Amy Harris Houk Named Interim Dean of University Libraries
Posted on May 21, 2026
UNC Greensboro has named Amy Harris Houk Interim Dean of University Libraries, effective June 1. A longtime member of the University Libraries faculty and administration, Harris Houk brings nearly two decades of experience in library leadership, teaching, student success initiatives, and campus collaboration to the role.
Since joining UNCG in 2005, Harris Houk has held a variety of leadership positions within University Libraries, including department head for Research, Outreach, and Instruction, and currently serves as Assistant Dean for Teaching and Learning and Professor in the University Libraries.
Throughout her career, Harris Houk has been deeply engaged in advancing student success and academic innovation across the university. She chaired the General Education Council during the 2021-22 academic year and served as the co-chair of the General Education Revision Task Force in 2019, helping to guide significant curricular initiatives at UNCG.
“For the past two decades, I have been a part of the UNCG University Libraries faculty,” said Harris Houk. “In that time, I have been lucky enough to work with some incredibly talented and dedicated professionals. I have seen firsthand the care and commitment that each of my colleagues devotes to their jobs and to the UNCG community. I consider it an honor to have the opportunity to lead our unit as we move through this next chapter in our collective story.”
An accomplished scholar and educator, Harris Houk has authored and presented extensively on information literacy, library leadership, student engagement, and academic collaboration. She has been an active leader in professional organizations at the state and national levels, including serving as the chair of the Leadership and Management Section of the North Carolina Library Association.
“Professor Harris Houk has consistently demonstrated thoughtful leadership, deep institutional knowledge, and a strong commitment to student and faculty success,” said Provost Alan Boyette. “Her collaborative approach and extensive experience within University Libraries positions her well to lead during this transition period.”
The search for the permanent dean of the University Libraries will resume in August.
UNCG awarded $2 million to grow bioindustrial manufacturing workforce across North Carolina
Posted on May 14, 2026
UNCG has received a $2 million award to launch NC BioMISSION, a bioindustrial workforce training and research program in North Carolina.
The U.S. bioindustrial economy is projected to support at least 1 million jobs by 2030, but qualified biotechnology workers are already in short supply. NC BioMISSION will help address this gap by equipping students with technical, applied, and industry-aligned skills for careers in the growing sector.
The initiative has been funded by BioMADE, a Manufacturing Innovation Institute sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense to secure U.S. global leadership in industrial biotechnology.
Bioindustrial manufacturing uses biological systems to generate high-value chemicals, materials, textiles, fuels, bioplastics, and other products, often using agricultural feedstocks and waste streams as starting materials. The program will prepare students to convert biomass into high-value, industry-ready materials that strengthen supply chains, advance sustainability, and drive economic growth.
NC BioMISSION’s self-paced certificate of completion, opening to all majors in January 2027, will combine in-person instruction, online modules, and immersive virtual reality experiences. The program will be designed to be accessible to UNCG’s diverse student population, including adult learners and the university’s large number of military-affiliated students and veterans.
Coursework will be developed in conjunction with an industry advisory board. “Rather than people at the university saying, ‘these are the skills people need,’ it will be the industry telling the university the skills they require in order to hire these individuals,” said Dr. Sherine Obare, UNCG Vice Chancellor for Research and Engagement.
The program will also include opportunities for capstone projects with industry partners. “The goal is for students to gain practical experience and professional preparation for immediate workforce entry,” said Obare. “We want to develop high-level, critical thinking in these students.”
In addition to skills related to the use of industrial reactors, NC BioMISSION will incorporate education in data analytics, data science, and machine learning, to support process optimization and data-driven manufacturing.
NC BioMISSION personnel will conduct research on optimal methods for transferring bioindustrial skills to students. Ultimately, the team aims to develop a scalable, replicable model for bioindustrial manufacturing workforce development that can be implemented across the country.
UNCG’s NC BioMISSION is one of six national educational and workforce development projects funded by BioMADE this year. Bioindustrial job opportunities are broad, with roles ranging from highly skilled technical workers to engineers, plant operators, scientists, and more. While the United States has led the world in biotechnology since the 1970s, in recent years China has surged ahead in key emerging areas, leading to increased federal investment in biotechnology initiatives.
The UNCG project will be housed in iCOMMAND, the university’s research institute for military advances and national defense, with Obare, Dr. Chartanay Bonner, and Dr. Charlene Mello at the project helm.
“Leveraging North Carolina’s strong agricultural base and aligning academic training with industry demands, NC BioMISSION represents a strategic investment in North Carolina’s future,” said Obare. “This initiative will accelerate bioindustrial manufacturing across North Carolina, creating clear pathways to employment, advancing sustainability, and driving economic growth.”
In October of 2025 BioMADE and UNCG partnered to host an eight-day Warfighter to Scientist workshop, designed to help service members, veterans, and their families transition into the growing bioindustrial manufacturing field.
article and lead photo by UNCG University Communications staff, inset photo by Chris English
Those interested in working with immigrant and refugee communities with the Center for New North Carolinians may apply for the next program year, which begins Sept. 8. AmeriCorps volunteers receive a living allowance and, upon successful completion of the program, an education award that can be used toward tuition and qualified student loans.
UNCG Graduate Student Excels in Science and Leadership
Posted on May 20, 2026
Nooshin KianvashRad credits UNC Greensboro with helping her to better recognize herself.
The Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering (JSNN) has shown her that she is indeed a leader, one whose confidence and skills continue to grow every day with each new challenge — whether pursuing better cancer outcomes in the lab, being a voice for UNCG graduate students, or sharing her passion for science at a community event.
From Setbacks to Strength
Originally from Iran, KianvashRad experienced a tumultuous arrival to the United States.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, she delayed her JSNN admission acceptance twice, and when her departure day finally arrived, she experienced challenging obstacles during her travel.
Regardless of these impediments, the University welcomed KianvashRad and assisted her through this transition. “The UNCG community is very supportive,” she says. “I felt this before even arriving in the United States.”
She admits her British English and foreign accent initially caused her some difficulty, but she soon felt like she belonged here. Participating in volunteer activities helped her merge into the campus culture.
Fighting Fungal Infections with Nanoscience
At JSNN, KianvashRad wanted to research cancer, specifically examining why some cancer patients pass away from fungal infections, not the cancer itself.
In her lab, she works on developing nanostructures to help prevent antifungal resistance in fungal pathogens. Cancer patients may develop fungal infections in the mouth, nose, throat, or skin, and over time, some fungi can become resistant to antifungal medications, reducing the effectiveness of treatment.
Therefore, KianvashRad investigates how a 3D nanomaterial affects the sensitivity of Candida albicans to antifungal drugs, with the overall goal to improve strategies to treat fungal infections.
Naming him “the best advisor who exists,” KianvashRad shares that he is not only supportive of students’ research projects, but he shows up for them no matter the problem.
“If you have a question about your research, he will physically come to the lab to help,” she says. “If you are doing a particularly sensitive experiment, he will stand with you and walk through each step.”
But KianvashRad is quick to clarify that LaJeunesse does not give his students the answers. Instead, he intentionally guides students to independently secure complex answers.
Becoming a Campus Leader
KianvashRad claims UNCG taught her how to lead, but her early participation on campus reveals a different story: Her community here unearthed leadership qualities she already possessed.
Following two years as a JSNN senator for the Graduate School Association (GSA), she was elected GSA president and will serve in that capacity in the next academic year.
“I was nervous at first,” she admits, “but my mentors gave me a guide and advised me on management, so I am satisfied with my performance now.”
KianvashRad serves on the campus-wide Graduate Policy Committee and the Tuition and Fee Committee. She regularly listens to graduate students’ concerns, considering topics like health insurance, international students’ success, financial concerns, and wellness initiatives.
“I am working on a new program launching in August in which we invite companies to campus to engage with graduate students and professors, with the hope of encouraging future internships or job opportunities as well as industry and university collaboration,” she says.
“For my Gold Experience, I partnered with Reading Connections, a local nonprofit focused on improving adult literacy,” she says. “I introduced media into the classes to help adults learn English with greater ease.”
In addition, KianvashRad seeks opportunities outside of UNCG’s campus to deepen her scientific knowledge and share her passion for science.
Science Outside the Lab, a week-long workshop in Washington, D.C. for graduate students and faculty, examines the intersection of government, science, and technology. KianvashRad attended in January 2024. She visited the White House, NASA, and the National Science Foundation during the program, meeting with science and policy professionals.
“I was able to ask questions, discover more about science and policy, consider career opportunities, and better understand the proposal process,” she says. “I also learned my work in bioinformatics is important to the U.S. government.”
Partnering with JSNN Associate Dean Daniel Rabinovich enables KianvashRad to share her passion for science with young students. As a JSNN outreach team member, she engages students to learn about nanoscience during Science Everywhere.
A Future In Science
KianvashRad will graduate in 2027, then seek a postdoctoral fellowship to work on pediatric cancer. But it’s apparent her scientific growth and leadership will continue.
“UNCG helps me improve myself and gives me opportunity to grow,” she says.
Written by Amy Burtch, AMBCopy Photos by Sean Norona, University Communications,and provided by JSNN
Softball Seniors Trade Pomp and Circumstance for a SoCon Championship
Posted on May 13, 2026
As UNC Greensboro’s seniors celebrated their academic achievements at Commencement last Friday, five graduating seniors were in Chattanooga instead, fighting for another collegiate award: the Southern Conference (SoCon) Softball Championship.
For Kaylyn Belfield and many of her teammates, this season has been a destiny they’ve been working towards since they were children.
“I started attending big-time college softball games and conference championships as young as 9 years old,” she remembers. “It has been a dream of mine to not only play Division I softball but to help a team win a conference championship and an NCAA berth. I am grateful to Coach Breneman and the staff and UNCG for being a part of this program.”
Update:
After an incredible SoCon Championship run, the 41st Spartan softball team (“Team 41” as they call themselves) went on to win the Spartan’s first ever NCAA tournament game in a 1-0 nailbiter versus 6-seed Clemson before falling to Georgia and Clemson on Saturday. Check out the stats of their games in the NCAA regional tournament hosted in Athens.
The past two weeks of postseason play have been an emotional whirlwind that began with a special ceremony on the team’s sacred outfield.
Softball seniors go from proud grads to SoCon champs.
For all but Jones, who returns after an injury for one final season while she finishes her master’s degree, this would be the last event on their home field. Kinesiology professor and the team’s beloved trainer, Dr. Aaron Terranova, delivered a heartfelt address. Family, friends, coaches, and teammates joined the celebration with flowers, hugs, and proud smiles for the camera.
Jones officially graduated in December but waited until spring to walk with her teammates. She was touched by the ceremony. “Having that special commencement before postseason travel gave us a chance to pause and celebrate not only our accomplishments on the field, but also everything we’ve overcome and achieved academically,” Jones explains. “Being surrounded by teammates, support staff, and family made it even more special.”
Unlike their other classmates, this commencement ceremony would not mark the end of these scholar-athlete’s college days. They had a regular season to finish, a conference tournament to win, and, hopefully, a NCAA tournament to play before they would become Spartan alumnae.
A Season to Remember
After the team’s commencement, they traveled to Birmingham, Ala. for a final series versus Samford University. Their win capped a 39-17 season that crowned the ladies SoCon regular season champions.
“What makes this team so special is how deeply we care about one another both on and off the field,” says Ward. “Everyone bought into the same goals and pushed each other to be better every single day. We have built such a strong bond and culture for this program, and it is so rewarding to see the hard work payoff.”
Seniors reached milestones in the final game on both sides of the ball. Ward stepped on to the mound for the 47th start of her career and won her 11th victory of the season, reaching 40 career wins as a Spartan. And at the plate, Belfield surpassed 200 career hits when she went 2-for-3 to beat Samford in the last regular season game.
Belfield credits her strength this season to the support of her teammates. “Proverbs 27:17 says, ‘iron sharpens iron’, so one person sharpens another,’” she explains. “Being surrounded by winning coaches and other talented players inspires me to be the best version I can be, and it inspires me to encourage my teammates to be their best.”
Tenacity and skills start at the top and flow through this team of standouts. Coach Janelle Breneman reached her 600th career win in April, 469 of those with the Blue & Gold. She was named SoCon Coach of the Year for her leadership in this team’s storied season. Also honored at the postseason awards were Brooklyn Shroyer, SoCon Pitcher of the Year, and Avery Bouquin, SoCon Freshman of the Year.
“We are playing with a ‘team first’ mentality,” says Breneman. “The seniors have done a good job of acclimating nine new players to this program (seven rookies, two transfers). We have also utilized our sports performance coaches and have strengthened the mental side of the ballgame, which has improved our toughness and response to failure as a team.”
Survive and Advance
This team’s determination continued as they traveled from Birmingham to Chattanooga, Tenn. for the SoCon Tournament. Here, every win would give them one more chance to play together.
“What makes this team so special is the people,” Jones explains. “Everyone is striving for something bigger than themselves, and that culture started with Coach Breneman and our staff. The individual records and accomplishments are amazing, but I think they were possible because of the trust, confidence, and selflessness within our team.”
In the end, they swept the tournament with wins over Wofford and two shutouts against Samford for an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The win marked the Spartans’ eighth SoCon championship in program history and the first shutout in a championship game. Shroyer, who was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, teamed up with senior catcher McKinnon to give up only one hit.
“A lasting memory I will have from this team is the moment we won on Sunday,” says McKinnon. “The relief, joy, and sense of accomplishment after we made the last out was a feeling I’ll never forget. Throughout the whole weekend, the energy and vibes were high. The dugout was loud, everyone had each other’s back, and we competed every pitch. There was no stopping this team!”
One More Ride
On the way home from Chattanooga, the bus took a detour to Buffalo Wild Wings in Bristol, Tenn. so the team could watch the NCAA selection announcements and find out who they would play next. After a call from Assistant Coach Brynne Dordel, the restaurant manager quickly made room for the Spartans, cued up the selection show on ESPN2, and blasted “We are the Champions” as the team was seated.
“Celebrating on Sunday after the championship is a moment I will never forget,” says Williams. “I have had the most fun of my life playing with this team and breaking many records this season together as one team. Being here all four of my college years has been a great experience and going out as champions has made it even better!”
Next up for UNCG is a trip to the Athens Regional where the Spartans match up with Clemson on Friday in the NCAA Division I Championship. They departed campus with high hopes for a win, but Belfield was simply looking forward to one more bus ride with her teammates.
“My favorite thing about this team is our singing on the bus before games,” she says. “We love to get hyped to our own little version of ‘Dixieland Delight.’ Team 41 will always be special. I hope we can continue to celebrate together for many years.”
Jones agrees: “Winning the SoCon Championship was unforgettable, but the relationships and memories we built throughout the journey are what make it truly special! This has truly been an amazing year, and we aren’t done yet!”
Story by Becky Deakins, University Communications. Photos submitted by UNCG Athletics.
Class of 2026: Jason Rich Redesigns His Future through Interior Architecture
Posted on May 15, 2026
When Jason Rich ’26 walked across the Commencement stage last week, it marked the culmination of a journey that began more than two decades ago — one shaped by work, self-discovery, and a deliberate return to education. That path ultimately led him to a renewed sense of creativity and community in UNCG’s Department of Interior Architecture (IARc).
A Nonlinear Journey Back to the Classroom
Rich grew up in Asheboro, N.C. After graduating high school, he studied dance for a year at UNC School of the Arts and then moved to New York to attend the University of Buffalo. Before completing his degree, he returned home to work in his family’s antique business.
For 12 years, he managed the shop. But turning 30 prompted him to reassess what he wanted to do. “Around the time that I turned 30, I realized I didn’t want to take over the family business,” Rich says. “I was like, ‘What am I going to do?’”
Friends, who recognized his creativity and eye for space, encouraged him to pursue interior design at Randolph Community College (RCC). Growing up surrounded by furniture and history — and occasionally decorating the store’s front window — had planted early seeds of design interest.
“It was a little scary, kind of blindly going in,” Rich says. “But as I learned, I realized I enjoy doing this. I enjoy building these kind of spaces.”
Rich graduated from RCC in 2020. His internship with SUNPAN Modern, a Toronto‑based furniture company with its main showroom in High Point, N.C., quickly became a full‑time role. He worked as a showroom designer and showroom manager, creating displays for the High Point Furniture Market and for shows in Las Vegas. He helped redesign showrooms in both cities and contributed to a new showroom in Toronto. Though he describes the job as “a wonderful experience,” the desire to finish his bachelor’s degree never faded. After three years, he felt ready to return to school.
Finding Belonging in Studio Culture
Choosing UNCG was easy. Rich lived only minutes from campus, and several RCC instructors who had graduated from the IARc program spoke highly of it. What felt harder was returning to a university environment after so many years away.
“Preparing myself emotionally for going back to school, especially at the university level, was nerve‑wracking,” he says.
Being 20 years older than most classmates added another layer of uncertainty. He kept mostly to himself during his first semester. But as finals approached, classmates began reaching out, offering help and feedback on his designs. From there, collaboration came naturally.
Gatewood Studios, home to the IARc program, has an open layout intentionally designed to foster community. Each cohort has its own studio space, and every student has a dedicated desk.
“There’s a beautiful thing about student culture, how open it is, and how you can wander and look at projects that are pinned up from space to space,” Rich explains. “We’re always encouraged to walk around, to talk, to meet other people, to look at other projects. And having that dedicated desk that’s always yours that you come back to provides a sense of safety.”
That sense of belonging, paired with the program’s emphasis on both collaboration and independence, helped Rich refine his technical skills and deepen his personal design philosophy.
Feeling and Function: Designing with a Purpose
Rich has always been drawn to the structural essence of a space. “I am drawn to how spaces are laid out, the uses of walls, openings, windows, apertures, and how people who will use spaces will move through them and feel in them,” he says.
His time in the IARc program both nurtured and challenged that perspective, especially through two major senior year projects.
The first was a historic preservation collaboration with Natalie Miller, CEO and founder of The Historic Magnolia House, who had recently acquired the old Orange Hotel. Rich designed a flexible event space that emphasized community gathering while honoring strict preservation requirements.
“Magnolia House is a historically Black-owned and -operated business here in Greensboro, part of the Green Book for Black travelers throughout the 1930s, 40s, and 50s,” he says. “And Orange Hotel, while not appearing in the Green Book, was absolutely a part of that. That project was a great one because it was very community, culturally, and emotionally driven.”
His spring studio centered on the Home of Shadows, a worldwide competition from Bildner, where students designed a residence using no artificial light, only the sun, moon, and stars. Associate Professor Stephen Skorski pushed students to think deeply about atmosphere and emotional experience.
“I’ve never thought to design that way,” Rich says. “I might do it instinctually, but to be intentional with it takes a lot of energy, and a lot of trying and failing, guessing and seeing how it looks.” Despite the challenge, he describes the final outcome as “a beautiful process.”
Rich works on finalizing his design concept for the Home of Shadows competition.A view of Rich’s Home of Shadows entry hallway.Rich’s design concept for the Orange Hotel’s Carriage House.
Serving as a teacher’s assistant proved especially meaningful. As a transfer student, Rich appreciated the chance to revisit foundational concepts alongside first‑year students. “It’s been so re-educational because they’re learning the basics of everything that I learned at a different school almost 10 years ago,” Rich says. “Hearing them again and rethinking about them again re-energizes my thought process.”
He has enjoyed being a mentor to first-years in the program. Watching them give presentations with more confidence and with correct terminology and seeing how they described spaces and forms with more eloquence, he says, has been as rewarding as his own progress.
Designing His Next Chapter
Now Rich prepares for another transition: returning to the workforce. He hopes to stay in Greensboro and pursue commercial or hospitality design, ideally with a firm that works across multiple project types. He knows his years of professional experience, combined with the depth of his UNCG training, have prepared him well.
“IARc has given me everything I need. Now I just need to believe in myself,” Rich says. “I am proud of the education, proud of opportunities I’ve gotten, and proud of the chance to represent UNCG in the workforce.”
Rich’s final presentation for his IARc 411 Fall Studio.Rich and members of his studio cohort at their final presentation for IARc 412 Spring Studio.Officially a UNCG graduate.
Story by Amanda Kennison, College of Arts & Sciences Photography by Amanda Kennison and courtesy of Jason Rich, College of Arts & Sciences
CELEBRATE OUR GRADS!
Graduates and their families are encouraged to share their accomplishments on social media by tagging the University accounts and using the hashtag #UNCGGrad. Visit UNCG’s digital swag page for Commencement-themed graphics and templates.
Mention @UNCG in celebratory posts on Instagram and X and @uncgreensboro on TikTok.
How Bryan School Professor is Rewriting Narrative on Workplace Trauma
Posted on May 21, 2026
Inspired by stories from her loved ones and coworkers, Dr. Madelynn Stackhouse now helps businesses better understand how stress and trauma impact their employees’ well-being and workplace function.
Just as UNCG says goodbye to students who found their way here, it also sends off staff who retired over the past academic year. Each one of them put in long hours and dedicated service to making the college experience the best it could be for each new class that called campus their home away from home.
Forever a Spartan
UNCG thanks all these staff members for their work and wishes them a restful, fulfilling retirement.
Linda Alexander, University Program Associate Karen Blackwell, Director of Institutional Research and Enterprise Data Management Eric Boyce, Chief of Police Patricia Booker, Business Officer Ronald Burford, Vehicle/Equipment Repair Technician Tammy Jo Capps, BT Applications Specialist Brett Carter, Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean of Students Mitzi Cartright, Foundations Accountant Christopher Castelloe, Human Resources Consultant Shannon Clegg, Senior Director of Auxiliary Services Paul Cloninger, Business Services Coordinator Betty Coats, University Program Specialist John Comer, Alumni House Manager Megan Corum, Research Specialist Cheryl Cross, University Library Specialist Barbara Dawson, Pharmacist Stephen Duncan, Specialty Trades Technician Rebecca Fallon, Administrative Support Associate Deborah Gainey, Business Services Coordinator Carla Garrett, Early Childhood Program Specialist Theresa Hancock, Director of Stewardship Jennifer Hill, Research Associate Felicia Joyner, Medical/Nursing Assistant Hmoc Ksor, Building and Environmental Technician Michele Laudenbacher, Director of Financial Planning and Budgets Samuel Locklear, Building and Environmental Services Technician Mitzi Lorenz, Administrative Support Specialist Jeanne Madorin, Chief Human Relations Officer Patrick Martin, Assistant Athletic Director Robin McAdams, Network Analyst Tina McEntire, Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management Kathleen McGirty, Business Officer Mark Meacham, Program Coordinator Ruth Morales-Giron, Administrative Support Associate Loring Mortensen, Public Communications Specialist Christina O’Connor, Project Director Anne Owens, University Library Technician Brian Craig Payne, Building and Environmental Services Technician Cathy Payne, Business Officer Donald Dean Perdue, Facility Maintenance Technician Denise Phillips, Accountant Carolina Pittman, University Program Associate Sandra Redmond, Business Officer Mary Russell, Budget Analyst Rhonda Sawyer, Assistant Coordinator Libby Schinnow, Marketing Coordinator Elias Segoviano, Facility Maintenance Technician Lilly Sharon, Business Officer Robert Shea, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Neil Shepherd, Business Officer Loretta Shorter, Building and Environmental Services Technician Connie Sidden, Tech Support Analyst Janette Szelkowski, Associate Director Kimberly Smith, Administrative Support Specialist Audrey Snyder, Assistant Director for Community Engagement and Academic Partnership Matthew Strupp, Physician Assistant Kimberly Titlebam, Research Associate Steve Tuck, Building and Environmental Technician Terry Wicks, Clinical Assistant Professor Kathy Wilson, Administrative Support Supervisor Kim Zinke, University Program Specialist
In Memoriam
With great sadness, UNCG also had to say goodbye to one of its employees whose family has achieved an institutional legacy. On Jan. 21, Paul Bigelow lost his life in a car accident. He had worked for Facilities for 23 years.
Bigelow and his family has contributed more than 100 years of service to the Facilities division. His mother Sarah Cottrell, aunts Maxine Graham and Carolyn Russell, and his cousins Robin Rorie, Vicki Russell, and Jamar Russell, as well as his partner Serena Raleigh, all have ties to the University. His celebration of life was held at Southside Baptist Church.
Retiring as a Friend
Staff leave their mark on campus each in their own way, long after they left. One of them, John Comer, retires this summer as Advancement’s Alumni House Manager this summer. Ahead of his departure, he was honored with the Friend of CVPA Award. The award recognizes contributions to the growth and success of the College of Visual And Performing Arts through on-going service or support of the college.
Nikolai Tassin ’26 thought he had a solid path outlined when deciding where to attend college and what to major in. The Fayetteville, N.C. native knew he wanted to stay in North Carolina and become a therapist, so he focused his search on schools with strong psychology programs.
However, early in his first semester at UNCG, Tassin realized that path may not be the one for him to follow.
“I came into college thinking I wanted to be a therapist,” Tassin says. “Psychology to therapy, pretty one-to-one. I took the Careers in Psychology class my first semester, freshman year. While the professor was talking about what [being a therapist] would look like, I was thinking, ‘Oh no I have to change majors. I don’t want to do this.’”
Fortunately, Tassin quickly learned that UNCG is a safe place for exploring new paths, and he would eventually find the one that would bring him to Spring 2026 Commencement Day.
“I’ve just grown so much more confident in approaching strangers and having conversations and being willing to go out and experience something new,” Tassin says. “So many doors opened for me, because I had opened a door already and kept walking through.”
Discovering Research and a Place to Belong
Just as the Careers in Psychology class began its unit on research and academic positions. Tassin saw an event posting for an undergraduate research workshop held by the Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creativity Office (URSCO). He applied, hoping to connect the dots with what he was learning in class.
That decision would ultimately shape the remainder of his time at UNCG and post-graduate journey.
At the workshop, Tassin heard an undergraduate student in the lab of Dr. Kari Eddington, professor and director of Clinical Training, share his research. Afterwards, Tassin emailed the student to say how cool his work sounded and asked to see what was happening in the lab.
“I joined in for some meetings, and I’ve been with [Eddington] ever since,” Tassin says. “I found the lab, I loved it, and I never left.”
His work in Eddington’s lab began with running research study participants, walking them through completing questionnaires and digital tasks. He then progressed to helping graduate students with coding. By his second year, Eddington recognized the variety of experiences Tassin had gained and offered him additional opportunities. He began creating surveys and consent forms. Eventually, he wrote the entire procedures manual for one of their studies.
Being trusted with those responsibilities expanded his academic and personal outlook.
“Dr. Eddington gave me the trust and responsibility, and I was able to take that even a step further to apply what I learned. That was a really meaningful experience for me, because it showed me that I am a person who can be trusted.”
“Essentially I’m creating the idea,” Tassin says. “I’m not just doing the actual running of participants, making up the materials, but I’m thinking of questions and how to answer them.”
He began exploring data gathered during other projects and thinking about it differently. His weekly task of downloading participants’ responses led Tassin to conduct a qualitative analysis and present his findings to the rest of Eddington’s lab.
While existing studies focused on long-term goal success, Tassin wanted to explore the effect of day-to-day behaviors on goals. He decided to develop his Lloyd International Honors College project around that idea.
“I did a secondary data analysis looking at if traits actually predict what students are doing,” he says, “seeing how people, day-to-day, put effort towards or avoid their goals, rather than long-term success,” he says. “So, I was able to read the literature, find a gap, and find a way to fill it, which was really fun and exciting.”
In his last semester, he presented two projects at the Lloyd International College Honors Symposium: “Generative AI Use and the Propensity of Pro-Anorexia Content” and “Goal Pursuit: Comparing Grit and Goal Adjustment with Daily Measures of Goal Pursuit.” The generative AI presentation received first place in the UNCG Sciences and Professional Schools category.
A third project, “Testing the Impact of a Self-Regulation-Based Micro Intervention on Depression and Subject Well-Being” placed second in the Carolyn and Norwood Thomas Undergraduate Research & Creativity Expo category for Business, Economics, Education, Behavioral and Social Sciences. In between those research showcases, he also got to travel to present at the Southern Psychological Association’s annual conference in New Orleans, La. The trip, his first out-of-state conference, was made possible, in part, thanks to $500 in funding provided by URSCO.
Nikolai describes his growth as a researcher and as a person as being intertwined. Research taught him not to be afraid of making mistakes. Mistakes aren’t failures — they are part of the process.
Dedicated Crafter
Tassin founded the Make Cool Stuff Club and served as its president for three years.
Outdoor Adventurer
Tassin work as an outdoor adventures assistant where he co-led student groups on recreational activities ranging from backpacking to canoeing.
passionate advocate
In his role as a gender and sexuality educator, Tassin worked to educate others and himself.
Science enthusiast
Tassin participated in UNCG’s Science Everywhere for multiple years, giving demonstrations to local community members.
Avid Researcher
Tassin discovered and developed a love of research during his time at UNCG, undertaking several projects, including his independent research projects.
Building Community through Creativity and Advocacy
Outside the lab, Tassin built community at UNCG in other ways, from art to advocacy to student leadership.
During his first year, he discovered the SELF Design Studio and founded Make Cool Stuff, an art club for students of any major. For three years he served as president, leading meetings and monthly workshops on crafts like polymer clay sculptures, bookbinding, and henna.
“It’s really just providing the space for creativity and community that you might not necessarily get in your academics,” Tassin says.
He has also worked several jobs on campus: as a fitness assistant in the Kaplan Center, and an outdoor adventures assistant where he co-led student groups on recreational activities ranging from backpacking to canoeing. He served as a gender and sexuality educator at the Office of Intercultural Engagement, leading events, allyship and advocacy workshops, and creating spaces for queer students to connect with alumni and each other.
“I absolutely love that position and the people I work with,” Tassin says. “It’s been a really great way to be connected to the queer community on campus, find ways to be an advocate, and educate others and myself.”
His commitment to advocacy extended into an internship with UNCG’s Dean of Students Title IX Support Office, helping plan Relationship Violence Awareness Month programming and researching support systems for pregnant and parenting students. That led to his service as a student committee member of the Campus Violence Response Center.
“Through the internship, I got to tie in research that was more people-focused,” Tassin says. “Add the event managing, and it kind of coalesced all my different talents and avenues into one thing. It was a really wonderful experience.”
“I used to be the kind of person who would make a mistake and think that’s the end of the world, But research is so beautiful because mistakes are just part of it. If you don’t make a mistake, you’re probably doing something wrong. There’s a saying that goes, It’s re-searching because you’re always searching again.”
Nikolai Tassin ’26
Looking Ahead while Reflecting Back
Tassin has accepted a position as a lab manager at the University of Michigan’s FAST Lab. His long-term goal is to become a psychology professor and mentor, and inspire the next generation of researchers.
“All the professors and graduate students that I’ve met have been so keen on mentorship and showing me the ropes,” he says.
He thinks back to the time he was a timid student in high school, afraid of public speaking, of making mistakes, of building connections. Now he’s proud of how he put himself out there and took advantage of opportunities provided to him at UNCG.
Reflecting on his own experience, Tassin wants current and prospective students to know that while the college experience may feel overwhelming at times, they should always give themselves grace.
“Take a breath,” he says. “You have plenty of time. Be kind to yourself. Not everything may work out how you want it to, but that’s part of the process.”
Story by Amanda Kennison, College of Arts & Sciences Photography courtesy of University Communications and Nikolai Tassin, College of Arts & Sciences
CELEBRATE OUR GRADS!
Graduates and their families are encouraged to share their accomplishments on social media by tagging the University accounts and using the hashtag #UNCGGrad. Visit UNCG’s digital swag page for Commencement-themed graphics and templates.
Mention @UNCG in celebratory posts on Instagram and X and @uncgreensboro on TikTok.
Team Norway to host community training session at UNCG Soccer Stadium
Posted on May 07, 2026
June 10 event gives fans a chance to see players before the World Cup
Fans have a chance to see Team Norway up close when it hosts a free community training session Wednesday, June 10, at UNCG Soccer Stadium. The practice marks the team’s only scheduled public session during its time in Greensboro.
Team Norway brings a roster of internationally recognized talent to Greensboro, and the session offers a first look at the squad as it trains ahead of the tournament.
Admission: Free, no purchase or payment required (ticket required; limited capacity)
Fans are encouraged to sign up for the random drawing by May 13, 2026, at 5 p.m. EDT by visiting https://go.uncg.edu/teamnorwayto enter. Winning entries will be selected at random, and winners will be notified by May 22 at 11:59 p.m. EDT.
Located on the UNCG campus, the approximately 3,500-seat soccer stadium underwent significant upgrades in 2023 and has a long history of hosting elite competition, including NCAA championships and international teams.
In March 2026, Team Norway selected Greensboro as its Team Base Camp location through a partnership led by the Greensboro Sports Foundation, the City of Greensboro, UNCG and the Greensboro Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. The agreement brings one of the world’s top national teams to the city during the 2026 World Cup and gives fans a rare opportunity to see the team up close during its time in Greensboro.
