News

One in every eight couples nationwide struggles to conceive or maintain a pregnancy. At least 4,000 people are seeking infertility treatment in Charlotte. As Charlotte emerges as a hub of knowledge and resources on the topic, two UNC Charlotte researchers are focused on improving how caregivers and patients communicate around this medical condition.

The UNC Charlotte Gerontology Program celebrated its 25th anniversary this spring, while helping state leaders roll out North Carolina’s first plan to comprehensively address dementia. The community conversation drew students, scholars, practitioners and community activists from the gerontology field to UNC Charlotte Center City.

Judy Lekoski has joined UNC Charlotte as the Major Gifts Officer for the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. In this role, she is leading the private fundraising for the university’s largest and most diverse college. Lekoski brings decades of fundraising and communications expertise and an enthusiasm for applying that knowledge.

UNC Charlotte has earned nationwide recognition as the second-best value college for earning a Master of Public Administration degree. “This recognition helps showcase how successful our students and alumni are in serving the public and nonprofit sectors,” program Director Suzanne Leland says.

Jeffrey Leak, English professor and President of the Faculty, is one of 25 people nationwide chosen for the inaugural class of the Emerging Leaders program of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU). Participants will engage in a national dialogue with experienced leaders and experts in higher education and to develop a network of colleagues from across the country.

Retired Charlotte City Manager and UNC Charlotte alumnus Curt Walton will serve UNC Charlotte as interim associate provost for Metropolitan Studies and Extended Academic Programs. In addition to this role, Walton will continue as executive-in-residence with teaching and advising responsibilities in the Gerald G. Fox Master of Public Administration program in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, a role he assumed in late 2015.

Scott Fitzgerald, associate professor of sociology, is the 2016 recipient of the International Education Faculty Award, presented at the 22nd annual International Education Celebration. Fitzgerald was instrumental in providing leadership to the Global Village Learning Community and established a Habitat for Humanity Study Abroad program in El Salvador.

Gregory Mixon, a professor of history, is the recipient of the second annual J. Murrey Atkins Library Faculty Engagement Award. Atkins Library presents this award to a UNC Charlotte faculty member who has engaged in innovative or exceptional work with library collections, programs and services.

History graduate students Marissa Nichols and Chris Kinley went back in time when researching abroad this academic year in Greece and Mexico, while also taking important steps forward. As recipients of the Buchenau-Pharr Graduate Research Award, their research abroad allowed them to access on-site archival research and develop cultural credibility in their chosen disciplines.

Charlotte Teachers Institute has named 104 Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools teachers as CTI Fellows to participate in its innovative, interdisciplinary seminars for 2016. CTI seminars are led by eight faculty experts in the arts, sciences and education, including five from UNC Charlotte – with four from the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.