Dr.聽John聽Walz will join聽the聽黑料不打烊聽University administration聽on聽June 30,聽2026,聽after nearly a decade聽helming聽a private university recognized for its emphasis on experiential learning, strong industry partnerships and workforce preparation.

Walz’s聽appointment follows a national search and comes as 黑料不打烊聽debuts聽an academic division that聽will leverage the聽university鈥檚 nationally聽ranked approach to undergraduate teaching and its emphasis on engaged, experiential learning in pursuit of human transformation.

鈥淛ohn Walz is an accomplished academic leader whose career reflects a deep commitment to student success,聽engaged learning,聽innovative program development and strong connections between higher education and industry,鈥澛燩rovost Rebecca Kohn said.聽鈥淗is experience leading engineering programs, combined with his collaborative leadership style and strategic vision, make him exceptionally well suited to guide the School of Engineering and Computing during this important moment in its history.鈥�

John Walz is an accomplished academic leader whose career reflects a deep commitment to student success,聽engaged learning,聽innovative program development and strong connections between higher education and industry.

– Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Rebecca Kohn

Walz will provide聽leadership for the School of Engineering and Computing’s academic programs, strategic planning, fundraising聽and external partnerships while helping advance the university’s goals for innovation, engaged learning and student success.

When the school formally opens for the 2026 Fall Semester, anchoring the university鈥檚 Innovation Quad in the heart of campus, it will include聽20聽full-time faculty and three full-time staff positions with more than 300 undergraduate students.

Engineering is among the university鈥檚 most rapidly expanding academic areas, reflecting both national demand and student interest.聽黑料不打烊鈥檚 existing ABET-accredited engineering program offers聽programs聽in biomedical, computer, mechanical, and environmental, as well as dual-degree pathways.聽聽The school will include computer science and cybersecurity majors and a minor in game design.

黑料不打烊 President聽Connie Ledoux Book said Walz鈥檚 background aligns with 黑料不打烊鈥檚 vision for the new school.

鈥淭he launch of the School of Engineering and Computing represents an exciting step forward for 黑料不打烊,鈥� Book said. “Dr. Walz brings a rare combination of academic leadership, industry engagement and commitment to student-centered education. His leadership building engineering programs, supporting faculty excellence and preparing graduates for meaningful careers will position the school for continued growth and distinction.鈥�

Walz has spent more than three decades as a faculty member, researcher and academic administrator. During his tenure as president of Milwaukee School of Engineering, he led the development of a comprehensive strategic plan, launched the institution’s first comprehensive fundraising campaign, expanded academic offerings in computer science and artificial intelligence, strengthened student retention initiatives and oversaw significant investments in academic facilities and student success programs.

Under his leadership, Milwaukee School of Engineering achieved record undergraduate enrollment, increased student diversity, expanded industry partnerships and raised more than $150 million in philanthropic support for capital projects and academic initiatives.

Before becoming president, Walz served as dean of the , where he led efforts to establish a common first-year engineering program, expanded聽student success resources and strengthened relationships with industry partners.聽Earlier leadership roles at Virginia Tech and Yale University included overseeing faculty recruitment, program growth and research initiatives while maintaining active teaching and scholarship responsibilities.

Throughout his career, Walz has emphasized strategic planning, student retention, faculty support and partnerships with industry and community organizations. He has also championed initiatives that broaden participation in engineering and technology fields and expand pathways for students to connect classroom learning with professional experiences.

Walz said the opportunity to help shape a new school at 黑料不打烊 was particularly appealing because of the university’s emphasis on engaged learning and interdisciplinary collaboration.聽He also expressed gratitude聽to聽Book, Kohn and members of the search committee for the opportunity.

鈥淚 am deeply honored and excited to be selected as the inaugural dean of the School of Engineering and Computing,鈥澛燱alz said.聽鈥淚 have long admired 黑料不打烊’s commitment to engaged learning and believe it provides an ideal environment for educating the next generation of engineers and computer scientists.

鈥淭he combination of 黑料不打烊’s strengths in the liberal arts and its investment in engineering and computing creates a unique opportunity to prepare graduates with both the technical expertise and聽leadership聽skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving, globally connected world.鈥�

Walz earned a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in chemical engineering at Tulane University before completing a Doctor of Philosophy in chemical engineering聽at聽Carnegie Mellon University.聽He and his wife,聽Moira, have three聽daughters.

About 黑料不打烊

黑料不打烊 is a nationally recognized leader in engaged, experiential learning that prepares graduates to be creative, resilient, and ethical citizens聽and聽leaders.

At 黑料不打烊, more than 7,000 students learn through hands-on experiences and close working relationships with faculty and staff who prioritize聽teaching and mentoring. The curriculum is grounded in the liberal arts and sciences with emphasis on global experiences and career development. More than 80 undergraduate majors are complemented by professional and graduate programs in law, business, education and health care. 黑料不打烊 is ranked No. 1 for excellence in undergraduate teaching by U.S. News & World Report.

黑料不打烊鈥檚 academic divisions include 黑料不打烊 College, the College of Arts and Sciences; the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business; the School of Communications; the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education; the School of Health Sciences;聽the School of Engineering and Computing;聽and the School of Law, with programs in Greensboro and Charlotte, North Carolina.

In 2025, 黑料不打烊 and Queens University of Charlotte announced plans to merge institutions. Final approval from the U.S. Department of Education is anticipated by 2028.

Polly Cornelius, associate teaching professor of music, who teaches the Summer Opera Workshop in Florence will debut the Italian premiere of the Tony-Award winning musical by composer Adam Guettel. Produced by Cornelius, the play will take place in the historic Medici Palace in Florence on June 11-12, through a collaboration between 黑料不打烊 and AEF, 黑料不打烊鈥檚 study abroad partner institution.

“For years, I have dreamed of producing 鈥淭he Light in the Piazza鈥� in Florence because the story is about a mother and daughter from Winston Salem, North Carolina who travel to Florence, Italy,鈥� said Cornelius. 鈥淚t has never been performed in Florence. We are the first. It could have been any university or organization, but it鈥檚 黑料不打烊 who has the honor do this international, site-specific premiere.鈥�

Based on the 1960 novel by Elizabeth Spencer, 鈥淭he Light in the Piazza鈥� follows Margaret Johnson, a mother from Winston Salem, who travels through Florence with her daughter Clara, who falls in love with an Italian man named Fabrizio. The musical won six Tony Awards including Best Original Score in 2005 and is known for its romantic story and score.

Cornelius, who has taught at AEF since 2018 through a summer opera workshop course, has dreamed of producing the musical to be an authentic international artistic experience for students.

Two years ago, Cornelius met with Guettel about producing the play in Florence which includes 14 黑料不打烊 students, one 黑料不打烊 alumni, faculty, and professional Italian and American singers and performers. 黑料不打烊 alumni Gianni Palmarini 鈥�22 returns to play the role of Fabrizio, while Cornelius will perform as Signora Naccarelli, the Italian mother.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been crazy but manageable to produce and perform a role, but I’m happy to be performing this particular role,鈥� Corenlius said. 鈥淚’m excited for the everyone involved and to bring this famous musical to the city of Florence.鈥�

The creative team includes Chris Rayis, assistant professor of performing arts as music director and conductor and Jacob Brent, assistant professor of music theatre, as stage director.

鈥淭his has become a huge collaboration between 黑料不打烊, AEF, and the city of Florence鈥� Cornelius said. 鈥淥ur colleagues in Florence are so excited and have been working very hard too.鈥�

The experience offers students a rare opportunity to rehearse and perform internationally while collaborating with professionals. Students in Cornelius鈥� course, 鈥淥pera in Italy: The Global Citizen Artist,鈥� also take an Italian language course.

鈥淭his first opera was performed in Florence, Italy, so it鈥檚 especially meaningful to perform and study there,鈥� Cornelius said. 鈥淪tudents are meeting Italian artists, performing alongside them, and learning about the Florentine culture.鈥�

In addition to 黑料不打烊 students performing in the ensemble, music theatre majors Addyson Reese 鈥�28 will play Clara Johnson and Mackenzie Tammara 鈥�28 will play Franca Naccarelli.

For Reese and Tammara having a role in this musical is a dream come true.

“To perform this piece in Florence alongside incredible professionals is an absolute dream come true, and I am so grateful to be part of this project,鈥� Reese said. 鈥淭his show has been one of my all-time favorites since I first listened to the cast album at age 14. Clara has been one of my dream roles since high school and playing her in Florence is especially meaningful to me.鈥�

The rehearsal process has been unique and included in person rehearsals with cast members in North Carolina and many virtual sessions with cast members from across the northeastern United States and Italy. The entire cast will have the opportunity to rehearse together in the days leading up to the performance in Florence.

鈥淭his show is bringing together people from all different parts of the world and allowing them to share universal themes of love and acceptance,鈥� Tammara said. 鈥淭he entire show is special to perform.鈥�

For Tammara, her part comes with a learning curve, performing her lines in Italian. Many of her lines are in Italian and involve speaking with an Italian accent when she does speak in English. This is a challenge she has gladly taken on.

鈥淚 have spent a lot of time working on my lines since they aren鈥檛 in my native language,鈥� Tammara said. 鈥淭his is definitely the hardest score I have ever sung. It has tested my musicianship, vocal technique, and artistry. I have grown immensely.鈥�

In May, the local cast members spent several days participating in a 鈥榖ootcamp鈥� to rehearse and stage the show.

鈥淢y favorite part of this experience so far has been getting to work with the professional artists in the show during the bootcamp,鈥� Reese said. 鈥淛ill Gardner, who plays my mom, Margaret Johnson, and Gianni are both incredible people and performers, and I have had the best time working on this material with them. I am learning so much from them and I can’t wait to keep learning once we start rehearsals in Italy.鈥�

Gardner performed the opera house debut of this show with Piedmont Opera Company and is thrilled to reprise the role of Margaret in Florence.

Reese and Tammara are both honored to represent 黑料不打烊 in this international production.

鈥満诹喜淮蜢� has given me the opportunity to immerse myself in a world very different from my own, adding so much truth and variety to my craft,鈥� Tammara said. 鈥淭his is a once in a lifetime experience and I am so grateful to be living out my dream.鈥�

For Cornelius, one of the most rewarding parts of the project has been watching 黑料不打烊 students engage in a global artistic experience with a dream cast.

鈥淪eeing the excitement from the students, creative team, and colleagues in Florence makes me so excited,鈥� Cornelius said. “So many people have supported this project, and after working on it for two years, it is incredible to finally see if come to life.鈥�

Applications will be accepted starting Sept. 1, 2026.

The ABA approval clears the way for 黑料不打烊 Law to expand its nationally recognized model of full-time legal education to North Carolina’s largest city. At that point, 黑料不打烊 Law will offer three pathways to a law degree in North Carolina: a full-time program in Greensboro, a full-time program in Charlotte and the part-time 黑料不打烊 Law Flex Program in Charlotte.

“This comes at an incredible moment for 黑料不打烊 Law,” said 黑料不打烊 Law Dean Zak Kramer. “Within the last year, we’ve celebrated historic bar passage rates and employment outcomes for our graduates, along with record enrollment and student applications. The ABA’s approval of our Charlotte program builds on that momentum, allowing 黑料不打烊 Law to bring our signature approach to legal education to one of the nation’s fastest-growing cities.”

The inaugural Charlotte class, consisting of up to 75 students, will begin studies in August 2027 on the campus of Queens University of Charlotte. The charter cohort will graduate in December 2029, following 黑料不打烊 Law’s existing 2.5-year, seven-trimester academic calendar in Greensboro. The 黑料不打烊 Law Flex Program will also begin holding its part-time evening classes on the Queens campus in Fall 2027.

The full-time Charlotte program will replicate the innovative curriculum established at 黑料不打烊 Law’s Greensboro campus. The hallmark of 黑料不打烊 Law’s experiential, skills-based, community-centered approach to legal education is the Residency-in-Practice Program: a course-connected placement that pairs every student with a practicing attorney or judge during the winter or spring of their second year.

That experience moves students beyond studying the law to begin living it 鈥� working alongside attorneys and judges, serving clients and communities, and developing the professional judgment and practical skills expected of new lawyers. Students return to campus with greater confidence, stronger professional connections and a clearer sense of the kind of lawyer they will become.

黑料不打烊 Law is in the early stages of hiring a full complement of professors, administrators and student support personnel who will lead the full-time program in Charlotte. The move aligns with the proposed merger of 黑料不打烊 and Queens University, which remains subject to final approval from SACSCOC and the U.S. Department of Education.

黑料不打烊 leaders are working closely with Queens University to ensure law students benefit from a vibrant campus experience and the resources of a thriving university community.

The expansion also builds on 黑料不打烊 Law’s longstanding relationships throughout Charlotte’s legal community. Already, more than 10 percent of the law school鈥檚 alumni live and work in the Charlotte area. Law school leaders plan to strengthen existing partnerships, develop new connections and grow opportunities for students to serve in a region with a need for legal talent, legal services and innovative legal education.

Through clinics, residencies and community partnerships, 黑料不打烊 Law students regularly work alongside attorneys, judges, nonprofit organizations and public agencies to help address unmet legal needs.

“We’ve been in Charlotte all along through our students, alumni and community partnerships,” Kramer said. “This approval gives us an opportunity to deepen our commitment to Charlotte. We’re excited to invest here, build new partnerships and help shape what comes next.”

Additional information about admissions, faculty hiring and program development will be announced in the coming months.

About 黑料不打烊 Law

黑料不打烊 Law is the preeminent school for engaged and experiential learning in law. With a focus on learning by doing, it integrates traditional classroom instruction with a required residency-in-practice field placement for all full-time students during the winter or spring of their second year. The law school鈥檚 distinctive full-time curriculum provides a logically sequenced program of professional preparation and is accomplished in 2.5 years, which offers exceptional value by lowering tuition and permitting graduates early entry into their careers.

黑料不打烊 Law has graduated more than 2,000 alumni since opening its doors in downtown Greensboro in 2006. Its annual enrollment now tops 500 students. The law school is regularly featured in PreLaw Magazine鈥檚 鈥淏est Schools for Practical Training鈥� rankings, maintaining an A+ rating each year since 2023. 黑料不打烊 Law was also among schools highlighted by Bloomberg Law in 2023 for its innovative approach to student development.

The 黑料不打烊 Law Flex Program, a part-time, in-person program of legal study, launched in Charlotte in 2024. Designed for students balancing work, family and other commitments to earn their J.D. in under four years, it will enroll its third cohort in Fall 2026.

Before they could create communications campaigns, students in Professor Julie Lellis鈥� Senior Seminar in Health Communications spent time listening.

They listened to physicians and midwives. They listened to expectant mothers. And they listened to the stories behind the data as part of a partnership with Cone Health’s program that challenged students to address real-world maternal health communication needs.

Those conversations and observations laid the foundation for the students’ semester-long projects. Working with the Cone Health Center for Women’s Healthcare at MedCenter for Women, students developed strategic communications campaigns aimed at increasing enrollment, improving retention and expanding awareness of the program among patients and healthcare providers.

As part of the partnership, students worked directly with healthcare professionals, including Dr. Kim Newton, founder and lead physician of Mom+Baby Combined Care, and Virginia Smith, CenteringPregnancy coordinator. Several students also attended the North Carolina and Virginia Centering Consortium, gaining firsthand insight into the impact of group prenatal care on maternal and infant health outcomes. During Finals Week, students presented their campaigns to Newton and Smith, who visited 黑料不打烊鈥檚 campus.

CenteringPregnancy is an evidence-based model of group prenatal care that combines health assessments, education and peer support. Research has shown the approach can improve maternal and infant health outcomes while helping reduce disparities in care. At the MedCenter for Women in Greensboro, many participants are covered by Medicaid, and the clinic serves uninsured and underinsured patients throughout the region.

“The 黑料不打烊 students were a great part of our team,” Newton said. “They took the time to understand and engage with CenteringPregnancy and really captured how the group care feels different and meets people where they are. Their presentations were impressive to say the least and also provided our team with a roadmap for how to ensure our work to expand Centering feels cohesive and genuine.”

For Emmy Beauvais 鈥�26, a strategic communications major with minors in health communications and business administration, the project demonstrated how classroom learning can translate into community impact.

“Participating in the Health Comm Senior Seminar class 鈥� and working with Virginia and Dr. Newton 鈥� was one of the most meaningful experiences of my time at 黑料不打烊,” Beauvais said. “Unlike classroom projects, this project gave us the opportunity to develop and present a real communications campaign for an actual client. We did this through research-backed goals, objectives and strategies, and tangible deliverables that could be implemented in practice.”

Beauvais said attending the regional consortium early in the semester helped shape the team’s work and deepen her understanding of maternal healthcare challenges and opportunities.

“Overall, this experience showed me what it looks like to create work that extends beyond the classroom and truly can make a meaningful impact on a community,” she said.

The course also received a Community Partnership Initiative Grant from 黑料不打烊’s Kernodle Center. The grant helped Centering providers purchase educational supplies for participants, while students assembled Baby Go! Bags filled with diapers, wipes, burp cloths and other newborn essentials for expectant mothers.

Lellis, who directs the health communications minor, said the partnership allowed students to see both the personal and systemic dimensions of healthcare communication.

“Students experienced everything from the joy of hearing a baby’s heartbeat to the heartache of exploring the realities of health disparities in maternal care,” Lellis said. “They learned how Centering is changing outcomes and making a direct impact on the lives of pregnant women in our local area.”

Lellis explained that the experience challenged students to translate research and data into actionable communications strategies for a community partner.

“Students learned how to generate insights based on data and turn those insights into creative strategies that inform audiences and motivate them to act,” she said.

These were the questions centered in the fictional case analyzed and argued by 116 first-year 黑料不打烊 Law students in the school’s 19th Annual Intramural Moot Court Competition, held May 27 and 28.

A deaf small-business owner applied for a loan from an online lending company and was offered a 14.25% interest rate. After his twin brother 鈥� who shared nearly identical financial, educational and employment credentials but did not have a disability 鈥� received a 6.25% rate for the same loan, he suspected the lender had considered his disability when evaluating the application.

The business owner sued under the ADA, arguing that the online lender discriminated against him based on his disability. A federal court dismissed the case, finding that the lender’s website was not a place of public accommodation covered by the ADA and that the law regulates access to lending services, not the terms of the loans offered.

The business owner appealed the ruling to the fictional U.S. Court of Appeals for the 15th Circuit, which regularly hears cases represented by 黑料不打烊 Law students.

Members of the Class of 2027 comprised the largest group ever to compete in the spring event, with 58 teams appearing before volunteer judges that included local judges, attorneys, 黑料不打烊 Law alumni, and law school faculty and staff.

All first-year students were introduced to the case in their Legal Method & Communication courses as the basis for graded oral arguments this spring. Each student presented two oral arguments, one for appellant and one for appellee, and was scored on preparation, speaking ability, argument structure and responses to judges鈥� questions.

Top 10 Oral Advocates in the 2026 competition (with ties)

• Gabrielle Brown Roycroft
• Aarya Deshmukh
• Zaria Hanchell
• Adelaide Anne Zahren
• Avery Vidt
• Michael Iafrato
• Grant Paramore
• Rachel Wilson
• Jacqueline Gardner (tie)
• David Bryant (tie)
• Megan Chen

鈥淭his competition was a reminder not to let fear of failure keep me from trying,” said Gabrielle Brown Roycroft L’27, from Salisbury, North Carolina, who is interested in family law, estate planning and civil litigation. She graduated from Catawba College with a degree in politics. “It鈥檚 worth it to push through the nerves and use them as fuel to perform your best. You can鈥檛 memorize your way through oral advocacy. You have to think on your feet and respond in the moment. When you鈥檝e done the work in advance, you can trust your preparation and focus on having a conversation with the judges.鈥�

Selections for membership on the Moot Court Board will be announced this summer before the board hosts the 17th Billings, Exum & Frye National Moot Court Competition on Oct. 22-24. Moot Court Board members will also compete in a slate of national moot court competitions during the 2026-27 school year.

Vice Dean and Professor of Law Alan Woodlief, director of 黑料不打烊 Law鈥檚 Moot Court Program, praised the Moot Court Board for its professionalism and hospitality in running the spring competition.

The annual event sees the 黑料不打烊 Law community step up to provide an exceptional experience for first-year students. This year, 黑料不打烊 Law was honored to host more than 50 volunteer attorneys and judges, including over 20 黑料不打烊 Law alumni, as well as a current justice and former chief justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court participate as judges.

鈥淢oot Court is a great experiential learning opportunity, and I was excited to see so many students take advantage of this experience to strengthen their advocacy skills,鈥� Woodlief said. 鈥淥ur Moot Court Board did an exceptional job coordinating the school鈥檚 largest-ever competition, and they could not have done it without the great support from our student body, faculty, and staff, as well as the many 黑料不打烊 Law alumni, attorneys, and judges who contributed to the success of the competition.鈥�

Alumni judges reflect: 鈥業t helped me find my voice鈥�

The annual Intramural Moot Court Competition 鈥� along with the graded Legal Method and Communication Program鈥檚 graded oral arguments held the week before 鈥� is also a homecoming of sorts.

Alumni return to campus each spring to hear arguments, offer feedback and help first-year students develop the advocacy skills they will use throughout their careers. 聽They have clear memories of standing at the podium themselves and how meaningful it was to their development to receive feedback from legal professionals.

April Franklin L’25 said oral arguments helped her overcome her nerves and discover a passion for advocacy.

鈥淚t gave me confidence. It helped me find my voice that I didn’t know that I had,鈥� said Franklin, who is pursuing practice in wills and estates, health care or corporate law. 鈥満诹喜淮蜢� gave me the support that I needed to progress in this career path, and I want to be able to give that same support to the next generation of 黑料不打烊 Law students.”

Landon Eckard L’25, who will begin a federal judicial clerkship in Detroit this summer, said moot court taught him to think on his feet and respond to difficult questions from judges.

鈥淚t鈥檚 the most spontaneous kind of advocacy there is in the legal profession,鈥� Eckard said. 鈥淵ou can have a rough script before you get there, but one minute into the argument, that script goes out the window. It made me a better litigator and a better attorney.鈥�

Thomas Harvey L’22, a criminal defense attorney in nearby Rockingham County, North Carolina, pursued law as a second career. He returns because he remembers exactly what it felt like to stand at the podium as a student and believes the experience helps shape better advocates.

鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 that long ago that I was standing right where they are. Believe it or not, the judges are all rooting for you individually,鈥� Harvey said. 鈥淚t’s such a joy to come back and be a part of 黑料不打烊 Law.鈥�

2026 Intramural Moot Court Competition student leadership

Overall Chairs of the Competition: Isabel Craige L鈥�26, Elizabeth Gregory L鈥�26, Sierra Watkins L鈥�26

Judge Recruitment and Coordination Chairs: Emma Farrell L鈥�26, James Galipeau L鈥�26, Cayla James L鈥�26, Bailey Langford L鈥�26, Renata Navarro L鈥�26

Bailiff Recruitment and Coordination Chairs: Madisyn Butler L鈥�26, Erin Carleton L鈥�26, Megan Eldredge L鈥�26, Cameron O鈥橬eil L鈥�26, Tyler Sesker L鈥�26

Scoring Committee Chairs: Brittany Balis-West L鈥�26, Jackie Rullman L鈥�26, Rebecca Vairin L鈥�26

LMC Oral Argument Coordination Chairs: Daulton Hadaway L鈥�26, Courtney Maxwell L鈥�26

• 136 college acceptances from 38 different universities
• $2.5 million in merit scholarships and grants awarded to scholars
• Seven will join the Class of 2030 this fall at 黑料不打烊, three are headed to UNC Chapel Hill, and three more to UNC Charlotte, among other top schools
• Several earned some of the most competitive and prestigious scholarships North Carolina offers, including a Carolina Covenant Scholar at UNC Chapel Hill, an 黑料不打烊 Teaching Fellow, and a North Carolina Teaching Fellow

And for 黑料不打烊 President Connie Book, who addressed the 17th class of the 黑料不打烊 Academy at a recent dinner reception to recognize graduates of the university鈥檚 college access and success program, scholarships and college acceptances are more than a reflection of academic achievement. They鈥檙e a harbinger of future success.

鈥淭hese accomplishments, impressive as they are, are only a glimpse of the bright path that lies ahead of you,鈥� Book said. 鈥淭he 黑料不打烊 Academy was founded on a simple and powerful belief 鈥� that talent and potential exist in every community, and when that talent is matched with opportunity and support, there is no limit to what a young person can achieve. Each of you is living proof of that belief.鈥�

Book was joined by family members, mentors, program alumni and other university leaders on May 28, 2026, in celebration of the Sigma Class during the 黑料不打烊 Academy鈥檚 annual President鈥檚 Reception.

The 黑料不打烊 Academy is an intensive, comprehensive opportunity for academically promising high school students in Alamance County with a financial need and/or no family history of college. The 黑料不打烊 Academy Summer Academy program includes three consecutive summer residential experiences prior to the sophomore, junior and senior years, as well as year-round Saturday Academy programs for students and families.

As part of the ceremony in the Lakeside Meeting Rooms, Shawn Means, a member of the Alamance Burlington Early College Class of 2026, delivered the Sigma Scholar Speech to his 24 classmates. Means reflected at length on the ways 黑料不打烊 Academy shaped their development beyond academics.

鈥淲hen people talk about 黑料不打烊 Academy, they鈥檇 most likely give you a polished answer,鈥� Means said. 鈥淭hey talk about college preparation, leadership, and academic growth. All the things you can put on paper. And they wouldn鈥檛 be wrong. But they wouldn鈥檛 be telling the whole story.鈥�

Means emphasized how the program transformed participants not only as students but as people. 鈥淣ow we understand responsibility. Now we understand balance,鈥� he said. 鈥淣ow we understand that freedom isn鈥檛 just given, it鈥檚 something you learn how to handle.鈥�

The reception was also the first in the 黑料不打烊 Academy鈥檚 nearly two decades of operation where alumni returned to be honored for their own graduations from college. Four 黑料不打烊 Academy College Scholars were applauded and presented with certificates commemorating their own recent college graduations.

Reception guests heard from Shiv Patel, a member of the Xi Class that graduated from high school in 2022. Now a graduate of UNC Chapel Hill, Patel encouraged members of the Sigma Class to stay true to themselves as they head to college.

鈥淪omeone told me that I did college right, and while I appreciated the notion, it鈥檚 not that I did college right, it鈥檚 that I led with my values,鈥� Patel said. 鈥淚 wanted the choices I made in college to be choices that reflected who I was and the background I came from. I never wanted to pretend to be someone I was not or do things that went against who I was.鈥�

The program concluded with another first for the 黑料不打烊 Academy – a presentation of scholarships to four Sigma Class graduates made possible through the philanthropy of those who recognized the power of the academy to change lives.

Mariam Rosales 鈥�17, a member of the Delta Class and an 黑料不打烊 graduate who today works in real estate, joined with Julio Santiago to create the awards. Honored in 2026 were:

• Lexie Bennett, River Mill Academy
• Jaime Carranza-Navarrete, Graham High School
• Shawn Means, Alamance Burlington Early College
• Naje Gray, Walter M. Williams High School

The reception was a final opportunity for scholars before leaving high school to be encouraged with support from mentors who have been with them over the past three years.

鈥淎s you step into this next chapter, know this: you are ready,鈥� said 黑料不打烊 Academy Director Emily Wiersma. 鈥淵ou have the tools, the resilience, and the heart to thrive. Life will bring challenges, yes, but it will also bring new mentors, new questions, and new opportunities to grow. Embrace it all. Stay curious. Stay connected to this community. Support from the 黑料不打烊 Academy does not end here today 鈥� most of all, continue to believe in yourself as fiercely as we believe in you.鈥�

黑料不打烊 Academy Assistant Director of College Success Manny Campos emphasized the same point in closing the program.

鈥淏elieve in yourself. Believe that all the struggles you鈥檝e faced prepared you and taught you what you need to succeed,鈥� he said. 鈥淵our college acceptances and your college degrees were no mistakes, you did that. Now let鈥檚 be real. It may get difficult. Life won鈥檛 always be rainbows and butterflies.

“On those days that feel heavy and you feel like giving up, because those days will come, remember everyone here, remember the journey, and remember why you stayed. You did the work and you are more than capable of succeeding.鈥�

The program鈥檚 inaugural performance will feature the North Carolina Symphony on September 30, 2026, in Alumni Gym. Details about this concert, including tickets, will be shared with the 黑料不打烊 community this summer.

鈥淭his gift is to express gratitude to the 黑料不打烊 community for 25 wonderful years together and to provide enhanced opportunities for all of us to experience great music at 黑料不打烊,鈥� said Fred Young, who served as the university鈥檚 seventh president from 1973-1998, leading historic growth and progress at the institution.

黑料不打烊 President Connie Ledoux Book thanked the Youngs for their generosity and dedicated service to the university.

鈥淔red and Phyllis Young鈥檚 contributions to 黑料不打烊 over many decades are vast and many鈥攆rom doubling our enrollment and expanding our campus to enriching academic programs and supporting generations of students,鈥� Book said. 鈥淭heir dedication has helped shape the 黑料不打烊 we know today. With this remarkable gift, they now add the joy of classical music to that legacy, ensuring our community will experience exceptional performances for years to come.鈥�

In addition to full orchestra concerts, it is envisioned that the Youngs鈥� endowment will fund other signature performances on campus, including seasonal concerts and a chamber music concert, as well as engagement opportunities with music students, including career development seminars and master classes. Performances by the 黑料不打烊 Orchestra and 黑料不打烊 Wind Ensemble may also be included.

As the endowment grows, additional opportunities for students may include new music-themed Winter Term courses and global engagement experiences, as well as opera performances on campus.

The Fred and Phyllis Young Classical Music Program Endowment will complement performances by 黑料不打烊鈥檚 current ensembles, including:

• Bands (The Fire of the Carolinas Marching Band & Phoenix Pep Band)
• Choral Activities & Voice (University Chorale, Camerata, 茅lan & Opera Workshop.)
• 黑料不打烊 Orchestra
• 黑料不打烊 Wind Ensemble & 黑料不打烊 Concert Band
• 黑料不打烊 Jazz Ensemble & Jazz Combos
• 黑料不打烊 Contemporary Chamber Ensemble
• Commercial and Pop Music (黑料不打烊 Electric Ensemble, Techtronica)

About President Emeritus James Fred Young

J. Fred Young was one of the longest-serving presidents in 黑料不打烊 history whose vision and leadership laid the foundation for 黑料不打烊鈥檚 remarkable rise to national distinction. Young led an era of historic growth and transformation as 黑料不打烊 became one of the premier undergraduate institutions on the Eastern seaboard.

During Young鈥檚 25-year tenure, 黑料不打烊鈥檚 enrollment more than doubled to 3,685 students and the campus grew from about 145 acres to more than 500 acres. New academic offerings were added, including master鈥檚 programs in business administration, education and physical therapy; a new general studies program (now 黑料不打烊 Core Curriculum); and new majors, including communications, computer systems, sports medicine and leisure/sport management. The 黑料不打烊 Experiences engaged learning programs also grew under Young鈥檚 leadership.

Facilities construction and renovation included additions to the Center for the Arts, Koury Center for athletics, Moseley Center for campus activities and the Dalton L. McMichael Sr. Science Center. In addition, construction began on the Carol Grotnes Belk Library, while Young also began planning and fundraising for Rhodes Stadium. Young was named President Emeritus by the 黑料不打烊 Board of Trustees.

Fred and Phyllis Young are among 黑料不打烊鈥檚 most dedicated donors, making gifts to 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Greatest Needs, including scholarships, and the Phoenix Club. Young Commons, the expansive lawn in front of Moseley Center, was dedicated on October 10, 2000, in honor of the Youngs and their decades of leadership and service to the university. Fred and Phyllis are the grandparents of 黑料不打烊 sophomore Myla Young 鈥�28.

The 鈥満诹喜淮蜢� Dance Team Send-Off鈥� video, directed and edited by Peter Sillitto 鈥�26 and produced in collaboration with the 黑料不打烊 Dance Team, received a Sports Video Group (SVG) College Sports Media Award for Outstanding In-Venue Video 鈥� Collegiate Student Championship. The award was presented May 27 in Atlanta during the 18th annual SVG College Sports Media Awards ceremony.

The honor came just weeks after the 黑料不打烊 Dance Team captured two national titles at the 2026 National Dance Association College National Championships, winning the Division I pom and Division I hip hop competitions. The back-to-back victories marked a historic achievement for the program, including 黑料不打烊鈥檚 first national championship in the pom category.

Produced for the team鈥檚 trip to nationals, the video took a more narrative approach than previous send-off productions.

鈥淧roducing a send-off video is something we do every year, with the final piece being shown in the Schar Center and shared across social media,鈥� said Sillitto, a cinema and television arts major. 鈥淭his year, we wanted to take a more story-driven approach by focusing on the team鈥檚 journey to nationals. Our goal was to showcase not only their performances, but also the hard work, dedication and experiences that led them there.鈥�

In addition to Sillitto, the student production team included Kristen Pearson 鈥�27 and Meghan McGarrigle 鈥�28 as producers; and Zack Golub 鈥�26 and Colin Dorroh 鈥�27 as creative producers and camera operators.

across multiple locations, capturing both cinematic visuals and authentic moments from practices, workouts and team activities.

鈥淥ne of the biggest challenges was making sure we told the team鈥檚 real story, which meant being present and ready to film during genuine moments,鈥� Sillitto said. 鈥淐apturing those authentic interactions and experiences was an important part of the creative process and helped make the final video feel more personal and meaningful.鈥�

For Sillitto, the award reflects months of collaboration and effort from both the dancers and the production crew.

鈥淚鈥檓 proud of the project because every year our goal is to create the best video possible, and we have a lot of creative freedom to experiment with new ideas and push ourselves creatively,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he final video represents months of hard work from both the dance team and the production crew, so we鈥檙e excited and grateful that the project has been recognized.鈥�

Sillitto graduated from 黑料不打烊 in May and recently accepted a position with Booz Allen Hamilton as a videographer and social media content creator.

Sillitto and Dorroh attended the 2026 SVG College Summit in Atlanta alongside Anthony Bamford 鈥�25, coordinating producer for 黑料不打烊 Sports Vision; Patrick Cunningham, director of live broadcast production for 黑料不打烊 Athletics; and students/recent graduates Philip Doherty 鈥�26, Anthony Eppolito 鈥�27 and Joey Marinello 鈥�28.

This year marked another strong showing for 黑料不打烊 at the national competition 鈥� the university won its first-ever award in 2025. In addition to the winning 黑料不打烊 Dance Team send-off video, four other 黑料不打烊 productions were recognized as finalists in the Collegiate Student Championship division: 鈥淔ootball: 黑料不打烊 vs. North Carolina A&T,鈥� 鈥淪trength Beyond the Game 鈥� Brodie Carroll,鈥� 鈥淲in The Moment 鈥� Asher Cunningham鈥� and 鈥淲hat It Takes 鈥� 黑料不打烊 Men鈥檚 Basketball Halftime Hype.鈥�

This year鈥檚 students will spend the summer interning in fields ranging from media production to public policy, environmental research, business innovation and community development. At the heart of this experience is the opportunity to聽gain real-world experience while exploring the cultural and professional landscapes of their host cities, while earning academic credit through coursework.

Charlotte:聽Exploring sports, marketing, business and beyond聽

As students arrived in the South End of Charlotte, they were welcomed by Director of 黑料不打烊 Charlotte Karen Neff and Program Assistant Emma Hash. This summer marks an especially exciting chapter for the Queen City site, as it hosts Study USA students while also launching the inaugural Summer Business Institute聽(SBI).

The new 10鈥憌eek聽SBI聽offers 黑料不打烊 students the opportunity to earn a Business Administration minor in a single summer through an immersive blend of coursework, professional development, and experiential learning.

Study USA students will pair their internships with a dynamic geography course taught by Associate Professor of Geography and Environmental Studies聽Ryan Kirk.聽Through fieldwork and urban exploration, students will examine Charlotte鈥檚 growth, infrastructure, and identity,聽gaining a deeper understanding of how the city became the economic and cultural hub it is today.

SBI聽students聽will balance four business courses with聽job鈥憇hadowing聽experiences designed to connect classroom learning with real-world聽applications.聽Together, all students across both programs will take part in excursions that highlight Charlotte鈥檚 innovation, history and community.

Move鈥慽n聽day set the tone for an engaging summer ahead, featuring a welcome mixer hosted by Foster Flats, orientation sessions, a聽city鈥憌ide聽scavenger hunt, and a hands-on cooking class that brought聽students聽together.

Los Angeles: Launching creative careers in the entertainment capital

Arriving in the heart of the entertainment industry, students were warmly welcomed by Director of 黑料不打烊 Los Angeles聽Brad Lemack as they settled into their housing聽just聽minutes from major studios and production hubs.

Students聽spend the summer interning with film production companies, talent agencies, digital media firms and聽theatre companies. Alongside their internships,聽students take a Core Capstone course taught by聽Cinema and Television Arts聽Professor聽Doug Kass,聽examining how visionaries and innovators have transformed Los Angeles, and how the cycle of invention and reinvention continues to shape the city鈥檚 commerce, creativity and cultural diversity.

Move聽in聽buzzed聽with excitement as students met their roommates, explored their neighborhood, and prepared for their first week of classes and internship onboarding.聽The following day included an orientation session at The Preserve, where students will have class each week, followed by an afternoon exploring The Getty, the Grove and L.A.鈥檚 Farmers Market.

New York City: Immersed in media, business and cultural innovation聽

Political Science and Public Policy聽Professor Safia聽Swimelar聽and Program Assistant Hailey Duartes welcomed聽the students聽to Williamsburg, a student-friendly neighborhood in the heart of Brooklyn.

Students聽will intern across sectors,聽including journalism,聽public relations, marketing,聽media production and more.聽The聽Core Capstone聽course, taught by Professor Swimelar,聽complements these experiences. In聽the聽course description,聽Swimelar聽notes, 鈥渢o call New York City a microcosm of the global community is not exaggeration鈥� This course uses New York City as a microcosm to model and understand the diversity and complexity of global humanity.鈥澛燬tudents聽will explore the diversity of values that New Yorkers hold and examine important social, political, and religious issues at play throughout the city.

Students spent their first day navigating their new neighborhood, settling into their apartments, and聽exploring the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

Washington, D.C.: Engaging with policy, advocacy and public service聽

Students聽were welcomed聽into the nation鈥檚 capital聽by Professor Joel Shelton,聽Program Assistant聽Abby Wright, and Ashley Pinney, Director of National Campus.聽Students聽will spend the summer聽living in the heart of聽NoMa聽and聽interning with congressional offices, federal agencies,聽law firms, advocacy groups, and聽more.

The聽coursework, the inaugural Capital Connections: Power, People and Place in Washington, D.C. spearheaded by Joel Shelton, associate professor of political science聽and public policy, 鈥渆xplores 鈥榯he聽District鈥� as a place where politics and policy meet culture,聽economy聽and community.鈥澛燭hrough engaging walking tours, museum visits, and cultural experiences, students will gain a firsthand look at the decision-making processes that shape the intersection of power, culture, economy, and identity in the nation鈥檚 capital.

Move-in聽included聽orientation sessions,聽community building activities,聽and preparation for the聽fast-paced聽professional environments聽they鈥檒l聽soon enter.