The Graduate School is seeking candidates for Faculty Fellow to serve as a part-time member of the Graduate School Senior Staff. The Faculty Fellow’s role spans a variety of activities in the Office of the Dean and may be assigned specific projects in graduate education that match the education, experience and talent of the Faculty Fellow.
For more information and to apply, please download the Graduate School Faculty Fellow position description.
Dr. Jean-Claude Thill, Department of Geography and Earth Sciences, was awarded the 2022 First Citizens Bank Scholars Medal. Since 1988, this award has recognized a senior full-time faculty member for outstanding scholarship, research or other creative activity.
The 2022 Harshini V. de Silva Graduate Mentor Award goes to Dr. Adam Reitzel, Department of Biological Sciences. Established in memory of the noted professor of biology, the de Silva award recognizes a full-time member of the graduate faculty who evinces outstanding graduate mentoring.
Ceremonies honoring the two award winners will be scheduled in the spring semester, presided over by the Chancellor, Provost, and other University officers.
Read more about graduate faculty awards at the Graduate School.
The Paper Chase program, sponsored by the Office of Undergraduate Research, is focused on developing skills to more effectively communicate about research.
Faculty will learn a team approach to writing, while mentoring to a publishable manuscript. Deadline to register is Jan. 5 through the Office of Undergraduate Research.
The Graduate Admissions team is working through several Slate migration challenges and anticipates that most of the issues should be fully addressed and reconciled by Dec. 4. As a result, we are extending the 2022 Spring semester deadline for applicants to doctoral, master’s, and certificate programs from Dec. 1 to Dec. 20. Please know that prospective students who are currently out of the country and need an F or J visa to enroll may simply not have sufficient time to apply, be considered for admission, be admitted, and complete the process to obtain an I-20 and a visa prior to the last day to enroll in the spring semester.
The first Spring 2022 enrollment report is now available on GPDNet. The report, which will be updated weekly, may be downloaded in the GPDNet Graduate School Data section.
The total graduate enrollment goal for Spring 2022 is 5,917 students.
Honoring excellence in graduate program administration, the Thomas L. Reynolds Leadership Award recognizes excellent leadership and outstanding service by a Graduate Program Director or Coordinator. Nominations for 2021-22 will be accepted through Jan. 28.
Graduate Program Directors and Coordinators are leadership positions for the University and play an important and pivotal role in the success of our graduate students. Graduate Program Directors and Coordinators must not only manage and shape the direction of their programs to ensure the academic success of their students, but must also serve as advocates for graduate education at all levels. Doing this well, deserves recognition and praise.
The recipient receives a cash award, an engraved plaque, and their name engraved on a perpetual trophy. Associate Professor of Architecture Peter Wong was selected to receive the Thomas L. Reynolds Leadership Award for 2020-2021 for his contributions to student success above and beyond his teaching role.
For additional information and to submit a nomination visit the Reynolds Leadership Award web page.
The Graduate School will offer Mentor Training for graduate faculty Jan. 7, 9:30-4:00. The session will be held face-to-face in the Student Union.
Join the 170 faculty who have already completed this training and rated it a good use of time. The curriculum comes from the Center for the Improvement of the Mentored Experience in Research (CIMER) at the University of Wisconsin. It is highly interactive and includes a variety of useful resources and tools.
Attendance is limited to 16, so please sign-up early using this form: https://forms.gle/RskUcL6TzS3RNkmy5
Note: All participants are asked to wear a mask.
As of Nov. 8, foreign nationals including all F-1 students are required to present proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter the U.S. For purposes of entry into the United States, the accepted vaccines will include FDA approved or authorized and WHO Emergency Use vaccines. In addition to proof of vaccination, travelers entering the U.S. must also show proof of a negative COVID PCR-test administered within the 3 days prior to travel to the U.S.
Travel restrictions are in place for countries where the Omicrom variant has been discovered. These countries include South Africa, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini.
The International Student and Scholar Office (ISSO) has communicated frequently with newly admitted, currently enrolled, and OPT international students regarding changing requirements for COVID-19 vaccination and entry requirements.
The following is a list of messages and content that have been shared with targeted students to-date:
Students with concerns or questions may reference the ISSO website for information or contact the ISSO office (intlsso@uncc.edu, 704‑687‑7781) to schedule an advising appointment.
Graduate Admissions migrated to Slate, the new admissions CRM, the week of Nov. 21. Details about the system implementation as well as the system login and training materials are available in GPDNet under GPD News/Resources.
Commencement is planned for Dec. 17-18 in the Dale F. Halton Arena located in the James H. Barnhardt Student Activity Center.
Graduating students can pick up their regalia (caps and gowns) at the campus bookstore, located in the Popp Martin Student Union, through November 30.
Academic Affairs provides more information on Commencement Ceremonies and how to reserve your cap and gown.
The Eastern North Carolina Career Alliance (ENCCA) will host an online career fair Feb. 16, 11-4.
The event will provide an opportunity to connect with a diverse group of students and alumni from ENCCA’s eight member institutions:
Top majors include biology, business, communications, criminal justice, education, exercise science, game development, interactive design, healthcare administration, information technology, psychology, social work, and sport and recreation management.
To register, visit the ENNCA Career Fair.
Amanda Sargent, Ph.D., Organizational Science, was selected the first place winner of the 2021 3-Minute Thesis (3MT) competition with her presentation, “What is it about “Who You Know” That Gets You Ahead?”
Other winners included:
Farida Yasmin, Ph.D., Biology – 2nd Place for “Into the Wild: Wild Soybean as our Savior!”
Shanique Lee, Ph.D., Curriculum and Instruction – 3rd Place for “Loving and Leaving the Classroom: Contextualize the Attrition of Black Women Teachers in Urban Schools.”
Kelsey Sikon, M.S., Civil Engineering – People’s Choice Award for “Presence of Microplastics in Wastewater Treatment Plants.”
The event recording is available on YouTube. Read more about the 3MT at the Center for Graduate Life and Learning.
Graduate Admissions will offer an information session Nov. 17 at Noon to help admitted students who are undecided about accepting their offer of admission.
Graduate School staff and current graduate students will share information to help admitted students make a decision to continue their education at Charlotte. Graduate Admissions counselors will review the decision letter, connecting with the program, accepting admission, funding and more.
Please encourage your newly admitted students to register for this informative session. Registration for admitted students is available at mygradschool.uncc.edu..
The 2022 First Destination Survey, designed to offer insight to shape future curriculum, has now launched.
Faculty is encouraged to promote the survey to graduating students and an example message is provided below:
Graduating this semester? Take the First Destination Survey at https://firstdestinationsurvey.uncc.edu to let us know what you plan to do with your UNC Charlotte degree! The survey will ask you about your plans for post-graduation employment or further academic study, your experiences in our academic programs and the resources you used while you were a student. Completing this survey enhances the value of your degree by supplying us with information to accurately tell the story of a UNC Charlotte education.
A series of reminders will be sent to students who do not complete the survey after the initial email. The first reminder email will go to students on their UNC Charlotte addresses on Dec. 17 (graduate students) and Dec. 18 (undergraduate students).
The spring 2022 survey will be distributed mid-March.
The International Student and Scholar Office (ISSO) recently reached out to new students who intend to enroll for the spring 2022 semester to explain new requirements relating to the COVID-10 pandemic.
Following is the text of the ISSO message:
As the Spring 2022 semester approaches, we look forward to welcoming you to UNC Charlotte. As you can expect, COVID-19 will impact your travel plans. Please review the information below BEFORE you commit to international travel. Obtain your COVID vaccine(s) before entering the U.S. After November 8, 2021, all foreign nationals, including F-1 and J-1 students wishing to enter the U.S. must show proof that they are FULLY VACCINATED against COVID-19. See the U.S. government’s October 12, 2021 announcement. In addition to proof of vaccination, travelers entering the U.S. must also show proof of a negative COVID test administered within the 3 days prior to travel to the U.S.
Documentation requirements: Your COVID vaccine must be FDA or WHO approved Your vaccine and COVID test documentation should be hard copy (not on your phone) and in English It is fine to carry back up electronic copies on your phone Your name on your records should match your name as listed on your passport. Note: ISSO staff are not healthcare professionals; you should research what works for you in consultation with your doctor or medical care provider.
What should NEWLY ADMITTED students consider when planning travel to the U.S.?
1. Complete the Financial Certification Form (FCF).
2. Apply for the F-1 or J-1 visa at a U.S. embassy/consulate.
3. Pay the SEVIS fee online 3-5 days before your visa appointment and print out the receipt.
4. Follow the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ CDC Requirement for Proof of a Negative COVID test before entering the U.S.
5. Upon entering the U.S., carefully follow the CDC ‘After International Travel’ instructions and obtain a COVID test 3-5 days after travel.
6. Arrive in Charlotte (Charlotte Douglas International Airport-CLT) by January 5th. Arriving by this date allows you to participate in international student orientation before classes begin on January 10th.
7. Follow UNC Charlotte On-Campus protocols, such as wearing a face covering while participating in UNC Charlotte indoor activities.
Check official websites for up to date information: COVID related travel requirements can change quickly. Therefore, be sure to check official websites for update to date information before you leave home. We hope you all are staying safe and well,
On Oct. 25 the White House and Centers for Disease Control announced a new vaccination policy that will go into effect for international travelers to the United States on Nov. 8 at 12:01 a.m. EST. As of that date, foreign national air travelers will be required to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination status prior to boarding a plane to the United States. The guidelines also include new protocols for testing. Exemptions will be made for noncitizens who are citizens of a foreign country where the availability of COVID-19 vaccination is limited. Details can be found on the U.S. Department of State’s website.
Prospective students are encouraged to submit their application and supporting materials (via mygradschool.uncc.edu) on or before Nov. 16, otherwise they can submit materials in Slate beginning Nov. 22. Similarly, recommendation providers who have not submitted a reference for a prospective student are encouraged to do so by Nov. 16. Otherwise, they will be sent a link to complete the recommendation in Slate.
Between Nov. 16-21:
Dear Colleagues,
The Projections Manager, located in GPDNet, is now open for enrollment and graduation projection submissions. The information you provide is used to help guide efforts to effectively manage your graduate program enrollment; it’s also vital from a University perspective to better understand program capacity/delivery, future enrollments/graduations, and resources required to support graduate education.
Based on information provided last year, the Graduate School made a request for resources to help two programs grow enrollments, which Academic Affairs provided beginning fall 2021. Additionally, resources and training were strategically provided to support students and programs and aid work to increase recruitment and retention. Given the University’s strategic plan to enroll 7,613 graduate students by 2031, careful planning to achieve the goal is more important now than ever.
Similarly, affirming UNC Charlotte’s commitment to foster access, diversity, equity and inclusion in graduate education, please pay particular attention to ways your program enrollments might reflect a breadth of gender identities, races and ethnicities, nationalities, faith traditions, and other social categories and backgrounds. A new question has been added to better understand program efforts in this regard.
Four open swims are planned to help program directors establish projections and answer any questions related to program capacity and effective enrollment management. For details on the workshops as well as the projections process, please see the attached document. In advance, thank you for your strong support of graduate education and your participation in this year’s cycle to better understand opportunities and challenges in building and retaining the graduate class next year.
Warm regards,
Johnna Watson
P.S. – More details are available for download.
