Faculty and Staff News

Fall is wonderful for many reasons, especially the opportunity it gives for improving our health through nutrition. Christopher Pullen RDN, LDN with Total Nutrition Technology, says fall can be challenging for our health with the release of limited-edition sugary drinks, holidays centered around food and shorter days keeping us indoors. Despite this, he says fall is a wonderful chance to include in our diets some amazing fresh fruits and vegetables in our diet that are unavailable other times of the year. Below he shares the numerous health benefits of pumpkin.

Meet Jordan Holliday-Millard, director of enrollment communications. Learn about different aspects of his role, his exploration of Charlotte and his advice to new employees. 

How long have you been at UNC Charlotte?

 I’ve been a member of Niner Nation for over seven years. I started in 2015 with orientation and parent programs in new student and family services (now transition and success initiatives), and I transitioned to work in enrollment communications in 2021.

Can you describe your role at UNC Charlotte?

The Novant Health Breast Center mobile unit will be on campus from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 13, in the Barnhardt Student Activity Center North Lot. 

Thomas Lawrence Mellichamp ’70, former director of the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens, died Sept. 12.

A professor emeritus in the Biology Department, Mellichamp retired in 2014 after nearly four decades directing the development of the University’s Botanical Gardens. He completed a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from the University and went on to earn a doctorate in botany from the University of Michigan before returning to join the Charlotte faculty in 1976.

Thomas Lawrence Mellichamp ’70, former director of the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens, died Sept. 12.

A professor emeritus in the Biology Department, Mellichamp retired in 2014 after nearly four decades directing the development of the University’s Botanical Gardens. He completed a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from the University and went on to earn a doctorate in botany from the University of Michigan before returning to join the Charlotte faculty in 1976.

Meet Erin Basinger, Ph.D., a faculty member in the Department of Communication Studies; learn about her experiences, why she loves teaching and advice for students.

Describe your role as a faculty member. 

Meet Kyle Lanasa, an emergency management specialist in the Office of Emergency Management. Learn more about him, his role and his advice for student success.

Describe what you do at UNC Charlotte. 

Primarily, my job is focused around COVID-19 data and case management, but I often assist with our NinerReady program and other data-driven projects within our office.   

How long have you been at UNC Charlotte and what brought you here?

Meet Mary Dare Martin, a new member of the social media team who loves to be creative with social media, highlight student experiences and craft in her spare time. Learn more about Martin in this Q&A. 

How long have you been at UNC Charlotte?

I started at the beginning of July, so just around two months! I haven’t been here that long, but I’m already a big Niner fan; green has always been a favorite color of mine!

 Can you describe your role at UNC Charlotte?

Do you have community service hours left? Volunteer to assemble food boxes for Charlotte families in need at this year’s Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina Sort-A-Rama from 8:30 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, Sept. 28, at the Charlotte Convention Center.

UNC Charlotte is a sponsor of this annual event. Register to volunteer by Friday, Sept. 9. Staff should use their community service hours leave with supervisor approval to participate.

Dear Niner Nation,

I am writing to share that Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development Rick Tankersley has announced he has decided to return to the faculty.

In his time as vice chancellor, Rick has worked to strengthen our University’s research enterprise and build the infrastructure needed to position us to become a top-tier research university. We are appreciative of Rick’s service.