Are you a faculty member looking for inter-disciplinary collaborators for your next grant proposal? Do you have a great idea but need the right team to bring it to life? The RISE Network and the CAS Office of Research invite you to Pitch & Plate: Developing Collaborations and Funding Proposal Ideas. Join us September 24 from 11 – 12:30 PM in the Alumni House.
The Pitch: We’ll start with rapid-fire, one-minute “elevator pitches.” Share your research passions and what you’re looking for in an inter-disciplinary collaborator. The Plate: Over lunch, connect at dedicated tables for major funding agencies (NSF, NIH, DOE, Foundations). We’ll provide a curated resource of RFPs and program announcements to spark conversation. The Payoff: Leave with new connections, potential team members for specific inter-disciplinary grant proposals, and a clearer path toward your next project.
To make this incubator work, we need you! When you RSVP, you’ll be asked to share 1 or 2 specific funding programs you have applied for in the past or you’re targeting. This allows us to create a shared resource library and strategically group attendees by funding agency, ensuring your conversations are productive and targeted. If you do not have specific ideas for funding yet, please sign up to attend and meet new potential collaborators!
Over the summer, Arts & Sciences faculty received a number of new and continuing grant awards. We have wrangled them all in this post. Congratulations to these faculty and good luck on these projects!
Dr. Marc Rich (Communications Studies) received a new award from the City of Greensboro ABC Board for the proposal titled “Spartan Recovery Program Faculty Fellow.” Learn more about the Spartan Recovery Program.
Dr. Ratnasingham Shivaji (Mathematics and Statistics) received a continuation award from the National Science Foundation for the project “Collaborative Research: Mathematical and experimental analysis of the interaction between competitors and a shared predator – from patches to landscapes.” To learn more about this project, check out the NSF abstract.
Dr. Jasmine DeJesus (Psychology), working with with Dr. Jigna Dharod (Nutrition, Health and Human Sciences), received a continuation award from the National Institutes of Health (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) for the project “Breastfeeding intervention to prevent obesity among children.” To learn more about their project, view the abstract on NIH RePORTER.
Dr. Bryan McLean (Biology) received a continuation award from the National Science Foundation for the project “Collaborative Research: Ranges: Building Capacity to Extend Mammal Specimens from Western North America.” Learn more about the project by reading the NSF abstract or explore the RANGES network online.
Dr. Nadja Cech (Chemistry and Biochemistry) received a continuation award from the National Institutes of Health for the project “Predoctoral Training: Innovative Technologies for Natural Products and Integrative Medicine Research.” This award provides funds to support students working towards their PhD in Chemistry and Biochemistry at UNCG. Learn more by viewing the abstract on NIH RePORTER.
Dr. Blair Wisco and graduate student Shae Nester (Psychology) received a new award from the American Psychological Foundation for the project “A laboratory and ambulatory investigation of trauma-related dissociation, interoceptive accuracy, and interoceptive attention.” Learn more about their work at the CoPE Lab site.
Dr. Maia Popova and Dr. Mitch Croatt (Chemistry and Biochemistry) received a continuation award from the National Science Foundation for their project “Collaborative Research: Broadening Instructional Innovation in the Chemistry Laboratory through Excellence in Curriculum Development.” To learn more about this project, check out the Chemistry Laboratory Curriculum Innovators Program website.
It is my pleasure to welcome everyone to the start of the fall term. Campus is bustling with faculty, students, and staff. There are even rumors of a person riding a horse on campus. The UNCG energy is wonderful to experience.
We are delighted to welcome 17 new tenure track/tenured faculty, 30 professional track faculty, and three staff to the College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) in academic year 2025-26.
We also welcomed a new department head, Changhee Chun, to lead our Media Studies Department. Professor Chun comes to UNCG from the Department of Art + Art History at The University of Texas at Arlington, where he served as Morgan Woodward Distinguished Professor in Film, leading the Cinematic Arts undergraduate and graduate programs. Professor Chun has traveled to more than 100 countries to create different media content, including K-pop music videos, K-dramas, documentaries, and films. We look forward to seeing Media Studies evolve and grow under his leadership.
As dean, I am committed to creating paid research or creative work experiences for undergraduate students. Students should have many opportunities to gain valuable research and creative work experience while at UNCG. Paid research or creative work opportunities, early and often, is our mantra.
To increase the number of such opportunities, we have launched the College of Arts & Sciences Dean’s Undergraduate Scholars: Advancing Knowledge Through Research and Creative Collaboration Program. The CAS Undergraduate Scholars will be paid to work on faculty research or creative work projects in spring and summer 2026. We issued a call for proposals from faculty in August, and we will fund 10 students to participate in faculty-led projects. This is a wonderful opportunity for one-on-one mentoring, and we are delighted to support this effort.
“Paid research or creative work opportunities, early and often, is our mantra.
– Dean Kelly Joyce
A similar initiative that continues to thrive is our Humanities at Work (H@W) paid internship program. After launching its pilot program in spring 2025, H@W enters its first complete academic cycle this year. For 2025–26, nearly 50 UNCG humanities students have committed to a full academic year of real-world paid internship experience integrated with meaningful academic coursework. They will contribute to impactful projects across 12 local internship sites. These experiences are often transformative, helping students build strong foundations for purposeful careers. We are proud, in the College, to continue our commitment to expanding these opportunities.
This year, we are also excited to welcome a new senior director of development, Michael Watson ’11, and a development officer, Dorian Thompson ‘14. Watson and Thompson are champions of the many disciplines and programs in Arts & Sciences and will be an important addition to our leadership team and efforts to support the College going forward.
CAS is the heart of UNCG. All undergraduates, regardless of major, will take classes in the College. Our courses and research are central to the Spartan experience. Our strength is both our breadth (so many different disciplines and ways of knowing the world) and depth (each department and program offers a deep dive into an area of expertise and knowledge).
CAS will have a table at Homecoming 2025 on Sat., Oct. 18, 3 – 6 p.m. We hope that all of you, and especially our treasured alumni, will stop by and say “hello.”
Enjoy the magical autumn that is so special in North Carolina.
With best wishes,
Kelly Joyce, Dean
College of Arts & Sciences
Professor, Sociology, Criminology & Justice Studies
The College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) at UNC Greensboro is buzzing with fresh leadership, exciting academic offerings, and new spaces designed to support students and faculty alike. From the arrival of Dean Kelly Joyce to a new esports major, revamped curricula, innovative equipment, and a monthly open mic night, this academic year brings bold developments that reflect the College’s forward momentum.
Read on to discover the people, programs, and places shaping the future of CAS.
Changes in Leadership:
In the College of Arts & Sciences Dean’s Office:
Dr. Kelly Joycestarted as the new dean of the College of Arts & Sciences on Aug. 1, 2025. Read more.
Dr. Amy Adamson, who served as interim dean, has resumed her position as associate dean of research in the College of Arts & Sciences Dean’s Office.
Dr. Stuart Marcovitch, who served as interim associate dean of research, has resumed his position as department head in Psychology.
The Department of Interior Architecture is now led by Department Head Travis Hicks, M.Arch, effective since Jan. 2025.
The College of Arts & Sciences Development Office welcomed new Senior Director of Development Michael Watson ’11 on Aug. 25. Read more.
Dean Kelly Joyce, new dean of CASChanghee Chun, new department head for Media StudiesMichael Watson ’11, new senior director of development for CAS
New and Improved Degree Offerings:
Videogaming and esports is now offered as both a major and a minor in the College.
The Liberal and Professional Studies program now offers a major in videogaming and esports in addition to its minor. This new major equips students with interdisciplinary skills for careers in the multibillion-dollar gaming and esports industry. This path of study is ideal for those students who love playing, analyzing, or streaming games.
The history BA with a concentration in public history is now also available as an all-online program, with first admissions starting in Aug. 2025. This degree concentration has been available as an in-person program since Fall 2023.
The Biology Department has a brand-new advising center called BIOADVISE directed by Dr. Annie Sohler. Located in Rooms 122 and 127 of the Sullivan Science Center, the BIOADVISE center will provide expert drop-in advising for undergraduates to receive help with registering for courses and planning their curriculum and post-graduate or career futures. It will also serve graduate students with degree planning and progress.
The Communication Studies Department has a newly refreshed community lounge space as well as a refreshed quiet study space for students in the Ferguson Building.
The Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program has new furniture and spaces to hang out. They invite everyone to visit their lounge, open closet, and other communal spaces on the third floor of the Curry Building.
Communication Studies’ revamped lounge space in Ferguson.Communication Studies’ refreshed quiet study space in Ferguson.
New Event Series:
The Creative Writing Program is launching a new event series called Wednesday Words Open Mic Nights, a new collaboration with Borough Coffee. There will be a reading the first Wednesday of every month at 6 p.m. at Double Oaks (204 North Mendenhall St., Greensboro, NC 27401). Featured readers from UNCG’s undergraduate and graduate creative writing programs will be followed by an open mic for all community members.
New Equipment:
The Department of Geography, Environment, and Sustainability (GES) has a new Emriver Em2 stream table for simulating river channel processes and landform development.
The Department of Media Studies has added a new 16′ x 10′ LED wall for virtual production (AOTO RM 1.5E panels) and an XGRIDS LixelKity K1: handheld 3D scanner capable of real-time generation of centimeter-level colored 3D models.
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the Triad Mass Spectrometry Facility has just acquired a new, grant-funded mass spectrometer, a Thermo Orbitrap Exploris 120 coupled with an associated chemical separations instrument. A mass spectrometer is an instrument that helps identify chemical compounds, which is important for natural product and drug discovery, as well as many other areas of chemical research.
The new LED wall in Media Studies is used for virtual production.The new Emriver Em2 stream table in GES is used for simulating river channel processes and landform development.
Curriculum Changes for Students:
The English Department has a new graduate curriculum. The revisions were made to better align with changes in the field and job market. Key updates include restructuring course requirements to reflect growing interdisciplinary connections, helping students see links across their coursework, and streamlining the program to support timely graduation. These changes also respond to new university policies on course enrollment minimums, and the department is committed to providing the necessary funding and faculty support.
The Communication Studies Department has redesigned its B.A. in communication studies curriculum. The major is built around three focus areas, which are designed to help students devise a coherent plan of study of communication in personal, professional, and public relationships and contexts.
New Faculty and Staff:
The College of Arts & Sciences welcomed many new faculty and staff across its departments and programs this year. Watch the video below to meet these new colleagues and learn some fun facts about them!
Story by Elizabeth Keri, College of Arts & Sciences
Research Assignment Applications due to Dept heads by Sept. 5
Posted on August 20, 2025
The University is committed to the advancement of research and creative scholarship. The Research Assignment program rewards tenured faculty members who have demonstrated distinguished contributions to the University through a competitively-won award of either one semester at full salary or two semesters at half salary during which the faculty member focuses on the advancement or completion of scholarly activities. The process is governed by the Provost’s policies on Research Assignments. Faculty should also be familiar with the College’s Policies on Research Assignments, Fellowships, and Off-Campus Assignments.
The application period for a 2026-2027 Research Assignment is currently underway. The process involves several phases:
Eligible faculty submit the required application elements to their department head by September 5, 2025.
Department heads review these applications and submit their letter(s) of recommendations, along with other materials, to the Associate Dean for Research Amy Adamson (cc Lori Wright) no later than 5 PM on September 19, 2025.
The College Research Assignment Review Committee reviews applications and recommendations, and provides a ranking of applicants to the Dean of the College.
The Dean submits recommendations for Research Assignments to the Provost’s Office in November, and applicants are notified in December.
University Libraries hosts Research & Application Webinar Series
Posted on August 20, 2025
All UNCG faculty, staff, and students are invited to participate in the Research and Application Webinar series, which is offered each semester. The Fall 2025 schedule is below.
These are free 30 minute webinars about UNCG libraries research and its applications. They’re recorded and available on YouTube after the session through the UNCG Libraries webinars page. Here are the sessions and times being offered this Fall:
“Scholarly communications support at UNCG: Services from the University Libraries” by Anna Craft, Thursday August 21 at 11am
“Digitized historical periodical databases” by Jenny Dale, Thursday August 28 at 11am
“Theses and Dissertations 101” by Rachel Olsen, Thursday September 11 at 12pm
“UpToDate for Clinical and Patient Education” by Lea Leininger, Tuesday September 23 at 11am
“Library Renovation Updates, Fall 2025” by Amy Harris Houk, Tuesday December 2 at 11am
You can sign up for these sessions here. These webinars are also listed on the UNCG workshops page and are tagged as University Libraries, Faculty Professional Development, and Graduate School. You’ll get a link to the Teams session the week or morning of the webinar, so be sure to mark your calendars after you sign up.
MUNROE STUDENT RESEARCH FUND APPLICATIONS DUE Sept 15
Posted on August 18, 2025
The Dorothy Levis Munroe Student Research Fund, managed by the College’s Office of Research, supports undergraduate and graduate students who conduct research in the natural and mathematical sciences. Endowed by alumna and lifelong educator Dorothy Levis Munroe ’44, the fund provides awards of up to $1000 to students working on research projects with faculty mentors. Mentors must be from an eligible department: Biology; Chemistry and Biochemistry; Computer Science; Geography, Environment, and Sustainability; Mathematics and Statistics; and Physics and Astronomy. The award may be spent on materials and supplies, research-related travel (conferences or fieldwork), or similar expenses, but cannot be used for student stipends. Students must apply in partnership with their mentor. Each faculty mentor can sponsor up to 2 students.
Applications are available now and are due by 5 PM on Monday, September 15. Faculty mentors should submit the completed application on behalf of the student. This year, we hope to make 17 awards.
CAS Welcomes Faculty, Staff at Beginning of Year Celebration
Posted on August 13, 2025
On Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, the College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) hosted its annual Beginning of the Year Celebration to mark the start of the 2025–26 academic year.
Dean Kelly Joyce, who started Aug. 1, welcomed attendees with remarks highlighting the College’s achievements over the past year and outlining key initiatives for the year ahead. The event also honored faculty members who received promotions. A slideshow introduced new faculty and staff, helping to foster a sense of community. The celebration concluded with a lively reception and information fair, during which attendees could connect with offices, committees, initiatives, and resources from across campus.
“In my short time since beginning at UNCG, I’ve been impressed with the warmth and collegiality of my new colleagues and the beauty of this campus,” said Joyce. “I look forward to working together to build on the College’s strengths, support one another, and advance the important work we do for our students and community.”
