Places at UNCG for Reaching Your Calm

Posted on October 11, 2024

A UNCG student meditates.

Setting aside the time to rejuvenate your body and restore your mind can be easier said than done, especially with busy day-to-day schedules and college routines. By practicing meditation techniques, Spartans are more prepared to take on any health or wellness challenge that comes their way. 

UNCG was designated a JED campus this fall. This network of higher education institutions is committed to creating a campus culture that promotes mental health and well-being. “We are excited to collaborate with the JED Foundation to further strengthen our campus community and ensure that we have all of the support and safety nets available to our students,” said Cathy Akens, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. “We know our students are managing so much and so mental health and well-being is a subject we talk about openly and prioritize in the student experience.” 

Why do we meditate?

Meditation acts as a source of relaxation that boosts creativity. It is a practice that helps clear the mind of distractions or experiences that may have negatively impacted one’s physical or emotional well-being by focusing on the present moment.  

Mike Ackerman, associate director of the Department of Recreation & Wellness, says, “Mindfulness and meditation is intended to bring calmness to our daily lives, overall improving our mood and reducing feelings of being overwhelmed.” Some benefits of meditation include increased immunity, improved sleep patterns, enhanced mood, increased self-awareness, reduced stress and anxiety, and an improved attention span. 

Below is a list of meditation spaces on and off main campus that Spartans can utilize to pause, reflect, and prioritize their wellness: 

Meditation rooms

The Elliot University Center (EUC) meditation room is a community space open to all University students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Services are located in Room 064, behind the Office of Intercultural Engagement, available during regular EUC building hours. Items traditionally used for meditation are provided, but visitors can also bring their own. Students cannot reserve the meditation room, but there is no time limit on how long they can stay.  

If students find themselves on the other side of College Avenue, the Eberhart Building also has a meditation room, located in Room 420. It is first come, first served. The room is a popular space for people who need time for prayer, meditation, or yoga. 

UNCG Recreation & Wellness

The Department of Recreation & Wellness hosts various inclusive programs and activities that support students’ social, emotional, and physical wellness. 

Alongside the treadmills and weight machines, the Leonard J. Kaplan Center for Wellness also has a Zen Zone that promotes mental relaxation. It comes equipped with Nap Pods and Hydromassage Chairs. The Natatorium has an inclusive dry sauna that can hold up to eleven people at once. Students are asked to spend no more than 30 minutes in there at a time. 

Outdoors, the labyrinth at Piney Lake offers visitors another quiet and secluded area designed for meditation. Students can enjoy the natural environment by walking the labyrinth’s single winding path or by using the swinging bench nearby. 

Make the time

Students don’t have to make the time for meditation alone. They can also check out the scheduled events hosted by various organizations on campus, including the Anna M. Gove Student Health Center and Counseling & Psychological Services. Student Health has regularly-scheduled meetups for mindful walking. Campus Violence Response Center also has sessions designed specifically for people who have experienced trauma.  

Those events, times and dates are listed for students on Spartan Connect.

Story by Lauren Segers, University Communications
Photography by David Lee Row, University Communications

Young women hold a Warrior Two pose during a yoga class at the Kaplan Center.

Quiet your Mind.

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High School Students Experience Hands-On Science at UNCG 

Posted on October 10, 2024

Two female high school students in the JSNN lab working.

For UNC Greensboro’s Daniel Rabinovich, the six-week Draelos Science Scholars program is not just a win-win or even a win-win-win. 

“It’s win-win-win-win,” says the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering associate dean and professor.  

It’s good, he says, for the high school students who take part in the program, the graduate students who work with them day-to-day, the professors who serve as mentors, the University that hosts them, and, in the long run, society in general. 

With the goal of inspiring promising students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), the scholars program brings local high school students to the UNCG campus each summer to work in university labs alongside graduate students and faculty researchers.  

The Power of Mentorship  

Twelve JSNN faculty members mentored 18 Draelos scholars in 2024, and another 10 scholars spent time with faculty from UNCG’s departments of Chemistry, Biology, and Kinesiology

Personally, Rabinovich says he and other faculty members who serve as mentors derive “satisfaction from being able to expose the next generation of young individuals to the process of discovery and to help them understand what fundamental research is and its long-term benefits to society.” 

In Rabinovich’s lab, Draelos scholars get to make and characterize new silver-containing compounds (and related species with palladium or platinum) that may have antibacterial and possibly anticancer activity. 

Inspiring Young Minds  

Rabinovich has served as a Draelos Scholars mentor since 2022, the summer after he joined JSNN. He says that exposing high school students to laboratory research helps the students mature as scientists and gain an appreciation for a wider range of STEM careers than they might otherwise imagine.  

“They get really involved in research in the lab, and they are exposed to other areas of research,” Rabinovich says. “The lightbulb moment is when they realize, whether it’s during the summer or after that, what they want to do in college. It’s not what their parents want them to do or what their peers are going to do. They are figuring it out themselves.” 

That, he adds, gives them an advantage when it comes to choosing a college and major. 

“Students who are not lucky enough to be in a program like this may be undecided when they go to college, but most of the Draelos Scholars go with a career path in mind,” Rabinovich says. 

In addition to being valuable to the participants and their faculty mentors, the program also benefits the graduate students who work alongside the scholars each day, he adds. 

“Part of graduate education is the experience of mentoring a young mind. That’s useful and important because graduates who have master’s or doctorate degree will always be involved in training, mentoring and supervising in their places of work,” he says. 

Finally, Rabinovich sees what he calls “collateral” benefits to the university and to JSNN, a big one being visibility. “It shows the community what we do and the value of what we do,” he says. 

Support for the Future of Science  

Rabinovich praised JSNN Assistant Professor Kristen Dellinger for coordinating the Draelos Scholars program. He also expressed appreciation for Zoe and Michael Draelos for sponsoring the program since 2016, when it began at High Point University. 

The Draeloses, both medical doctors, review hundreds of applications before selecting the scholars, and they also provide support for the Future Science Program, a one-week summer program that JSNN offered for the first time in July. The eight local high school students who participated were introduced to key synthetic biology concepts and techniques, including the use of automatic pipettes, polymerase chain reactions and scanning electron microscopy.  

Graduate student Jessica Norcott organized the Future Science Program. Her research centers on the use of problem-based learning to enhance synthetic biology knowledge among high school students and adult learners. 

“What the Draeloses are doing through these programs – for the Triad, for the community and for the future of science – it’s huge,” Rabinovich says. “They deserve all my gratitude.” 

Story written by Dee Shore, AMBCopy LLC 
Photography provided by Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering

High schools students at UNCG JSNN for white coat ceremony.

Ignite a Passion for STEM.

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October 11, 2024

Places at UNCG for Reaching Your Calm

UNCG is full of spaces where you can take a break and get into the right headspace. These spots are designed for students to take a ...

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The Draelos Science Scholars Program and the Future Science Program help students hone in on future STEM career choices and gain han...

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UNCG has grown the Institute for Partnerships in Education (IPiE), a tutoring program with Guilford County Schools, to reach student...

2024’s A Week at the G Extends to Bonus Days

Posted on October 09, 2024

A young student stands in the rain with an unbrella as she leans on a wet ledge and looks across the campus.

This year, an uninvited participant showed up for A Week at the G, UNCG’s campuswide photo project September 23-27. Gathering clouds and intermittent rain plagued A Week at the G before Tropical Storm Helene arrived in earnest on Friday, prompting University officials to cancel classes and campus activities.  

Although we were fortunate to weather the storm better than communities to our west, Helene’s impact was enough to prompt organizers to extend photo submissions through October 5, to include Homecoming festivities.  

The G POV 

Despite the weather, University Communications was pleased with the photography and video captured during A Week @ the G. Like years’ past, organizers asked department communicators to submit requests to photograph their areas of campus. In addition, students, faculty, and staff submitted photos each day to capture everyday moments and major campus events. Here’s a recap of some of the scenes from A Week at the G. 

After a social media vote of favorite student and staff submitted photos, a clear winner rose to the top. Congratulations to Denise Archetto, Assistant Athletic Director for Stategic Communications, whose winning photo will appear on a billboard on Gate City Boulevard this month. 

Softball player high fives a coach as she runs bases with the dugout full of players in the background.

Thanks to all who participated, we are left with a collection of photographs and videos that feature the beauty of our campus and celebrate the vibrancy of student life here. Each photo illustrates a different perspective. Here are some of our favorites: 

Campus Vistas 

Spartan Artists 

Spartan Athletes 

Emotional Moments 

Listening and Learning

Just Chillin’ at the G

Story by Becky Deakins, University Communications.
Photos by Sean Norona, unless otherwise noted.

What a Glimpse of Everyday Life at UNCG?

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UNCG is full of spaces where you can take a break and get into the right headspace. These spots are designed for students to take a ...

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The Draelos Science Scholars Program and the Future Science Program help students hone in on future STEM career choices and gain han...

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Building Connections: School of Education Partnership Expands Across Triad

Posted on October 08, 2024

Students watch a man give a presentation about UNCG's tutoring program.

UNCG has grown the Institute for Partnerships in Education (IPiE), a tutoring program with Guilford County Schools, to reach students who will benefit from mentoring.

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October 11, 2024

Places at UNCG for Reaching Your Calm

UNCG is full of spaces where you can take a break and get into the right headspace. These spots are designed for students to take a ...

October 10, 2024

High School Students Experience Hands-On Science at UNCG 

The Draelos Science Scholars Program and the Future Science Program help students hone in on future STEM career choices and gain han...

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Building Connections: School of Education Partnership Expands Across Triad

UNCG has grown the Institute for Partnerships in Education (IPiE), a tutoring program with Guilford County Schools, to reach student...

UNCG to Host Student Athletes from UNC Asheville

Posted on October 08, 2024

Aerial view of UNCG baseball field.

Spartans are preparing a warm welcome for the Bulldogs.

In support of a sister institution with the UNC System, UNC Greensboro will temporarily host student-athletes from UNC Asheville baseball team while their university repairs the extensive damage left by Hurricane Helene in September.

These students, with their coaches and additional training staff, will begin arriving at UNCG on October 14 and are expected to stay until the end of the month. Their departure may change depending on the situation at UNCA.

The students will be housed in Phillips/Hawkins Residence Hall, and they will have access to the Kaplan Center, the Jackson Library, and all other wellness and practice facilities. They will receive temporary student IDs to ensure easy access to all the facilities they need for continuing their academic and athletic progress.

UNCG welcomes all students, staff, and faculty from Asheville and hopes to do everything possible to ease some of their stress during this difficult time.

In addition to providing assistance to the UNCA baseball team, UNCG is continuing to fulfill Hurricane Helene Assistance Requests placed by the UNC System and the North Carolina Emergency Operations Center.

Currently, UNCG Police Officers are deployed to UNCA to assist with ongoing safety and security challenges and support local law enforcement efforts.

Also, UNCG Counseling and Psychological Services is currently providing a multitude of support to all students, faculty, and staff who have been affected by this event.

For any questions or future inquiries please contact the UNCG Office of Emergency Management at 336-256-8632 or EmergencyManagement@uncg.edu.

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October 11, 2024

Places at UNCG for Reaching Your Calm

UNCG is full of spaces where you can take a break and get into the right headspace. These spots are designed for students to take a ...

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The Draelos Science Scholars Program and the Future Science Program help students hone in on future STEM career choices and gain han...

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UNCG has grown the Institute for Partnerships in Education (IPiE), a tutoring program with Guilford County Schools, to reach student...

Faculty Present: Workshops and Presentations in October 2024

Posted on October 07, 2024

Students clap in their theatre seats during a talk at UNCG.

UNCG faculty and staff regularly put their talent and expertise on display for all students and colleagues. These are some of the presentations featuring employees on the UNCG campus during the month of October:

Dr. Omar Ali and Dr. Nodia Mena

Tambacum: Afro-Colombia Music Workshop and Performance
October 10, 5 – 8 p.m.
Coleman, Room 201

The Afro-Colombia musical group will be introduced by Drs. Omar Ali, historian of the global African Diaspora and Dean of Lloyd International Honors College, and Nodia Mena, Honors faculty member, dancer, and cultural ambassador of the Garifuna—the African and Indian descended peoples of the Caribbean and Central America.

Mathematics & Statistics 2024 AISC Conference
October 11-13, 7:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
EUC

Drs. Sat Gupta, Demba Fofana, Kushani de Silva, David Bickel, Michael Hull, Haimeng Zhang, Thomas Weighill, Jianping Sun are among those presenting their research at the International Conference on Advances in Interdisciplinary Statistics and Combinatorics.

6th Annual Reading of Plato’s Republic
October 18, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Minerva Statue

Dr. Adam Rosenberg is organizing this public reading of all ten books of Plato’s Republic.

Classics Day
October 19, 10 a.m. – Noon
Stone Lawn

Department of Mediterranean Studies and Archaeology’s faculty, staff, and students host their annual celebration of the ancient Mediterranean world. They invite the public to explore the world of the Greeks and Romans through booths on ancient games, learning the Greek alphabet, and competing at ancient trivia. Archaeology Day will be held at the Greensboro History Museum after Classics Day.

“Krzysztof Wodiczko: The Art of Un-War” Film Screening
October 28, 7 p.m.
Online

This event is co-sponsored by the Peace and Conflict Studies program and will feature a discussion featuring Professor Emeritus Douglas P. Fry. With filmmaker Maria Nero and renowned artist Krzysztof Wodiczko, they will explore how art and anthropology intersect in addressing human conflict.

AADS: Understanding Race: Documenting the Black Community I: Black Filmmakers and Photographers at Work
Tuesday October 29, 6 – 9 p.m.
EUC Auditorium

Paula Damasceno and Hassan Pitts are among those who will engage in a discussion and viewing of Black filmmaking, photography, and documentary work of local artists.

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UNCG is full of spaces where you can take a break and get into the right headspace. These spots are designed for students to take a ...

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The Draelos Science Scholars Program and the Future Science Program help students hone in on future STEM career choices and gain han...

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UNCG has grown the Institute for Partnerships in Education (IPiE), a tutoring program with Guilford County Schools, to reach student...

School of Nursing Offers New Prelicensure Master’s Program 

Posted on October 07, 2024

UNCG nursing student poses with an iPad during a festival.

UNC Greensboro introduces its new Prelicensure Entry Level Master of Science in Nursing (PELMSN) Program, expanding opportunities for individuals not currently nurses to change their careers and become nurses. The Prelicensure Master’s is a direct entry pathway, often called a Direct Master’s Entry (DME) program. 

UNCG’s School of Nursing’s new Prelicensure MSN is the first direct-admission master’s nursing program approved in the state and in the UNC System.  

This game changing announcement comes on the heels of UNCG’s School of Nursing’s recent launch of another innovation, the first-year BSN direct admission initiative.   

An Attractive Pathway to an MSN  

The DME pathway offers a more streamlined entry into the School of Nursing’s highly regarded Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).  

“As the demand for nurses continues to surge, we’re ecstatic to offer groundbreaking programs that will help more students enter the field and pursue rewarding careers in nursing,” says UNCG School of Nursing Dean Debra Barksdale.   

This pathway is designed for individuals who possess a non-nursing bachelor’s degree; the program allows applicants to earn an MSN, instead of having to earn a second bachelor’s degree, providing an attractive advanced education opportunity for applicants seeking to become registered nurses.  

Prelicensure MSN students will have a 24-month curriculum with 73 credit hours over six semesters, including two summer sessions. While there are a few online courses, most courses are in-person, including clinical rotations in acute, outpatient, and community health care facilities in the Triad region.  

Upon program completion, students will be eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to become licensed as registered nurses (RNs). The first student cohort will be admitted and enrolled for spring semester, starting January 2025, and will complete the program two years later in December 2026.  

UNCG Nursing student taking someones blood pressure.

Addressing Workforce Shortages  

The new PELMSN program enables UNCG’s School of Nursing to expand its enrollment and to increase the number of new nurses.  

“This is a pivotal moment for both the university and our School of Nursing. With the approval of our Prelicensure Entry-Level MSN program, we are not only expanding academic pathways but also providing future nurses to address the workforce shortage,” says Senior Associate Dean for Academics Yvonne Eaves.   

A recent Health Resources and Services Administration report projects the nursing shortage will improve in most states over the next decade; however, North Carolina is one of ten states that will have the highest number of RN shortages by 2036. UNCG nursing graduates are essential to the health of NC’s citizens. 

According to the Sheps Health Workforce NC, UNCG graduates have the highest percent (92.9%) of BSN graduates who work in NC and in rural areas of all 4-year UNC System institutions that offer the BSN. UNCG’s School of Nursing is committed to continuing this tradition with our Prelicensure MSN graduates and doing its part to contribute to the RN workforce. 

“This program, the first approved in the state, reflects our unwavering commitment to innovation in nursing education,” says Eaves.  

Supporting Future Students  

SON Administrative Support Specialist Akila Hardy-Cole celebrates the new program as it offers an alternative career path.  

“This program removes hurdles for individuals like me who want to become a nurse,” says Hardy-Cole. “It provides an option for professionals to bypass traditional pathways of obtaining a nursing license by not having to earn another bachelor’s degree.”  

Hardy-Cole believes working professionals who have an interest in health care and seek a career change make great candidates for the new program.  

“This program will enable me to advance my education, by earning a master’s degree, and to become a nurse at the same time,” says Hardy-Cole. “I can accomplish two dreams simultaneously without spending unnecessary time or money and become both a successful RN and graduate level healthcare leader.”  

These initiatives place UNCG at the forefront of nursing education in the state. UNCG is thrilled to be the first school in the UNC System to offer these opportunities, reaffirming its commitment and preparedness to provide aspiring nurses with the best education and experience possible.   

“We are not just preparing nurses – we are shaping the future of healthcare in the Southeast and beyond,” says Barksdale. 

Story written by Amy Burtch, AMBCopy LLC   
Photography provided by the School of Nursing 

UNCG School of Nursing students gather for white coat ceremony.

Become a Nurse Now.

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October 11, 2024

Places at UNCG for Reaching Your Calm

UNCG is full of spaces where you can take a break and get into the right headspace. These spots are designed for students to take a ...

October 10, 2024

High School Students Experience Hands-On Science at UNCG 

The Draelos Science Scholars Program and the Future Science Program help students hone in on future STEM career choices and gain han...

October 8, 2024

Building Connections: School of Education Partnership Expands Across Triad

UNCG has grown the Institute for Partnerships in Education (IPiE), a tutoring program with Guilford County Schools, to reach student...

Theatre Alumni Reflect on Lifelong Friendships

Posted on October 04, 2024

Four UNCG alumni wearing medals.

The four alumni have been inducted into the College of Fellows of the American Theatre. They all led successful careers in higher education and in the theatre profession, but one of the most important things to them is the friendships they formed.

News

October 11, 2024

Places at UNCG for Reaching Your Calm

UNCG is full of spaces where you can take a break and get into the right headspace. These spots are designed for students to take a ...

October 10, 2024

High School Students Experience Hands-On Science at UNCG 

The Draelos Science Scholars Program and the Future Science Program help students hone in on future STEM career choices and gain han...

October 8, 2024

Building Connections: School of Education Partnership Expands Across Triad

UNCG has grown the Institute for Partnerships in Education (IPiE), a tutoring program with Guilford County Schools, to reach student...

Angel Tree Launches for 2024 Holiday Season

Posted on October 07, 2024

UNCG-themed ornaments hang from a Christmas tree.

As the holiday season approaches, the UNCG Staff Senate is continuing its cherished tradition of hosting the “UNCG Angel Tree.” This annual initiative is dedicated to supporting members of the UNCG community who may be in need, ensuring they and their families can enjoy a joyful holiday.

The Staff Senate invites all UNCG employees and students to either nominate themselves or someone they know in need of assistance. Nominations can be made through the completion of an application, which should be returned to the Staff Senate Angel Tree Committee Chair, Bridget Boyles, by November 1, 2024, no later than 5 PM. Applications and inquiries, as well as requests for additional information, can be sent via email to Boyles bcboyles@uncg.edu.

Last year’s Angel Tree effort was a remarkable success, providing holiday support to two UNCG staff families and six student families. The Staff Senate is eager to extend similar help this year and encourages the UNCG community to come forward to ensure that no one is left out of the holiday cheer.

News

October 11, 2024

Places at UNCG for Reaching Your Calm

UNCG is full of spaces where you can take a break and get into the right headspace. These spots are designed for students to take a ...

October 10, 2024

High School Students Experience Hands-On Science at UNCG 

The Draelos Science Scholars Program and the Future Science Program help students hone in on future STEM career choices and gain han...

October 8, 2024

Building Connections: School of Education Partnership Expands Across Triad

UNCG has grown the Institute for Partnerships in Education (IPiE), a tutoring program with Guilford County Schools, to reach student...

Voice to Vision: Spartan Dining Survey Goes Live

Posted on October 07, 2024

A worker for UNCG's coffee shop hands a plate with a sandwich to a student.

UNCG Dining wants to hear from you! Now through October 31, share your honest feedback and help shape the future of dining on campus by participating in the Voice to Vision survey. It only takes a few minutes to tell them how you feel about your dining experience and what improvements you’d like to see.

News

October 11, 2024

Places at UNCG for Reaching Your Calm

UNCG is full of spaces where you can take a break and get into the right headspace. These spots are designed for students to take a ...

October 10, 2024

High School Students Experience Hands-On Science at UNCG 

The Draelos Science Scholars Program and the Future Science Program help students hone in on future STEM career choices and gain han...

October 8, 2024

Building Connections: School of Education Partnership Expands Across Triad

UNCG has grown the Institute for Partnerships in Education (IPiE), a tutoring program with Guilford County Schools, to reach student...