Academic Affairs

The UNC Charlotte Gerontology Program celebrated its 25th anniversary earlier this year and took the opportunity to help state leaders roll out North Carolina’s first plan to comprehensively address dementia.

Yi Deng, dean of the College of Computing and Informatics, will become the dean of the College of Computing and Informatics at Drexel University, effective Sept. 1.

Two UNC Charlotte students recently represented the University at North Carolina’s Graduate Education Day, which was held at the N.C. General Assembly in Raleigh.

Marcus Lawrence, a doctoral student in biology, and Alexandra Hurst, a master’s student in chemistry, joined other graduate students from across the state at this event, which provides a platform for them to showcase their research and its impact on the state of North Carolina. Legislators met with students and faculty members to learn more about various research being conducted at North Carolina universities.

Shanna Coles, Florence Martin and Heather McCullough have been selected as 2016 fellows for the Institute of Emerging Leadership in Online Learning (IELOL), a leadership development program sponsored by the UNC Online Learning Consortium and Penn State University.

This program, which is in its eighth year, will enable fellows to work with colleagues from around the world and join a growing network of higher education leaders. IELOL fellows are selected through an application process and sponsored by their home institution.

Throughout her time at UNC Charlotte, Provost Joan Lorden has constantly sought to bridge community needs with University assets. The results of her outstanding work are being recognized with the William M. Plater Award for Leadership in Civic Engagement from the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU).

Curt Walton is interim associate provost for Metropolitan Studies and Extended Academic Programs. In addition to this role, he will continue to serve as executive-in-residence with teaching and advising responsibilities in the Master of Public Administration program and as liaison with the city of Charlotte, University City Partners and the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority.

Twenty young leaders from high schools across the United States comprise the seventh class of UNC Charlotte’s Levine Scholars Program. They will join the University starting with the fall 2016 semester.

The University’s most prestigious merit scholarship is valued at approximately $105,000 for in-state students and $155,000 for out-of-state students. It covers full tuition, fees, housing, meals, books and summer experiences. Additional funding is provided to support community service work and professional development during the scholars’ academic years.

Gregory Mixon, an associate professor of history, is the recipient of the second annual J. Murrey Atkins Library Faculty Engagement Award.

Presented to a UNC Charlotte faculty member who has engaged in innovative or exceptional work with library collections, programs and services, the Atkins Library Faculty Engagement Award is given in the fall. It includes a $2,500 allocation for professional development that recognizes the faculty member’s outstanding contributions to the library’s mission, vision and strategic initiatives.

Christopher Ayers, executive director of the N.C. Utilities Commission Public Staff, will discuss “Utility Ratemaking 101” from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, June 2, in EPIC, Room 1332. This presentation is part of the EPIC Energy Seminar Series.

Commencement was a family affair for nursing graduate Samantha Whitley and her mother Candace Yow.

Whitley, 21, originally thought about pursuing a law career; however, she began work as a certified nursing assistant at Novant Health Presbyterian and realized she liked caring for people, according to an article in the Charlotte Observer.