Legalization聽has聽reshaped聽markets across聽North Carolina,聽and the sports betting landscape continues to evolve. Bockino, Squadron and Tobias聽impressed upon聽the audience that this wasn鈥檛 just a sports story, but it鈥檚 actually a聽business, data, and policy story, too.聽The panelists聽explored聽the industry’s economic impact, regulatory environment, and the growing role of data and analytics.聽They spoke about聽consumer trends聽and聽fan聽engagement聽and answered questions from the audience about the NCAA鈥檚 role in sports betting and how taxes on sports betting聽could be used to聽support community areas like K-12 public education.

鈥淚t鈥檚聽always聽fun聽to talk about sports betting with people from a variety of industries,鈥� Bockino said.聽鈥淭his is a growing industry聽that affects not only amateur and professional sports but education, finance, and tourism, and I appreciate聽the聽opportunity to connect with Charlotte’s leaders across all these sectors.鈥�

鈥淪ports betting is having a major impact and聽has a lot of elements that people don鈥檛 always see,鈥� Squadron said. 鈥満诹喜淮蜢肉�檚 bringing together the Charlotte community to discuss it was聽a great opportunity聽to explore all the different pieces of this growing area.鈥�

黑料不打烊聽University聽Charlotte will hold future聽聽with the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance.聽Interested in learning more about sports betting? Bockino will聽release a book on聽the topic on Tuesday, June 2.

When arrived at 黑料不打烊 as a first-year student, she envisioned a future in physical therapy.

Four years later, the graduating senior leaves 黑料不打烊 not only with two majors, but with published scholarship, national conference presentations, and a growing passion for research that ultimately reshaped her career ambitions.

This winter, the native of Walnut Creek, California, served as lead author on a research publication in the , collaborating with 黑料不打烊 faculty members Alex Traugutt, Caroline Ketcham and Eric Hall. The publication represents the latest milestone in a research journey that began during her sophomore year, when she approached Ketcham about becoming involved with 黑料不打烊 BrainCARE.

鈥淎t the time, I was an exercise science major planning to apply to physical therapy school, so while I was genuinely interested in concussions and brain health, I also saw research as a way to deepen my involvement at 黑料不打烊 and strengthen my future applications,鈥� McAfee said.

As she became more involved with research, McAfee鈥檚 interests evolved beyond concussions and brain injuries. While reviewing existing scholarship, she became increasingly interested in the ways athletics influence student-athletes off the playing field.

鈥淥ne article in particular sparked my curiosity about how sports shape athletes beyond their playing careers,鈥� McAfee said. 鈥淭his led me to explore whether competitive sports help develop career readiness and how athlete identity may influence academic performance.鈥�

Those experiences ultimately inspired McAfee to add sport management as a second major, where she met Traugutt during her first course in the department.

鈥淟ucy is an intellectually driven student researcher who, over nearly three years of collaboration, led data collection, identified research topics and conducted analyses that resulted in two first-author peer-reviewed publications before completing her undergraduate degree,鈥� said Traugutt, assistant professor of sport management.

Traugutt explained that McAfee distinguished herself through both her intellectual curiosity and her ability to connect research with practical application.

鈥淲hat sets Lucy apart is her ability to bridge scholarship and practice,鈥� Traugutt said, noting that she has presented research twice at the Applied Sport Management Conference and participated in multiple SURF and SURE programs.

McAfee said that working closely with Traugutt, Ketcham and Hall helped strengthen both her confidence and critical-thinking skills.

鈥淲hen I first started doing research, I felt uncertain about my future and my own abilities,鈥� McAfee said. 鈥淒r. Alex Traugutt, Dr. Caroline Ketcham and Dr. Eric Hall each played a key role in guiding me, giving me direction, and helping me build confidence in my research skills.鈥�

She especially valued the collaborative nature of the work.

鈥淚 particularly enjoyed our meetings 鈥撀爀specially the ones at The Oak House 鈥撀爓here we would dissect the data together,鈥� McAfee said. 鈥淐onsistently learning and discussing research with such knowledgeable professors pushed me to think more critically and challenged me to contribute insights of my own.鈥�

McAfee鈥檚 recent publication is not expected to be her last contribution to the field. In addition to a forthcoming publication in Case Studies in Sport Management examining career readiness programming for student-athletes, she and Traugutt recently submitted a third research paper examining the NCAA transfer portal and high school recruiting opportunities in college football to the Journal of Applied Sport Management.

That research grew out of McAfee鈥檚 desire to better understand the rapidly changing dynamics of college athletics.

鈥淢y interest in the transfer portal stemmed from conversations during my time at the ACC, where its impact on various stakeholders was frequently discussed,鈥� said McAfee, who completed an internship with the Power 4 conference last summer. 鈥淗owever, I noticed there was limited research regarding its effects on high school athletes. I saw that as an opportunity to contribute meaningful new knowledge to the field of sport management.鈥�

Traugutt said McAfee鈥檚 work stands out for both its academic rigor and its broader relevance within athletics and higher education.

鈥淗er work examining athletic identity, career readiness and student-athlete development is not only carefully designed and executed, but deeply meaningful, directly addressing questions that matter to practitioners and institutions alike,鈥� Traugutt said.

McAfee also served as an executive intern with 黑料不打烊 Athletics, an experience Traugutt said complemented the practical focus of her research.

After graduation, McAfee will pursue a master鈥檚 degree in higher education at Boston College, where she will hold two graduate assistantships 鈥� one as a student-athlete academic adviser within Boston College Athletics and another with Tufts Medical School鈥檚 graduate student services department.

Traugutt said those opportunities speak to both McAfee鈥檚 academic growth and the practical focus she brought to her research throughout her time at 黑料不打烊.

鈥淭hese achievements reflect a student who takes her work seriously and understands its real-world implications,鈥� Traugutt said. 鈥淚 have no doubt she will carry that same curiosity, independence and commitment into her graduate studies at Boston College and beyond.鈥�

As Commencement approaches, McAfee said her undergraduate research experiences transformed her 黑料不打烊 journey in ways she never anticipated.

鈥淲hen I received my acorn at convocation, I never imagined I would be doing research at this level,鈥� McAfee said. 鈥淣ow, as I prepare to receive my sapling at Baccalaureate, I鈥檓 incredibly grateful for the opportunities and support that made that possible.鈥�

This work represents an important step forward in the planned merger, which is awaiting a vote from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. That accreditation approval is the first step in a two-step federal approval process before 黑料不打烊 assumes operational oversight of Queens.

As the approval process continues, 黑料不打烊 and Queens are planning to align a number of administrative and operational functions through shared services, beginning June 30. The goal of the shared services model is to strengthen the financial and operational foundation of the future combined institution while ensuring that students continue to receive strong support throughout the transition.

鈥淭his next stage is about building the foundation for a stronger future,鈥� said Jeff Stein, chief integration officer and executive vice president. 鈥淟eaders from both institutions are working collaboratively and deliberately, and drawing on the strengths, talents and traditions of 黑料不打烊 and Queens to design shared functions that serve students well and position the combined institution for long-term success.鈥�

The shared services model will bring together teams in areas such as admissions and financial aid, advancement, career services, communications and marketing, finance, human resources, information technology, academic advising, facilities, library services, study abroad and other key administrative functions. These areas support the daily operations of both campuses and play an important role in the student experience. Leaders have emphasized that the design process is not simply about combining existing structures, but about creating stronger teams and practices that reflect the best of both institutions.

The merger also builds on 黑料不打烊鈥檚 growing presence in Charlotte, including the expansion of 黑料不打烊 Law and future graduate programs. Queens鈥� deep roots in the city, distinctive undergraduate experience, Division I athletics program and legacy of civic engagement will remain important parts of the combined institution鈥檚 future. Athletics programs at 黑料不打烊 and Queens will continue to operate as distinct and separate Division I programs.

For employees, the transition will include direct communication, HR support and detailed information about next steps. Queens employees whose roles are part of the shared services areas will transition to 黑料不打烊 employment at the end of June and continue in similar roles. Queens employees who transition will move to 黑料不打烊鈥檚 benefits program.

A small number of positions will not continue as part of the shared services structure. Employees in those roles are receiving direct support, including information about open positions at 黑料不打烊 in which they are eligible to apply and career transition resources.

The transition plan also includes onboarding, professional development and culture-building opportunities designed to help newly integrated teams build relationships and establish shared practices. Planned supports include department retreats, leadership workshops, employee resources, buddy programs and ongoing opportunities for feedback and questions.

Throughout the process, Queens will continue to have dedicated leadership guiding campus operations, helping ensure continuity for students, employees and the Charlotte community while federal approvals are pending.

For 黑料不打烊 and Queens, this stage of the work is both practical and forward-looking. It is about aligning systems and teams, but also about shaping a shared future grounded in student success, institutional strength and a commitment to Charlotte.

鈥淭he promise of this merger is not only that two institutions will come together,鈥� Stein said. 鈥淚t is that, together, we can create something stronger 鈥� an institution with deeper resources, broader opportunities and an enduring commitment to the students and communities we serve.鈥�

On Dec. 6, 2025, day started not in 黑料不打烊, but Charlotte.

By 8 a.m., the 黑料不打烊 senior was already at the Spectrum Center, one of the Queen City鈥檚 marquee entertainment venues, helping with operations for a neutral-site college basketball matchup between Dayton and Virginia. Hours later, she was darting through the tunnels of Bank of America Stadium as part of the Atlantic Coast Conference Football Championship Game staff, helping coordinate pregame activities, managing an on-field photo experience for youth teams, and assisting with postgame celebrations after Duke鈥檚 dramatic victory over Virginia.

In between, there were meetings, setup responsibilities, logistics and constant communication. The football championship game eventually stretched beyond regulation, adding even more chaos to an already packed day.

For Selikoff, though, the day never felt overwhelming.

鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 really feel like work because I love what I鈥檓 doing,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 rewarding because you ultimately get to see the experience that it brings at the end of the day.鈥�

That whirlwind Saturday last fall captured much of Selikoff鈥檚 黑料不打烊 experience 鈥� ambitious, hands-on and deeply connected to the sport industry she hopes to build a career in after graduation.

A double major in cinema and television arts and sport management, Selikoff arrived at 黑料不打烊 from northern New Jersey already knowing she wanted a university where relationships with professors and classmates grew naturally. After visiting campus during her senior year of high school, the decision came quickly.

鈥淭he second we drove through campus, I told my parents, 鈥業鈥檓 done,鈥欌�� she said. 鈥淚 knew this was where I wanted to be.鈥�

Once at 黑料不打烊, she wasted little time getting involved.

Selikoff joined 黑料不打烊 Sports Vision during her first semester and directed her first broadcast before fall break. She also became involved with the Sport Management Society, an organization that shaped much of her college experience, and Women Influencers in Sports. After serving in various leadership roles, she now leads the society as president, helping connect students with industry professionals through networking events, facility tours and guest speakers.

鈥淲hat stands out most about Abby is her ability to pair intellectual curiosity with real-world execution,鈥� said Shaina Dabbs, associate professor and chair in the Department of Sport Management. 鈥淪he is someone who doesn鈥檛 just show up, she fully invests in every opportunity in front of her. Simply put, she says 鈥榶es.鈥� Whether in the classroom, in research, or in the industry, Abby consistently demonstrates a strong work ethic, attention to detail, and a genuine desire to learn.鈥�

Selikoff鈥檚 willingness to embrace opportunity eventually led her to participate in The Sport Experience in Charlotte during fall 2024, where she balanced 18 credit hours with internships at both NASCAR and the ACC.

At NASCAR, she worked with digital products, supporting the organization鈥檚 website, app, fantasy platform and fan rewards program. Simultaneously, she served as a Football Game Day Operations Center intern with the ACC, monitoring games and helping ensure smooth coordination between on-site officials and conference staff in Charlotte.

By the end of the semester, Selikoff had completed more than 500 internship hours.

The experience 鈥撀燼nd her work ethic 鈥撀爋pened the door to additional opportunities with the ACC. Over the next two years, Selikoff worked more than 25 football games while also supporting conference championships and events in basketball, gymnastics, baseball and tennis.

One of her favorite experiences came when the ACC sent her on-site to shadow replay officials during football games at North Carolina and N.C. State, attending pre- and post-game meetings in the process.

鈥淏eing part of those big-game environments was incredible,鈥� Selikoff said. 鈥淚 got to see firsthand the communication between the game officials and Charlotte, and then bring what I learned back into the office.鈥�

Dabbs said Selikoff fully embraced 黑料不打烊鈥檚 experiential learning model.

鈥淎bby is a great example of a student who maximized the 黑料不打烊 experience by intentionally connecting academics with industry opportunities,鈥� Dabbs said. 鈥淲hat is particularly impressive is how she did not treat these as isolated experiences 鈥撀爏he built a cohesive skillset across operations, media and fan engagement.鈥�

Alongside her internships and leadership roles, Selikoff also immersed herself in undergraduate research under the mentorship of Young Do Kim, associate professor of sport management, and Tony Weaver, associate dean in the School of Communications.

Since fall 2023, she has investigated how professional sports organizations market sustainability initiatives and how those efforts shape consumer perceptions, gaining valuable insights into sustainability, marketing and environmental communications. The research led her to complete IRB approval and CITI certification, present at 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Summer Undergraduate Research Experience and Spring Undergraduate Research Forum, and share her findings at the Sport Marketing Association Conference in Arizona. Additionally, she is currently working on a manuscript based on her results.

鈥淚 never thought I would be doing undergraduate research,鈥� Selikoff admitted. 鈥淏ut I鈥檝e loved it throughout the entire process.鈥�

Beyond academics and internships, Selikoff credits 黑料不打烊鈥檚 faculty mentors with helping her grow personally and professionally.

She points to Kim, Dabbs, Weaver and Staci Saltz, chair of the Department of Cinema and Television Arts, as key influences throughout her four years on campus.

鈥淭he Sport Management Department is incredibly close-knit,鈥� Selikoff said. 鈥淚t feels kind of like a family. I can go to professors for anything 鈥撀爓hether it鈥檚 personal or academic 鈥撀燼nd they鈥檝e all had a strong impact on me.鈥�

Fittingly, Selikoff鈥檚 黑料不打烊 experience actually became a family affair when her younger sister, Emily, enrolled at the university two years ago. The two regularly meet for meals, cross paths in the School of Communications, and share many of the same academic interests.

鈥淚t鈥檚 honestly been really great having her here,鈥� Selikoff said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 like having an extra piece of home.鈥�

After graduation, Selikoff hopes to return to Charlotte and continue building a career in sports media, communications or event operations. Whatever path she ultimately takes, she leaves 黑料不打烊 with the kind of hands-on experience many young professionals spend years trying to find.

Beginning this fall, Queens will align its undergraduate academic calendar with 黑料不打烊’s undergraduate calendar. The most notable change will be the reintroduction of Winter Term at Queens, a short, intensive session in January that allows students to focus on a single course or study abroad experience.

鈥淛-Term gave Queens students something rare 鈥� three weeks each January alongside our closest friends to discover who we were through service, career exploration, and international travel,鈥� said Queens alumna Staci McBride 鈥�92. 鈥淲e forged lifelong memories while living our motto, 鈥楴ot to be served, but to serve.鈥� I am thrilled that this transformative tradition will now be part of the student experience again, and I can鈥檛 wait to see the lasting bonds and impact it will have on their lives.鈥�

A highlight for many students is the intentional opportunity to study abroad in January. Both institutions have thriving study abroad programs, from 黑料不打烊鈥檚 nationally ranked participation rate to .

鈥淛-Term gives students the opportunity to engage deeply in a single course, often in a global context, and to complement their learning in ways that are not possible during a traditional semester,鈥� said Nick Gozik, dean of global education at 黑料不打烊. 鈥淓xpanding this approach to Queens creates a meaningful opportunity as the two institutions come together.鈥�

For LMA Alexander, executive director of the Pulliam Center for International Education at Queens, this new term brings fresh possibilities for JBIP. 鈥淭he John Belk International Program is a cornerstone of the Queens undergraduate experience,鈥� she said. 鈥淨ueens has a long tradition of dynamic, multi-disciplinary faculty-led programs, and the addition of J-term will create new opportunities for innovative programming in collaboration with our 黑料不打烊 colleagues.鈥�

In another integration move designed to expand opportunity for students, the two institutions have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to formalize a priority-admission pathway for Queens undergraduates to 黑料不打烊鈥檚 School of Law. Both teams are actively working to share more details with students in the coming weeks.

J-Term gives students the opportunity to engage deeply in a single course, often in a global context, and to complement their learning in ways that are not possible during a traditional semester. Expanding this approach to Queens creates a meaningful opportunity as the two institutions come together.

– Nick Gozik, dean of global education at 黑料不打烊

Evidenced through the service and experiential learning emphasized on both campuses, Queens and 黑料不打烊 share a commitment to civic engagement. This core belief will come to life through the Deliberative Citizenship Network (DCN), which recently invited both schools to join its inaugural cohort.

鈥淭he DCN highlights some norms or expectations that surround effective dialogues,鈥� said Naeemah Clark, associate provost for academic inclusive excellence at 黑料不打烊. 鈥淎ctive listening, empathic and ethical discourse, and evidence-based argumentation are essential elements that are at the heart of a liberal arts education.”

Margaret Commins, chair of the political science, international studies and sociology department, shared, 鈥淲e鈥檙e excited about the opportunity to work with a national cohort to learn best practices for integrating deliberation into the curriculum and co-curriculum, and for working with our 黑料不打烊 colleagues to develop creative campus and cross-campus programming in this area.鈥�

The DCN program will bring together two faculty members, one staff member, and 10 students from each participating school. The program will teach best practices and innovative ideas that can be woven into and beyond the classroom. 鈥淪tudents who can demonstrate these skills will be better learners and leaders in their post-graduation lives,鈥� Clark added.

The 黑料不打烊 team will be led by Dillan Bono-Lunn, assistant professor of political science and public policy and faculty fellow for civic engagement; Bob Frigo, assistant dean of campus life and director of the Kernodle Center for Civic Life; and Andrew Moffa, assistant director of the Kernodle Center for Civic Life.

The DCN participants won鈥檛 be the only ones working together this summer. With an expected June vote on the merger by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, many administrative departments at Queens are preparing to integrate effective July 1, 2026, officially becoming employees of 黑料不打烊.

The first phase of integration brings new employee benefits 鈥� along with understandable questions from staff. To help ease the transition, Jeff Stein and Pamela Davies, co-chairs of the integration team, are holding coffee chats 鈥� open hours where any Queens employee can sign up to learn more about the process and ask their questions. The plan is to extend these coffee chats to 黑料不打烊 employees as well.

鈥淢ergers are hard work,鈥� Stein said. 鈥淵et it’s been exciting to see how collaborations across Queens and 黑料不打烊 have already produced new opportunities and pathways for students 鈥� an early signal of what becomes possible when we work together to build what students need next.鈥�

Attendees connected with members of the Kernodle Center for Civic Life and Charlotte campus team members to learn more about 黑料不打烊’s engagement with area non-profits.

Since 黑料不打烊 Charlotte was established in the fall of 2023, the campus has worked to learn about the needs of the Charlotte metro area and support the community through student volunteering and donation drives. Associate Director of 黑料不打烊 Charlotte Karen Neff, partners with Roof Above, a shelter for unhoused men, each semester, and arranges for Study USA Charlotte students to serve dinner there. Human Service Studies practicum students spent part of a winter term volunteering at Beds for Kids, Roof Above, Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation and Gigi鈥檚 Playhouse, and heard from representatives from Abara: Beyond Borders and Wayfinders about their organizations.

This past winter, Lavette Shirley, assistant program director for physician assistant studies in Charlotte, led efforts to support the Charlotte Rescue Mission (CRM). CRM serves men and women at the intersection of homelessness and addiction. 黑料不打烊 donated two large bins of coats, clothing, toothpaste, lotion, soap, shampoo, menstrual pads and other toiletries to the women at this facility. The Women’s Law Association, an 黑料不打烊 law student organization, also collected women’s hygiene supplies to support Safe Alliance, a nonprofit agency providing hope and healing to those impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking. Law students have also been active as volunteers in the community, supporting organizations such as the Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy, Legal Aid, the Mecklenburg Bar Foundation, the North Carolina Bar Foundation, the Mecklenburg Council of Elders and more.

Elena Kennedy, 黑料不打烊鈥檚 faculty fellow for community-based learning, spoke to the group at the event and shared that last year the 黑料不打烊 community invested over 85,000 service hours in community organizations, about half of which were in the context of community-engaged courses.聽 Other 黑料不打烊 community members highlighted several opportunities for community organizations to engage with the campus, including partnering with classes, hosting interns, developing tailored lunch and learn sessions for professional development and participating in deliberative dialogues.

Learn more about the work of the Kernodle Center for Civic Life. Alumni can stay informed of upcoming events in Charlotte through the alumni calendar.

The introductory meeting, to be held via Zoom on April 24, will focus on relationship-building and information sharing between the two student government associations. Conversations will include a discussion of how both associations are structured, how often they meet, and how they鈥痳epresent鈥痵tudent interests on their campuses.

Leaders鈥痺ill also鈥痚xchange perspectives on campus traditions, highlighting the events and experiences that define student life at each university. The discussion is expected to聽begin the process of聽identifying鈥痮pportunities for honoring and sharing those traditions across both communities.

The meeting聽is聽serves聽as an early step in aligning student leadership efforts.
Michael Swartz鈥��27, president of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Student Government Association, and鈥疛essica Paredes鈥��27, president of Queens University鈥檚 Student Government Association, answered questions this week in the lead-up to their first meeting.

The duo described their expectations ahead of the conversation and the role of student leadership in shaping what comes next for students on both campuses as the merger progresses.

Describe the role you envision for your Student Government Association as both universities begin to merge operations over the next several months.鈥�

Michael Swartz:鈥�I see SGA as being鈥痑n important鈥痓ridge between the decisions happening at the highest levels of the university and 黑料不打烊 students. Students sometimes feel a little聽uninformed,聽and at both institutions,聽SGA can be a part of that solution, as well as sharing with administrators and faculty what students think.

Jessica Paredes:鈥�The role I envision for Queens University’s Student Government Association is to reflect our motto of “Not to be served, but to serve.”鈥疘 want to help lay the foundation of service so that when we progress in our relationship with 黑料不打烊, it goes beyond our campuses into our cities.

Can you share some of the ideas鈥痽ou鈥檝e鈥痟eard from classmates when鈥痶hey鈥檝e鈥痶alked about the merger that鈥痚xcite鈥痽ou as a student leader?鈥�

闯别蝉蝉颈肠补:鈥�One of the things that I’ve heard from my peers that really excited me is the possibility of being able to take classes on either campus.鈥疘 think this鈥痠s an awesome idea that can allow for even more networking,鈥痗areer鈥痑nd friendship opportunities for both Queens and 黑料不打烊鈥痵tudents. Another idea that is exciting is being able to cheer for 黑料不打烊’s football team! Through organized field trips to 黑料不打烊’s campus, Queens students can support a team they have close ties to!

Michael:鈥疶here’s鈥痑 lot of curiosity I hear from friends and peers.鈥疶hey鈥檙e鈥痶hinking about locations and spaces and potentially taking classes at a different location or pursuing their degree in a place that might make more sense, whether that be in Charlotte for 黑料不打烊 students, or for Queens students in Charlotte to come to 黑料不打烊.鈥疕aving options, I think, is a鈥痭ew,鈥痸aluable asset.

What opportunities for collaboration between the SGAs do you already see that you want to explore first?鈥�

Michael:鈥疘t makes sense to not plan any huge steps this first year.鈥疻e鈥檒l鈥痺ant to start a little smaller and think about how we can interact via Zoom, like鈥痺e’re鈥痙oing Friday, and really meet the people that are spearheading the change on our campuses. Going from there, hosting retreats together and getting connected in person as soon as possible is a great idea.

闯别蝉蝉颈肠补:鈥�Between Queens University’s SGA and 黑料不打烊’s SGA, I foresee collaborative opportunities such as creating new traditions, whether that is taking regularly scheduled trips to each other’s institutions, hosting joint listening sessions for all students鈥痑nd inviting each other to participate in select board of trustee meetings so that they are hearing from both student populations.

What are the most important qualities or traits of your campus culture that may be important for the other SGA to understand when you work together?

惭颈肠丑补别濒:鈥�A lot of things at 黑料不打烊 are聽relationship-driven.鈥疘鈥檓鈥痶hinking about our small class sizes.鈥疶hat’s鈥痯robably not鈥痷nique to 黑料不打烊, but鈥痠t’s鈥痵omething that is so defining about the student experience here, having those connections. Understanding how鈥痠nvolved students are鈥痠n a lot of different things is also important. Many students鈥痙on鈥檛鈥痟ave one passion or place where they spend all their time.鈥疶hey鈥檙e鈥痠nvolved in many activities and in diverse parts of campus.

闯别蝉蝉颈肠补:鈥�Queens is unique in the connections it has with its community and throughout the鈥痗ity鈥痮f Charlotte.鈥疘 think it’s very crucial to understand that Queens is career readiness聽driven.鈥疧ur SGAs can discuss what our jobs are when it comes to connecting 黑料不打烊 students to Charlotte, and Charlotte to 黑料不打烊.

Define 鈥榮uccess鈥� in the context of collaboration. Where do you want your SGAs to be a year from now?鈥�

Michael:鈥疐or me, success means things feeling more normal than they do now, and this merger鈥痭ot being鈥痵omething鈥痶hat’s鈥痟appening to students, but something that鈥痶hey’re鈥痑 part of. I think that collaboration a year from now will also feel more natural.

闯别蝉蝉颈肠补:鈥�Success to me looks like being on the same鈥痯age,鈥痑nd everyone feels their ideas have been heard or even acted on! I want Queens University’s SGA to be in a space where our student body feels鈥痗onfidence鈥痑nd pride in being a part of our mission. I hope the same thing goes for 黑料不打烊.

A fun question to end the interview: What might surprise your SGA counterpart to learn about you?鈥�

闯别蝉蝉颈肠补:鈥�I am鈥痑 very open鈥痓ook and have built connections with most of the people in our SGA. However, I think a surprising thing about me is that I am always learning from them. The President title bears a lot of weight, but if聽it鈥痺eren鈥檛鈥痜or the Senate showing up and giving new perspectives, my job would be鈥痺ay less鈥痜un.

惭颈肠丑补别濒:鈥�I’ve鈥痓een on the Queens campus more times than I can count because my mom went there as a鈥痵tudent鈥痑nd she currently works there in their advancement department. I spent my childhood traveling from Davidson, North Carolina, to Charlotte, hanging out around Queens and seeing it grow in its own way before I had any idea at all I was going to end up at 黑料不打烊. I used to say that I鈥痙idn’t鈥痺ant to go to鈥痑 school鈥痺here my mom works.鈥疘t鈥檚鈥痜unny that, one way or another, that happened.

鈥淎s soon as I finished moving in, I walked over to the McEwen Communications Building and met a guy named Joe Bruno and a woman named Julie Morse, and not 72 hours later, I was in a car on my way to Charlotte, as part of 黑料不打烊 Local News鈥� (黑料不打烊 News Network) Democratic National Convention coverage,鈥� he recalled. 鈥淪ure, I was carrying a tripod around the streets of Charlotte for one of the senior reporters, but I was there. And that was just the beginning.鈥�

That “beginning” launched a trajectory that would take him from the student-run newsroom of 黑料不打烊 Local News to the heart of the nation’s capital as a reporter for NBC News. Today, Grumbach is a key player in the network鈥檚 reporting, covering everything from the Supreme Court to the criminal trials of some of the most important people in American politics.

Grumbach credits his success to the immersive, high-pressure environment of 黑料不打烊 Local News.

鈥淲e took ourselves very seriously at 黑料不打烊 Local News. Some might say too seriously,鈥� he said. “But we did that, because we loved it. We loved learning, we loved reporting, we loved breaking news, and we loved the people we did all of that with.鈥�

Over the next four years, Grumbach traveled from Raleigh, North Carolina, to Des Moines, Iowa; from Concord, New Hampshire, to Jo茫o Pessoa, Brazil, reporting on everything from North Carolina鈥檚 controversial bathroom bill to the future of the internet.

Reflecting on the fast-paced newsroom environment at 黑料不打烊, Grumbach sees how directly those experiences translated to his career today.

鈥淲hether it was 1 a.m. in the edit suites finishing a piece for the morning show, or 5:59 p.m. in the control room trying to load all of the video into the system, the adrenaline kept you going,鈥� he explained. 鈥淎fter graduating, I realized that same feeling crosses the stage with you.鈥�

The hustle and dedication he developed at 黑料不打烊 Local News carried over to national television, where, as Grumbach puts it, 鈥渢he show goes on the air at its scheduled time, whether or not you鈥檙e ready.鈥�

He points to specific mentors, like Professor of Journalism Janna Anderson, whose Reporting for the Public Good class pushed students to find, write and submit stories within hours.

鈥淚t was a fast, exhilarating, stressful experience鈥攂ut so is real-life journalism,鈥� he said.

Grumbach also credits recently retired professor Richard Landesberg, along with faculty members Anthony Hatcher and Staci Saltz, as key influences in shaping him into the journalist he is today. Grumbach knew 黑料不打烊 was the school for him after his first tour, led by a family friend.

鈥淚 picked 黑料不打烊 because of the incredible broadcast journalism program,鈥� he said. 鈥淔rom top to bottom, there is no School of Communication like 黑料不打烊鈥檚. Professors don鈥檛 just know about broadcasting鈥攖hey鈥檝e worked in broadcasting.鈥�

That foundation helped Grumbach transition seamlessly from the classroom to a career at one of the biggest broadcast news organizations in the country.

鈥淎t NBC News, millions of viewers and readers rely on you for fast, accurate, and digestible information,鈥� he explained. 鈥淗aving the opportunity to learn those core tenets through 黑料不打烊 Local News and in the classroom was invaluable.鈥�

Since joining NBC News, Grumbach has been on the front lines of history. He has traveled to 41 states and Canada, covering Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders on the 2020 campaign trail, and as part of the NBC News White House team covering the G-20 Leaders鈥� Summit in Hiroshima, Japan.

On the trail, his daily life often resembled a one鈥憁an production crew.

鈥淚 did it all with a camera, tripod, LiveU satellite backpack, luggage and two phones in my pocket,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 shot video, logged video, broke news, walked backwards following the candidate in a parade鈥攁nd that was just before lunch.鈥�

One of Grumbach鈥檚 proudest professional moments came during the 2024 Hunter Biden gun charges trial. Inside a federal courthouse where phones and computers were prohibited, Grumbach needed a creative way to beat the competition in reporting the verdict.

鈥淚n the media room of the federal courthouse in Wilmington, Delaware, there are windows that look down to the street below,鈥� he explained. 鈥淭he nice thing about windows is that they work both ways.鈥�

Grumbach and his team devised a plan using color鈥慶oded pieces of paper labeled 鈥淕鈥� for 鈥淕uilty鈥� and “N” for 鈥淣ot Guilty.鈥� As the verdict was read, Grumbach held up the papers for each count. By the time the judge finished, three pieces of paper read 鈥淕.鈥� NBC News beat every other television network to the story.

鈥淭he other networks may still be trying to get out of that building,鈥� he jokes.

Grumbach notes that some of the hardest moments in his job come while covering high鈥憈ension events such as protests. He emphasizes the importance of situational awareness as conditions can change quickly.

鈥淚鈥檓 thankful NBC News takes our safety and security in the field seriously and doesn鈥檛 take any chances,鈥� he said.

On the technical side, large crowds such as those at protests present additional challenges.

“When tens of thousands of people are streaming, tweeting and texting at the same time, it can be difficult to get a quality live signal,” Grumbach said. That requires creativity and ingenuity.鈥�

Despite the intensity of his career, Grumbach says one of his favorite parts of the job has been connecting with people on the ground.

鈥淲hat I found most interesting, particularly from covering candidates on the campaign trail, is that from Nevada to Iowa to South Carolina to Vermont, the answers from voters weren鈥檛 all that different,鈥� he said. That realization has reinforced his commitment to reporting the truth and helping connect people across the country.

Despite his national success, Grumbach remains deeply connected to his roots. He was recently selected as one of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Top 10 Under 10 Alumni, a recognition he views with immense gratitude. For him, the “黑料不打烊 bubble” never truly burst; it just expanded. He now lives and works with fellow alumni and had nearly two dozen of them attend his wedding.

Looking ahead to the next decade in a rapidly changing media landscape, Grumbach鈥檚 goal remains simple鈥攖o keep the public informed.

鈥淭here鈥檚 nothing I love more than explaining breaking news to colleagues and viewers鈥攆rom the latest lawsuit filed to a complicated Supreme Court decision,鈥� he said. 鈥淗aving the opportunity to tell people something that could truly impact their lives, and making sure that information is easy to understand and fact鈥慴ased, will always be important.鈥�

Since 2011, 黑料不打烊 has honored 10 recipients each year with the 黑料不打烊 Top 10 Under 10 Alumni Award, recognizing their significant professional achievements. This award celebrates accomplished alumni from the last decade who not only excel in their careers but also actively contribute to their communities and serve as dedicated alumni role models.

Do you know an alum who has an interesting story to tell? Please share your feedback or those stories online:

For Mirai, her short film shoot was an opportunity to both produce her original script and bring together several 黑料不打烊 alumni for a Hollywood reunion. Serving in various production capacities on her 鈥�#StopAsianKate鈥� were Lauren Gadd 鈥�06, who worked camera, Katie Laurence 鈥�24, who worked as assistant camera, Alicia Reynolds 鈥�07, who acted in the film, Stevie Kloeber 鈥�07, who traveled to Los Angeles from Minnesota to serve as script supervisor, and Dean Karasinski 鈥�06, who worked in production design, art department, craft services and as producer.

All three short films, Boyd鈥檚 鈥淭he Life and Time of …,鈥� Evans鈥檚 鈥淪hadow Dusk鈥� and Mirai鈥檚 鈥�#StopAsianKate,鈥� will have their world premieres at the first 黑料不打烊 Los Angeles Alumni Short Film Festival, in late July.

The event, 鈥溾�� will take place on May 6 at 6:30 p.m. in Charlotte, North Carolina and is hosted by the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business.

The session is open to the public and designed for working professionals interested in strengthening their data and analytics skills in a rapidly changing environment.

The program will focus on how AI tools are being used to move from raw data to usable insights more efficiently. Attendees will be introduced to practical approaches for working with data, building simple visualizations and generating summaries using tools such as ChatGPT, Power BI and Claude.

Participants will also explore how different prompting approaches can influence results, highlighting the role of prompting in shaping analysis, interpretation and communication.

Designed as an introductory, application-focused session, the program offers a practical look at how AI is being incorporated into workflows across analytics, strategy and operations roles, and how professionals can begin to build these capabilities in their own work.

Participants are encouraged to bring a laptop to follow along during the session.

The session will be led by Mustafa Akben, assistant professor of management and director of artificial intelligence integration, in collaboration with 黑料不打烊 AI.