Hollyhock House at Barnsdall Art Park
Perched atop Olive Hill, the Hollyhock House stands as one of Frank Lloyd Wright鈥檚 most significant West Coast works and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in the early 1920s for oil heiress Aline Barnsdall, the home represents Wright鈥檚 experimentation with blending architecture and environment, what he called 鈥渙rganic architecture.鈥�

Students explored the house鈥檚 Mayan Revival influences, geometric motifs and the iconic hollyhock flower design woven throughout the structure. The site offered a powerful introduction to how Los Angeles became a testing ground for architectural innovation, especially during a time when the city was rapidly expanding and redefining itself culturally.

Downtown Los Angeles: Layers of History and Movement
Traveling via the Los Angeles Metro, students experienced the city as Angelenos do, through its evolving public transit system,聽before diving into the heart of downtown.

Union Station –聽Opened in 1939, Union Station is often called the 鈥淟ast of the Great Railway Stations.鈥� Its architecture blends Spanish Colonial Revival, Mission Revival, and Art聽Deco styles, reflecting Los Angeles鈥檚聽layered cultural identity. Inside, students observed the grandeur of its waiting rooms, tiled聽floors, and wooden beam ceilings, symbols of a bygone era when rail travel defined urban movement.

Angels Flight – Just a short walk away, Angels Flight, the world鈥檚 shortest railway, offered insight into the city鈥檚 early 20th-century infrastructure. Originally built in 1901, the funicular once transported residents up Bunker Hill, a neighborhood that has since undergone dramatic redevelopment. Its preservation speaks to ongoing efforts to maintain pieces of Los Angeles鈥� historic fabric amid modernization.

Los Angeles City Hall & Chinatown
At City Hall, students discussed civic architecture and governance, noting the building鈥檚 Art Deco style and symbolic prominence in the LA skyline. Nearby Chinatown provided a contrasting cultural lens, highlighting immigrant histories, urban displacement and the evolution of ethnic enclaves in Los Angeles.

Olvera Street
Often referred to as the birthplace of Los Angeles, Olvera Street immerses visitors in Mexican-American heritage. Students explored its marketplace, murals and historic buildings while discussing the complexities of cultural preservation versus commercialization. The site reflects both celebration and simplification of heritage, an important conversation in art and public history.

Angelus Temple & Echo Park
In Echo Park, students visited Angelus Temple, a striking example of early 20th-century religious architecture and a cornerstone of the Foursquare Church movement founded by evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson. Built in 1923, the temple reflects a blend of revivalist architecture and emerging media-savvy religious practices, as McPherson was one of the first to use radio to reach a national audience.

The surrounding Echo Park neighborhood added another layer to the visit, offering insight into how communities evolve over time. Once a streetcar suburb, Echo Park has transformed into a culturally vibrant area shaped by waves of immigration, artistic communities, and, more recently, gentrification. Together, the site and neighborhood sparked discussion on the intersection of faith, media and urban change.

The Gamble House
In Pasadena, students visited the Gamble House, a masterpiece of the American Arts and Crafts movement designed by architects Charles Sumner Greene and Henry Mather Greene in 1908. Commissioned by the Procter & Gamble family, the home emphasizes craftsmanship, natural materials, and harmony with its surroundings.

Students examined intricate woodwork, custom furnishings, and the intentional use of light and space鈥攈allmarks of the Arts and Crafts philosophy, which emerged as a reaction against industrialization. The visit provided a striking contrast to Wright鈥檚 modernism, allowing students to compare different architectural responses to similar cultural shifts.

Looking ahead: Final excursions
As the semester continues, students will expand their exploration of聽the city鈥檚聽artistic and architectural landscape with one final site visit.
The course will conclude with a visit to the Walt Disney Concert Hall, designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry. Celebrated for its sweeping stainless-steel forms and innovative acoustics, the building stands as a defining example of contemporary architecture in Los Angeles. Here, students will consider how modern design continues to push artistic and structural boundaries while shaping the city鈥檚 global cultural identity.

These excursions bring course themes to life, allowing students to critically engage with Los Angeles as a living museum. From early 20th-century architectural movements to the layered cultural histories embedded in downtown neighborhoods and beyond, each site offers a unique perspective on how art and environment shape one another.

By navigating the city firsthand, students not only deepen their understanding of art history but also develop a stronger connection to LA itself鈥攊ts stories, its communities and its ever-evolving identity.

The immersive Study USA Los Angeles semester and summer experiences offer students opportunities for alumni engagement, community service, unique academic classes with industry professionals and site-based experiential learning. .

The two-day experience is designed to connect alumni working across the commercial real estate industry with students preparing to enter the field, creating space for insight, mentorship and conversation around how the industry is evolving.

The Summit begins Thursday, April 16, from 7 to 9 p.m. with a Kick-Off Reception at Hi-Wire Brewery. Programming continues Friday, April 17, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the 黑料不打烊 Charlotte Center, located at 330 W. Tremont Ave., with a keynote from Nicole Young, managing director and head of CRE portfolio management at Wells Fargo.

Throughout the day, attendees will engage in alumni speed networking and interactive discussions exploring key areas shaping the industry, including capital markets, development, asset management and major property sectors, along with broader trends across multifamily, industrial, office and retail markets. The day also includes opportunities for students to connect directly with alumni and gain perspective on navigating real estate careers across changing market cycles.

The Summit concludes with an applied AI workshop led by Assistant Professor of Finance Thibaut Morillon, highlighting how machine learning and generative AI are being used in real estate analysis, underwriting and day-to-day workflows.

The event, 鈥淐harlotte鈥檚 Next Competitive Edge: Decision Intelligence,鈥� will take place on April 15 at 6 p.m. at 330 W. Tremont Ave in Charlotte, North Carolina and is sponsored by the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business鈥� MSBA Flex program in Charlotte.

The conversation will focus on how AI is moving analytics from insight to action, and how organizations are adapting in response. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of how AI is being used in practice, how roles and workflows are evolving, and what skills are becoming more important in a rapidly changing landscape.

Panelists include:

• Su Dong, associate professor of management information systems
• April Frazer ’03, CFO for Corporate and Investment Banking at Wells Fargo
• Eric Fender, enterprise transformation executive at Truist
• Danielle Nashold ’04, enterprise data, AI and data science technology strategy at Bank of America
• Derek Gould ’14, chief growth officer at Home Solutions

Designed as a candid and grounded conversation, the panel will highlight real-world examples, emerging challenges and the tradeoffs organizations are navigating as they integrate AI into decision making.

The program will include moderated discussion segments on analytics and judgment, organizational change and workforce readiness, followed by an audience Q and A.

This year鈥檚 group is the largest in the program鈥檚 history. 黑料不打烊 doubled the size of its physician assistant class from 38 to 76 students, growing its capacity to prepare clinicians for communities across North Carolina and the Southeast.

The expansion reflects a broader transformation in graduate eduction underway at 黑料不打烊. From classrooms on the main campus in Alamance County to new opportunities in Charlotte, graduate education is evolving with intention and purpose.

Guided by the Boldly 黑料不打烊 Strategic Plan, university leaders are investing in
programs where student interest intersects with societal need 鈥� strengthening health sciences, business, counseling and legal education while positioning 黑料不打烊 to serve both emerging professionals and working adults seeking new pathways.

That growth builds on more than 40 years of momentum. 黑料不打烊 launched its Master of Business Administration in 1984, followed by a Master of Education in 1986. Graduate offerings expanded into the health sciences with a Master of Physical Therapy program in 1997, which became a Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2003. The university established its School of Law in downtown Greensboro in 2006. Today, that trajectory continues with strategic expansion in fields
experiencing high demand.

鈥淧ursuing growth now allows us to serve regional needs while also staying true to our tradition of innovation and student-centered academic excellence,鈥� says Allie Duffney, dean of graduate admissions.

A Changing Landscape

黑料不打烊鈥檚 growth reflects broader shifts across higher education.

鈥淲e鈥檙e seeing a decline in the traditional college-age population, so expanding strong graduate programs allows 黑料不打烊 to serve new learners while staying centered on our undergraduate mission,鈥� says Rebecca Kohn, provost and vice president of academic affairs.

According to the Council of Graduate Schools, applications and enrollment in health professions, counseling, data science and business analytics programs remain strong in recent years. 鈥淗ealth care, law and behavioral health professions are facing sustained shortages across North Carolina and the Southeast,鈥� Duffney says.

Several graduate programs are expanding to 黑料不打烊鈥檚 National Campus in Charlotte, where students can learn, intern and network alongside major health systems, corporations, nonprofits and courts in a major metropolitan area.

鈥淕rowth in Charlotte allows 黑料不打烊 to design graduate education aligned with workforce needs and to support interprofessional collaboration and community partnerships,鈥� says Veronica Marciano, associate professor, founding chair and program director of physician assistant studies in Charlotte. 鈥淚t creates space to innovate across disciplines and opportunities for involvement in system expansion and workforce development.鈥�

Recent and planned expansions include increasing the cohort size in the PA program on main campus; launching a second PA program, a full-time law program and Master of Science in Business Analytics Flex Program in Charlotte; introducing a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program; and expanding graduate certificates designed for working professionals.

A Critical Call for Health Care

In response to nationwide demand for physician assistants, 黑料不打烊 expanded its cohort size from 38 to 76 students in January. The program remains committed to engaged learning, hands-on clinical practice, close faculty mentorship and access to diverse, high-quality rotation sites.

黑料不打烊 plans to matriculate an inaugural PA class on the Charlotte campus in January 2027, pending accreditation-provisional review by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).

鈥淓stablishing a PA program rooted in Charlotte directly supports workforce needs by preparing highly trained clinicians who understand the local health care landscape and are invested in serving this community,鈥� Marciano says. 鈥淥ur goal is not only to educate excellent clinicians, but to meaningfully support and strengthen the health care ecosystem in Charlotte.鈥�

That responsiveness also shaped the Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, which plans to welcome its first cohort in fall 2026 on 黑料不打烊鈥檚 main and Charlotte campuses.

鈥淢ental health care is no longer optional; it is essential,鈥� says Judy Folmar, interim program director and chair of the clinical mental health counseling program. 鈥淐ommunities across North Carolina and the nation are facing rising rates of anxiety, depression, trauma and substance use while the supply of licensed counselors has not kept pace.鈥�

Delivered in a 21-month accelerated hybrid format, the 60-credit program is designed to equip graduates for licensure while combining academic preparation with extensive clinical experience.

鈥淭he growth of graduate education at 黑料不打烊 reflects both institutional momentum and a commitment to workforce relevance,鈥� Folmar says. 鈥淲hat excites us most is the alignment between 黑料不打烊鈥檚 engaged-learning ethos and the preparation of advanced practitioners.鈥�

Skills for a Changing Economy

As organizations accelerate digital transformation and integrate artificial intelligence technologies, demand continues to rise for professionals who can translate data into strategic action.

鈥淥rganizations are undergoing rapid digital transformation and increasingly rely on data and AI to make faster, higher-stakes decisions,鈥� says Mark Kurt, associate dean for the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business. 鈥淭he MSBA Flex Program in Charlotte equips working professionals with applied analytics and AI skills plus the leadership and ethical frameworks needed to translate data into responsible, measurable business outcomes 鈥� without pausing their careers.鈥�

Built on the same STEM-certified core as 黑料不打烊鈥檚 full-time MSBA, the flex format is designed for working professionals and emphasizes AI-informed entrepreneurship.

Pursuing growth now allows us to serve regional needs while also staying true to our tradition of innovation and student-centered academic excellence.聽鈥斅燗llie Duffney, dean of
graduate admissions

鈥淔aculty and leadership are actively refining the curriculum, building stronger employer partnerships and adapting quickly to changes in the business and analytics landscape,鈥� says 黑料不打烊 alum Craig Brandstetter 鈥�25 g鈥�25. 鈥淭hat flexibility and openness to feedback mean the program can stay relevant and cutting-edge, rather than being locked into outdated structures.鈥�

Alongside degree programs, 黑料不打烊 is also expanding stackable graduate certificates designed for working professionals. Certificates in health care analytics and operations excellence can serve as stand-alone credentials or pathways toward an MBA or MSBA.

The Office of Continuing and Professional Studies recently launched its second cohort of an AI certificate for professionals, delivered fully online to provide practical AI fluency grounded in ethical application.

Expanding Access to Legal Education

黑料不打烊 Law has built a national reputation for experiential, practice-ready legal education. In 2024 the law school expanded its presence in Charlotte through the part-time Flex Program for working professionals and place-bound students seeking an in-person J.D. in North Carolina鈥檚 largest city.

That program quickly gained momentum, reflecting strong regional demand and 黑料不打烊 Law鈥檚 established ties to the Queen City, where nearly 10% of its alumni live and work. 黑料不打烊 has applied to the American Bar Association to begin a full-time law program in Charlotte in fall 2027.

鈥淲e already have strong relationships there through our programs and alumni,鈥� says Zak Kramer, dean of the School of Law. 鈥淭he legal community鈥檚 embrace of our Flex Program students confirmed that. A full-time program will allow our graduates to learn alongside Charlotte lawyers, build networks and launch careers there.鈥�

Together, Greensboro and Charlotte position 黑料不打烊鈥檚 School of Law as a statewide presence while maintaining the relationship-rich model that defines the institution.

Looking Ahead

As higher education evolves, graduate education is becoming an increasingly important part of the university鈥檚 future.

鈥淭he heart of 黑料不打烊 will always be our undergraduate liberal arts education,鈥� Kohn says, 鈥渂ut we are strengthening and growing our graduate programs to meet changing societal and workforce needs.鈥�

From Alamance County to Charlotte and beyond, 黑料不打烊 is expanding opportunities for graduate students to learn alongside health systems, businesses and legal institutions across the region. Those programs are preparing the next generation of physician assistants, counselors, analysts and attorneys to serve the communities that need them most.

In December, as Anderson presented the agency鈥檚 Gold Bear Award 鈥� a peer-driven recognition celebrating employees who best represent the company鈥檚 culture and values 鈥� he lauded Young鈥檚 willingness to take on 鈥渕assive responsibilities,鈥� commending her ability to 鈥渆ffortlessly power through high-pressure projects.鈥�

鈥淪he’s the person everyone turns to for answers and support, uplifting every team she touches and quietly cleaning up problems that aren’t even hers to solve,鈥� Anderson told audience members.

As he concluded and Young鈥檚 name flashed across the massive screen behind him, the room erupted in applause 鈥� a moment captured in a video Young shared on her LinkedIn page.

The award capped off a standout year for Young, who serves as an assistant producer at TBWA\Media Arts Lab, the global network of agencies responsible for one of the world鈥檚 most iconic brands, Apple. Her year included work on major Apple-related projects such as the Mac for Students campaign, the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), Dua Lipa鈥檚 鈥淪hot on iPhone鈥� tour and Apple TV rebranding efforts.

Reflecting on that work, Young said the experience has been both challenging and rewarding.

鈥淚 am so incredibly grateful for these experiences and the amazing, incredibly talented teams behind them,鈥� she said, noting how meaningful it was to be part of such high-profile, creatively ambitious work.

Young鈥檚 path to TBWA\Media Arts Lab began at 黑料不打烊, where a DEI in Hollywood class helped shape her professional direction. Encouraged by former 黑料不打烊 faculty members J. McMerty and Rachel Ramist, she applied for and landed an internship with the Television Academy. That experience, along with her participation in the 黑料不打烊 in LA program, led her to move to Los Angeles after graduation. Once on the West Coast, she first worked as a personal assistant, then as a production coordinator at a social media marketing company.

As Young began thinking about her next step, a recruiter from TBWA\Media Arts Lab contacted her about a production coordinator role in the agency鈥檚 broadcast production department. During interviews, she learned that her internships 鈥� especially with the Television Academy and RadicalMedia 鈥� helped her stand out. She was offered the position and later moved into her current role, where she supports lead producers to ensure projects run smoothly from start to finish.

As part of her work, Young organizes security plans, tracks creative assets, coordinates meetings with production companies, and supports communication among producers in editorial, finishing and mix. Her goal, she said, is to make sure every project has what it needs to succeed.

Working at a global creative agency has reshaped how Young views storytelling. She said she was surprised by how much care goes into even the shortest pieces of content. Creative teams analyze work frame by frame, fixing even the smallest details before releasing it into the world. Seeing that process firsthand has made her more aware of the thought, precision and responsibility behind creative work.

When she learned she had received the Gold Bear Award, Young said she felt grateful more than anything else. 鈥淚 consider myself lucky to work with the teams I have,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he whole production team is a bunch of rockstars, not to mention our creative department and account teams. To be recognized by them makes me feel like I am doing something right.鈥�

As she reflects on her journey from 黑料不打烊 to one of the world鈥檚 most influential creative agencies, Young emphasizes the importance of attitude, effort and openness to opportunity. Her advice to current 黑料不打烊 students is simple: say yes often and show that you are willing to work. Some of the best projects, she said, come from teams who are fully committed to making something great 鈥� and who bring a positive attitude, even when things get stressful.

鈥淲hat I鈥檝e found in internships and entry-level roles is that folks who show that they are passionate and team-oriented seem to do well,鈥� Young said. 鈥淲hen I first started at MAL, the people who stood out to me, who had clearly left their mark on the agency, were those who were team players, focused on supporting others and achieving the best final result.鈥�

In the past week, administrators and staff from Queens traveled to 黑料不打烊 for a day of meetings and tours, the integration team members from both organizations met on the 黑料不打烊 campus, and admissions leaders welcomed counselors from across the country for a joint fly-in experience that included both campuses.

At the same time, excitement around Queens鈥� first Division I NCAA Men鈥檚 Basketball Tournament appearance has drawn national attention and engagement from students, alumni and fans, with media focus on the historic run of success by members of the Royals men鈥檚 basketball team in its first year of eligibility.

Together, these moments reflect steady progress as both institutions continue building relationships, sharing information and preparing for a combined future.

Daylong Visit Strengthens Campus Connections

Administrators and staff from Queens, representing a dozen offices and divisions, made day trips to 黑料不打烊 on March 18 and 19 for presentations, lunches and one-on-one conversations with their counterparts.

For the March 18 visit, the Queens team was comprised primarily of staff who had not yet visited the 黑料不打烊 campus. The group arrived mid-morning by bus and began with a welcome in the Great Hall of Sato Commons. An admissions presentation offered an overview of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 student experience before guests departed for guided campus tours.

The group reconvened at noon for lunch in the McEwen Dining Engagement Space, where conversations focused on shared priorities and institutional strengths. Afternoon meetings with 黑料不打烊 colleagues provided time for more focused discussion across divisions.

Queens Staff Reflections on Their Visit to 黑料不打烊

• 鈥淢y visit to 黑料不打烊 was truly inspiring. There鈥檚 a clear, shared passion for student success there that mirrors our own at Queens. I鈥檓 excited to see how our collaborative efforts will drive exceptional outcomes for our students.鈥�
  Angela Tsuei-Strause
  Executive Director, Vandiver Center for Career Development
• 鈥淪eeing the beautiful campus and hearing the story of success was not the best part of the visit – the best part was meeting my new colleagues in Accounting, Payroll and Purchasing. 黑料不打烊 and Queens have so much in common and after visiting today my head is full of ideas about how staff at each campus can support each other to meet the challenges facing higher education.鈥�
  Donald F. Barton
  Controller, Finance Office
• 鈥淭his visit affirmed that the future of higher education is strongest when collaboration leads, grounded in shared innovation, renewed efficiency, and a deep commitment to the health and well-being of the whole person in a globally connected community.鈥�
  Kristin Toki膰
  Assistant Director for International Student Services
  Myrta Pulliam Center for International Education

A Counselor Fly-In to 黑料不打烊 and Queens

黑料不打烊 hosted high school and independent counselors from across the United States in an annual program intended to broaden knowledge and awareness of the university鈥檚 unique academic attributes and its brand promise for students and families.

In addition to presentations by academic leaders and tours of campus facilities, this year鈥檚 experience included a visit to Queens for nearly two dozen counselors who work with students to identify which colleges are right for them.

Evan Sprinkle, 黑料不打烊’s dean of undergraduate admissions, said that expanding the counselor program to include a visit to Queens was only natural given the interest families have expressed in the planned merger.

鈥淎 lot of people are curious,鈥� Sprinkle said. 鈥淭here are questions we鈥檝e received since it was announced and it only made sense to include Queens on an expanded itinerary. When we complete our merger, there will be lots of opportunities on both campuses that might encourage counselors to send applicants our way.鈥�

Counselor Reflections on Their Fly-In Experience

• 鈥淭his visit is important to understand the merger and to get a sense of what both campuses feel like and what it will look like as they come together. It always helps to be in a place, look people in the eye and ask them questions. I鈥檓 excited to have a chance to see the Queens campus up close again. I’ve been there before, and I have students who are there. And my early impressions of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 campus are that it is amazing. The community is big, but also very caring, and you can see there has been a lot of investment in facilities.鈥�
  Jessica Hardy
  Director of College Counseling
  Charleston Collegiate School 鈥� Johns Island, South Carolina
• 鈥淚t鈥檚 valuable to get your feet on the ground and see what鈥檚 actually happening on campus. It gives you the chance to understand the school so you can share it accurately with students. One thing that really surprised me was how many specialized programs are available in communications, nursing and other majors, and that students can pursue a lot of different interests here. And we鈥檝e heard about the (黑料不打烊-Queens merger) but we wanted to understand what it will look like and what it means for students. Getting that level of detail has been helpful.鈥�
  Marissa Margosian
  Associate Director of College Counseling
  Severn School 鈥� Severna Park, Maryland

Celebrating Selection Sunday in Style

Not even the rain could dampen the enthusiasm at Queens on March 15 when a crowd of more than 1,000 students and fans packed Curry Arena for an NCAA Men鈥檚 Basketball Selection Sunday Celebration.

Dressed in navy and gold, supporters of all ages shared in the electric energy, enjoying food and refreshments while waiting for CBS to reveal the bracket on a massive 23-foot screen.

The crowd erupted in cheers when it was announced that the No.15 seed Queens Royals would face No. 2 seed Purdue University Boilermakers in the first round of the West region of the NCAA Tournament. The game will take place Friday, March 20, at 7:35 p.m. ET at Enterprise Center in Saint Louis.

Students are invited to the Trexler Student Center for an on-campus viewing party featuring food, games and prizes. For alumni and fans across the country, the action will be broadcast live on truTV.

Additionally, official have been organized in Charlotte, Raleigh, Atlanta, Charleston, Washington D.C., and New York City to ensure that Royals fans can cheer together from coast to coast.

For the latest information regarding Queens鈥� historic NCAA bid, visit

This new, customized workshop also presented an opportunity for 黑料不打烊 LA students to learn from and share the creative process with a group of students from other study-away LA colleges and universities, who, along with 黑料不打烊 Los Angeles, are members of a coalition of nearly 20 schools that offer semester-in-LA programs. Each semester, 黑料不打烊 LA and these other schools share professional development opportunities for students, allowing them to mix, mingle, network and learn together.

Each semester, 黑料不打烊 students explore and discover Los Angeles and the diversity of professional career opportunities that await them through academic classes with professors who work in the industries that align with their courses, immersive, site-based experiential learning, alumni engagement and community service.

Applications for the Study USA Los Angeles spring 2027 Creative Industries & Community Experience open on April 1. Students can visit the聽 to learn more and to begin the application process.

Associate Dean of Global Education, Jessica Gisclair, said Study USA focuses on experiences that connect students to place.

“The LA theme explores a dynamic city and the vibrant creative industries that shape community,” said Gisclair.

The theme is especially relevant as Los Angeles prepares to host the 2028 Summer Olympics.

鈥淪tudents will have professional opportunities and build an understanding of the LA community and its preparation leading up to the Olympics,鈥� Gisclair added.

The aim is to help students see how storytelling, media, and the arts influence industries, environments, and culture in one of the world鈥檚 top media and entertainment centers, especially in the context of a global event like the Summer Olympics.

The LA program will offer a range of location-based courses taught by industry professionals in Los Angeles that reflect the theme, including COM 4000: Media Law and Ethics, CTA 3670: Master Class in Directing, ARH 3000: Los Angeles Art History, and COM 3350: Sport and Media, a course introduced in connection with the upcoming Olympic Games.

Study USA is a signature domestic away program that provides immersive academic experiences in cities across the United States. The program enables students to explore various industries, cultures, and communities while interning and earning academic credit. Its strength lies in students living and learning together while taking location-based courses and engaging with professionals, alums, and organizations connected to 黑料不打烊.

The Study USA team will be on campus to share information, assist with the application process, and help students determine if the LA experience aligns with their academic and career goals. Study USA team members are also available to visit classes and introduce Study USA LA: The Creative Industries and Community Experience. Students interested in pursuing careers in the creative economy will find a new opportunity in LA.

Applications for 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Study USA LA Spring 2027 program open on April 1. Visit the website to learn more and begin your application.

The gathering, held at The Belmont in West Hollywood, brought together an enthusiastic group of alumni, many of whom had participated in the 黑料不打烊 LA semester experience during their 黑料不打烊 academic journeys.

Current students shared internship and academic class experiences with their new 黑料不打烊 connections. Many took advantage of the opportunity to request meetings later this semester with individual alumni as a part of the 黑料不打烊 Los Angeles 鈥淐offee with an Alumnus鈥� program.

The immersive Study USA Los Angeles semester and summer experiences offer students opportunities for alumni engagement, community service, unique academic classes with industry professionals, and site-based experiential learning.聽 for Spring 2027 open April 1.

Reaffirming the university鈥檚 community impact, Cureton noted that Queens鈥櫬爊early 170-year聽history has positioned it as聽an important resource聽for the Queen City,聽supplying the skilled talent needed to fuel rapidly growing industries like healthcare,聽finance聽and tech.

Following Cureton鈥檚 remarks,聽Co-chair聽of the SOAR Strategic Planning Committee and聽McColl School of Business Dean Denise Rotondo moderated a dynamic discussion with a panel of Charlotte鈥檚 top business leaders. The conversation featured strategic insights from Reggie Willis (Ally Financial), Vonda Huss (Brighthouse Financial), Margi聽Vagell聽(Lowe鈥檚), and聽Kinneil聽Coltman (Advocate Health/Atrium), focusing on the evolving needs of the regional workforce and how the 黑料不打烊聽|聽Queens merger can continue to cultivate a stronger talent pipeline for the region.

The panel聽showcased聽the strategic corporate relationships Queens has cultivated with the city, specifically highlighting the Charlotte Talent Initiative (CTI). Through unique partnerships with Ally Financial and Lowe鈥檚, this cohort-based program drives economic mobility by providing diverse students from the community with full educational funding and comprehensive professional development 鈥� including specialized coursework, internships, and executive mentorship.

During the session, panelists drew on their career experiences to share “lessons learned” from navigating complex corporate mergers and structural shifts. Highlighting a local success story, Huss detailed her firsthand experience collaborating with the McColl School鈥檚 Center for Leadership and Executive Education (CLEE). As a dedicated hub for professional growth, CLEE expands Queens鈥� footprint in the graduate and executive sectors by providing high-impact, practitioner-led leadership development designed for today鈥檚 evolving business environment.

Sourcing local talent is a plus for聽Vagell, executive vice president of supply chain and integrated resource planning at Lowes. She emphasized the importance of being able to 鈥渓ean into our own community when it came to education鈥� and stressed a desire to 鈥渒eep the talent local, and at the same time partner with academic excellence.鈥�

The panel discussion ended by highlighting the “Queens connection” that permeates Charlotte鈥檚 executive ranks. Willis shared a unique personal tie, noting that both he and his father are alumni of the McColl Executive MBA Program. Underscoring the university鈥檚 workforce presence, he shared that more than 50 of his colleagues at Ally Financial are Queens graduates or have completed various certifications through the university.

After the panel, members of the SOAR Strategic Planning Committee and the Integration Team broke into planning workshops followed by lunch聽in聽McInnes Parlors in Queens Hall. After lunch, work sessions continued with a report-out of the day鈥檚 accomplishments.

As the merger progresses toward regulatory approval, including聽submission聽for accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), several core themes have聽emerged聽to guide the path forward. These include a commitment to collaborative decision-making and a continued dedication to creating strong academic offerings designed to respond to the evolving needs of the region鈥檚 professional community.

The strategic and integration teams are continuing to meet weekly, with more in-person visits planned for the spring.