March 2

In This Issue

Fifth Great Decisions Lecture Scheduled for March 4
Nexus 2026: Making an Impact
4th Annual Charlotte AI Summit for Smarter Learning
CTL Media Production
J. Murrey Atkins Library
Center for ADVANCing Faculty Success
Center for Teaching and Learning
Faculty Council News
Dissertation Defense
Latest AA News

Fifth Great Decisions Lecture Scheduled for March 4

Dale Smith, chair and professor of global studies at UNC Charlotte, will present “Tariffs and the Future of the World Economy” from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, March 4. This is a free, hybrid event. The in-person lecture will be held at the Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte Center City. Register for the event. 

The Great Decisions lecture series, a national program of the Foreign Policy Association, is offered by Charlotte Global at UNC Charlotte and co-sponsored by the World Affairs Council of Charlotte, Charlotte Sister Cities and the Young Professionals of the World Affairs Council of Charlotte.

Nexus 2026: Making an Impact

Nexus: Networking Across Disciplines fosters the emergence of interdisciplinary research teams by providing faculty with structured opportunities to learn about one another’s research and brainstorm areas of mutual interest. Through a series of summer workshops, Nexus supports the initial stages of project development as faculty formulate shared research questions, consider analytical strategies, and identify potential funding sources.

With a theme of “Making an Impact,” Nexus 2026 aims to foster interdisciplinary collaborations that amplify the real-world impact of academic research, creative work, and innovation. At a time when the value of higher education is under scrutiny, this theme invites scholars to work across disciplines to translate ideas and discoveries into meaningful societal benefits. For details about this year’s theme and application guidelines, visit the Nexus website.

Nexus 2026 workshops will be held on May 14-15 and August 12, 2026, with working groups expected to develop ideas over the summer. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Monday, April 6.

For more information, join us for a reception on Thursday, April 2, from 4:30-6:00 p.m. in the Lambla Gallery of the Storrs Building (RSVP). We will celebrate the successes of interdisciplinary working groups formed through past Nexus workshops and discuss target research areas for Nexus 2026.Nexus is organized by the College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences and the Division of Research with support from the Cato College of Education, the College of Health and Human Services, the College of Computing and Informatics, and the William States Lee College of Engineering. Questions can be directed to Beth Whitaker, CHESS Associate Dean for Research and Interdisciplinary Collaboration.

4th Annual Charlotte AI Summit for Smarter Learning

Don’t forget to register for the 4th Annual Charlotte AI Summit for Smarter Learning. The summit is a free, full day event, open to all UNC Charlotte faculty and academic staff. 

Important Dates: 

  • Event Date: Wednesday, May 13, Dubois Center
  • Proposal Notifications: Wednesday, March 25
  • Registration Closes: Wednesday, April 22 

CTL Media Production

Bring your courses to life with high-quality, engaging instructional media! The Center for Teaching and Learning’s Media Production team partners with faculty to create dynamic, accessible, and professionally produced media that supports teaching goals and enhances student learning experiences.

Whether you’re developing a new course, refreshing existing content, or looking to increase student engagement, the Media Production team provides start-to-finish support, from initial consultation through final delivery. Services include studio-based recording in a fully equipped on-campus facility and field production for on or off-site demonstrations, interviews, labs, and simulations.

Faculty work directly with a dedicated project lead to plan, record, and produce media aligned with course objectives. Projects are delivered ready for integration into courses, designed for clarity, accessibility, and student learning success.
Getting started is easy: submit a Media Request form and collaborate with the team to plan your project for the upcoming semester. Let us help you transform your course content and enhance the learning experience for your students. Learn more.

J. Murrey Atkins Library

Advancing your Research with AI
Learn how UNC Charlotte faculty are using various forms of AI to accomplish and contribute to their research. When traditional resources such as funding, time, and staff are scarce, exploring applications of machine learning, generative AI, and open-source programming may be one way to address this. Presenters will include:

  • Jason Windett, Director of Research and Professor, School of Data Science, and Professor, Political Science and Public Administration, Public Policy, CHESS
  • George Banks, Professor, Department of Management, College of Business. Co-director at the Center for Leadership Science and the Charlotte AI Institute for Research.
  • Tim Murtha, Professor, Anthropology, CHESS

There will be time for conversation with these researchers to inspire ideas for your own projects and discover applicable uses of resources we have available on campus.

  • Thursday,  March 19, 10:00 – 11:00 AM, Area 49 Visualization Lab (Atkins 2nd floor) (Register)

Media Literacy Matters Conference
Join the Critical Media Literacy Collaborative, Niner Times, and Atkins Library for “Media Literacy Matters: Empowering Critical Thinkers in a Digital World,” from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on April 2. This half-day conference will bring faculty, students, and researchers across campus together to discuss issues related to media literacy. Media literacy is the ability to use critical thinking and rhetorical reasoning to find, evaluate, and create information in online environments. Media literacy guides people to consume digital media critically as engaged, well-informed citizens. Light breakfast refreshments will be provided! Learn more.

Center for ADVANCing Faculty Success

For All Faculty Search Committee Members
Best Practices for Advancing Faculty Recruitment Training

  • Wednesday, March 4, 1:00 – 2:50 PM, Harris Alumni Center (Register) 

For All Faculty and Administrators

Charlotte Faculty Connect: Men’s Basketball vs. U. Alabama Birmingham
Charlotte Faculty Connect focuses on creating spaces for connection, conversation, and shared joy for all faculty across departments and career stages. Whether you’re looking to meet new colleagues or simply take a break with community in mind, these opportunities are designed for you. It’s about making space for community, conversation, and fun along the way. Come connect, build community, no agenda required.

For All Faculty and Administrators

UNC Charlotte Faculty G.O.L.D. Awards.  

The UNC Charlotte GOLD Faculty Awards are all about saying thank you to faculty. They are rooted in appreciation, peer support, and the kind of community that makes people feel seen. Faculty GOLD awards are open to ALL faculty, ALL ranks…that includes adjuncts too! These awards celebrate the everyday moments that don’t always make headlines—checking in on a colleague,  stepping up when someone needs help, bringing creativity and care into the department. It’s the quiet, steady commitment that truly shapes who we are as a community. At a time when higher education can feel heavy and uncertain, the Faculty GOLD Awards are a reminder of the good we bring to one another. They recognize the humanity, generosity, and positive impact ALL of our UNC Charlotte faculty have—not just in big achievements, but in the small, meaningful ways faculty show up for each other every day. Please consider nominating a faculty member for these awards! Awards will be distributed during Faculty Flourish Week. Anyone can nominate. The deadline to nominate is March 6. 

SPRING FACULTY FLOURISH WEEK: March 16 – March 20, 2026

For All Faculty and Administrators
Introduction to Strength Finders: Name It; Claim It; Aim It!
Facilitated by Daniel Almeida, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

For All Administrators
Supporting Mid-Career Faculty: A Leadership Conversation
Dr. Amy Santos, Associate Provost for Faculty Development at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

  • Tuesday, March 17, 9:00 – 11:00 AM, Foundation Building, Room 112 (Register)

For All Mid-Career Faculty
Navigating the Mid-Career Years: Planning for Impact, Advancement, and Balance
Dr. Amy Santos, Associate Provost for Faculty Development at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

  • Tuesday, March 17, 1:00 – 3:00 PM, Foundation Building, Room 112 (Register)

For All Faculty and Administrators
Charlotte Faculty Connect: CAFS Drop In: Dessert, DeStress, and Dialogue
Take a midday pause to enjoy desserts, engage in informal conversation, and recharge with your colleagues. Bring your lunch, take a break, and enjoy activities! This drop-in open house offers space for connection, creativity, and community—no agenda, just good company. At the drop in, you will have the opportunity to be entered into a $25 Starbucks drawing .

  • Thursday, March 19, 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM, Colvard 3042 (Register)

For All Faculty and Administrators
Power Hour: Community, Connection, Collaborative Learning, and Care
Your time is valuable, and so is your well-being. Power Hour is a 60-minute monthly gathering created to help all faculty feel more connected and supported. Come for the light refreshments and social time; stay for the focused discussion led by your peers on topics that matter to you. It’s more than just a session—it’s an opportunity to build the community of care we all deserve. See you there!

Topic: Imposter Syndrome, Dr. Kendra Jason offers strategies to understand and combat feelings related to imposter syndrome and enhance well-being.

  • Friday, March 20, 10:00 – 11:00 AM, Colvard 3140 (Register)

For Mid-Career Faculty
Faculty Forum for Faculty Interested in Promotion to Full Professor
The Provost and Deans of all Colleges will facilitate the forum.

  • Thursday, March 26, 10:00 – 11:10 AM, Cone 111 (Register)

For Mid-Career Faculty
Recently-Tenured Associate Professor Orientation
Deans or their representatives of all Colleges will facilitate the forum.

  • Thursday, March 26, 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM, Cone 111 (Register)

Center for Teaching and Learning

What’s New in the CTL?

Register for new and exciting Upcoming Events!

Spring Workshops


Level Up Your Teaching Toolkit

Work Towards a *NEW* Microcredential on Essentials of Learning Technologies

Register for Online Training Courses on: 

See Your Learning Journey

AI Resources for You

Faculty Council News

Please visit the Faculty Governance website for the latest news from the Faculty Council including: 

Dissertation Defense

The dissertation defense is one of the ways a new scholar demonstrates readiness to join the academy and is an opportunity to share their research widely. View All Dissertation Defense Announcements.

Latest AA News

For up-to-the-minute news from Academic Affairs (faculty awards, research, recognition, initiatives), visit the Academic Affairs Division News webpage.

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