The state is expected to add 199,700 net jobs in 2021.

These sectors are expected to have the strongest increases for the year:

• Hospitality and Leisure Services: 12.1%

• Information: 11.6%

• Construction: 7.2%

The North Carolina unemployment rate, which peaked at 12.9% at the height of the pandemic shutdown in April 2020, should decline through the rest of the year and reach 5% by December.

2022 Outlook

According to the report, a second year of economic growth for North Carolina’s economy is expected in 2022. The North Carolina economy is expected to add 126,800 jobs in 2022, reducing the unemployment rate to around 4.5% by December 2022.

The full report and a recording of the presentation will be available at belkcollege.uncc.edu/forecast. Connaughton will release the third-quarter UNC Charlotte Economic Forecast report on Sept. 15.

UNC Charlotte Awards Prestigious Levine Scholarships to 20 Young Leaders

12th Class to join the competitive scholarship program in fall 2021

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – May 11, 2021 – UNC Charlotte’s Levine Scholars Program has selected 20 young leaders from across the United States who will be members of the 12th class of the prestigious and academically competitive scholarship program. The scholars will join the University beginning with the fall 2021 semester.

The University’s premier merit-based scholarship is valued at approximately $105,000 per North Carolina student and $155,000 for each out-of-state student. It covers full tuition, housing, meals, books, mandatory fees and summer experiences. Scholars are provided additional funding to support civic engagement opportunities and professional development.

“The profile of the Levine Scholars Program as a premier merit scholarship continues to rise,” said Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber. “As with the program’s first 11 classes, the students who join us this fall show tremendous accomplishment and potential. We are excited to welcome them as 49ers and look forward to supporting them in their undergraduate journey.”

Levine Scholars are selected through a lengthy nomination and interview process. In addition to being highly successful academically, a distinctive characteristic of a Levine Scholar is the dedication to service that students demonstrate during high school. This, along with the various ways they have shown leadership, particularly in the wake of a global pandemic, was essential to their selection.

A complete list of the class of 2025 scholars can be found on the Levine Scholars Program website.

“The Class of 2025 is an impressive group of individuals who will collectively make their mark on the scholarship program and our University,” said Diane Zablotsky, faculty director of the Levine Scholars Program. “They will study in various majors across campus with a breadth of interests and talents. We are energized by their achievements and contributions and look forward to welcoming them as Levine Scholars to UNC Charlotte.”

Established in 2009 with a $9.3 million gift from Leon and Sandra Levine through their foundation, the Levine Scholars Program was created to recruit extraordinary high school students based on scholarship, ethical leadership and civic engagement. In 2014, the Levines made an additional $13 million gift, which increased the scholarship from 15 recipients to approximately 20 each year beginning with the class of 2016. Leon Levine is the founder of Family Dollar Stores and retired as chairman and CEO in 2003. The Levines are involved in a number of civic and charitable causes in the Charlotte region and throughout the Carolinas through the Leon Levine Foundation.

“We are impressed by the impact the Levine Scholars Program has made at the University, in our community and beyond,” said Leon Levine, chairman and CEO of The Leon Levine Foundation. “We look forward to seeing this fine group of incoming scholars expand the high traditions of leadership, innovation and community engagement set by the scholars who came before them.”

$2.5 Million Gift from Alumnus will Establish UNC Charlotte’s Niblock Scholars Program

The donation from Robert Niblock ’84, former CEO of Lowe’s, will provide four years of scholarship support to Niblock Scholars in the Belk College of Business

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – May 5, 2021 — A $2.5 million gift from Robert A. Niblock ’84 will establish the Niblock Scholars Program to directly support students in his alma mater’s Belk College of Business at UNC Charlotte.

“As a graduate, I know UNC Charlotte provides a quality education, and I believe the Niblock Scholars Program will provide the opportunity to enhance that education by empowering students to focus their time and energy on their academics,” said Niblock, who is the former chairman, president and chief executive officer of Lowe’s. “It’s a privilege to be a part of the campus community in such a meaningful way.”

Niblock’s gift, which brings his total support to the Belk College to $5 million, will provide scholarships for up to five incoming Belk College freshmen or transfer students who demonstrate financial need. The $5,000 annual scholarship will pay toward the cost of attending UNC Charlotte, covering the majority of tuition and fees. Scholarships are renewable for up to four years, totaling $20,000 in funding for each student.

“Robert’s history demonstrates that UNC Charlotte students who work hard and pursue their goals can achieve incredible success,” said Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber. “The Niblock Scholars Program will provide students, especially those who are first-generation college students like Robert, the resources they need to become successful. He is an inspiration to our students and to our University.”

The first cohort of five Niblock Scholars will begin classes this fall. In addition to financial support, the students will receive enhanced professional development opportunities, including mentoring and leadership training.

The latest gift was announced at a virtual recognition ceremony hosted by Gaber on May 5, 2021. Niblock and his wife Melanie ’84, also a Belk College alumna, attended.

“We’re so thankful for Robert and Melanie Niblock and their continued support of UNC Charlotte and the Belk College,” said Jennifer Troyer, dean of the Belk College. “This is the first scholarship program in the Belk College that is available for all students who intend to enroll in majors within the college. We see this program creating new student leaders who are involved and committed to their professional development.”

Nationally ranked, the Belk College is one of the largest and most diverse business schools in the Carolinas, offering nine undergraduate majors along with master’s and doctoral programs and executive education. The college ranks among the top producers nationally for bachelor’s degrees for Black and Hispanic students in finance, marketing and accounting.

This gift is Niblock’s second significant donation to the Belk College. In 2015, he provided $2.5 million to create the Niblock Student Center, which provides one-on-one academic coaching, workshops and networking opportunities to support nearly 4,000 undergraduate business students. The center’s skilled approach has led to success among the college’s 2020 graduates; even during a global pandemic, 62% reported completing at least one internship, and 81% were employed or enrolled in continuing education within six months of graduating from UNC Charlotte.

“The Niblock Student Center benefits Belk College undergraduate students. They’re able to have a one-stop experience for academic and professional support,” said Pat Mynatt, associate dean for Belk College’s undergraduate programs. “In turn, we know that our new Niblock Scholars will be able to use our center’s resources to build on their strong academic foundation and intellectual curiosity.”

Niblock credits UNC Charlotte for his professional success and has been a steadfast supporter since his time as a student on campus. He graduated in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the Belk College. After joining Lowe’s in 1993, Niblock worked his way up through the ranks to ultimately lead the company as chairman and chief executive officer from 2005 to 2018 and as president from 2011 to 2018, after having also served in that role from 2003 to 2006. Under his leadership, Lowe’s was ranked 47 on the Fortune 500 and the second largest home improvement retailer in the world.

“Robert has made a tremendous impact on our University through his service and generosity,” Gaber said. “This gift, in addition to Robert’s continued support, will provide crucial funding to keep our students on track and help them succeed in their chosen fields after graduating.”

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TEN X TEN Landscape Architecture and Urbanism Selected to Create Conceptual Design for the UNC Charlotte Remembrance Memorial

Hypersonic Collaborative and Susan Hatchell Landscape Architecture to work with TEN X TEN on the commemorative space at Belk Plaza

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – April 30, 2021 — A “constellation garden” that follows the orientation of the stars above the Kennedy Building on April 30, 2019, is the basis of the conceptual design for the UNC Charlotte Remembrance Memorial. The memorial will honor and forever remember Riley Howell and Reed Parlier, who lost their lives, and pay tribute to Rami Alramadhan, Sean DeHart, Emily Houpt and Drew Pescaro, who suffered physical injuries, and everyone who was present in Kennedy 236.

Brook Muller, dean of UNC Charlotte’s College of Arts + Architecture and chair of the Memorial Jury, announced the decision for the permanent memorial on April 30 during this year’s Virtual Day of Remembrance commemoration, two years after the shooting. The design, submitted by TEN x TEN Landscape Architecture and Urbanism, Hypersonic Collaborative and Susan Hatchell Landscape Architecture, was selected from four finalists and a total of 36 submissions from locally and nationally known design teams.

“All the finalists’ designs were incredibly creative,” said Muller. “The presentation led by TEN X TEN Landscape Architecture and Urbanism, however, was moving and emotional. Every element is active, engaging and powerfully connected to the UNC Charlotte community. The depiction of the stars, portrayed by lights that are activated when people touch the memorial’s arched structure; the adjacent gathering spaces that feature plants imbued with deep symbolism represent emotions such as sorrow, divine sacrifice, strength, hope, love and peace; and stone benches etched with the names of Reed and Riley create an atmosphere of contemplation and reflection, with textured earthbound elements complementing those that are high-tech.”

TEN X TEN will begin meeting with University stakeholders including students, faculty and staff to present the conceptual design illustrating how the commemorative space will be developed. Groundbreaking for the memorial is expected in April 2022.

“In my time as chancellor, I have watched and learned from a community that has been united and fortified by the challenges it has endured,” said Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber. “I fully endorse the commission’s recommendations. It is a beautiful memorial that unites Riley’s love of nature with Reed’s passion for technology — and captures the strength and resilience of our survivors and Niner Nation. It is a memorial that will stand the test of time.”

The University’s 2021 Day of Remembrance events began with an early-morning ceremonial wreath laying led by UNC Charlotte’s Department of Police and Public Safety (PPS) in front of the Kennedy Building. Throughout the day, the University hosted several virtual and in-person events to bring together faculty, staff and students.

The day culminated with a Virtual Remembrance Program from 5:15 to 5:40 p.m., concluding with the ringing of the UNC Charlotte ceremonial bell at the time of the 2019 shooting. The program was offered online and broadcast at Jerry Richardson Stadium. At sundown, PPS led the removal of the wreaths from their daylong positions at Kennedy.

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Lowe’s $1.5 Million Gift Will Advance AI and Machine Learning at UNC Charlotte’s College of Computing and Informatics

Donation will establish Lowe’s Endowed Chair in Computer Science and fund innovative research within North Carolina’s largest computing college

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – April 6, 2021 – Today, Lowe’s and UNC Charlotte announced that Lowe’s has donated $1.5 million to the College of Computing and Informatics (CCI) to strengthen UNC Charlotte’s position as a leading technology hub and talent provider for Lowe’s, the Charlotte region and beyond.

The gift will establish the Lowe’s Endowed Chair in Computer Science and the Lowe’s Technology Innovation Fund. The chair endowment will enable UNC Charlotte to recruit a nationally recognized teacher, scholar and computer science leader whose research focuses on artificial intelligence and machine learning. Lowe’s Technology Innovation Fund will provide $50,000 annually in support of innovative research in these areas.

“We are actively hiring to build the best tech team in retail, and artificial intelligence and machine learning play increasingly important roles in how we serve customers and our associates,” said Seemantini Godbole, executive vice president and chief information officer at Lowe’s. “We are excited to extend our partnership with UNC Charlotte with this donation, which highlights our mutual dedication to developing skilled technology professionals and improving the economic health of our hometown Charlotte region.”

Lowe’s donation also will help remove financial hurdles for students, faculty and staff through the support of the UNC Charlotte College of Computing and Informatics Fund. As the number one producer of African American, Hispanic and female computer science graduates in North Carolina, CCI will use the fund to increase equity, diversity and inclusion in the technology field, including bolstering representation from women and those from underrepresented communities.

“We are so thankful to Lowe’s for their continued commitment to strengthening research and creative expression across our University,” said Fatma Mili, dean of the College of Computing and Informatics. “This partnership is aligned with the shared commitment between UNC Charlotte and Lowe’s to make a significant impact through the continued innovation of our faculty and students and the education of the next generation of computer scientists.”

The second-floor atrium in Woodward Hall – home to CCI – will be named in Lowe’s honor. As the largest computing college in North Carolina, CCI leads transformational research through its undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs in computer science, bioinformatics and genomics, cybersecurity, data science and business analytics, health informatics and software and information systems.

Lowe’s has a long-standing partnership with UNC Charlotte, and CCI’s broad expertise and large talent pool were among the reasons Lowe’s selected the Charlotte region for the Lowe’s Tech Hub and its expanded technology presence.

On April 9, CCI will host its inaugural Technology Day in partnership with Lowe’s. During the virtual event, a panel of senior Lowe’s executives will discuss technology trends in a post-COVID environment, and Mili and Godbole will explore the latest advances being developed by CCI and Lowe’s respectively. Register to tune in.

Additional photo assets can be downloaded here.

About Lowe’s

Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company serving approximately 20 million customers a week in the United States and Canada. With fiscal year 2020 sales of nearly $90 billion, Lowe’s and its related businesses operate or service more than 2,200 home improvement and hardware stores and employ over 300,000 associates. Based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe’s supports its hometown Charlotte region and all communities it serves through programs focused on creating safe, affordable housing and helping to develop the next generation of skilled trade experts.

About the College of Computing and Informatics

Established in 1999, the UNC Charlotte College of Computing and Informatics (CCI) is the largest computing college in North Carolina and one of the largest in the nation. It has approximately 100 faculty members and more than 130 Ph.D. students. CCI is the number one producer of computer science graduates in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, and it is the number one producer of African American, Hispanic and female computer science graduates in North Carolina.

About UNC Charlotte

UNC Charlotte is North Carolina’s urban research university. With an enrollment of more than 30,000 students, the University leverages its location in the state’s largest city to offer internationally competitive programs of research and creative activity, exemplary undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, and a focused set of community engagement initiatives.

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Harris Teeter Supports UNC Charlotte’s Jamil Niner Student Pantry with $100,000 Gift

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Jan. 19, 2021 – Building on a commitment to fight hunger and raise awareness for food insecurity throughout the communities it serves, Harris Teeter has partnered with UNC Charlotte to support the Jamil Niner Student Pantry with a $100,000 gift.

Harris Teeter will provide gift cards over a 10-year period to stock and replenish the pantry’s shelves. Some of the Jamil Niner Student Pantry’s most needed items are canned chicken, canned fruit, healthy cereal, oatmeal, peanut butter, salad dressing, jelly and pasta sauce.

“We appreciate the partnership with Harris Teeter to enhance the Jamil Niner Student Pantry’s services,” said Mindy Sides-Walsh, director of leadership and community engagement at UNC Charlotte. “Seventy-five percent of our students receive financial aid and this generous gift by Harris Teeter helps support UNC Charlotte’s commitment to ensure all our students have access to nutritious food.”

Food insecurity, experienced by one in three college students, is a significant issue on U.S. college campuses. During the 2020 fall semester alone, more than 1,440 student orders were fulfilled through the Jamil Niner Student Pantry.

The Jamil Niner Student Pantry provides assistance to UNC Charlotte students who struggle with food insecurity so that every student has access to nutritious food. The Jamil Niner Student Pantry has remained open during the COVID-19 pandemic and is serving more students than ever before. Pre-pandemic, the Jamil Niner Student Pantry assisted 80 to 90 students a week. Since March 2020 that weekly number has increased to nearly 200 students a week and the Jamil Niner Student Pantry is receiving more food requests from nontraditional students with families, who are using the campus resource for the first time.

Thanks to the generosity of the UNC Charlotte community during the 2020 #GivingTuesday Campaign held in December, the Jamil Niner Student Pantry is fully stocked for the first time since it opened in 2014. More than $56,000 in monetary gifts and food donations was raised, ensuring that 49er students have the resources they need for the spring semester and beyond.

“Many campus food pantries have either closed or been forced to limit their support over the past 10 months. Due to the generosity of so many, we’ll be able to fulfill the food needs of our students over the next year,” said Sides-Walsh.

“At Harris Teeter, we’re proud to feed our communities,” said Danna Robinson, communication manager for Harris Teeter. “We know that people come together around food and that food is essential to living a healthy life. We also know that many people in our communities struggle with food insecurity. That’s why our partnership with Jamil Niner Student Food Pantry is so important. We want to ensure students at UNC Charlotte have access to fresh, nutritious and culturally appropriate food, so they can concentrate on their education and well-being.”

Efforts to open a pantry at UNC Charlotte began in 2012, when representatives from UNC Charlotte returned from the first N.C. Campuses Against Hunger conference. The rising cost of higher education combined with lingering effects of the economic recession, the increase of nontraditional students and the ever-rising interest rates in student loans had resulted in a growing number of college and university students across the country facing food insecurity. A steering committee of faculty, staff, and students was formed in fall 2014 to direct the operation of the pantry and a grand opening was held in October 2014.

A selection of photos of the Jamil Niner Student Pantry can be found on the UNC Charlotte media assets website.

UNC Charlotte’s Energy Production and Infrastructure Center is One of 10 Selected Nationwide for U.S. Department of Energy Award

$3.6 million grant will support effort to lower solar electricity costs, increase the competitiveness of American solar manufacturing and improve grid reliability

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Jan. 14, 2021 – UNC Charlotte’s Energy Production and Infrastructure Center (EPIC) has been selected for a $3.6 million award from the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) to improve the resilience and reliability of the regional grid. Badrul Chowdhury, professor of electrical and computer engineering, is the principal investigator for the project.

The EPIC project, one of 10 chosen nationwide for support and the only one in North Carolina, is part of a collaborative effort among the North Carolina state government, utility companies, industry and universities to develop an advanced microgrid control architecture. It will be able to coordinate seamlessly with the bulk power grid at multiple points of common coupling, automatically balance load and generation, provide critical services at a minimum, detect faulty conditions on a continuous basis, communicate with distributed energy resources, form networked microgrids with neighboring communities when needed and maintain safe operating conditions at all times.

“Federal support at this level recognizes the ascendance of energy as an area of research excellence for UNC Charlotte,” said Rick Tankersley, vice chancellor for research and economic development. “EPIC’s role in the ongoing public-private partnership that is driving novel solutions to critical energy challenges is making a sustained impact in North Carolina, with implications for influence nationally and globally.”

The proposed control architecture will be tested utilizing a unique digital-twin approach to which laboratories will have direct, real-time connections to microgrids operated by the major utilities in North Carolina. A field demonstration at Duke Energy’s Hot Springs microgrid is also planned.

“This selection was the culmination of a strategic objective of EPIC that began in 2018, in partnership with federal, state and local government agencies and Duke Energy,” said Michael Mazzola, executive director, EPIC. “I look forward to moving our previous work in community resilience to the full demonstration phase. With the active support and partnership of State Energy Director Sushma Masemore, this project will be a national model for organizing a resilient grid in a state with climate challenges like North Carolina.”

EPIC was selected as a part of the SETO Fiscal Year 2020 funding program, which is an effort to advance research and development projects to lower solar electricity costs, increase the competitiveness of American solar manufacturing and businesses, improve the reliability and resilience of the grid, and expand solar to new applications.

This EPIC award is one of several systems integration projects that will enhance solar energy’s contribution to grid resilience and reliability by enabling communities to consistently maintain and restore power, improving cybersecurity for photovoltaic systems, and developing advanced hybrid plants.

Visit UNC Charlotte’s media assets page for downloadable photos and videos for this story.

New UNC Charlotte Academic Programs Respond to Job Market and Region’s Needs

Interdisciplinary Programs in Data Science and Digital Studies First in State

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Jan. 13, 2021 – UNC Charlotte is responding to the greater Charlotte region’s employment needs with three new degree programs and five new graduate certificate programs that are relevant to the current and future job market. Several will be available this spring and all programs will be open for new and current students by fall 2021.

As part of the new School of Data Science, UNC Charlotte will now offer a Bachelor of Science in Data Science. This is the first undergraduate degree of its kind in North Carolina and results from direct collaboration between the University and business leaders. In addition, the University now offers a Master of Science in Computer Engineering and a Bachelor of Arts in Writing, Rhetoric and Digital Studies.

New online graduate certificate programs include Advanced Literacy Instruction and Intervention, Applied Nursing Informatics, Respiratory Care Clinical Concepts, and Respiratory Care Leadership. A novel certificate in Workplace Competencies complements graduate degrees and enhances skills of working professionals in all areas.

“UNC Charlotte has a long history of being nimble in adapting to the evolving needs of our students and our community with relevant and future-oriented academic programs,” said Joan Lorden, provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs. “These new programs are designed to respond to industry needs, provide excellent opportunities for current and prospective students, and help strengthen our region’s workforce.”

About UNC Charlotte’s New Academic Programs:
B.S. in Data Science
The Bachelor of Science in Data Science program marks the latest expansion of the interdisciplinary partnership among the College of Computing and Informatics, the Belk College of Business, the College of Health and Human Services and the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. To meet employer demand, the program teaches skills in machine learning, data analysis, statistics, data visualization and the ethics surrounding the field of data science. The degree is designed to accommodate both new and transfer students. An extended college transfer partnership with Wake Technical Community College provides a seamless transition for students interested in this degree. The Bachelor of Science in Data Science is available starting in the spring 2021 semester.

B.A. in Writing, Rhetoric, and Digital Studies
Another first in the Carolinas and part of the University’s goal to increase its interdisciplinary offerings, UNC Charlotte now offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Writing, Rhetoric, and Digital Studies. With interactive courses from the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences and a partnership with the College of Computing and Informatics, the program widens students’ understanding of human computing, communication and analytics. Along with developing advanced writing, information literacy and problem-solving skills, students gain the ability to adapt emerging print and digital technologies in new contexts as they become adept in writing as a concept and practice. The Bachelor of Arts in Writing, Rhetoric, and Digital Studies is available starting in the spring 2021 semester.

Master of Science in Computer Engineering
As one of the fastest-growing regions for technology in the nation, Charlotte demands an increasing number of hardware engineers, software developers, application developers, systems developers and networking engineers. The needs in this area align with the emergence of new application domains including artificial intelligence and machine learning systems and high-speed communication networks.

The Computer Engineering master’s program will emphasize integrated hardware-software systems. This unique focus area is designed to more effectively serve the industry’s growing workforce demands in computer systems sub-disciplines. The program’s curriculum specializations in these sub-disciplines include computer architecture and hardware design, computer systems and applications software and distributed and real-time computer systems. The Master of Science in Computer Engineering is available starting in the spring 2021 semester.

Advanced Literacy Instruction and Intervention, Graduate Certificate
Literacy and reading instruction have always required the use of data to inform instruction. Today, more than ever, teachers and other educational professionals need to gather and analyze data to target instruction to individuals and diverse groups of students. The Advanced Literacy Instruction and Intervention Certificate reflects these changes by providing K-12 classroom teachers and other professionals with more advanced skills in using data to create instruction and interventions. The 12-hour program is delivered entirely online and all coursework can apply toward the M.Ed. in Reading Education at UNC Charlotte for students who wish to earn a master’s degree. The Advanced Literacy Instruction and Intervention Graduate Certificate will be available starting in the fall 2021 semester.

Applied Nursing Informatics Graduate Certificate
The Applied Nursing Informatics Graduate Certificate is a 12-hour program aimed at improving practicing registered nurses’ skills in incorporating technology and informatics into their practice and clinical agencies. Collecting, analyzing and using aggregate patient outcome information to improve safety and the care of patients has become an essential part of practice for all nurses, but especially for nurse administrators, clinical nurse educators, nurse practitioners and clinical nurse leaders. In addition, the pandemic has re-focused attention on the many ways tele-health can be used to provide care and improve patients’ access to care. The online certificate program will teach competencies in applying information analytics to nursing practice and administration, implementing information systems in a practice setting, managing tele-health practices, and using informatics in planning resource use and distribution. The Applied Nursing Informatics Graduate Certificate will be available starting in the fall 2021 semester.

Respiratory Care Leadership Graduate Certificate
There is an industry need for more respiratory care department directors, supervisors and college faculty over the next 10 years as individuals transition into retirement. The Respiratory Care Leadership Graduate Certificate is a fully online program designed for those who want to advance in leadership and management roles in clinical and educational settings. The certificate’s 12 credit hours provide a career jump start and are transferable to the fully online M.S. in Respiratory Care program offered at UNC Charlotte. The program prepares professionals to apply leadership and evidence-based practice principles to plan and make collaborative and effective decisions relevant to respiratory care services or education. The Respiratory Care Leadership Graduate Certificate will be available starting in the fall 2021 semester.

Respiratory Care Clinical Concepts Graduate Certificate
The Respiratory Care Clinical Concepts Graduate Certificate will provide current respiratory therapists with additional knowledge and skills for advanced clinical practice to further their careers as clinical specialists, pulmonary disease educators and navigators, research coordinators and industry sales representatives. The online program prepares professionals to apply clinical reasoning skills and evidence-based practice concepts to examine, evaluate and manage patients with cardiopulmonary diseases. Fewer than 45% of current respiratory therapists hold a baccalaureate degree or higher (AARC, 2017), however the need is growing for those with advanced skills. The 12 credit hours will transfer to the fully online M.S. in Respiratory Care program. The Respiratory Care Clinical Concepts Graduate Certificate will be available starting in the fall 2021 semester.

Graduate Certificate in Workplace Competencies
Numerous studies have shown that employers want new hires with graduate and professional degrees to be well-versed in essential professional skills in written and verbal communication, presentation-building, managing new initiatives and working on diverse teams. The Graduate Certificate in Workplace Competencies will build these skills to promote professional success through on-campus coursework. The certificate program is designed for doctoral and master’s students in all disciplines as well as working professionals with bachelor’s degrees. The Graduate Certificate in Workplace Competencies is available starting in the spring 2021 semester.

North Carolina’s Economic Forecast: Steady Growth for 2021

Belk College Economist John Connaughton says 2021 represents the first year of an economic comeback.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Dec. 10, 2020 – North Carolina’s economy – which experienced its biggest decline since the Great Depression – will bounce back in 2021, according to John Connaughton, director of the Barings/UNC Charlotte Economic Forecast.

“As a devastating 2020 comes to an end, all factors are indicating a steady expansion is ahead,” said John Connaughton, Barings Professor of Financial Economics at the Belk College of Business. “2021 represents the first full year of an economic comeback.”

Connaughton – who released his quarterly Barings/UNC Charlotte Economic Forecast on Thursday, Dec. 10 – said among the factors he is watching in 2021 are how quickly a vaccine will be available and the willingness of Americans to take the vaccine.

“At the end of the day, it is ultimately people who will decide their risk to re-engage in the economy,” Connaughton said. “That remains to be seen.”

For 2021, Connaughton forecasts an output increase for all 15 of the state’s economic sectors.

These sectors will see the largest inflation adjusted output increases in 2021:

• Agriculture: 21.7%
• Hospitality and Leisure Services: 7.3%
• Educational and Health Services: 6.8%
• Information: 6.0%
• Other Services: 5.6%

Looking back at 2020, 12 of 15 economic sectors in North Carolina are forecast to experience Gross Domestic Product (GDP) output decreases, Connaughton said.

Hospitality and Leisure Services, particularly devastated by the government-mandated shutdown this spring, will experience the largest decline, a projected real decrease of 33.9%, followed by:

• Other Services: 10.7% decrease
• Durable Goods Manufacturing: 9.3% decrease
• Educational and Health Services: 6.9% decrease
• Retail Trade: 3.75% decrease

For 2020, only three sectors – Finance, Insurance and Real Estate; Agriculture; and Mining – are expected to experience growth.

Employment
North Carolina started 2020 with a 3.6% unemployment rate. Both the U.S. and North Carolina unemployment rates jumped dramatically in April to 14.7 and 12.9 percent respectively.

Since April, the U.S. and North Carolina unemployment rates have fallen dramatically. The North Carolina rate, at 6.3% by October, is expected to decline to 6.0% by December, Connaughton said.

For 2020, Connaughton expects the state will lose 224,100 net jobs, and 12 of the state’s 14 nonagricultural sectors of the economy are expected to experience employment decreases.

The sectors with the largest expected employment decreases are:

• Hospitality and Leisure Services: 17.3% decrease
• Durable Manufacturing: 7.6% decrease
• Information: 5.3% decrease

Looking ahead to 2021:

• North Carolina’s unemployment rate is expected to decline to 5.1% by December 2021, still higher than the pre-COVID rate of 3.6%.
• North Carolina’s employment is expected to reach 4,614,900 persons by December 2021, an increase of 5.4% over the employment level in December 2020.
• The state is expected to add 245,100 net jobs.
• 12 of the state’s 14 nonagricultural sectors in 2021 are expected to experience employment increases, with Hospitality and Leisure Services, and Information both at 16.0%.

Gross State Product
For the fourth quarter of 2020, Gross State Product (GSP) is expected to increase by an annualized inflation adjusted rate of 5.6%. For 2020, inflation adjusted GSP is expected to decrease by 3.4% as compared to the 2019 level.

Looking ahead to 2021:

• GSP is forecast to reach $589,755.5 million, an inflation adjusted increase of 4.5% over the 2020 level.
• The quarterly GSP is expected to increase each quarter of 2021, starting with a 4.8% annualized real rate increase in the first quarter.

COVID-19 in North Carolina
Connaughton is partnering with Craig Depken, Belk College professor of economics, on a collaborative research project that measures the county-level economic impact in North Carolina caused by the mandatory stay-at-home orders enacted earlier this year.

Connaughton and Depken discussed preliminary data during the question-and-answer portion of the Economic Forecast.

Among the findings:

• In April, the North Carolina economy was less severely impacted by the mandatory shutdowns than the average state, ranking 25th among states based on unemployment.
• By October, North Carolina had the 29th lowest unemployment rate, indicating that the recovery from the shutdowns has not been as strong as the average state.
• In April, North Carolina county unemployment rates ranged from 19.3% in Dare and Swain counties to 8.1% in Bertie, Chowan and Duplin counties.

The research, funded through the North Carolina General Assembly, aims to provide new data and information to state lawmakers and policymakers to help guide the state’s response.

Barings: A Decade of Support
During the virtual event, Belk College Dean Jennifer Troyer recognized Barings for a decade of support of the Economic Forecast. Barings’ title sponsorship, which began in 2010, concludes at the end of this year.

The full report and a recording of the presentation will be available at belkcollege.uncc.edu/forecast. Connaughton will release the next UNC Charlotte Economic Forecast report on March 5.

For information on sponsorship opportunities, email belkrsvp@uncc.edu.

N.C. Forecast: COVID-19 is No Longer Driving the Economy

Belk College Economist John Connaughton sees the state’s economy bouncing back as vaccines become more readily available.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – March 5, 2021 – After a year of uncertainty due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, North Carolina’s economy will continue to rebound in 2021, according to John Connaughton, director of the UNC Charlotte Economic Forecast.

“The good news is the fourth quarter COVID virus spike seems to be subsiding,” said John Connaughton, professor of financial economics at the Belk College of Business. “As vaccination rates rise and the weather starts to warm, it is likely that for a while the COVID-19 virus will not be a driving force in the economy.”

Connaughton, who released his first quarter UNC Charlotte Economic Forecast Report on Friday, March 5, said among the factors he is watching are the new stimulus package and the impact vaccinations will have on the economy during the second and third quarters.

Gross State Product Analysis
North Carolina’s real, adjusted Gross State Product (GSP) should recover to pre-pandemic levels by the second quarter of 2021, according to the report.

For 2021, Connaughton forecasts an output increase for 14 of the state’s 15 economic sectors.

These sectors will see the largest inflation-adjusted output increases in 2021:

• Hospitality and Leisure Services: 15.2%
• Agriculture: 9.2%
• Educational and Health Services: 7.2%
• Retail Trade: 6.7%
• Durable Goods: 6.0%
• Information: 5.9%

Mining is the only sector forecast to decline with an expected decrease of 2.5%.

Employment
Employment levels and the unemployment rate will take much longer to recover than the GDP, Connaughton said. North Carolina nonagricultural employment should return to pre-pandemic levels by December.

North Carolina employment is expected to reach 4,602,500 by December, an increase of 4.5% over December 2020. The state is expected to add 199,300 net jobs in 2021.

All 14 of the state’s nonagricultural sectors of the economy are expected to experience employment increases during 2021. These sectors are expected to have the strongest increases for the year:

• Information: 16.0%
• Hospitality and Leisure Services: 14.9%

The North Carolina unemployment rate, which peaked at 12.9% at the height of the pandemic shutdown in April 2020, should decline through the rest of the year and reach 5.2% by December. The state’s unemployment rate will not again return to full employment (4.0%) until late 2022.

The full report and a recording of the presentation will be available at belkcollege.uncc.edu/forecast. Connaughton will release the next UNC Charlotte Economic Forecast report on May 26.

UNC Charlotte Nationally Ranked as a Top Employer by Forbes Magazine

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Feb. 24, 2021 – UNC Charlotte has been named to “America’s Best Mid-Sized Employers 2021” list by Forbes, which released its rankings on Feb. 9.

The University ranked 95 out of the top 500 employers with between 1,000 and 5,000 employees. UNC Charlotte is the only top mid-sized education employer in North Carolina and the only public higher education institution named in the state for both mid-sized or large-sized employers.

“This recognition is a testament to what we know to be true: Our faculty and staff at UNC Charlotte are among the best in the nation,” said Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber. “I am proud to work alongside them. This past year, in particular, has shown the dedication, resilience and creativity of our employees as they have worked tirelessly to ensure a quality academic experience for our students.”

Working with market research firm Statista, Forbes surveyed 50,000 Americans working for businesses with at least 1,000 employees in the United States. Survey respondents were asked to respond to questions about their working conditions, salary, potential for development and company image regarding their current employer. Additionally, they were asked to rate how likely they’d be to recommend their employers to others. They were also given the opportunity to name other organizations they would recommend. The final list ranks the employers that received the most recommendations.

“We want UNC Charlotte to be known as an organization where you can always learn, grow and make a meaningful impact on students’ lives and the broader community, ” said Gary Stinnett, associate vice chancellor for human resources. “Our employees are our most important asset in shaping the UNC Charlotte culture, brand and student experience. We not only want to recruit top talent to our University but also give them a rewarding experience so they choose to stay.”

The full list of top employers can be found on Forbes’ website.

UNC Charlotte, Wake Tech Partner to Support State’s Workforce Needs

49erNext and a data science transfer program provide a seamless bachelor’s degree completion process for students from North Carolina’s largest community college

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Feb. 17, 2021 – UNC Charlotte and Wake Technical Community College have entered into two academic agreements, 49erNext and a 2+2 Transfer Program in Data Science, that are aimed to educate and develop the region’s most robust talent pipeline. These partnerships with Wake Tech, North Carolina’s largest community college, allow UNC Charlotte to meet Triangle-area students’ academic, financial aid and career planning needs by creating a seamless pathway for individuals who want to start their degree at Wake Tech and complete their degree at UNC Charlotte.

“UNC Charlotte is proud to partner with Wake Tech to provide accessible, affordable, quality higher education to meet North Carolina’s evolving employment needs,” said UNC Charlotte Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber. “The unique partnerships with Wake Tech are designed to produce a greater number of qualified, work-force ready graduates at a significant cost savings to them.”

Wake Tech is the newest community college partner to enroll a 49erNext cohort, expanding the pipeline of opportunity to five community colleges throughout the state, joining Central Piedmont Community College, Gaston College, Mitchell Community College and Catawba Valley Community College, which will launch in the fall 2021 semester.

Introduced in October 2019 in partnership with Central Piedmont Community College, the state’s second-largest community college, 49erNext is a co-admission program that maximizes transfer credit through the use of degree plans and regular data exchange, ensuring students’ progress toward timely completion of a baccalaureate degree. All participating institutions commit to creating academic success by putting students first by enabling them to earn a quality degree in a timely manner, fostering student potential and ensuring equity among all students. As participants in the 49erNext program, students are eligible to transfer into more than 75 undergraduate degree programs (130+ majors) at UNC Charlotte, as long as they earn an associate degree and meet minimum GPA requirements.

For spring 2021, more than 275 students are enrolled in the 49erNext program, including 30 in the inaugural cohort from Wake Tech.

“Wake Tech students who are accepted into the 49erNext program will feel like they are already part of the UNC Charlotte community,” said Anthony Almanzar, Wake Tech academic advisor. “They will have access to several services at the university and can even participate in student events. The partnership will ensure that Wake Tech students have a smooth transition after they graduate and transfer to UNC Charlotte.”

Discussions of the 49erNext partnership led directly to an agreement of a new 2+2 Transfer Program with the UNC Charlotte School of Data Science. This agreement allows graduates of Wake Tech’s Associate of Applied Science in Computer Programming, Data Science and Programming and Business Analytics to earn a Bachelor of Science in Data Science from UNC Charlotte. Through the partnership, students may transfer up to 64 semester credit hours toward a Bachelor of Science in Data Science – the only such degree offered in North Carolina.

This past year, roughly 3,500 transfer students enrolled at UNC Charlotte, the most in all of the UNC System. Of all UNC Charlotte transfer students, 64% came from a North Carolina community college. For the 2020-21 academic year, UNC Charlotte welcomed more than 200 transfer students from Wake Tech.

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UNC Charlotte to Host Former FEMA Administrator Brock Long at Annual Public Policy Program

Symposium will focus on how individuals and organizations can improve emergency preparedness, management of crises

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Feb. 10, 2021 – Former Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Brock Long will headline UNC Charlotte’s third annual “Talking Policy in the Queen City” symposium Wednesday, Feb. 24, from noon to 1:15 p.m. EST via livestream.

The event, hosted by the UNC Charlotte Public Policy Ph.D. Program and the Gerald G. Fox Master of Public Administration Program, in partnership with the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute, calls attention to national, state and local policy insights and perspectives and how they affect citizens and organizations in Charlotte and beyond. This year’s discussion with Long focuses on how organizations can improve their cultural preparedness and emergency management systems.

“Given the COVID-19 pandemic, we have all had to learn how to better prepare for unexpected emergencies,” said Stephanie Moller, director of UNC Charlotte’s Public Policy Ph.D. Program. “This year’s subject is relevant and challenging to every level of our society, and we are fortunate to be able to combine the insights of our interdisciplinary faculty with Brock’s subject matter expertise.”

Long served as FEMA administrator from 2017 to 2019, overseeing 144 presidentially declared disasters, including three of the nation’s most devastating hurricanes, and 112 wildfires. During his tenure at FEMA, Long helped transform the agency’s business enterprise, creating the community lifeline and FEMA Integration Teams, and he implemented pre-disaster mitigation efforts, a priority under the Disaster Recovery Reform Act.

Long will share insights on successful emergency management and strategies for both natural and man-made disasters, including pandemics, highlighting that an effective response to a disaster requires collaboration and cooperation at all levels of society. Long will also touch on what state and local government, private companies, nonprofit organizations, and the general public should be doing today to prepare for tomorrow’s emergencies.

“The UNC Charlotte MPA program prides itself on the integration of theory and practice, so it is especially fitting that we are hosting a practitioner the stature of Brock Long, who has executed emergency management policy at every level of government,” said Thomas Barth, director of the UNC Charlotte MPA Program.

Kevin Staley, retired deputy director of Mecklenburg EMS Agency (MEDIC), will moderate the discussion. Staley serves on the North Carolina Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council and is a commissioner on the state’s Emergency Response Commission. He also brings his expertise to UNC Charlotte students as an adjunct faculty member.

The Pam Fawcett-Brandon and William P. Brandon Endowment for the Graduate Public Policy Program also provides support for the event.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information and to register, visit publicpolicy.uncc.edu/talkingpolicy.

UNC Charlotte Public Policy Doctoral Program

The interdisciplinary Public Policy Ph.D. Program prepares students to become researchers, decision makers and policy analysts in local, state or federal governments, not-for-profit agencies, for-profit institutions and academia. Students learn the foundations of policy development, implementation and evaluation, gaining the expertise to pursue varied policy domains, adapt to changing policy environments and clearly communicate research results to shape policy outcomes.

UNC Charlotte Gerald G. Fox Master of Public Administration Program

The Gerald G. Fox Master of Public Administration (MPA) Program has a three-part mission of preparing students for leadership careers in the public and nonprofit sectors, conducting research to advance the field of public administration, and serving the community through applied research projects and internships. The program was listed in the top 21% of U.S. News & World Report’s 2021 rankings of public affairs programs nationwide.

UNC Charlotte Urban Institute

The Urban Institute is a nonpartisan, applied research and community outreach center at UNC Charlotte. Founded in 1969, it provides services including technical assistance and training in operations and data management; public opinion surveys; and research and analysis around economic, environmental, and social issues affecting the Charlotte region. The institute is part of UNC Charlotte’s Office of Urban Research and Community Engagement (formerly known as Metropolitan Studies), which is a unit of Academic Affairs.

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Feb. 3, 2021 – New research on gender inequality indicates that fewer leadership prospects in the workplace apply even to women who show the most promise early on in their academic careers.

Jill Yavorsky, an assistant professor of sociology at UNC Charlotte, co-led the study, “The Under-Utilization of Women’s Talent: Academic Achievement and Future Leadership Positions,” with Yue Qian, an assistant professor of sociology at the University of British Columbia.

In their paper, published in a leading social science journal, Social Forces, the social scientists discovered that men supervise more individuals in the workplace than women, regardless of their grade point averages (GPAs) in high school. This leadership gap observed during individuals’ early to mid-careers was particularly pronounced for those who became parents.

For those who earned a 4.0 GPA in high school, fathers manage more than four times the number of supervisees as mothers (19 for men versus four for women).

Additionally, having a higher GPA is strongly associated with managing more people later in their careers, but this is largely true only for fathers. As high school GPA increases from 0.0 to 4.0, the average number of supervisees increases from 4 to 19 for fathers but barely changes for mothers (increasing from 3 to 4).

Perhaps even more striking is that fathers with very low academic achievement (1.0 GPAs), on average, have similar leadership prospects to women who completed high school with 4.0 GPAs.

“Our research clearly illustrates the barriers that exist for women, especially mothers, in the workplace,” said Yavorsky. “At the same time, given that even men with low grades go on to attain higher leadership roles than women, this study highlights perhaps the lack of barriers that men face in securing greater leadership opportunities.”

The researchers also examined why this large disparity emerged between mothers and fathers. They discovered that part of the leadership gap by GPA is due to the fact that high-achieving fathers benefit significantly from having a college or advanced degree, whereas comparable mothers do not. Indeed, the leadership opportunities of mothers who have a college degree or higher are similar to those of mothers who do not have a college degree.

The authors explain in their article that men may benefit more from having a college degree than women because men select into or are steered into majors that may offer more leadership opportunities, like those in finance or STEM.

Yavorsky also notes, “Based on other research, we know that even when men and women are in the same field, including female-dominated jobs, men still tend to have higher leadership prospects than women. This suggests that the disparity isn’t just due to men and women selecting different career paths. Rather, men benefit in terms of their leadership opportunities regardless of the path they choose.”

Additionally, the study found that among top achievers, men had higher leadership prospects than women because they tended to work longer hours in their jobs and had accumulated more work experience than women, particularly after they became parents.

Yavorsky explained that mothers are more likely to have a disproportionate share of household duties than men, take parental leave and disrupt their careers to care for children or others in their family. As a result, men are often able to devote more time to their employers and attain critical job experience that may improve their chances for managerial promotions.

Importantly, even after these explanations, leadership disparities remain between high-achieving mothers and fathers, suggesting that bias and discrimination are also likely at play.

This study focused on a sample of about 5,000 people born between 1957 and 1964. The researchers had access to these individuals’ high school transcript data and their responses to how many people they managed over a decade, from 1988 to 1998. According to Yavorsky, the survey used is the most current survey that includes GPA transcript data, tracks adolescents through their early- to mid-careers and captures the number of people they manage in their jobs.

“It is likely that these general patterns hold for younger cohorts, as recent research indicates that progress on many key measures for workplace gender equality has stalled or slowed since the mid-1990s,” explained Yavorsky. “Additionally, contemporary research in the field indicates that the COVID-19 pandemic is more negatively affecting women’s employment and productivity than men’s, in large part because mothers are absorbing more of the responsibilities associated with school and child care closures. This pattern could further exacerbate gender disparities in job experience and therefore future advancement opportunities in the workplace.”

Yavorsky noted two key governmental policy changes that could result in greater utilization of women’s talent: 1.) subsidized child care to make it more affordable and reliable for all families, and; 2.) paid maternity and paternity leave that encourages fathers to contribute more equitably to household responsibilities from the start of parenthood. She also stated that organizations need to review and better standardize promotion practices to eliminate bias and discrimination, and they should create more pathways to management from female-dominated jobs.

A nationally recognized researcher on workplace inequality and household divisions of labor, Yavorsky holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from The Ohio State University. Her work has been published in numerous top academic journals, resulting in her being interviewed by a number of media outlets, including The New York Times, TIME, Forbes, The Washington Post, Newsweek, Slate and the Chicago Tribune.

About UNC Charlotte

UNC Charlotte is North Carolina’s urban research university. With an enrollment of more than 30,000 students, the University leverages its location in the state’s largest city to offer internationally competitive programs of research and creative activity, exemplary undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, and a focused set of community engagement initiatives.

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UNC Charlotte Study Finds Success in Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s Efforts to End Homelessness

Comprehensive research findings indicate expanding Housing First, an effective program aimed to eradicate chronic homelessness, may impact other U.S. cities

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – NOV. 12, 2020 – A new comprehensive study from UNC Charlotte’s Urban Institute, College of Health and Human Services and School of Social Work shows an effective approach to ending chronic homelessness that helps those in need and benefits communities.

The Housing First Charlotte-Mecklenburg initiative, an innovative multi-sector collaboration that’s been working to end chronic homelessness in Charlotte for five years, has placed more than 1,000 people in the Charlotte community in stable housing. This is the largest and most comprehensive local effort to address chronic homelessness. Nationwide, on any given night, more than 550,000 Americans are experiencing homelessness, and this research could offer guidance to cities around the U.S. struggling with this issue.

“The Housing First Charlotte-Mecklenburg effort led to major housing wins during a time of increasing housing scarcity, and the vast majority of those who were able to access housing through the effort did not return to emergency shelters,” said Lori Thomas, associate professor at UNC Charlotte’s School of Social Work and Director of Research and Faculty Engagement at the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute.

Thomas has completed an evaluation of the first phase of the program, the most rigorous and in-depth study to date in Charlotte and one of the few reports in the country that examines a community’s overall response to chronic homelessness. Findings highlighted in Thomas’ research may have a significant impact throughout the country in other cities working to expand Housing First programs such as Atlanta, Denver, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.

Key findings from the first phase of the Housing First program include:

• Housing First works. Almost three-quarters of study participants housed through the Housing First program either retained their housing or moved into other housing during the study period. That means a large majority of people who get housed, stay housed.

• Housing First impacts participants. Clients who gained housing showed reductions in trauma, mental illness and substance use. Additionally, housed participants scored significantly higher on standardized overall quality of life indicators.

• Housing First impacts the community. People who were housed were less likely to be arrested or visit the emergency department. Additionally, the average number of visits to the Mecklenburg County Health Departments and the average number of nights spent in emergency shelters all decreased.

• Costs of housing are partially offset through other community services. Based on the changes in service utilization, there is a $2.54 reduction in community services for every $10 invested in housing first permanent supportive housing. This savings reduces the average annual cost of housing first permanent supportive housing from $17,256 to $12,688.

There were also lessons learned that can improve the initiative. Among those:

• Housing First participants experienced persistent and worsening food insecurity. Rates of food insecurity remained high for clients who gained housing. Research suggests people might have more difficulty accessing food once they gain housing, perhaps because they do not have transportation to free resources where they previously got food, or because they now live in a “food desert.”

• Housing First participants continued to report poor perceptions of physical health. The impact of years without housing and access to preventative care, as well as the fact that the majority of study participants have two or more disabilities, may account for this finding.

• Housing First and the focus on homelessness highlighted the need for better coordination, representation and communication among stakeholders across various sectors (government, nonprofit, academic and business). Additionally, the initiative drove home the need to connect homelessness to the community-wide affordable housing challenges facing Charlotte and Mecklenburg.

“With the release of the Housing First Evaluation report, we are able to share information with the community about the results and impact of a public-private, community initiative to end chronic homelessness,” said Stacy Lowry, director of community support services for Mecklenburg County. “In addition to outcomes, this report also provides an in-depth analysis of the initiative, itself. By looking at the relationship between outcomes and process, Charlotte-Mecklenburg can use this report to expand and strengthen existing efforts to prevent and end homelessness as well as inform new, systemic solutions to address complex problems comprehensively and effectively.”

The executive summary, full outcomes evaluation, process evaluation reports and an FAQ can be found at www.ui.uncc.edu.

Largest Grant in UNC Charlotte History Expands National Center for Youth with Disabilities

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Oct. 27, 2020 – Through the largest grant in the University’s history, a pair of researchers from the UNC Charlotte Cato College of Education are expanding their national effort to improve employment, education and community integration for students and youth with disabilities.

With a five-year award of more than $20 million, the U.S. Department of Education is ramping up its investment in the National Technical Assistance Center on Transition for Students and Youth with Disabilities (NTACT) at UNC Charlotte. NTACT was created in 2015 through an initial $13 million grant directed by emeritus special education professor David Test.

NTACT assists state and local education agencies, vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies and service providers in implementing practices to help students with disabilities graduate prepared for success in postsecondary education and employment.

Catherine Fowler and Val Mazzotti from the Department and Special Education and Child Development along with center staff, including Bettie Ray Butler of the Department of Middle, Secondary, and K-12 Education are joined by a team of researchers from six universities across the country on the project.

“Disparities between in- and post-school achievement for individuals with disabilities and individuals without disabilities persist,” Mazzotti said. “A major barrier to developing more effective secondary practices is the fragmentation of existing services for students with disabilities.”

To address this, NTACT works with partners to build capacity, align systems and develop infrastructure.

“In practice, we help overcome barriers by providing resources and tools for state agencies to use with their local providers (educators, counselors, therapists), and families and students.” Fowler added. “We also provide in-person and virtual professional development on quality practices, as well as shifts in policies and procedures that can improve student outcomes.”

NTACT’s website hosts nearly 1,500 individual resources and is visited by more than 50,000 unique users annually.

“One thing that is very helpful is all of the resources that NTACT provides. Knowing that research is the basis for everything they have and they continue to develop resources and update them and make them all available online. They [also] connect us with others who are doing similar work,” said one beneficiary.

Data on the first five years of NTACT programming indicated that states that worked closely with the center:

• Improved graduation rates for students with disabilities

• Increased students obtaining jobs while in high school

• Increased students participating in work-based learning experiences and other pre-employment transition services while in high school

• Increased students with disabilities enrolling in and completing a three course sequence of Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses

“Projects like NTACT are evidence of the expanding impact researchers at UNC Charlotte are making on people’s lives across the country,” said Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development Rick Tankersley. “We also see this award as a reaffirmation of our Department of Special Education and Child Development as a national leader in the field.”

While grounded in research, NTACT also aims to be “nimble and creative” in responding to the needs and opportunities agencies and stakeholders working to improve practice and services.

“We have assembled an amazing team that will work diligently over the next five years to improve secondary services and outcomes for students and youth with disabilities,” Mazzotti said.

NTACT is a partnership between UNC Charlotte, East Tennessee State University, George Washington University, Portland State University, the University of Kansas, the University of Maryland and the University of Oregon.

UNC Charlotte Sets Enrollment Record with More Than 30,000 Students

North Carolina’s urban research university is now the second-largest institution in the UNC System

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 21, 2020 – The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is larger and more diverse than ever, according to enrollment figures announced today. The University welcomed approximately 4,000 new first-year students, 2,600 transfer students and 2,400 new graduate students this fall, pushing total enrollment over 30,000 for the first time in UNC Charlotte’s nearly 75-year history.

“We are now the second-largest institution in the UNC System with 30,146 enrolled students,” announced Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber. “This record-breaking enrollment is a testament to UNC Charlotte’s long-standing focus on affordability, accessibility and opportunity for deserving students. Chosen for its high academic achievement, the freshman class brings an average weighted GPA of 3.9. In fact, a greater percentage of all new undergraduates earned institutional merit-based and external scholarships compared to last year’s incoming students.”

The newest undergraduate Niners, selected from more than 26,000 freshman and transfer applications, represent 91 of 100 North Carolina counties, 49 states and 25 countries. More than 2,100 are first-generation college students.

“Niner Nation continues to grow not only in numbers but also in terms of opportunity, diversity and outcomes,” said Joan Lorden, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “Our outstanding faculty, academic programs, research capabilities and incredible campus experience make UNC Charlotte the first choice for many students from across the state, region and country.”

Enrollment highlights include:

• Of the nearly 6,600 new undergraduates, more than 6,200 are from North Carolina.

• This year’s freshman class is the largest in University history, 10% larger than that of 2019.

• Enrollment among Black/African American freshmen grew by 30% over last year.

• Students who identify with more than one race or ethnicity jumped by 19% since last year.

• Hispanic freshman enrollment is up 43% since last year.

• Nearly 33% of the incoming class are first-generation college students.

• The average weighted GPA of the 4,000 new freshmen is 3.9.

• A greater percentage of new undergraduates received institutional merit-based scholarships for fall 2020, and more students also earned external scholarships when compared to last year. Honors College enrollment increased by 6%.

• Incoming freshmen in STEM majors represent 34% of the class.

• Total graduate student enrollment is nearly 6,000, the highest number in UNC Charlotte history.

• Significant graduate school growth is attributed to in-state students with 712 more enrolling than fall 2019.

• Noteworthy graduate enrollment increases include the MBA program and the Graduate Certificate in Teaching.

The University attributes the enrollment boost in part to its quick implementation of both live and pre-recorded virtual admissions events and individual attention to students’ needs. The admissions staff reached out via text, phone and email to admitted students to make sure they had all the information they needed to register for summer orientation, enroll in fall courses and join the UNC Charlotte community.

“The significance of the role our students, faculty and staff in recalibrating our enrollment efforts as a result of the coronavirus cannot be overstated,” said Claire Kirby, director of undergraduate admissions. “Individuals from all areas of campus life helped us to meet prospective new students where they are in this new virtual environment, leading eventually to today’s celebratory milestone.”

After COVID-19 restricted on-campus visitors, the University undergraduate admissions office transitioned its campus visit options to one-on-one Zoom sessions with admissions counselors, professors and current students. Faculty and staff recorded nearly 70 presentations on their respective departments and programs as a substitute for the canceled Spring Open House events. Also, campus tour guides created informal videos around campus and posted them on UNC Charlotte social media, garnering more than 8,000 views, while other students served as social media and digital ambassadors for the University, writing blogs and testimonials for admissions collateral and website content.

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UNC Charlotte Appoints Diversity and Inclusion Leader Professor Cheryl Waites Spellman to Lead Efforts

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 8, 2020 – UNC Charlotte Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber announced today the appointment of UNC Charlotte Professor Cheryl Waites Spellman, Ed.D., to the role of interim special assistant to the chancellor for diversity and inclusion, effective Sept. 16. Waites Spellman will remain a professor in UNC Charlotte’s School of Social Work. A search will be undertaken in the spring for a permanent leader.

A proven leader in higher education administration and leading expert in social work policy and research, Waites Spellman will coordinate with staff, faculty and students to build on the University’s diversity and inclusion efforts to create an accessible, inclusive and equitable climate. She will report directly to Gaber and work closely with leaders to develop and align strategic goals across the University.

“UNC Charlotte’s dedication to academic excellence is inseparable from our commitment to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion to ensure all students, faculty and staff feel welcomed, valued and can reach their full potential, and is aligned with the UNC System’s strategic goals to make access, equity, student success, and excellent and diverse institutions a top priority,” said Gaber.

“We are proud of the work already being done to build an equitable, accessible and inclusive campus community, but we know there’s more to do, and I’m confident that Waites Spellman’s years of outstanding leadership in higher education and her extensive experience in leading collaborative and strategic programmatic and organizational initiatives will enable her to provide the necessary leadership to oversee this important work.”

Waites Spellman has served as a professor in UNC Charlotte’s School of Social Work since 2018. Prior to her current role, she was a dean and professor at Wayne State University’s School of Social Work. She also served as a tenured associate professor at NC State University.

She holds a doctorate in counselor education from NC State University, a master’s degree in social work from Fordham University and a bachelor’s degree from Hunter College. She also is a graduate of the Harvard Institutes for Higher Education’s Management and Leadership in Higher Education and Management Development programs.

“I am excited to join Chancellor Gaber, the Cabinet and the many faculty, staff and student leaders who are passionate about furthering UNC Charlotte’s diversity, equity and inclusion work,” said Waites Spellman. “I look forward to working with the outstanding team of professionals at UNC Charlotte who have been actively engaged in this effort. I hope to strengthen and expand these initiatives to help make this a place where all students, faculty and staff know they belong.”

This is the first senior appointment for Gaber since she started in July 2020 and reinforces diversity as a key priority in her vision for UNC Charlotte. Currently, UNC Charlotte enrolls and graduates one of the most diverse student bodies in the UNC System. Approximately one-third (33%) of UNC Charlotte students identify as a racial or ethnic minority, 37% are first-generation college students, nearly half (49%) are women and more than 1,800 students come from nearly 100 countries.

In 2016, UNC Charlotte updated its Plan for Diversity, Access and Inclusion, which outlines steps toward building a diverse and inclusive environment, and formed a cross-functional team to increase the visibility and impact of the plan. Recently, the Board of Governors created the UNC System Racial Equity Task Force to develop an actionable plan to build a culture of inclusion across its institutions and prioritize equity as part of its strategic plan.

For more information on diversity at UNC Charlotte, visit uncc.edu/landing/diversity.

UNC Charlotte’s Childress Klein Center for Real Estate Issues State of Housing in Charlotte Update

Demand for housing in Charlotte region remains strong despite COVID-19 pandemic

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (July 23, 2020) – After seeing a drop in April and May due to the COVID-19 pandemic, single-family home sales in the Charlotte region are surging back, according to an update from UNC Charlotte’s Childress Klein Center for Real Estate (CKCRE), part of the Belk College of Business.

“The bottom line is that despite the pandemic, the demand for single-family housing throughout the Charlotte region remains strong,” said Yongqiang Chu, CKCRE director. “However, supply is extremely limited.”

Chu – who is also the Childress Klein Distinguished Professor of Real Estate and Urban Economics and professor of finance for the Belk College – presented the data during the State of Housing in Charlotte Virtual Update on Thursday, July 23.

Earlier this year, the supply of single-family housing had loosened up across the region, Chu said. However, this changed starting in April and continued through June. For June, housing inventory in the region dropped to 2.91 months. For Mecklenburg County, inventory was even lower, at 2.79 months.

For June, monthly single-family housing sales rebounded across the region with 3,833 sales, a .04% increase over June 2019.

The update, based on Canopy MLS (Multiple Listing Service) Data, also found for June:

• Pending single-family home sales for the region increased 19% over June 2019 at 4,394.

• The region’s median housing price was $309,000, the highest since May 2019. For Mecklenburg County, the median price increased to $319,490.

• The quality adjusted price continued to trend upward.

The update is part of CKCRE’s Housing Summit Series, which is based on the award-winning “State of Housing in Charlotte” research report. The report, first presented in February 2019 as part of a five-year research project, provides a comprehensive, data-driven analysis of the current state of the housing markets in the Charlotte region and an overview of the recent trends.

The report focuses on the eight-county Charlotte region: Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln and Union counties in North Carolina, and Lancaster and York counties in South Carolina.

“The State of Housing in Charlotte” report aims to enable more informed decision-making in the marketplace. A full annual report will be released this fall, examining not only the single-family market but the rental and public/subsidized housing sectors.

In April, CKCRE’s report was recognized by AACSB International through its 2020 Innovations That Inspire Challenge. The Belk College is one of only 25 business schools worldwide to receive recognition this year.

CKRE’s State of Housing in Charlotte is funded by:

• Canopy Realtor® Association

• Center City Partners

• Crosland Southeast

• Evergreen Strategies

• Foundation for the Carolinas

• INLIVIAN

• Moore & Van Allen

• National Association of Realtors

• Piedmont Public Policy Institute

• True Homes Inc.

The report and a video of the presentation will be available Friday on the CKCRE website.

The Childress Klein Center for Real Estate was established in 2005 to advance knowledge in real estate, public policy and urban economics through graduate education, applied research, and industry/community collaboration.

About the Belk College of Business

Accredited by AACSB International, the Belk College of Business at UNC Charlotte offers outstanding business education programs at the undergraduate, master’s, doctoral and executive levels. The Belk College is committed to building strong partnerships in the greater Charlotte region and beyond as a vital part of our mission as North Carolina’s urban research business school. Find the Belk College of Business online at belkcollege.uncc.edu.

N.C. Economic Forecast: Recovery could take years
The North Carolina economy experienced its biggest decline since the Great Depression due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – May 28, 2020 ­– Just three months ago, the United States was seeing its longest economic expansion on record, a period of growth that started in 2010 and continued through February 2020.

“Just three months ago, our major worries were whether a looming trade war with China was going to slow the economy down in 2020,” said John Connaughton, Barings Professor of Financial Economics at UNC Charlotte’s Belk College of Business. “For the second quarter of the year, the North Carolina economy, like the U.S. economy, experienced its biggest decline in Gross State Product (GSP) since the Great Depression of the 1930s.”

Connaughton, presenting the quarterly Barings/UNC Charlotte Economic Forecast on Thursday, May 28, offered a few scenarios for the remainder of 2020.

“Going forward from the middle of 2020, the No. 1 question is how long before the economy gets back to its 2019 level and when does the unemployment rate again approach full employment,” Connaughton said.

Given the hit the economy took during the second quarter of 2020, it is likely to take until mid-2022 before Gross Domestic Product (GDP) recovers, he said. The unemployment rate will take even longer, another six to nine months, before it drops below 5%, Connaughton added.

North Carolina GSP
Inflation-adjusted real GSP is expected to decrease by 4.4% over the 2019 level, according to the report. Twelve of North Carolina’s 15 economic sectors are expected to experience output decreases during 2020, with the hospitality and leisure services sector seeing the largest decline, at 34.8%.

Other sectors projected to decrease by over 5% are:

• Other services: -13.4%
• Construction: -8.8%
• Durable goods manufacturing: -7.0%
• Wholesale trade: -6.1%
• Educational and health services: -5.5%

Only the agriculture and mining sector is expected to experience growth in 2020.

State Employment Numbers
By December, seasonally adjusted nonagricultural employment in North Carolina is expected to decrease by 6.5% over the employment level in December 2019, a loss of 300,000 net jobs during the year, according to Connaughton.

Twelve of the state’s 14 nonagricultural sectors of the economy are expected to experience employment decreases during 2020. The sectors with the largest expected employment decreases in 2020 are:

• Hospitality and leisure services: -25.8%
• Other services: -7.8%
• Retail trade: -7.0%
• Transportation and warehousing: -7.3%
• Manufacturing: -6.0%

According to the report, the North Carolina unemployment rate is expected to peak at 17.0% in May and be around 9.9% by December.

“Going forward, the one takeaway from this 10-year expansion is that the North Carolina growth rate over the period has trailed the U.S. 10-year average growth rate of 2.3%,” Connaughton said. “This is a consideration as we emerge from the COVID-19 shutdown. So, the big question is whether the North Carolina recovery will again be weaker than the U.S. recovery. This year and 2021 will be very interesting and very uncertain years.”

A Look Back
2019 represented the 10th and final year of the economic expansion following the Great Recession, the longest expansion on record since 1854.

“It is very likely that this expansion would have continued through at least 2020 and probably well into 2021,” Connaughton said. “However, we will never know. We will look back on this 10-year expansion as a positive and interesting decade.”

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the economic forecast was presented in a virtual format for the first time in its nearly 40-year history. The full report is available at belkcollege.uncc.edu/forecast. Connaughton will release the next Barings/UNC Charlotte Economic Forecast report on Sept. 23.

Connaughton is considered one of the top economists in North Carolina. He joined the UNC Charlotte faculty in 1978 and has served as director of the quarterly Barings/UNC Charlotte Economic Forecast since 1981.

About the Belk College of Business
Accredited by AACSB International, the Belk College of Business at UNC Charlotte offers outstanding business education programs at the undergraduate, master’s, doctoral and executive levels. The Belk College is committed to building strong partnerships in the greater Charlotte region and beyond as a vital part of our mission as North Carolina’s urban research business school. Find the Belk College of Business online at belkcollege.uncc.edu.

About Barings
Barings is a global financial services firm with more than $227 billion in assets under management and over 2,000 associates who are dedicated to meeting the evolving investment and capital needs of the firm’s clients and customers. Through active asset management and direct origination, Barings provides innovative solutions and access to differentiated opportunities across public and private capital markets. The firm’s global headquarters is located at 300 South Tryon in Charlotte, and it maintains a strong international presence with business and investment professionals in offices throughout North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.

UNC Charlotte Receives External Review of April 30, 2019, Campus Shooting

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – June 29, 2020 – The University of North Carolina at Charlotte has received the external review it commissioned of the April 30, 2019, shootings that took the lives of Reed Parlier and Riley Howell and injured four other students in the Kennedy Building. The review was completed by the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA) and the National Police Foundation (NPF).

“The National Police Foundation commends UNC Charlotte leadership for commissioning this independent review to identify opportunities to enhance campus safety and resiliency,” said Jim Burch, president of the National Police Foundation.

The report focuses on four primary areas: leadership, relationships and preparedness; crisis communication; threat assessment; and mental health, resilience and recovery. The full report document is confidential because of safety and security planning and preparedness; a summary has been made available to the community.

Among the areas of strength identified in the report were the initial law enforcement response; actions taken to secure the campus; campus leadership’s preparations for ongoing campus needs; and communication with the University community that focused on compassion and respect, according to Sue Riseling, now-retired executive director of IACLEA, who oversaw the review process.

“UNC Charlotte did many things right on April 30, 2019, and in the days and months that followed,” said Riseling. “We made several recommendations for ways in which UNC Charlotte can strengthen their readiness for emergencies and crises, including the refinement and additional practice of existing plans and procedures. However, even with these recommendations, it was clear in our review that there was no information available to UNC Charlotte prior to the incident that would have identified the shooter as a threat or prevented the tragedy that unfolded.”

Based on the recommendations, Chancellor Philip L. Dubois, in consultation with Chancellor-elect Sharon L. Gaber, has outlined the University’s immediate next steps:

• A review and revision of the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) and the configuration and location of its Emergency Operations Center (EOC), focusing on the development of specific procedures to govern the lifting of a campus lockdown order.
• A review and revision of the crisis communications plan, focusing on the further specification of staff roles and responsibilities and coordination of public communications with external agencies involved in responding to a campus emergency.
• Additional research related to strengthening the ability of the University to identify, assess and manage campus behavioral and threat-related concerns.
• A review of training programs for dealing with campus emergencies, particularly those necessary for the onboarding of new senior administrators, and continuing attention to active shooter training for employees and students.
• A senior-level dialogue surrounding community resilience planning, focusing on supporting the ongoing mental health services needed to address the psychological trauma experienced by many members of the campus community as a result of the shootings and the lockdown.

“I appreciate the thoroughness and professionalism of IACLEA and NPF in completing this review,” said Dubois. “Nothing can take away the grief of April 30 or the pain of losing Reed and Riley, but we hope to show our commitment to honoring their memory through our actions going forward. We take this report’s recommendations seriously, and we hope other universities and colleges around the nation will also benefit from the findings.”

In total, the external review produced 31 findings and 79 recommendations for consideration by UNC Charlotte. As acknowledged in the review, many of the recommendations have already been addressed through the University’s own after-action review that occurred shortly after the shootings.

About UNC Charlotte
UNC Charlotte is North Carolina’s urban research university. With an enrollment of nearly 30,000 students, the University leverages its location in the state’s largest city to offer internationally competitive programs of research and creative activity, exemplary undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, and a focused set of community engagement initiatives.

About IACLEA
The International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA) is the leading authority for campus public safety. Since our founding in 1958, the Association has grown to more than 4,000 members in 11 countries. IACLEA is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors of police chiefs and public safety directors, with international representation. More information is available on iaclea.org and Twitter @IACLEA_Members.

About NFP
The National Police Foundation (NPF) is a non-partisan and non-membership 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to advancing the impact and delivery of police services through reforms and enhancements guided by innovation and science. For the last 50 years, the Foundation has led the development of research on all aspects of policing and leads the way in promoting and sharing evidence-based practices and innovation among law enforcement. The Foundation works with communities across the U.S. and internationally to provide research, training, and technical assistance relating to community engagement and problem solving, promoting safety and healthy organizations and officers, the reduction and prevention of violence, and equitable and fair justice for all. For more information, please visit the National Police Foundation website at www.policefoundation.org.

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UNC Charlotte Welcomes 11th Class of Prestigious Levine Scholarship Program
Twenty-one Levine Scholars awarded merit-based scholarships

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – May 11, 2020 – Twenty-one young leaders from across the United States have been selected as the 11th class of UNC Charlotte’s Levine Scholars Program, the University’s most prestigious merit-based scholarship.

Valued at approximately $105,000 per North Carolina student and $155,000 for each student from other states, it covers full tuition, housing, meals, books, summer experiences and other expenses. Additional funding for the Levine Scholarship Program supports civic engagement opportunities and professional development during the scholars’ academic years.

Levine Scholars are selected through a robust nomination and interview process conducted by select faculty, senior University leaders, program alumni and distinguished members of the Charlotte community. This year, the program saw the highest number of completed applications in its 11-year history.

“The response of top students from North Carolina and across the country continues to be outstanding,” said Chancellor Philip L. Dubois. “As with the program’s first 10 classes, the students who join us this fall as Levine Scholars are among the very best. We are very pleased that they have chosen UNC Charlotte.”

Established in 2009 with a $9.3 million gift from Leon and Sandra Levine through their foundation, the Levine Scholars Program was created to recruit outstanding high school students based on scholarship, ethical leadership and civic engagement. In 2014, the Levines made an additional $13 million gift, which increased the scholarship from 15 recipients to approximately 20 each year beginning with the class of 2016.

“We continue to be impressed by the outstanding potential of the students who join the Levine Scholars Program,” said Leon Levine. “We look forward to watching them grow through their University experiences and see their ongoing impact in our community, region and nation.

This year’s class of 21 Levine Scholars includes 16 students from North Carolina and five students from outside North Carolina.

North Carolina recipients are:

David Scott Buckner, Lowell, Ashbrook Senior High School; Bryant De Luna-Peralta, La Grange, North Lenoir High School; Patrick Thomas Deegan, Pittsboro, Woods Charter School; Kaitlyn Frances Gosline, Holly Springs, Wake STEM Early College High School; Karsyn Frances Koon, Harrisburg, Concord High School; Lucas Le, Wake Forest, Wake STEM Early College High School; Malachi Isaiah McMillan, High Point, Southwest Guilford High School; Galen Lucas Miller, Boone, Watauga High School; Brenda Lizeth Morales Flores, Thomasville, Ledford High School; Mia Alexander Nguyen, Matthews, Marvin Ridge High School; Ifeoluwa Joshua Onasanya, Waxhaw, North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics; Joysan Jolene Osteen, Hendersonville, Brevard Senior High School; Roshna Ragunathan, Mooresville, South Iredell High School; Jamari Levon Tyson, Raleigh, Wake Early College of Health and Sciences; Jordane Hugh Martin Williams, Fayetteville, Terry Sanford Senior High School; Braelin Alexander Yarborough, Wendell, East Wake High School.

Out-of-state recipients are:

Natalie Claire Bates, Kingsport, Tennessee, Dobyns-Bennett High School; Mary Catherine Messina, Saint Louis, Missouri, Cor Jesu Academy; Jesse Avery Smith, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Albuquerque Academy; Audrey Noel Whisnant, Tucker, Georgia, DeKalb School Of The Arts

UNC Charlotte Center City Named in Honor of Philip L. and Lisa Lewis Dubois
The Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte Center City honors the legacy of retiring Chancellor and First Lady

CHARLOTTE, N. C. – May 4, 2020 – UNC Charlotte is recognizing the legacy of retiring Chancellor Philip L. Dubois and First Lady Lisa Lewis Dubois by renaming the University’s uptown Charlotte Center City Building in their honor. Regarded as a centerpiece to Dubois’ 15-year term as chancellor, the 11-story glass structure on the corner of 9th and Brevard Streets will now be known as The Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte Center City (The Dubois Center).

The $50.4 million facility, which opened in fall 2011, is the only University of North Carolina classroom building conceived and designed specifically to serve the business, organizations and people in an urban center. The Uptown campus building is part of the 1.2 billion facility construction and renovation program Dubois completed during his tenure as chancellor. The space, which accommodates more than 1,300 students annually who are earning bachelor’s or master’s degrees plus almost 2,600 more participating in continuing education options, includes 25 state -of-the-art classrooms and design studios, meeting and performance spaces. The Projective Eye Gallery, located near the lobby, regularly exhibits the work of artists known locally, nationally and internationally.

“Phil came to me with this audacious idea of starting a new campus right in the middle of uptown Charlotte,” said Erskine Bowles, president of the UNC System when the concept was first proposed. “Over time, we were able to convince the legislature this building could make an enormous difference, that it could drive business and opportunities for Charlotte and the region for decades to come.”

Proximity to the University’s highly ranked part-time MBA evening program and continuing education programs for those who live and work uptown, as well as to more than 1,800 University, corporate and community events every year fulfill Dubois’ original vision to elevate the University’s profile in the Charlotte region and beyond.

“We knew we needed to have a more substantial and visible presence,” Dubois said. “That led to the decision to make our No. 1 campus construction priority a new building in Center City.”

Dubois’ foresight has been confirmed by the subsequent development of the surrounding neighborhood, which includes installation of popular First Ward Park, positioned between The Dubois Center and the city’s thriving business district, and a new light rail station, which provides more than 100 daily stops to the University’s main campus in University City.

Throughout the city, including on the main campus, are evidence of the civic contributions of Lisa Lewis Dubois, efforts that extend far beyond the traditional role of a university first lady. A passion for providing a platform for women led to serving as co-chair of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Women’s Summit, whose outcomes guided the implementation of the Women+Girls Research Alliance, which collaborates as a University entity with the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute. Her imprint is evident on numerous education and cultural efforts that have made a difference in the lives of countless Charlotteans.

“The legacy of Chancellor Phil Dubois and First Lady Lisa Lewis Dubois is not limited to their leadership within the walls of the UNC Charlotte campus,” said Michael L. Wilson ‘93, chair of the UNC Charlotte Board of Trustees. “They have worked diligently to connect UNC Charlotte to the greater Charlotte community; as the city grew, UNC Charlotte grew with it.”

The Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte Center City is more than just a building; it’s a tangible example of the University serving the needs of a growing urban region, consistent with the institution’s mission.

“The change in the University’s visibility has paid real dividends,” Dubois said. “I feel good about leaving UNC Charlotte in a strong position as an integral partner in this great city.”

To read more about the Dubois’ leadership at UNC Charlotte, visit the Dubois Legacy Series. Visit the UNC Charlotte media assets website for a collection of photos and videos of The Dubois Center.

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MEDIA ADVISORY
April 30, 2020 Campus Coverage

Thursday, April 30 marks the one-year anniversary of the tragic events that took place on UNC Charlotte’s campus. As the day approaches, we are focused on the remembrance of Reed Parlier and Riley Howell and honoring Drew Pescaro, Emily Houpt, Rami Alramadhan, Sean DeHart, and all the students in the classroom that day. Remembrance, safety and security, and the support of students, faculty and staff are among our most important priorities.

Media on Campus: Media is welcome to visit campus for b-roll and live shots throughout the day. Please let UNC Charlotte media relations know when you plan to be on campus. Campus buildings are not currently open to the public. If you approach people on campus for interviews, please adhere to social distancing protocols and interview from a safe distance.

Campus Leadership Interviews: Please contact UNC Charlotte media relations to schedule all interviews. Campus leaders can be made available throughout the week for virtual or phone interviews.

Chancellor Philip Dubois will be briefly available on the morning of April 30. Please call UNC Charlotte media relations to schedule a short interview.

United: A Remembrance Program: A virtual remembrance event will stream from UNC Charlotte’s live stream website, Facebook page and Twitter account beginning at 5:10 p.m. Please feel free to stream or record segments of the program for use on your channels.

Resources and Information: An informational document is attached to this email that may be helpful for your reporting efforts. Additionally, a new media assets website has been created and features useful visual campus assets and specific content related to April 30, 2019.

Parking: Media trucks can park on University Road (beside the Rowe Arts Building and next to Hechenbleikner Lake) or on Library Lane. Please do not park in accessible parking spaces or block the flow of traffic.

MEDIA ADVISORY
UNC Charlotte Chancellor-elect Information

Today, UNC System Interim President William L. Roper named Dr. Sharon L. Gaber as UNC Charlotte’s fifth Chancellor. UNC Charlotte Board of Trustees Chair, Michael L. Wilson, who led the search committee, shared this message with the campus community.

Information about the Chancellor-elect can be found on the Chancellor-elect website, including the UNC System news release, a message from Michael Wilson, the Chancellor-elect’s biography and curriculum vitae, and additional media resources.

Interview Requests: All future media interview requests for the Chancellor-elect will be coordinated through a digital request form.

Resources: Photos of the Chancellor-elect can be found on the new media assets website under the collection “Chancellor-elect.” An introduction video from the Chancellor-elect will be posted later this afternoon on the Chancellor-elect website, UNC Charlotte’s official Facebook page and Twitter account, and will be made available on the media assets website.

Media contact: Media inquiries related to today’s announcement should be directed to UNC System Director of Media Relations Jason Tyson at jtyson@northcarolina.edu or 919-962-7296.

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April 30 Day of Remembrance to be Observed Virtually
UNC Charlotte will live stream ‘United – A Remembrance Program

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – April 14, 2020 – Today, UNC Charlotte shared alternative plans for the remembrance events scheduled for April 30, 2020, due to the current stay-at-home environment. To observe the one-year anniversary of the events on April 30, 2019, a tragic day in campus history, UNC Charlotte will recognize the day with a virtual event, “United – A Remembrance Program,” on April 30, 2020, at 5:10 p.m.

The event will pay tribute to Reed Parlier and Riley Howell, and honor the four injured students and all the students in the classroom that day. It will broadcast from UNC Charlotte’s live stream website (livestream.uncc.edu) and made available on the UNC Charlotte Facebook and Twitter channels.

“Even though we will not be able to conduct planned remembrance ceremonies in person, it doesn’t mean the day will have any less significance,” Chancellor Philip L. Dubois said. “Perseverance is a trademark of Niner Nation, and we are committed to finding meaningful ways to honor the lives lost and all those affected.”

The program will feature messages from Chancellor Dubois, Student Body President Chandler Crean, Student Body Vice President Adela Mann, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Kevin Bailey, and a special appearance from CBS News correspondent and alumnus, Don Dahler (’91).

In addition, the event will share an artistic video created by faculty member Jeff Murphy and accompanied by an original composition written by faculty member John Allemeier, as well as musical performances by “Water From Fire” featuring alumni John Woodall (’13) and Kevin Brawley (’13). All participant biographies and program details can be found on the Niner Nation Remembers website.

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UNC Charlotte School of Data Science Now Enrolling Students for Fall
Data science will create an estimated 11.5 million jobs nationally by 2026

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – April 22, 2020 – UNC Charlotte’s School of Data Science, North Carolina’s first undergraduate program in data science, is now enrolling undergraduate students for the fall semester. The program, the first of its kind to incorporate the liberal arts and sciences with technical data skills, allows the School of Data Science to expand its efforts in helping to meet the soaring demand for qualified, dynamic data science professionals throughout the region and the nation.

Current students are able to register for the program’s first two introductory courses available this fall, where they will learn to apply statistical methods, tools and script programming languages to explore the ethical implications of collecting and using tabular data. Incoming freshmen and transfer students will have the opportunity to learn more about the bachelor’s degree program during Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration (SOAR) sessions this summer in preparation for fall 2020 registration.

“This new program will give organizations that recruit large numbers of data science professionals insight into that talent pipeline much earlier in the hiring cycle,” said Ned Carroll, senior managing director and chief data officer for TIAA. “Today, we identify data science talent through computer science, statistics, applied mathematics and similar degree programs. While we likely will continue to find talent in those disciplines, this degree will provide a more targeted view into early talent, in particular, potential data science interns and employees who possess the combination of skills we seek for building a meaningful future pipeline of qualified data experts.”

Career options for graduates of the new data science undergraduate program include data science engineer, data analyst, research engineer, data science developer, among others. To meet employer demand, the program offers courses in machine learning, data analysis, statistics, data visualization and–key to the overall nature of SDS bachelor’s and master’s degree programs –the ethics surrounding the field of data science.

“Building on the success of our master’s programs, our goal is to provide students of all backgrounds with the educational opportunities to apply data science to the fields they’re passionate about,” said Doug Hague, executive director of UNC Charlotte’s School of Data Science. “As we continue down the path toward a more digitalized world, I’m confident that SDS graduates will lead the way in solving some of the world’s largest problems.”

The Bachelor of Science in Data Science program marks the latest expansion of the interdisciplinary partnership among the College of Computing and Informatics, the Belk College of Business, the College of Health and Human Services and the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. The program will begin this fall, pending approval from the U.S. Department of Education.

To learn more about the School of Data Science’s bachelor’s degree, visit the Data Science website.

What: UNC Charlotte economist John Connaughton will present his quarterly forecast on the North Carolina economy during the Barings/UNC Charlotte Economic Forecast on Wednesday, March 11.

When: Networking/lunch begins at 11:30 a.m.; the presentation begins at noon

Where: UNC Charlotte Center City, 320 E. 9th Street, Charlotte, NC 28202

About: In addition to his regular quarterly update, Connaughton will focus on:

• His new research on North Carolina’s productivity in the 21st century. Is the state’s economic development policy stifling expansion?
• The economic impact of the coronavirus, which has slowly spread to the United States.

Connaughton is considered one of the top regional economists in North Carolina. The Barings/UNC Charlotte Economic Forecast, sponsored by Barings, covers the state’s industrial sectors and measures the health of the state economy. Connaughton, Barings professor of financial economics at UNC Charlotte’s Belk College of Business, also will cover national and international economic issues, including employment, energy, trade and government spending.

The event is free and open to the public. Registration is requested at belkcollege.uncc.edu/forecast.

Media Information: Dr. Connaughton will be available on-site for follow-up questions until 1:15 p.m. and will be available by phone after 1:30 p.m. on March 11. The Belk College of Business will live tweet from the Forecast through its Twitter page (@UNCCBelkCollege) with #NCForecast

Parking/Transportation: Due to construction and other activity surrounding UNC Charlotte Center City, parking is extremely limited. The parking lots adjacent to Center Center are reserved only for faculty, staff and students with university-issued parking permits and are no longer available for event guest parking.

Parking is not guaranteed and may be limited at these locations. Media and guests are encouraged to use light rail or alternative transportation.

Parking for those with a valid handicap placard is available in the paved lot across from Center City (no additional permit needed).