THE GRADUATE SCHOOL
REPORT
UNC CHARLOTTE
OCTOBER 2015
Veteran Student Support
Serving those who've served
Leveraging Facebook
The social media's place in recruitment
Minding Manners
Grad students learn a little etiquette
Annual Donor Report
ADVANCING THE ENGINEERING
OF MOTORSPORTS
IS ONE OF OUR
CROWNING ACHIEVEMENTS
UNC Charlotte delivers exceptional graduate education that produces serious results in many
distinctive areas. It’s no coincidence that more than 10 percent of NASCAR engineers are
graduates of our Mechanical Engineering program. Our Ph.D. students, including Brett Peters,
are leading the way in advanced computer simulation and aerodynamics research. The right
choice to continue your education is UNC Charlotte.
THE GRADUATE SCHOOL
REPORT
UNC CHARLOTTE
6
10
Published semi-annually, the Graduate School
Report highlights important news and initiatives
on graduate education at UNC Charlotte.
4 Dean's Letter
Dr. Tom Reynolds brings you up-to-date.
6 Veteran Student Support
Serving those who've served with a first-rate
graduate education.
10 Leveraging Facebook for Graduate Recruitment
Graduate Admissions uses the social media
platform to engage prospective students.
14 TFA Induction
The Graduate Center hosts Teach for America
on UNC Charlotte's main campus.
14
16
16 Staff Profile: Annette Parks
Graduate Operations Manager.
20 Minding Manners
Etiquette for the graduate student.
22 University Business Partnerships
Benefitting our graduate students.
24 Advisory Board Chair's Corner
A message from the Graduate School's
Advisory Board.
25 Donor Report
Cover photo: UNC Charlotte's entrance goes green during
the NinerNation Gives fundraising campaign.
20
graduateschool.uncc.edu
October 2015 | 3
Letter from the Dean
Leaves start to change around
Cato Hall, home of the Graduate School.
The Graduate School Turns 30!
2015 marks the 30th anniversary of the
Graduate School at UNC Charlotte. Although we
offered master’s degrees in education as early
as 1969, the Graduate School was established
with the appointment of the Founding Dean,
Dr. Robert Carrubba, in 1985. At that time the
University enrollment was 10,842 with about
1,000 graduate students. We were classified
as a Master’s Comprehensive University
(Comprehensive referring to the wide range of
professional degrees offered at the University).
In 1985 I was an Assistant Professor
in the Biology Department having received my
Ph.D. in 1982. At the time I was focused on
teaching, research, and learning what it took
to be a productive faculty member at a young
but growing University. While my world in those
days, rarely intersected with that of a Dean's,
I did have the opportunity to meet with Dean
Carrubba while serving on a University Faculty
Grants Committee. I can remember being so
impressed that he knew my name, and offered
words of encouragement on my developing tenure
and promotion portfolio.
Dean Carrubba talked about UNC
Charlotte becoming a world class research
University and graduate education was the
cornerstone to reaching that goal. He left the
University in 1991 to become Vice President of
Academic Affairs at Fordham University in New
York. But he'd be pleased to see how correct his
vision was about the future of graduate education
at UNC Charlotte and the role he played in
shaping our institution.
The next 30 years are sure to be just
as exciting as the first 30. By 2020 we expect
UNC Charlotte to boast a student head count
of 35,000 students, of which 7,000+ will be
graduate students. We continue to expand our
inventory of interdisciplinary research and
professional doctoral degrees with the goal that
by 2045 more than half of our graduate students
will be enrolled in doctoral programs.
Master’s programs, particularly
professional degrees will continue to flourish at
this University. We plan to not only add academic
programming opportunities for graduate students
but also provide support and services to ensure
they are ready to meet the real world challenges
awaiting them following graduation.
Our educational goals are founded
on the recognition that finding solutions to
the many challenges facing the country and
the world in the 21st century will depend on
a creative, knowledgeable and highly skilled
workforce. Undergraduate education is important
to the creation of a stable economy since it
provides students with foundational knowledge
and prepares graduates for a wide range of
employment opportunities. But it is graduate
education that provides students with the
advanced knowledge and skills that are critical
for our intellectual leadership in a growing
knowledge economy.
Tom Reynolds
Associate Provost and
Dean of the Graduate School
G
raduate Admissions
Launches A New Website
Graduate Admissions is
pleased to announce their new
website - http://gradadmissions.
uncc.edu - a site which provides
prospective graduate students with
the materials and information they
need when applying to graduate
school at the University. The new website recently
rolled out featuring revamped
content, easier navigation, and a
new look.
“The multitude of
information Admissions needs to
deploy to prospective students was
paramount when we re-worked the
website," explains Johnna Watson,
Associate Dean of the Graduate
School. "Having the space to guide
students through the application,
program and to some extent,
funding process, was the goal.
There are so many variables in
graduate education, we wanted to
make it as clear as possible to our
prospective graduate students."
The “home” page of http://
gradadmissions.uncc.edu features
a live feed from the Graduate
Admissions Facebook page.
Students can use their social
media to follow Admissions and
stay abreast of current messages
via the Facebook feed. In addition,
graduate programs are highlighted
each week in an effort to broaden
their exposure to the over 5,000
weekly views the website receives.
The Graduate School
website, http://graduateschool.
uncc.edu remains in place acting
as a library and resource center
for current students, faculty and
staff, as well as our alumni and
community partners.
gradadmissions.uncc.edu
October 2015 | 5
V
6 | The Graduate School Report
ETERAN
STUDENT SUPPORT
At left, inaugural recipient of the Graduate School Veterans
Graduate Assistantship Nathan Lambert, College of Engineering.
By Dr. Alan R. Freitag,
Assistant Dean, the Graduate
School, UNC Charlotte Professor,
and Fulbright Scholar
The numbers are
astonishing. Nearly 1,000
U.S. military members are
separating from service each
day. At North Carolina’s Camp
Lejeune alone, roughly 200
Marines are processed out each
week. As the U.S. military
continues to shrink in the months
and years ahead, the rapidly
expanding veteran population
continues to face challenges
such as disproportionately high
unemployment, difficulties in
the reintegration process and
confusion regarding civilian
career options. At the same time,
veterans constitute a valuable
talent pool with extensive training,
skills, characteristics and
experiences. In recent months
UNC Charlotte has accelerated its
efforts to reach out to active duty
service members and veterans to
acquaint them with the value of
higher education credentials as
they transition from the military to
the private sector.
The North Carolina
governor, state legislators, the
UNC Board of Governors and
UNC General Administration, are
eager to encourage veterans to
settle in our state, and they see
UNC Campuses (as well as the
state’s community college system)
as a conduit for veterans to meet
regional needs, providing degrees
and certificates matched to their
individual interests and goals.
The recent implementation of the
Choice Act that extends in-state
tuition rates to qualified veterans,
illustrates the level of commitment
to supporting and encouraging
veterans and their families in their
transition journey.
Late last year, recognizing
the need for more formal
coordination of campus services for
veteran students, UNC Charlotte’s
Vice Chancellor for Academic
Affairs established the Military
Affairs Committee (MAC) under the
chairmanship of Air Force veteran
Dr. Hank Harris. Dr. Harris, chair
of the Department of Counseling
in the College of Education,
leads campus efforts to facilitate
awareness and communication
among key departments with
regard to campus-based services
for military-affiliated students. The
MAC is also charged with factoring
military-affiliated students
into institutional planning.
Significantly, this committee
is advisory to the Chancellor’s
cabinet on matters related to needs
of military-affiliated students.
In the Graduate School,
Dean Tom Reynolds, a U.S.
Navy Vietnam veteran, wanted
to sharpen efforts to bring more
veterans into master’s, doctoral
and graduate certificate programs.
In January, he tapped Dr. Alan
Freitag in the Communication
Studies Department to join the
Graduate School as a Faculty
Fellow with a charge to coordinate
and expand academic outreach
and support programs for
veterans. Freitag, a 22-year Air
Force veteran, worked through the
spring semester and the summer
to outline a strategic approach
to the issue. He visited regional
military installations to meet with
education officials, conferred with
area support agencies such as
Charlotte Bridge Home and USO
North Carolina, and developed
materials to promote UNC
Charlotte as a destination of choice
for military-affiliated students.
“I’m positioning Charlotte
as a service member’s last PCS,”
Freitag said. PCS refers to
Permanent Change of Station –
orders to relocate that typically
come every two or three years in
the military. “It’s an appealing
message,” he said. “A separating
service member can come to UNC
Charlotte for an outstanding
education then complete the
transition to the private sector
with a great job in a great city with
a moderate cost of living and a
superb quality of life.”
Freitag has taught at
UNC Charlotte for 17 years and
values the veteran students he’s
encountered. “They come to
class on time, they sit in the front
row, they’re prepared and they’re
engaged,” Freitag explains. “They’re
motivated and they recognize the
value of education and invest
themselves totally in the process."
Dean Reynolds recognizes
it’s not practical to distinguish
between outreach to potential
undergraduate and graduate
students. “If we attract highquality undergraduate students,
they have a tendency to become
equally outstanding graduate
students,” he said.
Graduate student and
Army veteran Nathan Lambert is
an example of that student profile.
Completing his bachelor’s degree
at UNC Charlotte in May using his
after high school students had
completed their daytime classes.
Since then, UNC Charlotte has
evolved into a stunning 1,000-acre
campus with 28,000+ students.
They now offer 79 bachelor degree
programs, over 60 master’s degree
programs, 21 doctoral programs
and an extensive list of Continuing
Education and Graduate
Certificates.
"Through all the growth,
we've never drifted from our
roots - outreach and support to
veterans," says Freitag. "Today, as
North Carolina’s urban research
university, we have a lot to offer
veteran students, and they bring
They come to class on time,
they sit in the front row, they’re
prepared and they’re engaged.
veteran education benefits, he is
now enrolled in the Mechanical
Engineering and Engineering
Science master’s degree program
(as is his wife, Brittany). His
graduate education is funded by
one of three newly established
Graduate Assistantships for
Veterans. (See page eight). Dean
Reynolds created and funded
these awards, valued at $36,000
(master’s) to $48,000 (doctoral)
to demonstrate the university’s
commitment to veterans.
Lambert appreciates the
significance of the award. “It
means that I will be able to focus
on my schoolwork full time without
having to find employment outside
of school,” he said. “Like many
veteran students, I have a family
to support, and this assistantship
allows me to do that.”
UNC Charlotte’s focus on
veterans is not surprising. The
institution began in 1946 as the
Charlotte Center of the University
of North Carolina offering evening
classes to returning World War II
veterans. Classes were held at
Charlotte’s Central High School
a great deal to the community.
Veterans make great citizens
and community leaders. They
make outstanding employees and
entrepreneurs."
The Graduate School,
together with other university
colleges, divisions and offices, is
providing the guidance, training
and coaching, along with superior
degree and certificate programs, to
help ensure success for militaryaffiliated students. That’s an
effort that benefits veterans, the
University and the region.
veteran.uncc.edu
October 2015 | 7
8 | The Graduate School Report
Graduate Assistantships for Veterans
Three veterans have begun
earning their master’s degrees at
UNC Charlotte this fall aided by
substantial awards provided by
the Graduate School. The funding,
called assistantships, covers
tuition and health insurance,
plus a $12,000 annual stipend.
Total value of each assistantship
is roughly $36,000. The awards
require the students to aid
professors in their departments
with research and teaching.
Associate Provost and
Graduate School Dean Tom
Reynolds initiated the program
that will select three military
veterans each year to receive
the two-year awards to pursue
master’s or doctoral degrees.
“This is the first year
we have provided these awards
recognizing the selfless service
of our military veterans,” he
explained. “It’s my hope this effort
will aid these veterans as they
navigate the challenging transition
from military service to the private
sector.” Reynolds is a U.S. Navy
veteran of the Vietnam War.
This year’s selected
veterans represent the U.S. Army
and Air Force.
Charlotte native LaKeysha
Sawyer began in the Master of
Social Work program this fall after
completing a bachelor’s degree
in May from UNC Charlotte. An
eight-year veteran of the Army
Reserves, Sawyer credited her
military experience with teaching
her skills in collaboration and
working as a team. She plans to
focus on research and program
development in the field of social
work.
Nathan Lambert completed
his bachelor’s degree in mechanical
engineering in May and continues
his studies in the Master of Science
in Mechanical Engineering and
Engineering Science program.
He has a particular interest in
robotics, rocketry and space
propulsion. During nearly five
years in the U.S. Army, Lambert
From left; LaKeysha Sawyer, Nathan Lambert and Tracy Valero,
2015-2016 Veterans Graduate Assistantship recipients.
was an infantryman; he served in
Iraq and Afghanistan.
U.S. Air Force veteran
Tracy (Stanley) Valero is working
toward a Master of Health
Administration degree. As a health
services management specialist,
Valero served in the United States
and England and deployed to
Moldova in 2007 on a NATO
combat exercise.
The Veterans Graduate
Assistantship will be available to
qualified prospective students once
again for the 2016-2017 academic
year. Eligibility includes:
•
•
•
Must be a newly admitted
graduate student accepted to
a doctoral or master’s degree
program
Honorable Discharge with
proof of eligibility required
(typically a copy of DD 214)
Endorsement by the student’s
Graduate Program Director
Qualified prospective
students are encouraged to view
the Graduate School’s website
for submission information
and guidelines at http://
graduateschool.uncc.edu.
Awards
Numerous Graduate School
awards and competitions
are underway during the fall
semester. Categories range from
doctoral and master's continuing
students, to first-year and
recently graduated students.
Faculty and students may
review the opportunities, obtain
additional information and learn
about deadlines on the Graduate
School's website: http://
graduateschool.uncc.edu.
Graduate School Partners Across Campus
The Graduate School
continues its tradition of
partnering with programs and
initiatives across UNC Charlotte.
As part of its Mission Statement,
collaboration is one if its core
values.
"There are so many quality
initiatives at the University,"
explains Tom Reynolds, Associate
Provost and Dean of the Graduate
School. "It's hard to select a single
one or two to be a part of!"
Through the College of
Arts + Architeture, the Graduate
School signed on as a sponsor
for Keeping Watch on Water: City
of Creeks, the second year phase
of a project designed to foster
collaboration across disciplines
and interest groups, and to engage
the public in local ecological
issues.
Through the work of
artists, historians, writers,
environmental experts, and
scientists, Keeping Watch is
raising awareness around three
concerns: plastic waste and
recycling (2014), water quality
and urban streams (2015),
and air quality and the value
of trees (2016). The Graduate
School is the underwriter of the
Keeping Watch on Water - City of
Creeks book. To learn more visit
keepingwatch.org.
Again in 2015, the
Graduate School is a partner of
the Charlotte 49ers men's football
team. Now entering their third
year and first in Conference USA,
supporting the Niners has been a
winning tradition.
One of Charlotte's many creeks which
feed the region's rivers and lakes.
"We are happy to step
out of the box and be a part of an
athletics initiative so important
to the University," says Reynolds.
"Actually, it was a graduate
student who made the first-ever
Charlotte 49er's touch-down, so we
know we're in the right place."
The Charlotte 49ers began
their 2015 season in September
and play six games at home in
Jerry Richardson Stadium. For
tickets and information visit
charlotte49ers.com.
Fans catch the game from section 109 - sponsored
by the Graduate School.
October 2015 | 9
10 | The Graduate School Report
LEVERAGING
FACEBOOK
for Graduate Recruitment
https://www.facebook.com/UNCCharlotteGraduateAdmissions
By Johnna Watson,
Associate Dean,
the Graduate School
Browse through your
Facebook feed, and you just might
see a post from UNC Charlotte
Graduate Admissions. The site
renders an over arching array
of posts to engage prospective
graduate students from around the
world, where both fun and relevant
information is colorfully displayed.
In the first weeks since
launching the new site, the
Facebook audience has included
visitors from 21 different
countries, with the greatest reach
from the United States and India.
56% of the visitors are women, and
46% are between the ages of 18
and 24, and 36% between the ages
of 25 and 34.
Weekly topics include
selected information on academic
programs, University life, and
events on campus and in the City
of Charlotte. Examples of recent
video posts include “Professor
Climbs Tallest Mountain in Africa”
and the new “Pride of Niner
Nation” marching band, as well as
informational posts about the new
Graduate Admissions website, an
invitation to attend the University’s
40th annual International Festival,
and a new continuing education
course offered by EPIC.
While utilization of social
media by Graduate Schools is
becoming increasingly popular,
a key finding in a survey
conducted by Hanover Research
on effective practices in graduate
student recruitment found that
they “remain skeptical of its
effectiveness.” (1) Analytics to
quantify effectiveness at graduate
student recruitment is tangential,
at best, but branding graduate
education at UNC Charlotte via
social media outlets is still a
low cost, high visibility method
to promote brand awareness
around the globe. For additional
information on social media
recruitment, access the archived
workshop online.
(1)“Best Practices in Graduate Student
Recruitment.” Hanover Research. Web.
<http://www.hanoverresearch.com/
insights/best-practices-in-graduate-studentrecruitment/?i=higher-education>
Graduate Programs
As of 9-29-2015
UNC Charlotte offers 22 doctoral, 64 master's, 46 graduate certificate,
and 27 online programs.
Doctoral Programs
Bioinformatics &
Computational Biology
Biology
Business Administration, Ph.D.
Business Administration, DBA
Computing & Information Systems
Counseling
Curriculum & Instruction
Educational Leadership
Electrical Engineering
Geography & Urban Regional
Analysis
Health Psychology
Health Services Research
Infrastructure & Environmental
Systems
Mathematics
Mechanical Engineering
Nanoscale Science
Nursing Practice
Optical Science & Engineering
Organizational Science
Public Health Sciences
Public Policy
Special Education
Master’s Programs
Accountancy
Anthropology
Applied Energy &
Electromechanical Systems
Applied Ethics & Philosophy
Architecture
Bioinformatics
Biology
Business Administration
Chemistry
Child and Family Studies
Civil Engineering
Communication Studies
Computer Science
Construction & Facilities
Management
Counseling
Criminal Justice
Data Science & Business Analytics
Earth Sciences
Econometrics
Economics
Electrical Engineering
Elementary Education
Engineering Management
English
English as a Second Language
English Education
Fire Protection & Administration
Geography
Gerontology
Health Administration
Health Informatics
History
Information Technology
Instructional Systems Technology
Kinesiology
Latin American Studies
Liberal Studies
Mathematics
Mathematics Education
Mathematical Finance
Mechanical Engineering
Middle Grades Education
Nursing: Community Public Health
Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner
Nursing: Gerontology Acute Care
Nursing: Nurse Administrator
Nursing: Nurse Educator
Nursing: Nurse Anesthesia
Optical Science & Engineering
Physics
Psychology
Psychology: Industrial/
Organizational
Public Administration
Public Health
Reading Education
Real Estate
Religious Studies
School Administration
Secondary Education
Social Work
Sociology
Spanish
Special Education
Teaching
Urban Design
Graduate Certificates
Advanced Databases & Knowledge
Discovery
Africana Studies
Applied Energy
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Bioinformatics Applications
Bioinformatics Technology
Business Foundations
Cognitive Science
Community Health
Data Science & Business Analytics
Econometrics
Elementary School Mathematics
Emergency Management
Energy Analytics
Ethics
Game Design & Development
Gender, Sexuality, & Women's
Studies
Gerontology
Health Informatics
Information Security & Privacy
Instructional Systems Technology
Lean Six Sigma
Logistics and Supply Chains
Management of Information
Technology
Nonprofit Management
Nursing: Community Public Health
Nursing: Nurse Administrator
Nursing: Nurse Educator
Play Therapy
Public Budgeting and Finance
Public Health Core Concepts
Real Estate Finance &
Development
Special Ed: Academically &
Intellectually Gifted
Substance Abuse Counseling
System Analytics
Teaching: Initial Teacher Licensure
Technical/Professional Writing
Translation Studies (Spanish)
Urban Management & Policy
Vocal Pedagogy
gradadmissions.uncc.edu
October 2015 | 11
12 | The Graduate School Report
Spotlight on
Graduate Programs and Directors
Dr. Gary Kohut,
Professor of Management and Director, MBA Program
Belk College of Business
What do you like best about your role as a Graduate Program Director?
As Director of the MBA Program I enjoy, with the support of key stakeholders,
shaping the vision and mission of the program. Serving as a point of contact for
existing and prospective graduate students, faculty, and other administrators,
the Director must embrace and lead dialogue among constituencies within the
program, at UNC Charlotte, and the business community within the Charlotte
region and beyond. I also enjoy working collegially with existing faculty to
establish and lead a program of high quality, high effectiveness, and high
engagement with the business community.
What are some of the important things going on in your program?
A vast majority of MBA programs across the country have modified their curricula to emphasize applied and
action-based learning, global content, program flexibility, and interdisciplinary courses. In response to our
continual quality improvement efforts, we have added new concentrations in the program such as Business
Analytics, Energy, and Quantitative Methods for Business. We have also formed and strengthened dual degree
programs such as the MBA in Global Business and Strategy with our partner, EGADE, the graduate business
school of Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico, an MBA/JD with the Charlotte School of Law, an MBA/Master
of Health Administration, and an MBA/Master of Arts in Latin American Studies. This is only the beginning
as I see additional concentrations and partnerships being developed to meet the demands of the 21st century
workplace.
Masters of Business Administration
The UNC Charlotte MBA program offers an outstanding
educational experience for aspiring managers and leaders.
With a comprehensive course format, a distinguished
resident faculty and a variety of academic concentrations, the
UNC Charlotte MBA program offers a top-quality graduate
education in one of the most dynamic business climates in the
United States.
UNC Charlotte ranked among the nation's top part-time MBA
programs by Business Week and U.S. News & World Report.
Learn more at http://mba.uncc.edu/
Anthony Spencer, Master of Business
Administration graduate student..
MENTOR
Graduate School
Hits a Milestone
This year, UNC Charlotte’s
Graduate School celebrates
30-years of graduate education
at the University. From the
appointment of the first Dean Dr.
Robert Carrubba, back in 1985,
the Graduate School has grown
into one of the premier higher
education venues in the state's
16 campus system. Offering over
130 programs and certificates, the
Graduate School leads a cross-disciplinary approach to learning.
Many graduate programs straddle
two distictinct pedagogical fields
giving UNC Charlotte graduate
students a wide variety of academic
choices to bolster their education
and career.
UNC Charlotte's graduate
students come from across the
United States as well as from a
variety of countries in Europe,
Asia, Africa, Central and South
America.
The Graduate School has
approximately 750 members of the
Regular Graduate Faculty teaching
and mentoring graduate students.
Dr. Shenk with some of her former students.
Photograph courtesy of Wade Bruton, UNC Charlotte.
Congratulations to Dr. Dena Shenk, UNC Charlotte Professor of
Anthropology and Graduate Program Director of the Master’s Degree
in Gerontology for receiving the 2015 Harshini V. de Silva Mentoring
Award. Making progress in graduate education by guiding successful
students who influence care of the elderly in our region.
This award is made annually in memory of the late Dr. Harshini de
Silva, an Associate Professor of Biology who was noted for her deep
dedication to the academic and professional development of graduate
students.
Recognizing Faculty Excellence at UNC Charlotte
14 | The Graduate School Report
GRADUATE CENTER
SPONSORSHIP
TFA
INDUCTION
By Jennifer Harkey,
Associate Director, the Graduate Center
UNC Charlotte’s
Graduate Center (GC) serves as
an entrepreneurial incubator for
the Graduate School dedicated
to fulfilling the mission of the
Graduate School in ways that may
not be feasible through traditional
channels. This is achieved
through inter-institutional
relationships and on-campus
collaborations.
Traditionally the GC hosts
programs originating from other
UNC institutions with classes
meeting on UNC Charlotte's
campus. Thus bringing Charlotte
area residents the opportunity
to earn a graduate degree from
one of our sister institutions,
locally. Since the 1980s, the GC
has hosted a variety of academic
programs from UNC Chapel Hill,
NC State, Appalachian State and
UNC Greensboro.
Yet one of the unique
partnerships facilitated by the
GC is a relationship between
UNC Charlotte’s College of
Education and Teach for America
(TFA) Charlotte
Chapter. Through
an agreement, TFA
Corps Members are
able to complete their
Graduate Certificate
in Teaching in as little
as two semesters while
teaching full-time in
some of Charlotte-Mecklenburg
School Districts most demanding
classrooms. After completion
of the Certificate graduates are
encouraged to continue into the
Master's in Teaching program at
UNC Charlotte.
The GC provides a full
range of support for each partner
program and the TFA partnership
is no exception. This past June
the GC had the opportunity to host
TFA’s "Induction" for the first time
on the campus of UNC Charlotte.
Induction is a week-long
experience designed to
introduce new Corps
Members into TFA, the
city of Charlotte, and
to fellow members. For
many incoming teachers,
this was their first foray
into Charlotte and the
University.
"We saw this
as an opportunity to
build goodwill with our
partners," explains Josh
Hertel, Director of the Graduate
Center. "As well as to immerse
new Corps Members into UNC
Charlotte’s vibrant campus."
Corps Members stayed
in residence halls, attended
on-campus programming, and
enjoyed meals at campus dining
facilities. Attendees also had
the opportunity to meet faculty
members. Dr. Drew Polly from
the Department of Reading and
Elementary Education, welcomed
Corps Members at the week’s kickoff session.
The GC sees the TFA
partnership as not only a way to
support teachers in Charlotte’s
most needy schools, but from a
strategic perspective, as a way to
introduce newly bachelor-educated
graduates to UNC Charlotte’s
diverse and growing graduate
programs.
The TFA Induction on the campus of UNC
Charlotte in June.
PR Prof. in Poland
The Graduate School's
Faculty Fellow and future
Assistant Dean, Dr. Alan Freitag,
recently departed for a year-long
Fulbright Fellowship to Poznań,
Poland where he will join the
faculty at Poznań University of
Economics. Follow his blog at
http://prprof-in-poland.blogspot.
com/
From August 27th:
"I'm very grateful for the
invitation to join its superb faculty
and for the opportunity to work
with PUE's outstanding students.
I have received tremendous help
in preparing for this appointment
from my counterpart at PUE, Dr.
Jacek Trȩbecki, among Europe's
leading Public Relations scholars.
My 2012 experience convinced me
that the public relations program
at PUE is of the highest quality
based both upon the caliber
of faculty and the focus of its
curriculum. It is a great honor
to be associated directly with
the delivery of instruction in this
fine program during the 2015-16
academic year."
A town square in Poznan, Poland.
Secrets to Success
As part of the University's
Day of Convocation, the Graduate
School and Center for Graduate
Life hosted a welcome reception
for incoming graduate students.
Secrets to Success allowed an
opportunity for the students to
mix across disciplines and network
with one another. Tom Reynolds,
Associate Provost and Dean of
the Graduate School, was also on
hand along with many campus
offices serving graduate students
academic success.
"The Day of Convocation
was largly meant for incoming
undergraduate freshman and
transfer students," explains
Reynolds. "We didn't want the
graduate student to be forgotten
- so we threw our own party to
welcome them."
As continuing students,
the Graduate Life Fellows offered
advice to the new
student. "It can be a
daunting task your
first few weeks in grad
school," says second-year
Fellow and master's/
certificate student
Kristen Reynolds. "I
was happy to offer some
advice to make their lives
a little easier, at least for
awhile."
October 2015 | 15
16 | The Graduate School Report
S
TAFF PROFILE:
Annette Parks
Graduate Operations Manager
Annette Parks began her
career with the University in April
2002 joining the Career Center
as part-time staff assistant to its
Director.
“It was a big transition
from corporate America," Parks
recalls. "While the hierarchy of
universities is similar to “for profit”
businesses with different titles, the
endless funding sources are not.
I went from not worrying about a
price tag to being accountable for
how taxpayers’ dollars are spent.”
Having worked in the
Career Center for six years, Parks
joined the Graduate School as
its Communications Manager in
June 2008. After the unexpected
passing of long-time Graduate
School employee, Faye Jacques,
Parks became the interim
Executive Assistant to the Dean
and was subsequently hired in the
role in February 2009.
In her current position,
Parks is the Graduate Operations
Manager. She works primarily
with faculty, manages the eGFA
system, which supports the
graduate faculty appointment
process, and monitors Instructors
of Record teaching graduate
courses for compliance as a
graduate faculty member. She is
also involved with the Harshini V.
de Silva Graduate Mentor and First
Citizens Bank Scholars awards
presented annually to graduate
faculty. (See page 18.)
For the past few years,
a large part of Parks time has
been devoted to the creation and
implementation of a new online
system called eGFA, which rolled
out to faculty in March 2015.
eGFA, which stands for Electronic
Graduate Faculty Appointment,
is an online system for college
deans, department chairs and
graduate program directors to use
when appointing members to the
graduate faculty.
“This was a multi-year
culmination in the making,"
explains Parks. "I used my
experience with the graduate
faculty appointment process and
Graduate School IT Coordinator
Ash Bower’s technical expertise,
to create the online product for
faculty to use in place of the
very manual process of hardcopy
nominations. I have to give a huge
amount of credit to Ash Bowers, as
I literally told him what I needed
and he made it happen.”
The eGFA online
system also reduces paper
copies and the physical storage
of recommendation letters,
curriculum vitas and other
documents associated with the
graduate faculty appointment
process.
“Department chairs have
been asking for an electronic
process for some time and we are
thrilled that this process has now
come to fruition,” Parks said.
Parks serves as secretary
to the Graduate Council,
whose primary function is
to review, develop and make
recommendations to the Graduate
School Dean and Faculty
Governance concerning graduate
education policies and graduate
course/curriculum proposals.
In addition, she supervises the
Graduate School's busy Customer
Service and front office operations.
“I love working at the
Graduate School and I believe in
our mission which is promoting
and expanding the limits of
knowledge through collaboration,
efficiency and innovation," says
Parks. "It's such an exciting
time as we are expanding and
collaborating with regional
institutions like Meredith College,
Charlotte School of Law, NC
State and Western Carolina. The
Graduate School is facilitating
research and dual degree programs
with global markets such as
Xiamen University in the People’s
Republic of China and the Sarajevo
School of Science and Technology
in Bosnia. This is just the
beginning! Just this spring, Dean
Reynolds and Faculty Fellow, Dr.
Alan Freitag created the Graduate
Assistantship for Veterans which
provides graduate support to
three military veterans who begin
their graduate degrees here at
UNC Charlotte. As veterans
themselves, Dean Reynolds and Dr.
Frietag both know first-hand the
challenges our military face as they
transition back into the private
sector. I couldn’t be more proud of
the work we’re doing here.”
Parks, a UNC Charlotte
alum gaining her undergraduate
degree at the University in
Communication Studies '01,
knows the value of supporting
students.
“Student success is one of
the most important aspects of our
mission and goals," she explains.
"I am a people person, so helping
faculty help students succeed is
paramount. When our students
succeed, we all benefit.”
Beyond the University,
Parks, a Charlotte native, is an
avid reader who enjoys music
and “chick flicks". She and
her husband Robbie, a product
specialist with Harris Teeter,
celebrated their 25th wedding
anniversary last year with a trip
to Europe touring four countries
(Italy, Switzerland, France and
England). The couple have three
children and three grandchildren,
with the newest addition born
earlier this summer on Father’s
Day. Parks and her family enjoy
traveling and cheering on the
Charlotte 49ers, UNC Tar Heels
and Carolina Panthers.
VISIONARY
Left to right; Marc Horgan, Wealth Regional Managing Director for First Citizens Bank,
Dr. Ribarsky, and UNC Charlotte Chancellor Dr. Philip Dubois.
Photograph courtesy of Wade Bruton, UNC Charlotte.
Congratulations to Dr. William Ribarsky, Professor of Computer
Science and Founding Director of the Charlotte Visualization Center
for receiving the 2015 First Citizens Bank Scholars Medal. Dr. Ribarsky
is a renowned leader in visualization, computer graphics, and virtual
environment research that contribute to data science initiatives
worldwide.
UNC Charlotte thanks First Citizens Bank for its 28-year partnership
with the University by placing the people, businesses and communities
of our region Forever First ®.
Recognizing Faculty Excellence at UNC Charlotte
Parks shows her Graduate School
spirit under the Eiffel Tower.
18 | The Graduate School Report
Awards and Recognitions
First Citizens Bank Scholars
Medal
Dr. William Ribarsky,
the Bank of America Endowed
Chair in Information Technology,
is the 2015 recipient of the First
Citizens Bank Scholars Medal,
UNC Charlotte’s most prestigious
faculty award in recognition of
excellence in research.
Ribarsky’s research has
greatly influenced the field of
visualization and visual analytics.
He has been lauded by peers
for advancing the way in which
individuals visualize data and
approach real-world problems.
“Bill is clearly at the
forefront of rapid developments
in visual analytics as a field and
practice,” said Chancellor Philip
L. Dubois. “He epitomizes what
the First Citizens Scholar Medal
represents through his innovative
research, remarkable scientific
impact, and steadfast commitment
to preparing undergraduate and
graduate students for their future
careers.”
Ribarsky is the founding
director of the Charlotte
Visualization Center. He is
principal investigator for the
Department of Homeland Security
SouthEast Regional Visualization
and Analytics Center. He has
published more than 170 scholarly
papers, book chapters and books,
and has received competitive
research grants and contracts from
the National Science Foundation,
Department of Homeland Security,
National Institutes of Health,
Environmental Protection Agency,
NASA, U.S. Department of
Transportation, U.S. Department
of Education, National Institute of
Justice and more.
Ribarsky completed a
bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D.
in physics from the University of
Cincinnati.
“First Citizens Bank is
delighted to continue our 28-year
relationship with UNC Charlotte
to honor an exceptional faculty
member with the Scholars Medal,”
said Marc Horgan, wealth regional
managing director for First
Citizens Bank. “The presentation
of this award is a reflection of our
bank’s Forever First commitment
to the people, businesses and
communities we serve.”
The First Citizens Bank
Scholars Medal was created
to spotlight the important
contributions UNC Charlotte
and its faculty are making –
not only in its community, but
also throughout the Carolinas,
the nation and the world. Past
award recipients have influenced
scholarship in a number of
academic disciplines and
fields, including engineering,
psychology, microchip technology,
anthropology, sociology, biology
and art and photography.
Harshini V. de Silva Graduate
Mentor Award
Dr. Dena Shenk, professor
of anthropology and graduate
coordinator of the Gerontology
Program, is the 2015 recipient of
the Harshini V. de Silva Award.
The honor is presented annually
to a faculty member who best
exemplifies a commitment to
graduate students.
Colleagues regard Shenk
as an exceptional graduate mentor
who has had an influential impact
on the Gerontology Program.
“Dr. Shenk has
participated in mentoring virtually
every successful master’s and
graduate certificate student in
gerontology over the past 20
years,” stated one nominating
colleague. Another nominator
wrote, “I don’t think there is an
agency, business, assisted living
residence or geriatric practice
throughout the region that
doesn’t have at least one graduate
mentored by Dr. Shenk as part of
their leadership.”
In working with graduate
students, Shenk is known to
engage them in scholarly research
and to provide them opportunities
to co-author publications and
present at conferences.
Shenk earned a
doctorate in anthropology from
the University of Massachusetts
in 1979. Earlier this year, the
Association for Gerontology in
Higher Education (AGHE) bestowed
its Mildred Seltzer Distinguished
Service Recognition upon Shenk.
The honor is given to colleagues
“who are near retirement or
recently retired. Recipients are
individuals who have been actively
involved in AGHE through service
on committees, as elected officers
and/or have provided leadership
in one of AGHE’s grant-funded
projects.”
The de Silva Award honors
its namesake, an exceptional
teacher, and devoted servant of
her profession and community
until her death in October 2000.
Each year, the Chancellor’s Office
and the Graduate School present
this award to the faculty member
whose commitment to students,
research and scholarly inquiry
2015-2016 Graduate Life Fellows Announced
UNC Charlotte’s
Graduate Life Fellows program
enters its eighth year this fall.
Seven fellows, representing
several of the University’s
colleges, were selected to
continue building community
on campus with programming,
events, workshops and outreach
participation for the graduate
student.
The GLF’s are provided
with numerous leadership
building opportunities through
their collaborative efforts with
various campus partners
including faculty, staff and
a host of graduate student
organizations and other campus
offices. Previous examples
of these leadership activities
involve a graduate student
etiquette dinner, a women’s
professional business panel,
a stress-reduction & wellness
event, and a crafts & community
event which benefited the
Ronald McDonald House. Other
examples of organized events
include recreational outings
to local Corn Mazes, the White
Water Rafting Center and the
Betchler Museum. In short,
the GLF program acts as a
mechanism for engaging the
entire graduate community
across varying disciplines.
The incoming Graduate
Life Fellows are:
• Scott Barber - Master’s
student, Architecture
• Meika Berlan - Ph.D.
student, Public Policy
• Myasia Burns - Master's
student, Communication
Studies
• Gabriela Patricia Lopez de
Arcia – Master’s student,
Latin and American Studies
• Kristen Reynolds - Master's
student, English and
Graduate Certificate
student, Africana Studies
Left to right: Myasia Burns, Dahlia Shvets, Scott Barber, Gabriela Patricia Lopez de
Arcia, Emily Teague-Palmieri, Meika Berlan and Kristen Reynolds..
•
Dahlia Shvets – Master’s
student, Bioinformatics
• Emily Teague-Palmieri,
Ph.D. student, Counselor
Education and Supervision.
All seven graduate
students chose to become GLFs
for reasons related to their own
experiences when they were new
to graduate school.
“I chose to become a
GLF so I could contribute to the
University in a meaningful way,
explains GLF Meika Berlan. "I've
had a positive experience at UNC
Charlotte as a Ph.D. student
and I wanted to work to ensure
that other graduate students
benefited as much from their
graduate experience.
Selected from almost 50
applicants, GLFs are recruited
and chosen based on their
existing set of leadership skills.
Patricia Lopez de Arcia
is, “thrilled to be part of the GLF
team this year!” She continues,
“I know this will be a chance
to grow in my professional
development, but also to
provide networking and learning
experiences for all fellow
graduate students.”
The GLF’s welcomed new
and continuing students with
their first event of the year last
month with the Annual Fall
Wine & Cheese. For information
on upcoming events, visit:
gradlife.uncc.edu.
UNC Charlotte is the
first and only institution in the
UNC system to offer a dedicated
program like the Graduate Life
Fellows to its graduate student
body. The fellows work with
all graduate students, and
they specialize in welcoming
the new graduate student to
the University, beginning with
orientation. The GLFs offer
guidance through first-hand
experience, peer mentorship and
a wealth of knowledge about
campus and Charlotte. You can
learn more about each GLF
and send them your questions
at http://gradlife.uncc.edu/
leadership-organizations/gradlife-fellows/ask-glf. Also Like
them on Facebook http://www.
facebook.com/UNCCharlotteCGL
October 2015 | 19
20 | The Graduate School Report
MMANNERS
INDING
Etiquette for the Graduate Student
By Emmanuel Bello-Ogunu,
Computing & Information Systems Doctoral Student
and former Graduate Life Fellow
In graduate school,
students learn many useful skills,
such as how to write an academic
research paper--sometimes on
very little sleep and many servings
of caffeine. Or how to manage a
working relationship with a faculty
advisor who has a million and one
things to do aside from advising
you. And it’s not surprising
graduate students develop the
ability to scrounge for leftover
food in even the most remote of
conference rooms on campus.
But there is one skill they
may not necessarily learn during
their higher education and that is
the art of dining etiquette. While
it may not seem to matter while
gnawing on a day old bagel cast
aside in a lab, etiquette can shape
one’s impression of you as much
as a resume or new suit.
During an interview,
when in the company of potential
employers or colleagues for lunch
or dinner, graduate students will
want to know how best to conduct
themselves in a positive way.
Hence, the goal of the Graduate
Student Etiquette Dinner - to help
graduate students develop their
soft skills around the dinner table.
For the past three years
the Graduate Life Fellows have
hosted an Etiquette Dinner for the
brave graduate students wanting
to polish up their manners. The
event features a networking
cocktail hour, a four-course
dinner, and ballroom dancing
instruction facilitated by the
UNC Charlotte Ballroom Dancing
Club. Mrs. Lisa Dubois, wife of
the Chancellor, guides the group
of 100 or so wide-eyed students
through proper manners during
networking and dinner; how to
carry on a conversation with the
total stranger next to you; and yes,
which fork, spoon and even plate
Charles Gavins Jr. and Petra Porter learn a few
ballroom dance steps at the etiquette dinner.
Nothing is less important than which
fork you use. Etiquette is the science
of living. It embraces everything.
It is ethics. It is honor.
to use during each course.
“We were fortunate to have
Mrs. Dubois as our instructor,”
said 2014-15 Graduate Life Fellow
and co-planner, Erin Walker. “Her
willingness to guide us through
real-life experiences regarding
appropriate dining etiquette, added
a very personal touch to an already
informative and fun evening.”
Last spring’s event,
spearheaded by the Graduate and
Professional Student Government
and the Graduate Life Fellows,
was the result of additional
collaboration between several
graduate student organizations
including College of Computing
& Informatics Grads, Children’s
Literature Graduate Student
Organization, Graduate Public
Health Association and the
International Society for Optics
and Engineers, SPIE/OSA.
Emily Post
Mrs. Lisa Dubois, center, demonstrates the proper way
to welcome a lady back to the dinner table.
October 2015 | 21
22 | The Graduate School Report
University Business Partnerships Benefit
Graduate Students
UNC Charlotte's new PORTAL building is home
to many of the business partnerships of the University.
By Mary Ellen
Shuntich,
Director of Development, the
Graduate School
UNC Charlotte excels
at many things: a premiere
institution for higher education,
a cutting-edge research
university, an incubator for
innovative start-up companies.
UNC Charlotte faculty
and colleges also focus on
establishing collaborations,
partnerships and research
initiatives that bring together
academia and industry to
develop creative solutions.
One such partnership
was recently undertaken with
Premier, Inc. in Charlotte, a
major healthcare performance
improvement alliance made
up of a large number of U.S.
hospitals and other providers.
The goal of this partnership was
to develop technology that will
help hospitals more effectively
organize and analyze patient
data and ultimately serve their
communities more efficiently,
according to Dr. Jim Studnicki,
Chair of Health Services
Research in the College of Health
and Human Services (CHHS)
and the project’s lead developer.
Dr. Studnicki advises doctoral
students in the Health Services
Research program.
The result of this
groundbreaking partnership is
the Community Focus software
program being praised by early
adopters for its effectiveness.
Dr. Studnicki says the successful
collaboration drew upon the
strengths of each partner, with
UNC Charlotte bringing research
capability, technology and
analytics expertise.
Community and industry
partnerships provide outstanding
opportunities for UNC Charlotte
graduate students to participate
in real-world issues and be
actively involved in creating
solutions while working on their
master’s or doctoral degrees.
Industry partnerships often
create valuable internship
opportunities as well.
Jeff Petry, a member of
the Graduate School’s Advisory
Board and Chief Marketing
Officer at Premier, praises UNC
Charlotte’s interns and resulting
success in hiring.
“Some of our best recruits
are those who were interns from
UNC Charlotte; some have been
here over 10 years now,” Petry
says.
UNC Charlotte’s new
PORTAL building which
opened in February 2014
is another example of the
University’s commitment to
foster partnerships with private
industry. The facility was
designed to stimulate business
growth and job creation, as
well as promote research and
innovation. PORTAL is a facility
where entrepreneurs and
businesses can collaborate with
peers, faculty members and
students, harnessing the power
that a research university offers.
UNC Charlotte partnered with
business people in Charlotte in
1986 to launch what became
the Ben Craig Center. The
business incubator, now called
Ventureprise, is housed in the
new PORTAL building and
provides workspace, University
resources including faculty and
According to Robert Wilhelm,
Vice Chancellor for Research and
Economic Development at UNC
Charlotte, “The PORTAL building
offers new capacity for research
partnerships and access to our
students and faculty, a major
talent source for the region.”
No newcomer to
business incubators, UNC
Charlotte created one of the
first university-based business
incubator’s in the nation.
students, and guidance from
experienced staff and proven
mentors.
The PORTAL building
also provides space for
UNC Charlotte student-run
businesses. Student teams
receive expert guidance as they
experience starting a business.
The objectives include learningby-doing and successful
launches.
Some of our best recruits are
those who were interns from
UNC Charlotte.
Jeff Petry, Chief Marketing Officer, Premier, Inc. and
Graduate School Advisory Board member.
October 2015 | 23
24 | The Graduate School Report
The Advisory Board Chair's Corner
Mr. George Ladner
One of the most
outstanding assets of UNC
Charlotte is its exceptional
faculty, long known for
its dedication to both
teaching and research.
The University honors the
achievements of its faculty
with awards each year,
one of which is sponsored
by the Graduate School:
the Harshini V. de
Silva Graduate Mentor
Award. This was
established in memory of Dr. Harshini V. de Silva,
an Associate Professor of Biology, who was noted for
her deep dedication to the academic and professional
development of graduate students.
Each year, the Chancellor’s Office and
the Graduate School present this award to a fulltime member of the graduate faculty who has
demonstrated these qualities of outstanding graduate
mentoring. Recipients for the last five years illustrate
the disciplinary breadth of excellence in UNC
Charlotte's graduate programs:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
2012: Dr. Jonathan Marks, Anthropology
2011: Dr. Roslyn A. Mickelson, Sociology
On a personal note, I have been associated
with UNC Charlotte since 2000, and have been
continually impressed with the quality of its faculty.
I have attended many of the Personally Speaking
lecture series, which consists of faculty members
speaking about their recently published research.
These talks are enlightening and fascinating, and
I can truly say that I learned something new every
time. They are also a great way to engage the greater
Charlotte community in the life of the University, as
they are held at the Center City campus and draw
crowds of up to 300.
In closing, I would like to congratulate
the Graduate School for its milestone 30th year
anniversary of its founding! As evidenced by the
outstanding faculty who continue to serve our
students with exceptional expertise, the University
has earned its claim as "North Carolina's urban
research university."
2014-2015: Dr. Dena Shenk, Anthropology
2013-2014: Dr. Ryan Kilmer, Psychology
2012-2013: Dr. Larissa Brunner Huber, Public
Health Sciences
2011-2012: Dr. Claudia Flowers, Educational
Leadership
2010-2011: Dr. Harish Cherukuri, Mechanical
Engineering and Engineering Science
In addition to the De Silva award, the First
Citizens Bank Scholars Medal recognizes outstanding
scholarship, creativity and/or research among senior
faculty members with sustained contributions over
a substantial period of time at UNC Charlotte. The
broad range of research and creative activities
honored by this award include accomplishments such
as scientific discoveries, books, a series of related
articles, novels, sculptures, or paintings.
We are proud that Dr. Thomas L. Reynolds,
Dean of the Graduate School, was the recipient of this
award in 1993 for his research in Biology.
Again demonstrating excellence in research
across the disciplines, recent recipients of the First
Citizens Bank Medal include:
•
•
•
2015: Dr. William Ribarsky, Computer Science
2014: Dr. Craig Ogle, Chemistry
2013: Dr. Lawrence Calhoun and Dr. Richard
Tedeschi, Psychology
Dr. Claudia Flowers, Professor, Educational
Leadership, College of Education.
Graduate School Annual Donor Report
Graduate School Fellowships
Joanna R. Baker Memorial Graduate Fellowship
Wayland H. Cato Jr. Graduate Fellowship
Herschel and Cornelia Everett Foundation First-Year
Graduate Fellowship
Lucille P. and Edward C. Giles Dissertation-Year
Graduate Fellowship
Faye Jacques Memorial Graduate Fellowship
John P. Lucas Jr. Fellowship for Educational Leadership
Zonta Club Fellowship
Harshini V. de Silva Graduate Mentor Award
First Citizens Bank Scholars Medal
2014-2015 Annual Donors
Abdul Aaquib
Wayne L. Abercrombie
Carissa Lynne Abraham
Susan Kay Abromitis
Allen A. Acken, Jr.
Thamara Alkhazraji
Vamsi Krishna Alla
Maxter E. Allen, Jr.
Robert Chad Allen
Robert Aloe
William M. Anderson
Ashley Michelle Andrew
Gerald C. Angelichio
Andrea A. Anselmi
Marc Patric Armstrong
Willie M. Artis
Sharon Vinitha Augustus
Edward Franklin Baesel III
Henry Baez
Diana Stokes Bagwell
John Jeffrey Baker
Venkatasai Balcha
Neal Lloyd Banerjee
Bank of America Charitable
Foundation Inc.
Sarang S Bapat
Amanda L. Bates
Karen L. Baucom
Vanessa Braswell Baucom
Andrew Baxter
Christopher A. Beaver
Rebecca S. Beaver
Mary Elizabeth Belew
Carl Michael Benda
Ralph L. Bentley
Melissa Renee Best
Varun Bhanot
Udaykumar Bhupendra Kumar
Celeste Wagner Black
Stuart D. Blackburn
Joy McEntyre Blakeney
Harold David Blalock
Patricia P. Bleynat
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of
North Carolina
Zbigniew Bojar
Jennifer Bokeno
Alicia Therese Boldt
Lynn M. Bond-Kostos
Pearlie Cureton Borders
Victoria Ann Bott
Robert W. Brame, Jr.
Paula Breen
Dan E. Brewer
Anita A. Brown
Sherri G. Brown
Mark A. Buechler
Ashleigh Buie
Iris Burke
Patrick Fitzgerald Burris
Raymond Burrows
Shannon Butler
Natalia Caggiano
Kyron L. Cain
H. Spencer Caldwell, Jr.
Judith Kelly Caldwell
Samuel Caldwell, Jr.
Nadia Campbell
Theresa J. Campbell
and Matt S. Carpenter
Gina Marie Carter
Diane J. Cash
Sara Caudill
Kenneth Chandler
Piper S. Charles
Charlotte Symphony Orchestra
Society Inc
Ray Chen
Yiying Cheng
Joanne C. Chesley
Leung Cheung
Deven Chopra
Ann Church
Margaret W. Claiborne
Barbara B. Clinton
William Colon
Eric G Conner
Mark Edward Cook
Elva Cozart Cooper
Kitty R. Coston
Lauren Cottie
Joy Pridgen Council
Dorothy Greene Craine
Suzanne Wyttenbach Cranford
Harry P. Creemers and Martha
Groblewski
Kurt J. Culbert
Kathleen D'avria
Leslie Dalla Rosa
Lisa Wreath Daly
Dawn Darden
George Dashner
Octavius O. Davies
LaVerne M. Davis
Kristi Kauffman Deese
Karen Beth DeGraaf
Tanya Wilson DeGrace
Todd Dennis
Lara Dickinson
Mark David Dimoff
William H. Dobbeck
Patrick Doiel
Aldea Cherie Douglas
Bonnie Chappell Dove
Kelly Gene Dover
Monifa D. Drayton
Xiao Y. Duan
The Duke Energy Foundation
Brenda Dunn
Dinesh Kumar Duraiswamy
Akshita Dutta
James B. Edwards
Carol Lynn Efenecy
Edward D. Ellis
Melissa H. Eudy
Loretta Gbemudu Evivie
Sandra D. Faggart
Jorge M. Feijoo
Elisabeth G. Feil
Mary C. Felker
Fidelity Investments Charitable
Gift Fund
First Citizens Bank
Claudia P. Flowers
Barbara Ann Floyd
Fluor Foundation
Lisa J. Foley
Darinda Spencer Fredricksen
Devron Kenneth Furr
Sindhura Gaddam
Nancy B. Gaillard
George Alexander Galleher
Vikas Gandham
Maria Gandolfo
Lisa Knight Gary
Patricia McGuinn Gatlin
Vishal Mohan Gattoju
Akberom Gebrecherkos
Corey McKenzie Geohagan
Earl R. George, Jr.
Alvine R. Geter
Kathy Barringer Giddings
Darci Giglio
Mary R. Gill
Sonja J. Glover
Amber Lynn Glow
Ryan Golden
Mark Christopher Goodman
Robert Douglas Gordon
Nicholas Gould
Goulston Technologies, Inc.
Sonya Raynell Gregory
Paul Grinch
Kathy Ann Groce
Holly S. Grundheber
Sandra Jean Grzemski
Corinne Guidi
Karen Ann Guion
Lakshmanan Gururajan
Katherine Hall-Hertel
Patricia A. Hanna-Kohl
Jennifer P. Harkey
Amanda Lou Harmon
Adam Carlton Harris
Shirley Mills Harris
Walter Lee Harris, Jr.
Della R. Hartis
James Hathaway
Nancy Truluck Hatley
Andrew Hauser
Daniel R. Hawkins
Linda W. Heiberger
Samuel Hellman
Joshua Hertel
James Hill
Thomas Keith Hill
Lauren Kalberer Hines
Amber Hinton
John Hodson
Brian Lawrence Hoffbauer
Richard Holmes
Shirley Frye Holt
Rachel Roberts Hord
Wei Huang & Xiaoqin Li
Randall Edwin Huggins
Cynthia Ramsay Huntley
M. Leslie Huntley
Robert & Julianne Hurst
Martha S. Iley
Eva B. Irby
October 2015 | 25
26 | The Graduate School Report
2014-2015 Annual Donors -continuedLinda-Jean Jay
Celeste C. Jernigan
Emma Patricia Johnson
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Adam Lynn
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THE GRADUATE SCHOOL
UNC Charlotte is North Carolina’s
urban research university. Located
in the state’s largest metropolitan
area, UNC Charlotte is among
the fastest growing universities
in the UNC System. Established
in 1985 with the appointment
of the first dean, the Graduate
School offers over 130 graduate
degree programs which include
21 doctoral programs, in a wide
variety of fields and specialties
ranging
from
architecture,
biomedical
engineering,
computing,
engineering,
and
health administration to history,
teacher
education,
creative
writing, business, nursing and
social work. Graduate students
enrolled in the University come
from nearly every state in the
union.
International students
hail from a variety of countries in
Europe, Asia, Africa, Central and
South America. The Graduate
School has approximately 750
members of the Regular Graduate
Faculty teaching and mentoring
graduate students.
REPORT
UNC CHARLOTTE
EDITION IV
OCTOBER 2015
Editor
Karla Stanchina, Manager of Communications,
The Graduate School
Contributors:
Emmanuel Bello-Ogunu
Alan Freitag
Jennifer Harkey
Jared Moon
Paul Nowell
Coren O'Hara
Mary Ellen Shuntich
Johnna Watson
Photography:
Wade Bruton, Jennifer Harkey, Daniel Jones, Varun Joshi,
Coren O'Hara, Nancy Pierce, Chris Vurnakes
Dean Tom Reynolds
Graduate School Senior Staff:
Associate Dean Johnna Watson
Associate Dean Katherine Hall-Hertel
Assistant Dean Alan Freitag
Graduate Center Director Joshua Hertel
Director of Development Mary Ellen Shuntich
The Graduate School Report is published by the Graduate School
at UNC Charlotte. To share feedback or change your
mailing address, please e-mail Karla Stanchina,
Editor, at kstanchi@uncc.edu
500 copies of this public document
were printed at a cost of $1,619.
The Graduate School
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Cato Hall
9201 University City Boulevard
Charlotte, NC 28223
704-687-5503
graduateschool.uncc.edu
9201 University City Boulevard
Charlotte, NC 28223
North Carolina's Urban Research University
UNC Charlotte rang in
it's 50th year.