Spartan Alert

Class of 2024: Luis Roman Finds His Script In UNCG’S Media Studies

Posted on April 23, 2024

UNCG student Luis Roman stands with camera statue

A sense of community drew Luis Roman to UNC Greensboro.

“UNCG has made a big impact on me, especially how they dedicate themselves to being a community-driven University,” says Roman, who will graduate in May 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in media studies. “Overall, the impact that the school has had on me with my education, friendships, and connections was more than I could ask for.”

UNCG student in cap and gown smiling holding the cap

Roman transferred to UNCG from Wake Technical Community College, originally considering a degree in psychology but UNCG helped open his eyes to the opportunities within media studies.

“I didn’t realize how diverse media studies are,” says Roman. “I’ve always been the technologically savvy kid in my family, and I’ve seen how media like film, television, and music has been transformational in my generation and community and that led me to media studies.”

The Department of Media Studies in UNCG’s College of Arts and Sciences offers courses on a wide range of moving-image media, from film and television to electronic media sources. Students learn to make media and develop the tools to think more critically. In addition to the undergraduate degree, students can also earn two minors in non-production film and television studies and radio and production.

With a 3.68 GPA and several scholarships including the Joe Illman Memorial Scholarship and the Jane and Michael Bolton Scholarship, Roman is thriving with the opportunities at UNCG.

A HORROR FANATIC

Horror movie production is where Roman says his interest in media studies also comes from, identifying himself as a “fanatic” of the genre.

“There needs to be a reintroduction of what a horror movie is today,” says Roman. “There are a lot of newer movies that are doing interesting things like those directed by Jordan Peele. This generation is entering a new era of horror movies.”

Roman is also a member of the Carmichael Studios club, an opportunity for media studies students to showcase their work and collaborate on short films.

“It’s a good way to put your work out there and see what can come out of a student-made film,” says Roman.

But Roman didn’t stop with just media studies, he’s also earning two minors in psychology and music. His interest in psychology continues from his time in community college, especially learning how people work within their environments. The music minor though is much more personal – hearing his father play music helped instill a love for the art at an early age.

THE REAL ROMAN HOUR

Originally from Rahway, New Jersey, Roman played trombone in his middle school band but left music while he finished high school. UNCG helped him find his way back.

“There’s a good music scene in Greensboro and there are so many people at UNCG that have the same interests as me and we can work with each other,” Roman says. “I started studying making music electronically and was able to learn from a friend and on YouTube, basically teaching myself.”

UNCG has even allowed him to share his love for music – previously hosting a late-night radio show on WUAG called the “Real Roman Hour.”

“I would curate a list of music each week and then play it on Thursday night,” he says. “People could call in and I’ve had family members and friends from across the state being able to vibe with me. I love to share my music with people.”

Next, Roman plans to apply to internships, hoping to work in film or media production.

“What made UNCG so memorable for me is the people that I’ve met, the friends and memories that I’ve made,” says Roman. “I’ve put a lot into my media studies degree, and I’ve gotten back a lot more.”

Story by Avery Craine Powell, University Communications
Photography by Sean Norona, University Communications

CELEBRATE OUR GRADS!

Graduate Commencement: May 2 at the Greensboro Coliseum
Undergraduate Commencement: May 3 at the Greensboro Coliseum

Tag social media posts #UNCGGrad and #UNCGWay. Tagged posts will be displayed live on screen in the Greensboro Coliseum before the ceremonies.

Mention @UNCG in celebratory posts on Instagram and X and @uncgreensboro on TikTok.

Commencement Central

Digital Swag Page

Three masters graduates pose for a selfie in cap and gown.

Class of 2024: Luis Roman Finds His Script In UNCG’S Media Studies

April 23, 2024

Amplify Black Voices Theatre Festival Puts Diverse Stories Center Stage

April 23, 2024

UNCG’s Naturally Gifted Beauty

April 22, 2024

Amplify Black Voices Theatre Festival Puts Diverse Stories Center Stage

Posted on April 23, 2024

UNC Greensboro students are getting the opportunity to put their work and the stories of the African American community center stage at the Amplify Black Voices Theatre Festival.

The festival, held on April 26 and 27 at the International Civil Rights Museum in Greensboro will feature four plays by North Carolina student playwrights: two from UNCG’s College of Visual and Performing Arts: Keshia McLeod will be presenting her original play “The Invisible Orchids” and Jamaas Britton will present his play “Emasculated.”

“This is my first play that will be performed in public,” says Britton, who is working toward a masters of fine arts in drama. “I’m honored to be able to be a part of something like this this.”

STORIES UNHEARD

Britton was chosen for his original play titled “Emasculated,” it focuses on two couples and the issues men may face in a specific relationship dynamic.

“It comes together to show the Black-male perspective,” he says. “It shows how men and women need each other and it’s shining light on this particular message and also spreading love.”

The Amplify Black Voices Theatre Festival that began in 2022 is hosted by the Greater Greensboro Theater Consortium, which was founded in 2020 following the murder of George Floyd. The festival aims to bring to light the ability of theatre to bridge differences, spark dialogue, and give voice to stories that often go unheard. The festival brings together six local college theatre departments, and the cast and crew are blended from the six programs.

***Jamaas Britton in the 2023 UNCG production of “Night of the Living Dead.”***

“I’ve heard there were times when people really had to fight for this kind of exposure,” says Britton. “So, this opportunity for someone that looks like me is amazing. It’s a great way to celebrate how I look, how other people look, and to share experiences with a diverse audience.”

Britton chose UNCG’s School of Theatre for its focus on diversity and inclusion.

“Historically in theatre, individuals that look like me didn’t have as many opportunities to share their stories on a wider platform,” he says. “But UNCG’s program allows students that look different or identify as something other than the norm has been great to see. It’s very important to have diversity in theatre because you get the opportunity to hear and tell other peoples’ stories that you might not know personally.”

ALUMNI ADVICE

***UNCG alumna Kamilah Bush is serving as a mentor to the students in this year’s festival.***

Kamilah Bush ’15, a selected playwright from the 2022 festival and UNCG alumna, has been mentoring the students on their work. She came to Greensboro in February to lead a workshop as they were putting their stories together.

Bush transferred to UNCG from another institution and says coming to the University saved her life.

“I’m still friends with many of the people I went to school with, and I collaborate with those people,” says Bush, who earned a bachelor of fine arts in drama, theatre education from UNCG. “I wouldn’t have traded the education I received for anything.”

She is now the literary manager for Portland Center Stage at The Armory in Portland, Oregon and says her degree is useful every day.

“UNCG’s theatre program is the reason I’m so good at what I do,” she says. “When I’m in rehearsal, when I’m in tech, when I’m in design meetings, I have all of the language and the knowledge that I need to communicate with people outside of my discipline in a way that some other specialized student might not.”

CELEBRATING BLACK TALENT

Seeing the student’s work and collaboration is exciting for Bush and she also says it’s beneficial for students as they study theatre.

“I’m always excited about new work,” says Bush, “The only way our art survives is through new work. It’s important for these students to have this experience because it’s rare thing to get at this stage in their career.”

When Bush presented her play at the 2022 festival, it was the first time she’d seen her work performed in its totality.

“Greensboro has a wealth of Black talent, and I was one of those kids at some point. It’s beautiful that there’s finally a chance for those voices to not only get out but be shouted out and celebrated in such a big and impactful way,” she says.

Each evening will feature two of the four plays starting at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are available here and are $10 for a 1-day pass and $15 for pre-purchase of a 2-day pass. Students can attend at no cost.

Story by Avery Craine Powell, University Communications
Photography by Sean Norona, University Communications
Additional photography courtesy of Kamilah Bush and the Greater Greensboro Theatre Consortium

Tell Your Story

Study Drama

Class of 2024: Luis Roman Finds His Script In UNCG’S Media Studies

April 23, 2024

Amplify Black Voices Theatre Festival Puts Diverse Stories Center Stage

April 23, 2024

UNCG’s Naturally Gifted Beauty

April 22, 2024

Class of 2024: Tiffany Tan Shapes Her PhD Journey From UNCG

Posted on April 22, 2024

When Tiffany Tan graduates from UNC Greensboro in May 2024, she’ll earn two degrees: a bachelor of arts in studio art and a bachelor of science in psychology, but doctoral studies are already on her horizon.

“I heard it’s unusual for students to get into a PhD program right after earning their bachelor’s degree,” says Tan, who is already accepted into the University of Kansas’s counseling psychology PhD program.

The arduous application process included a personal statement, three letters of recommendation, a CV, and an explanation of leadership experience. Tan applied to eight schools for her doctoral studies, receiving one preliminary interview and two formal interviews for spots in counseling psychology programs – ultimately going with the University of Kansas. Her achievement would not have been possible without her hard work and opportunities presented to her at UNCG.

CERAMICS MIXED WITH PSYCHOLOGY

Tan, who is originally from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, has loved art since high school. Her high school art teacher, a UNCG alumna, encouraged a love for ceramics and led Tan to tour UNCG’s Gatewood Studio Center. UNCG was one of only two schools Tan applied to, with some encouragement from her mother as well – another UNCG alumna.

“The Gatewood Studio Arts Center was very impressive and it solidified my decision to come here,” says Tan, who would later become a CVPA student ambassador to help other students see the benefit of the G. “The ceramics classes have been my favorite. You start with hand building, then wheel throwing and then slip casting. There’s something for everyone. There’s also a lot of non-art students taking the classes, so I’ve been able to make connections there as well.”

Tan began as a studio arts major with a focus in ceramics, but a general psychology class changed the direction of her education – adding psychology as a major. Tan is in the Lloyd International Honors College and was also the recipient of the Mildred Millner Alvarez Endowed Undergraduate Scholarship in Psychology. Her thesis focuses on minority mental health and academic achievement, specifically how college students of color talk with their parents about race, emotions, and academics.

ON THE RIGHT “CAMINO”

Her work with Dr. Gabriela Livas Stein in the CAMINOS Lab, a clinical psychology research lab at UNCG, sparked her interest in the thesis topic. Stein runs the lab which works to identify individual, familial, and cultural processes that place minoritized youth at risk of maladaptive psychological and education outcomes, focusing on immigrant and Latinx populations.

“We have been so grateful to have Tiffany working with the CAMINOS lab,” says Livas Stein. “She helped shape three different research projects that considered the experiences of racial-ethnic minority families in the US, and she developed a novel honor’s thesis that she presented at an international conference for the Society for Research on Adolescence. However, her contribution to class has been the most impactful as she is curious, insightful, collaborative, and passionate during discussions, and supportive and encouraging of her peers.”

UNCG’s Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creativity (URSCO) funded Tan’s travel to the Society for Research on Adolescence Conference.

“The mentorship in the Caminos Lab is a standout from my time at UNCG,” says Tan. “Being able to have first-hand research experience and also having support from the URSCO has been great.”

A PSYCHOLOGY STANDOUT

Other faculty also helped Tan develop her thesis, specifically the Director of the Psychology Honors Program Dr. Janet Boseovski.

“We worked really closely with her, specifically on how to do a literature review and also talked about diversity and psychology’s history in general so we could have an inclusive process and measures in our study,” says Tan.

“Tiffany is a top student in the disciplinary honors program. She demonstrated strong conceptual knowledge about the field in general and on her project topic on psychological costs associated with resilience in minority youth. She is an excellent academic writer and has strong speaking skills,” says Boseovski.

Tiffany Tan stands in her graduation gown among books in the library

Tan’s hard work has also caught the attention of University leadership. In November 2023, she was chosen as a student representative at the joint UNC System Board of Governors and UNCG Board of Trustees meeting held at UNCG. The meeting included members of both boards, along with Chancellors from each of the UNC System institutions.

“I had the opportunity to speak with Chancellors from other universities and tell them about my UNCG experience and what my future plans are,” says Tan. “I even heard from one of the Chancellors who said he didn’t know how his school would top UNCG when it was his turn to host the event. It was very cool.”

Not only did she encourage prospective students to choose UNCG, Tan also worked to help fellow students succeed by tutoring in psychology and serving as a psychology peer advisor.

“Tiffany’s generous nature stands out just as much as her academic accomplishments: she was extremely supportive of her classmates and consistently offered constructive and encouraging feedback in class presentations,” says Boseovski. “She is an exemplary ambassador of the department and UNCG on the whole.”

Looking forward, Tan’s spirit of service to others will continue.

“I’m excited for what’s ahead with my PhD program. Lawrence, Kansas, where the University of Kansas is located, has a similar vibe to my hometown. Regardless of how long it takes, I would like to become a tenure-track professor in academia.”

Story by Avery Craine Powell, University Communications
Photography by Sean Norona, University Communications

CELEBRATE OUR GRADS!

Graduate Commencement: May 2 at the Greensboro Coliseum
Undergraduate Commencement: May 3 at the Greensboro Coliseum

Tag social media posts #UNCGGrad and #UNCGWay. Tagged posts will be displayed live on screen in the Greensboro Coliseum before the ceremonies.

Mention @UNCG in celebratory posts on Instagram and X and @uncgreensboro on TikTok.

Commencement Central

Digital Swag Page

Class of 2024: Luis Roman Finds His Script In UNCG’S Media Studies

April 23, 2024

Amplify Black Voices Theatre Festival Puts Diverse Stories Center Stage

April 23, 2024

UNCG’s Naturally Gifted Beauty

April 22, 2024

UNCG’s Naturally Gifted Beauty

Posted on April 22, 2024

Class of 2024: Luis Roman Finds His Script In UNCG’S Media Studies

April 23, 2024

Amplify Black Voices Theatre Festival Puts Diverse Stories Center Stage

April 23, 2024

UNCG’s Naturally Gifted Beauty

April 22, 2024

Students in Tanzania Study-Abroad Program Get Up-Close View of Life in Indian Ocean World

Posted on April 19, 2024

This summer, six undergraduate and two graduate students will travel to Tanzania on a three-week study abroad adventure offered by the UNC Greensboro African American & African Diaspora Studies (AADS) program and the Lloyd International Honors College, in collaboration with the Ethiopian, East African & Indian Ocean Research Network. This is the second year for the program, which began in 2023 with four students.

No method of learning about a culture compares to being there, says David Aarons, a faculty director of last year’s trip. “Cooking with the people, feeling the heat of the stove with them, smelling their foods, overhearing their music and how they address each other, doing what they do every day, shows you how to live in the world. It’s not just what you learn, but how you learn it.”

First-time travelers dive into culture

For most participants, this will be their first exposure to East Africa’s Indian Ocean world, according to Hewan Girma, one of two faculty leaders of the trip. “Most of our students in AADS do not often think about the presence of people of African descent outside the Black Atlantic,” she says. “This will give them a very different perspective.” For some, this will be their first time outside the United States.

The three weeks will offer a rich overview of the history, language, food, music, and way of life in the region. Plans call for the students to visit Prison Island, home to giant tortoises, as well as the ruins of a former prison and hospital. They will also travel to a spice farm in Zanzibar, with a long history of spice cultivation, including ginger and black pepper. There, they hope to take a cooking class, using local recipes and ingredients.

Students on their three-week study abroad adventure in Tanzania in 2023.

Other activities include a dhow-building workshop. A dhow is a sailing vessel native to the area and plays “a huge part in local and regional economy,” says Dr. Neelofer Qadir, this year’s other faculty director. Assigned readings will cover historical and contemporary uses of the boats and the historical legacies of exchange between Africa and Asia on the East African Coast. Students will also examine navigational poems in Swahili and Arabic languages that sailors used in the 17^th, 18^th, and 19^th centuries to make navigational maps.

On mainland Tanzania, the group will observe the International African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, based in Arusha to ponder the history, language, and role of human rights as tried in courts on the continent. “This is the court where many of the hearings for the genocide in Rwanda took place,” says Girma.

Arusha, the starting point for a lot of safari trips, is near Mount Kilimanjaro. “We think it’s great that the students can move between rural space and city space,” Qadir adds.

A trip to Stone Town of Zanzibar, a centuries-old Swahili trading town, will give a “sense of what urban life looks like in an old port city,” says Qadir. Stone Town is a UNESCO heritage site, meaning it is protected from certain types of building and alteration. The site includes ancient mosques and palaces.

In addition, Qadir hopes the group can attend lectures and workshops of the Dhow Countries Music Academy to learn about the local music scene historically and in the present.

A life-changing experience

During the three weeks, students also have time to catch up on reading, work on assignments, explore on their own or in pairs, and relax. They keep a journal of what they see and how they interact with people and places, and they make a collage of images and/or documentary videos that can be shared with their families, friends, and fellow students.

The faculty leaders and UNCG make the adventure financially in reach for student participants. “We try to make it as affordable as possible,” she says. “AADS fundraises for it and the Honors College donated generously.” Scholarships are available, too, that cover the full cost.

“Being on a guided trip on the African continent, enjoying experiences with other students in a safe environment with knowledgeable faculty expands the way students think about the world outside Greensboro or North Carolina,” Girma says. “It’s a life-changing experience.”

Story by Mary Daily
Photography courtesy of Stephanie Fisher-Huynh

Group of students pose around a huge tortoise with a thatched hut behind them.

Opportunity Awaits

Discover more about the Lloyd International Honors College

Class of 2024: Luis Roman Finds His Script In UNCG’S Media Studies

April 23, 2024

Amplify Black Voices Theatre Festival Puts Diverse Stories Center Stage

April 23, 2024

UNCG’s Naturally Gifted Beauty

April 22, 2024

UNCG Computer Scientist Applies AI to Health Care

Posted on April 19, 2024

Even if you do not consider yourself technologically savvy, you likely encounter AI regularly – scrolling social media, shopping online, or navigating to a new location.

“AI is powerful,” says UNC Greensboro Computer Science Assistant Professor Yingcheng Sun. “We can use it to save us labor and cost. It’s useful, but by no means perfect.”

While an AI mistake in one context may be minor, a mishap in other fields, such as health care, can be detrimental. Sun is working to mitigate some of AI’s errors by leveraging the strengths of both humans and technology, a field known as human-centered AI.

“Our goal is to improve AI and avoid repeated mistakes by involving people’s feedback throughout the process,” he says.

Early in his career, Sun has already published his findings in some of the top publications in his field, including the Journal of Biomedical Informatics and the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association.

Connecting researchers and clinical trial participants

Sun’s recent research revolves around improving information retrieval in an important context: clinical trial recruitment.

Currently, there are an estimated half a million clinical trials. Each year, findings from about 11,000 clinical trials are published to advance knowledge and improve treatments.

A man works at a computer. — Dr. Yingcheng Sun uses human-centered AI to build platforms to expedite information retrieval within health care contexts.

“When scientists need to develop new medication or new drugs, they want to hire or recruit volunteers, but there are a lot of requirements to be a part of a study,” Sun says.

While findings from clinical trials are key to driving science forward, researchers often find it challenging to recruit participants. Meanwhile, individuals open to participating in research are not sure how to engage. One study estimated that less than half of surveyed people feel comfortable finding a relevant clinical trial.

“Researchers sometimes put flyers on elevators and patients can check to see whether they are interested in these and then call them,” Sun says. “This approach is very inefficient.”

Without ample clinical trial participants, science stalls.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sun created COVID-19 Trial Finder, an online platform that connects interested people with clinical trial opportunities that fit their background and location.

Potential participants can answer a few questions about themselves, and then the platform generates a list of clinical trial options aligned with their responses. What’s more: if there are not any clinical trials that match the person’s interest, AI will provide other similar options.

“If the study is closed or isn’t recruiting new volunteers, then we will recommend relevant studies,” Sun says. “This is similar to when you’re online shopping and the item is out of stock. The website may recommend relevant products.”

The best of both worlds for health care

The benefits of Sun’s platform extends beyond matchmaking scientists and clinical trial participants. He’s also leveraging human-centered AI to catch mistakes and improve the platform.

A professor and his students look at a computer screen. — Sun (middle) works with his master’s students, Sony Annem (left) and Kevin Hayes (right).

Here’s how it works: after a person receives AI-generated clinical study recommendations, they can review the list and modify their responses to effectively train the AI.

“We have the user participate in the process. If they feel anything is wrong, they can modify it,” Sun said. “Equally important, we log all the modifications by the user.”

Tracking user feedback allows the research team to optimize the platform. In this way, Sun believes the best of both worlds – humans and AI – can come together to maximize efficiency and accuracy.

“AI is not enough – there’s still a lot of room to improve,” Sun says. “So how to improve, is we collect this feedback and continue training the AI tool.”

Sun hopes to build upon these findings.

“In the future, we will develop new tools based on this for other kinds of trials for the public – not only COVID-19, but also other kinds of disease,” he says.

Sun is also hard at work in other research areas, including building a platform called Evidence Map to expedite researcher synthesis of peer-reviewed papers. Sun says he’s grateful to be in the Department of Computer Science where his colleagues are friendly, and students are motivated.

“We have many local students from Greensboro. I enjoy working with them,” he said. “The students here really want to learn.”

Story by Rachel Damiani
Photography by Sean Norona, University Communications

A close-up image of a person's hand pointing towards a computer screen.

Dive into computer science

Get Started

Class of 2024: Luis Roman Finds His Script In UNCG’S Media Studies

April 23, 2024

Amplify Black Voices Theatre Festival Puts Diverse Stories Center Stage

April 23, 2024

UNCG’s Naturally Gifted Beauty

April 22, 2024

UNCG’s New Scholarship Platform Puts Funding Options at Spartan Fingertips

Posted on April 18, 2024

Students smile as they huddle around a laptop.

UNC Greensboro’s Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships has announced a new search platform that will revolutionize how students search for scholarships.

Introducing…ScholarshipUniverse.

Welcome to the Universe

ScholarshipUniverse matches students with nearly a thousand scholarships in UNCG’s portfolio, as well as thousands of external opportunities. With the completion of a simple questionnaire, students are given links to scholarships they qualify for, so they’ll never miss an opportunity.

This platform not only simplifies the search process for students, but it is also the portal through which faculty and staff members review and award scholarships. So, ScholarshipUniverse represents an upgrade in efficient scholarship management for schools and for students.

One-Stop Shopping for Scholarships

Searching for and applying for scholarships is easier than ever before. Students can log in now and complete the questionnaire to immediately see funding that they qualify for.

“In most cases, students will not have to complete separate applications for different scholarships,” says Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management Joel Lee. “This new system allows the university to match students directly with available funds, eliminating time-consuming application processes for most Spartans.”

Student looks at a laptop and smiles. Student

Parents and prospective students attend a campus tour.

Just as the Common App simplified how students apply to colleges, ScholarshipUniverse’s dashboard consolidates documents and essays to keep students’ applications organized. Through the dashboard, students can track scholarships they match to, what scholarships they’ve been offered, and which ones they’ve accepted, all in one user-friendly space.

In this transparent process, UNCG scholarship reviewers use smart ranking systems to quickly assess all qualifying students and determine awards based on numerous factors from financial need to academic performance to degree progress. And when scholarships are granted, notifications also come through the platform, so students can easily calculate how much aid they can count on.

Funding is Only a Click Away

Funds are waiting for students to apply for them at ScholarshipUniverse, but don’t take our word for it. See for yourself today. Cruising through “the universe” is the perfect pastime while you wait for responses from your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Find out how UNCG is making scholarships easier for all Spartans to access at Scholarship Universe!

Story by Becky Deakins, University Communications.
Photos courtesy of University Communications.

Discover the Perfect Scholarships for You.

Visit ScholarshipUniverse

Class of 2024: Luis Roman Finds His Script In UNCG’S Media Studies

April 23, 2024

Amplify Black Voices Theatre Festival Puts Diverse Stories Center Stage

April 23, 2024

UNCG’s Naturally Gifted Beauty

April 22, 2024

UNCG Nursing Faculty Works to Keep Mothers’ Hearts Healthy

Posted on April 17, 2024

Dr. Forgive Avorgbedor uses a Vicorder on UNCG Ph.D. student Favour Omondi while Dr. Esther Leerkes watches.

Could an early measurement during pregnancy help stave off heart disease? What role do race and environment play? Dr. Forgive Avorgbedor examines the heart health of Black moms and other childbearing parents.

Class of 2024: Luis Roman Finds His Script In UNCG’S Media Studies

April 23, 2024

Amplify Black Voices Theatre Festival Puts Diverse Stories Center Stage

April 23, 2024

UNCG’s Naturally Gifted Beauty

April 22, 2024

Powwow at UNCG Celebrates Diverse Heritages and Family Bonds

Posted on April 18, 2024

Native American dancers outside at UNCG.

The annual spring powwow hosted by UNC Greensboro’s Native American Student Association (NASA) is a draw for people from all around the country. It’s an event that the participants describe as a big family coming together.

Chloe Thompson, a student at UNCG’s Middle College, had two additional reasons to feel excited about April 13’s powwow. The first was that she would be dancing in her own handmade regalia. The second reason was the beautiful weather, as last year’s powwow had to be moved inside due to rain.

Native American dancers line up for UNCG powwow, including Mohawk member Chloe Thompson.

A child plays a drum during the UNCG powwow.

“Last year was the first powwow I was able to participate in,” says Thompson, an Akwesasne Mohawk. “While it was still a really great experience, it’s so much better to have it outside the sun with all these people.”

Century of Recognition, Millennia of Culture

Everything from the dances to the vendors’ wares to the regalia carried special meaning to the Native American participants, reflecting on how far they’ve come and celebrating who they are in the present-day.

The year 2024 marks 100 years since the U.S. passed the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924. Terry Chavis, president of NASA, says it’s important to show one another and non-Native guests how they are thriving.

“This is a very special year for us to say, ‘It’s only been 100 years of citizenship, but we have many millennia of representation here on the land,'” says Chavis, a member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina who is getting his doctorate in educational studies with a concentration in higher education at UNCG.

A Native American man in full regalia stands in front of the American flag on the UNCG campus.

Native Americans drum together at the UNCG powwow.

The Grand Entry at the powwow brought the American and North Carolina State flags onto the lawn of UNCG’s Elliott University Center. They held a prayer in the Tuscarora language and recognized Native American veterans. Vendors sold handmade wares such as beads, ribbon shirts, woodwork, blankets, and jewelry.

Erika Reynolds serves as NASA’s cultural advisor while studying for a master of arts in peace and conflict studies. She says there are 7,000 Native members in Guilford County from roughly 125 tribes. Powwow participants represented tribes from across the country.

Everyone Feels Like Family

“We’re all diverse in our cultures, heritage, and languages,” says Reynolds, who is Cherokee, Saura, and Arawak. “But what you’ll notice out here is that all of us are family, even if we’re not blood related.”

Some of the dances encouraged audience participation, while others focused on themes of friendship and relationships. A series of dance specials shone a light on the issues felt by Native Americans today.

Students talk to Native American representatives at a table at UNCG.

Native Americans in full regalia march across UNCG quad.

“We have some dance specials that highlight Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women,” says Reynolds. “Every Child Matters gives homage to our folks that went to Indian residential schools and never made it home. Our Little Boy Long Hair special, which celebrates our long hair, is especially for our young men.”

Thompson, who graduates from Middle College this year, was grateful for a place that brought together distinct aspects of herself – her Spartan identity blended with her Mohawk identity. She says whether someone is Native American or not, they had much to gain by going to the powwow.

“Just by talking to people you can learn how many different cultures there are,” says Thompson. “It means a lot to be able to celebrate who I am at the school – where I’m just a student most of the time. Now I get to show that I’m also a Native American, and I’m a part of this really amazing community.”

Story by Janet Imrick, University Communications
Photography by Sean Norona, University Communications
Video by David Lee Row, University Communications

Two women in cultural dress at UNCG International Festival.

Unique individuals. All Spartans.

Engage in all cultures

Class of 2024: Luis Roman Finds His Script In UNCG’S Media Studies

April 23, 2024

Amplify Black Voices Theatre Festival Puts Diverse Stories Center Stage

April 23, 2024

UNCG’s Naturally Gifted Beauty

April 22, 2024

$5 Million Mellon Grant Provides Paid Internships for Humanities Students

Posted on April 17, 2024

Professor stands in front of a class of students with a slide behind her with a — Dr. Megan Walters of UNCG Career and Professional Development Office presents the valuable skills Humanities students bring to their careers.

UNC Greensboro has been awarded a $5 million grant from the Mellon Foundation to implement a five-year paid internship and educational program for humanities students called “Humanities at Work.” This landmark grant is the largest ever received by UNCG’s College of Arts & Sciences – as well as one of the largest in the University’s history.

“We are absolutely thrilled to be one of only five universities in the country to receive this historic award from the Mellon Foundation,” said UNCG Chancellor Franklin D. Gilliam, Jr. “The Humanities at Work project will not only provide hundreds of UNCG humanities students with high-quality, paid internship experiences, but it will also help them to articulate the value of a humanities degree to potential employers, translating to fulfilling careers.”

Building Bridges with Internships

The backbone of this program is the transformative value of paid internships, which will impact 650 students and 130 local nonprofits over five years. “This funding allows UNCG to serve as a national model for closing equity gaps,” said Dr. Maura Heyn, co-Principal Investigator (PI) and associate dean in the College of Arts and Sciences. According to a 2023 study by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, unpaid internships increase inequity and create longstanding hurdles in career advancement, particularly for Black and first-generation college students.

Humanities at Work aims to eliminate these barriers – an especially relevant goal at UNCG, where over 50 percent of the student population self-identify as belonging to a minoritized group, 50 percent of students are first-generation college students, and 46 percent receive Pell grants.

“Access to a paid, high-quality internship can change the entire trajectory of a person’s career,” said Dr. Megan Walters, director of UNCG’s Career and Professional Development and partner on the project. “As a campus highly focused on the social mobility of our students and our state, we must provide equitable access to meaningful opportunities to help students realize their potential and to help them knock down financial barriers to lifelong success. Humanities at Work is the ideal opportunity for UNCG.”

Engaging Studies with Practical Applications

UNCG has a vibrant humanities program, made up of nine disciplines: English; History; Philosophy; Classical Studies; International and Global Studies; Languages, Literatures, and Cultures; Religious Studies; Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies; and African American and African Diaspora Studies. Access to internships is particularly beneficial for humanities students.

“We know that humanities majors are qualified for a range of opportunities, but paid internships are scarce,” said Dr. Heather Adams, an associate professor of English and a PI on the grant. “This program will help students more fully imagine and speak to their unique contributions as they hone their skills through hands-on internship placements.”

Humanities at Work will begin recruiting students in spring 2025. Over one academic year, students will work in small groups on paid internship experiences with local community partners. Simultaneously, students will participate in a Humanities at Work course to guide their internship projects and to learn skills for translating the value of their humanities degree into work beyond the classroom.

Four professors pose in front of a wall with framed diplomas. — Dr. Maura Heyn, Dr. John Kiss, Dr. Jennifer Feather, and Dr. Heather Adams co-authored the UNCG grant application.

Spartans Support Critical Triad Needs

Humanities at Work also promises to benefit the Greater Greensboro community. “The projects completed by UNCG students will offer local nonprofits a chance to develop capacity to support their missions,” said Dr. John Z. Kiss, dean of the College of Arts & Sciences and a PI on the grant. “By providing coursework, guidance, and mentorship, Humanities at Work also lifts much of the burden of maintaining an internship from these partner sites – work such as interviewing, training, and supervising interns.”

For students and parents who are increasingly worried about the return on investment of a college education, the Humanities at Work project lays the groundwork for success.

“For many students at UNCG, a college degree is the single biggest investment they will make over the course of their lifetimes,” said Dr. Jennifer Feather, head of UNCG’s English Department and another PI on the grant. “While a program like this one contributes to lifetime earnings, it does more, situating students to bring their best talents to urgent needs and aspirational projects in the Greensboro community and the region.”

Story by Elizabeth Keri, College of Arts and Sciences.
Photography courtesy of College of Arts and Sciences.

Graduate stands in the lobby of UNCG's humanities building.

Help Your Community Thrive With Classic Studies

Explore humanities majors.

Class of 2024: Luis Roman Finds His Script In UNCG’S Media Studies

A HORROR FANATIC

THE REAL ROMAN HOUR

CELEBRATE OUR GRADS!

Trending Stories

News

Amplify Black Voices Theatre Festival Puts Diverse Stories Center Stage

STORIES UNHEARD

ALUMNI ADVICE

CELEBRATING BLACK TALENT

Tell Your Story

Trending Stories

News

Class of 2024: Tiffany Tan Shapes Her PhD Journey From UNCG

CERAMICS MIXED WITH PSYCHOLOGY

ON THE RIGHT “CAMINO”

A PSYCHOLOGY STANDOUT

CELEBRATE OUR GRADS!

Trending Stories

News

UNCG’s Naturally Gifted Beauty

Trending Stories

News

Students in Tanzania Study-Abroad Program Get Up-Close View of Life in Indian Ocean World

First-time travelers dive into culture

A life-changing experience

Opportunity Awaits

Trending Stories

News

UNCG Computer Scientist Applies AI to Health Care

Connecting researchers and clinical trial participants

The best of both worlds for health care

Dive into computer science

Trending Stories

News

UNCG’s New Scholarship Platform Puts Funding Options at Spartan Fingertips

Welcome to the Universe

One-Stop Shopping for Scholarships

Funding is Only a Click Away

Discover the Perfect Scholarships for You.

Trending Stories

News

UNCG Nursing Faculty Works to Keep Mothers’ Hearts Healthy

Trending Stories

News

Powwow at UNCG Celebrates Diverse Heritages and Family Bonds

Century of Recognition, Millennia of Culture

Everyone Feels Like Family

Unique individuals. All Spartans.

Trending Stories

News

$5 Million Mellon Grant Provides Paid Internships for Humanities Students

Building Bridges with Internships

Engaging Studies with Practical Applications

Help Your Community Thrive With Classic Studies

Trending Stories

News