The 2025-26 Academic Year in Review
The 2025-26 academic year brought major momentum to UNC Greensboro, with achievements that touched nearly every part of campus.
UNC Greensboro
New Fulbright Awards Take UNCG Faculty to Scotland, Vietnam
Dr. James Anderson and Rachele Riley will elevate their research during their trips to Vietnam and Scotland respectively. Riley will advance water and letterform design research in Scotland through a Fulbright award. Anderson will translate a document important to Southeast Asian history.
Gerontology Student Hope Niedrich Speaks to the Heart of Life, Death, and Belief
For her master’s capstone in gerontology, Niedrich studied how hospice care volunteers can better accommodate cultural and religious beliefs to help people die with dignity.
Game-Changing New, Online Master’s in Sport Management and Recreation Therapy
Sport management is a growing industry, and UNC Greensboro is preparing the next generation of leaders to meet the demand.
The new fully online Master of Science in Sport Management & Recreational Therapy is designed for working professionals ready to advance their careers in sport, athletics, and recreation. With flexible coursework, real-world experiences, and strong industry connections, students can gain the skills they need to lead without putting their careers on hold.
A Bright Path Forward: UNCG Reflects on Groundbreaking ‘Light the Way’ Campaign
Light the Way was more than a giving campaign. It became a bold movement, rooted in UNCG’s legacy of breaking down barriers and focused on a brilliant future. Its impact has transformed graduates’ lives, and the $266 million raised is just the beginning.
Daniel Rust’s Blueprint for Finding Success at Lenovo
The double alum took advantage of every opportunity at his disposal in the Bryan School of Business and Economics. He became one of the first beneficiaries of a new scholarship and, as part of the inaugural class of the highly-touted Blueprint Series, built key skills that catch the eye of prospective employers.
Class of 2026: Jason Rich Redesigns His Future through Interior Architecture
After years away from school, transfer student Jason Rich ’26 found his place in UNCG’s Interior Architecture program, where studio culture, mentorship, and hands‑on projects helped him rediscover his creativity and the community he’d been searching for.
Class of 2026: Nikolai Tassin’s Love for the Lab
Nikolai Tassin ’26 arrived at UNCG expecting to pursue therapy, but discovering undergraduate research reshaped his path. Through hands‑on lab work, mentorship, and campus leadership, he found confidence, community, and a passion for inquiry. His experiences in research, creativity, and advocacy guided him toward Commencement and his future career.
Safran and Kaplan Receive Honorary Degrees from UNCG
Susan Safran ’77 received an honorary doctor of science degree for her exceptional guidance in advanced learning in health care, emergency training, and higher education. Randall Kaplan received an honorary doctor of laws degree for his visionary leadership, public service, and philanthropy, establishing a transformative impact across North Carolina.
2026 Commencement ceremonies showcase the best of UNCG
UNCG graduated 2,813 students on May 7–8 to the Class of 2026, each with their own story that brought them here. And every one of them will leave with something lasting and transformative, their degrees like passports for entry into big places and bright futures.