Academic Affairs

Preparing professionals to meet students’ needs in increasingly diverse school systems is the focus of the Master of Education in Urban Education (M.Ed.), and Kyle King aspires to use the degree to empower students of color.

James Walsh, a core faculty member in the Public Policy program and professor in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, is the 2020 recipient of the First Citizens Bank Scholars Medal.

With social issues at the forefront on UNC Charlotte’s campus, Ventureprise will host an interactive social workshop and challenge on Tuesday, March 17, with finalists winning cash and other prizes for their ideas.While working with students on campus, Ventureprise staff has discovered that many have identified issues that they would like to solve but do not understand how to take that next step.

UNC Charlotte will hold its 15th annual campus recognition of International Women’s Day (IWD) from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 18, in the Popp Martin Student Union, Room 340 (G-I).  This annual event includes historical information; a performance by the Charlotteans, the UNC Charlotte Women’s Chorus; and recognition of faculty, staff, and students who have been nominated for their impact on the lives of women and gender balance locally and globally. 

Krystal Turner ’14,’19 M.A. recently was named Outstanding Entry-Level Student by the Chi Sigma Iota (CSI) Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society International. The society promotes scholarship, research, professionalism, leadership, advocacy and excellence in counseling.

Suzanne Leland, a core faculty member of the Public Policy Ph.D. program and professor in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, is the 2020 recipient of the Harshini V. de Silva Graduate Mentor Award.

Michelle Meggs is the new executive director of the Women + Girls Research Alliance (W+GRA), an organization that works collaboratively with faculty, students and the community to provide opportunities for research and education on policy issues affecting women.Meggs, whose diverse background includes work in academia, the nonprofit sector and ministry, envisions the W+GRA becoming the place for scholars across the state and nation to come together to advance gender equity and social mobility.

Amy Wartham, director of corporate training at UNC Charlotte, and alumnae Sallie Jarosz ’82, Cristi Lewis ’96 and Angelica Srivoraphan ’10 were among the individuals honored at this year’s Charlotte Business Journal (CBJ) Women in Business Awards event held Tuesday, Feb. 24.This annual awards program, now in its 24th year, honors 25 outstanding businesswomen from the region who have made significant contributions to their professions and communities in the past year.

John Cox, associate professor of Global Studies and History will be the final speaker of the 2020 Great Decisions Lecture Series. His presentation, scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 26, at International House, will touch upon Ronald Weitzer’s article “Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking.”Great Decisions talks focus on topics selected by the Foreign Policy Association. Addressing slavery and human trafficking, Weitzer wrote about how billions of dollars have been allocated to curbing human trafficking and slavery and how the international community can combat them.

Lt. Gen. Michael Nagata, former director of the National Counterterrorism Center, will present “Is America Winning?” at 3 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 26, as part of the spring 2020 International Speaker Series.Nagata assumed the position of director, Directorate of Strategic Operational Planning at the National Counterterrorism Center, on May 13, 2016. Previously, he was commander, Special Operations Command Central, a sub-unified command of the U.S. Central Command, from June 2013 to October 2015.