Be Part of Something B1G: Volunteering for NAV1GATE
Posted on April 08, 2026
NAV1GATE is a high energy, campus-wide event designed to welcome and engage incoming students as they begin their first year at UNCG. This year’s NAV1GATE will take place on Monday, Aug. 17, and we are currently searching for students, faculty, and staff to serve as NAV1GATORS.
NAV1GATOR volunteers play an important role in creating a warm, welcoming environment for our new Spartans. By completing the NAV1GATOR interest form, respondents will be added to the contact list and receive follow-up communication from New Student Transitions & First Year Experience about assignment details, time, and location. Assignments may involve standing for long stretches and being stationed outdoors, so volunteers should make sure they are comfortable with these conditions before completing the form.
In addition to the rewarding experience of helping our new students feel at home, volunteers will receive a NAV1GATOR t-shirt, rally towel, and lunch in Fountain View Dining Hall on the day they work.
It’s time to make NAV1GATE a day to remember together!
And the Winner Is… Best University Libraries Research Projects
Posted on April 08, 2026
General refreshed images of campus landmarks and locations taken during summer of 2023. These photos feature the Jackson Library.
The University Libraries Research Award winners for 2026 have been announced. These awards are given annually in recognition of outstanding original paper or projects in any media.
UNCG Welcomes Bestselling Author Casey McQuiston to Greensboro Bound
Posted on April 06, 2026
Each spring, Greensboro Bound brings together thousands of book lovers looking for new stories. Over the course of three days, they get to mingle with hundreds of authors who entice them with fun, quirky, and stimulating tales encompassing fiction, non-fiction, and poetry.
McQuiston
For years, UNC Greensboro’s University Libraries has set the scene for the weekend-long book festival by hosting a headliner event with one of its acclaimed authors to talk about their work, answer questions, and sign books for eager readers.
The library continues that tradition this April with a much-anticipated author of bestselling works, Casey McQuiston, taking the stage at Elliott University Center Auditorium on Thursday, April 9.
McQuiston’s niche is fitting for Greensboro Bound’s 2026 theme “American Kaleidoscope,” which coincides with the United States’ 250th birthday. All the authors this year, each in their own way, reflect upon America’s past, present, and potential for the future. McQuiston is the author of Red, White & Royal Blue, One Last Stop, I Kissed Shara Wheeler, and The Pairing, heralded as funny and heartfelt stories about love, identity, and contemporary life.
Their work has already leapt off the page and onto the screen. Red, White & Royal Blue follows the son of a U.S. president and a prince of Wales who are engaged in a feud but are forced to feign a friendship to preserve diplomatic relations between their countries, only for it to turn into a real romance. The book was adapted to film in 2023, starring Uma Thurman, Taylor Zakhar Perez, and Nicholas Galitzine, and a sequel is in the works.
Author Percival Everett spoke at UNCG, introduced by University Libraries Dean Michael Crumpton (left).
Author James McBride signing books following his headliner panel.
“Greensboro Bound has been an ongoing and strong partner of University Libraries for many years now,” says Dean Michael Crumpton. “We initially saw this as a way to realize our community engagement strategy to embrace the larger community outside of campus. We feel our continued investment in this partnership has proven a benefit for the community, including our students and faculty, and has embraced a greater good for celebrating literacy.”
This year’s Greensboro Bound runs from April 9-11.
Historical perspectives told through color
UNCG’s part in the book festival does not end there. On Saturday, April 11, the Weatherspoon Art Museum will sponsor another of Greensboro Bound’s featured authors, National Book Award winner Imani Perry, who will speak at the Greensboro Cultural Center about her newest work Black in Blues: How a Color Tells the Story of My People.
Dr. Imani Perry is a National Book Award winner and MacArthur “Genius Grant” Fellow whose work explores the deeply complex history of Black thought, art, and imagination. Her book traces the color blue across time and experience, from indigo fields to the music of Louis Armstrong, revealing how art, history, and culture intertwine. Through this layered exploration, Perry captures a portrait of America shaped by memory, creativity, and resilience, reflecting the many perspectives that form our American Kaleidoscope.
Dr. Perry will be in conversation with Dr. Lalenja Harrington. Hear them speak at the Van Dyke Performance Space on April 11, 3–4:15 p.m.
Story by Janet Imrick, University Communications Photography by Sean Norona, University Communications and courtesy of Casey McQuiston
Spartans Thrive Engagement Grants Foster Student Wellness and Innovation Across Campus
Posted on March 30, 2026
Willie
Here at UNCG, student success is viewed through a holistic perspective that recognizes the connection between well-being, learning, and community engagement. Through the University’s wellness initiative Spartans Thrive, new projects are helping students connect wellness with their academic and personal lives. Among these efforts are the Spartans Thrive Engagement Grants, led by Provost Fellow Dr. Eric Willie and the Division of Student Success, which support innovative programs designed to integrate wellness into the academic and co-curricular experience.
This year, six innovative initiatives were selected as recipients of the Spartans Thrive Engagement Grants. These grants support programs to assist students in connecting wellness concepts with their academic work and everyday lives. For this academic year, these grants are focusing on three of UNCG’s Eight Dimensions of Wellness: career, environmental, and intellectual wellness.
Together, the projects highlight the creativity and commitment of UNCG educators and staff who are building a campus culture where students can thrive in their personal and professional lives.
Expanding Leadership Through Music
Glasser
In the School of Music, Dr. Scott Glasser’sPeer Artist Leadership Program (PAL) offers undergraduate music students an opportunity to progress their career readiness through teaching. Through PAL, string music education majors provide weekly lessons to middle and high school students from Guilford County Schools, hands‑on experience that prepares them for careers in music education.
The program operates through a multi‑layered mentorship model: graduate students mentor undergraduate instructors, and undergraduate instructors mentor younger musicians. This structure allows UNCG students to refine their teaching skills while serving the broader community.
“Programs like PAL give students a chance to practice leadership in real educational settings,” Glasser explains. “They learn how to communicate, plan lessons, and reflect on their own teaching while making a meaningful difference for local students.”
Beyond strengthening pedagogical skills, the program also encourages reflection on time management, professional growth, and personal well‑being, which are crucial elements for students preparing for demanding careers in education.
For more information on PAL events, please download the flyer here.
Upcoming Peer Artist Leadership Program Events
PAL Recital Saturday, April 25 1 p.m. School of Music Room 110
Greensboro Symphony Pre-Concert Saturday, May 2 6:30 p.m. Tanger Center for the Arts
Student Leaders Promoting Wellness
Bulls
Witmer
In the School of Health and Human Sciences, the Health & Wellness Event Series places leadership directly in the hands of students. Developed through the HHS Student Leadership Program led by Dr. Joi Bulls and Larissa Witmer, this initiative features a series of events designed and led by undergraduate students.
Activities such as Pilates sessions, nature walks, run clubs, and workshops about health and career initiatives encourage students to explore multiple dimensions of wellness.Each event includes concise educational components which translate how wellness practices can directly support their academic success.
The program allows student leaders to gain experience in project management, communication, and event planning while helping their peers discover new ways to manage stress, build and retain relationships, and remain active.
These workshops are designed to help students develop emotional agility, strengthen communication skills, and navigate difficult conversations with empathy and respect.
Through guided discussions and interactive exercises, participants are exploring strategies for managing stress, adapting to change, and building stronger communities.
By embedding these workshops into an already existing leadership program, the initiative ensures that wellness‑focused leadership development becomes a recurring part of the student experience at UNCG.
For more information on “Building Resilient Leaders” events, please download the flyer here.
Upcoming “Building Resilient Leaders” Events
Resilience Workshop April 20, 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. EUC Alexander Room
The program hosts a free spring break camp for elementary‑aged girls from Greensboro, focusing on physical activity, nutrition, confidence building, and mental wellness. This grant has enabled the development of a comprehensive training program for UNCG students who serve as camp counselors.
Through training sessions focused on teamwork, youth development, and leadership, undergraduate participants gain valuable experience in mentoring and health promotion. In turn, they will help create a positive and empowering environment for attendees.
Maher notes that the program benefits both groups. “Our students gain hands‑on leadership experience while the campers see role models who encourage healthy, active lifestyles,” she says.
Learn more about how “Active Girls-Healthy Girls” gets girls moving.
Encouraging Exploration Through Movement
Nadir
For first‑year students adjusting to college life, maintaining healthy routines can be challenging. The “Spartans Walk for Wellness Challenge” aims to make physical activity both accessible and engaging for students living in residence halls.
Led by Dr. Hamid Nadir, assistant professor of information, library, and research sciences, the program encourages students to walk five miles per week across campus while documenting their journeys through photos of campus landmarks.
The challenge promotes physical activity, helping students explore the campus environment while connecting with peers. By turning movement into a social and collaborative experience, this initiative is encouraging students to develop healthy habits during their first year at UNCG.
For more information on the “Spartans Walk for Wellness Challenge” events, please download the flyer here.
Upcoming “Spartans Walk for Wellness Challenge” Meet-ups
April 1–3: EUC pond and courtyard
April 6–10: Jackson Library
April 13–17: Our Secretaries’ Garden
April 20–24: Peabody Park Woods Bridge
Exploring Belonging Through Dialogue and Storytelling
Through a five‑week dialogue series, facilitated in conjunction with the Office of Intercultural Engagement, students will explore how language, history, and identity shape experiences of belonging.
Participants learn oral‑history techniques and collaborate with community partners to document local stories for the University’s Digital Greensboro archive.
By combining dialogue, scholarship, and community engagement, the project helps students develop empathy, communication skills, and a deeper understanding of cultural perspectives.
Upcoming “Exploring Belonging Through Dialogue and Storytelling” Events
Holding Space for Many Languages Wednesday, April 1, 5–6 p.m. Weatherspoon Art Museum
Sustained Dialogue Training: Active Listening and Asking Strong Questions for Dialogue with Elena Martínez-Torres Monday, April 6, 5–6:15 p.m. Virtual Session (open to UNCG students)
A Shared Vision for Student Well‑Being
While each of the six projects approaches wellness in a different way, they share a common goal: empowering students to succeed academically while developing the habits, skills, and relationships that support long‑term well‑being.
Through mentorship, leadership opportunities, creative scholarship, and community engagement, the Spartans Thrive Engagement Grants demonstrate how wellness can be woven into the fabric of the University experience.
As these initiatives unfold throughout the year, they will continue to highlight the many ways UNCG faculty, staff, and students are working together to build a campus community where every Spartan has the opportunity to grow, connect, and thrive.
Chancellor Franklin D. Gilliam, Jr. with Greensboro Mayor Marikay Abuzuaiter, and Food Network Chef Aarti Sequeira.
Food Network star leads teaching kitchen, judges Battle of the Chefs
Chef Aarti Sequeira traveled about an hour from her home in Raleigh to appear at UNC Greensboro on March 3. She also brought culinary inspiration from faraway lands: India and the Middle East, blended with American influences.
Sequeira worked as a producer at CNN until 2003 before beginning her career in food television. Her first foray was on YouTube, where she perfected both her cooking techniques and on-camera persona in the first version of her show, “Aarti Paarti,” a name that has followed her since then.
“It was before YouTube had ads,” she told the assembled crew of students at the Fountain View Dining Hall Teaching Kitchen. “Can you believe that?”
They could not.
In 2010 she became a contestant on the TV show “The Next Food Network Star,” and she won. She tells the students that winning the show helped launch her television career — and ultimately brought her to the UNCG campus to teach this cooking class and to judge Spartan Dining’s Spring 2026 Battle of the Chefs alongside Greensboro Mayor Marikay Abuzuaiter and UNCG Chancellor Franklin D. Gilliam, Jr.
“It’s such a cool opportunity to talk about food. I will talk to anybody about Indian flavors and spices and dishes because I’m just so passionate about it,” she says.
“When I was growing up, Indian food was seen as something that you only ate when you had a hangover, or the kind of thing that you only got as a buffet, and you ate as much as you could,” she says. “I spent so much of my life shaving off the edges of Indian culture and trying to make myself fit. So I am so grateful to be in this position, where I had the first Indian cooking show on the Food Network.”
Chef Aarti Sequeira, Food Network star, hosted a cooking class at Fountain View Dining before judging the Battle of the Chefs.
In the teaching kitchen
The hot plate is warming while old clips of the Food Network version of “Aarti Paarti” play on a TV screen mounted to the wall behind her.
She’s here today, she tells them, to give a crash course in how to make a tomato chutney, pronouncing it “to-mah-toe” in her light British lilt. “Once you start making chutney,” she says, “people will think you are really fancy.”
Though it sounds highbrow, Sequeira explains that chutney is a staple in Indian cuisine, coming in many forms. And it’s not unique to that part of the world. Ketchup, she says, is a form of chutney.
The lessons continue as she expounds on the three kinds of mustard seeds and why we heat the oil before adding spices directly to it. “Spices are the introverts,” she explains. “They take a little more time and attention.” Then come the aromatics: onion, garlic, and ginger — the Indian trinity, she calls it. She extolls the virtues of black pepper, noting that at one time it was more expensive than gold.
When the flavors start to come out, she tilts the pot toward the audience so they can smell it, then catches a glimpse of her younger self on the TV screen.
“That was my favorite dress!” she says, gesturing to the old footage. “It was from Costco, you guys.”
After the chutney bubbles to completion, she serves it to the students with grilled cheese sandwiches.
Chancellor Gilliam said the event captured what makes UNCG unique. “What I love about tonight is that it reflects the richness of who we are at UNCG — a community that celebrates different cultures, traditions, and flavors,” he said. “Having Chef Aarti here to share her heritage through food is exactly the kind of experience we want our students to have.”
UNCG Director of Athletics Brian Mackin, right, with members of his teamUNCG Police Chief Chris Jasso, leftExecutive Director for Student Life Tim Johnson, center, with melons
More students arrive in the Fountain View Dining Hall as each team prepares three dishes under the theme of Elevated Tailgate Food, with the assistance of a chef mentor from Spartan Dining. Spartan Dining donated one meal to the UNCG Safe Food Fund for every attendee.
“Battle of the Chefs is about more than cooking,” said Des St. Cyr, Marketing Manager for Spartan Dining. “It’s an opportunity to bring together campus departments, UNCG students, and the greater Greensboro community in a fun and engaging way that celebrates creativity, connection, and school spirit.”
Spartan Dining Marketing Manager Des St. CyrChef Aarti with Spartan Dining staff
In the end, the UNCG Police emerged victorious under the tutelage of Spartan Dining Campus Executive Chef Darelle Bey. The team prepared an appetizer of prosciutto-wrapped jalapeño poppers stuffed with brie, a grilled ribeye sandwich entrée with chimichurri, and smashed lemon potatoes. People continued to talk about their dessert, a caramel-apple cheesecake eggroll, for days.
Story by Brian Clarey, University Communications Photos by Sean Norona, University Communications
The Office of Sustainability and campus partners are hosting a number of events in the coming weeks to celebrate Earth Day on April 22 and Arbor Day on April 24.
April 15: Celebrate the 15th anniversary of the UNCG Community Garden with the Garden Club. It will be held 5–7 p.m. at the garden on 123 McIver Street.
April 17: Help the ongoing project to restore the native habit of Peabody Park Woods with a meeting to help clear invasive plant species. Community service hours can be registered via GivePulse. Volunteers should meet at 11 a.m. under the pedestrian bridge near the Music Building.
April 17: Join prize-winning Brazilian historian and Geography, Environment, and Sustainability (GES) graduate student Travis Knoll as he connects his United Nations climate change policy experience to environmental justice organizing since the 1980s. Join the conversation with UNCG and international collaborators virtually or over sustainably-sourced vegetables and pão-de-queixo, a Brazilian delicacy.
April 21: Attend an Environmental Justice Film and Discussion Panel from 5–7 p.m. in EUC Claxton. The film Unbreathable: The Fight For Healthy Air by Maggie Burnette Stogner details the challenges to ensure healthy air for everyone, weaving historical milestones of 50 years of the Clean Air Act with current day stories of environmental injustice.
April 22: Celebrate Earth Day on College Avenue. Campus clubs and programs, and community advocacy groups will gather from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. with information on how to get active in the community.
April 23: Attend a tree-planting and a walking tour from 1–2 p.m. Meet on the lawn on the south side of the Mossman Administration Building (near Spring Garden Street). After the tree planting, Dr. Paul Knapp of GES will lead a walk tour of UNCG’s edible landscape.
Audiology Students Boost Hearing for UNCG Musicians
Posted on May 18, 2026
Students in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders conducted annual hearing screenings on School of Music students to ensure they are properly protecting their hearing. The cross-campus collaboration provides hands-on experience for audiology students while conducting a valuable service to UNCG musicians.
ResearchCON 2026 runs April 6–11 and showcases the full arc of research at UNCG from early discovery to global influence and community impact. Across these six days of programming, faculty, students, industry leaders, and community partners explore how research moves beyond the lab to shape healthcare, business, policy, and public life.
Undergrad Researcher Maps New Pathways in Bone Biology at UNCG
Posted on March 23, 2026
When Jonah Tatsapaugh walked into the UNCG Human Diversity Lab in the Sullivan Building, he wasn’t just logging hours toward graduation. He was stepping into what he calls the highlight of his day — a space where he could ask questions, build solutions, and contribute to a project that is pushing the boundaries of what scientists know about human bone development.
A biology major with a minor in chemistry, Jonah spent the last three semesters developing an innovative method to analyze the microstructural growth of thigh bones of individuals aged 3 months to 18 years.
His project, titled “Filling in the Holes: An In-Depth Look at Microstructural Variation in Subadult Femurs,” uses cutting-edge imaging technology to build the first comprehensive 3D model of normal bone growth patterns in children and adolescents.
“Studying biology in the classroom is one thing, but researching — finding problems and looking for solutions — that’s what really excites me,” he says.
Jonah’s work uses fragile, historically-sourced bone samples from Jordan. Many of these samples come from archaeological contexts such as church ossuaries or burial pits, where they’ve been preserved long enough for detailed study.
Cutting-edge Tech
At UNCG, Jonah scanned these samples with the University’s high-resolution micro-CT machine, a sophisticated imaging tool that produces detailed 3D renderings at a level impossible to see on living humans due to radiation limitations.
UNCG acquired this machine only a few years ago, and Jonah is part of the first generation of researchers to build protocols around it.
Using the software program Dragonfly, Jonah analyzes porosity, thickness, and microstructural patterns within the bones — data that forms the foundation for understanding how healthy bones grow over time.
Baselines for Healthy Bones
While 2D bone histology has existed for decades, this is among the first attempts to establish a fully 3D developmental standard for subadult bone microstructure.
“We’re developing a baseline for what normal bone growth should look like,” Jonah explains.
“Once we have that standard, we can compare it to bones affected by things like vitamin deficiencies, mineral deficiencies, or diseases that alter bone growth.”
One disease Jonah is particularly interested in is leprosy, a chronic infection that still exists today in South America, Asia, and Africa. The lab has access to one of the oldest physical specimens of leprosy in the world — an invaluable sample for studying how the disease has changed over centuries.
Jonah’s fascination with bone biology unfolded somewhat unexpectedly.
“I’m pre-dental, so I wanted something biological, something related to the body,” he says. “This project stood out because I could actually learn to use micro-CT technology and do the scans myself.”
What began as a technical curiosity quickly deepened into a passion. Working hands-on with specimens, refining imaging techniques, and troubleshooting complex questions in bone biology reshaped the way Jonah approaches science.
“It’s so exciting to come across something we don’t have an explanation for yet and then get to go find that explanation,” he says.
That excitement has been nurtured by his mentor, Dr. Gwen Robbins Schug.
“Working with Dr. Robbins Schug has been great!” he says. “She loves teaching and cultivating students’ interests. She guides me when needed but also gives me room to explore questions on my own. Having the freedom to ask my own questions and find their answers is extremely fulfilling.”
Inspiring Curiosity
When asked what he would tell other UNCG students who are considering getting involved in research, Jonah doesn’t hesitate.
“Get in there,” he says. “Look up professors and the research they’re doing, then go talk to them in person. It shows you’re interested and professors love talking about their research.”
He emphasizes that curiosity is one of the most important qualities an undergraduate researcher can have.
“If something doesn’t seem right or you have a question, look for answers,” he says. “A lot of the work I’m doing in this lab came from noticing things that didn’t have explanations. Now those answers are what I’m planning to publish at the end of the semester.”
He will carry his research experience into his next steps, whether in dental school or a future scientific career.
But for now, he is proud to have contributed something new to the field of bone biology, and to have done it as an undergraduate researcher at UNCG.
“This experience has shaped the way I think about biology,” he says. “Being in the lab, learning how to ask questions, and being part of something that hasn’t been done before — it’s been an incredible opportunity.”
by Sierra Collins, Division of Research and Engagement photography by Sean Norona, University Communications
Throughout the year, faculty and staff share their expertise in talks, panels, conferences, and performances open to all their colleagues, students, and the community. The line-up for April will bring thought-provoking conversation starters about artificial intelligence and a month-long exhibition by School of Art faculty that sheds light on creative research and artistic inquiry.
ResearchCon
ResearchCON 2026 showcases the full arc of research at UNCG from early discovery to global influence and community impact. Across six days of programming, faculty, students, industry leaders, and community partners explore how research moves beyond the lab to shape healthcare, business, policy, and public life. With artificial intelligence as a cross-cutting force and engagement at its core, ResearchCON highlights a research ecosystem that is connected, innovative, and built for impact. It runs April 6–11.
Transforming Bach: QueerPassion, Pride and Community-Building at Bachfest LeipZig April 1, Noon–1 p.m. Curry Building, Room 231
Dr. Kailan Rubinoff, associate professor of musicology in the School of Music and cross-appointed faculty in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, talks about how she used the Linda Arnold Carlisle Faculty Grant to support her ethnographic research among the QueerPassion musicians and audience who reimagined J.S. Bach’s St. John Passion.
Holding Space for Many Languages. Community Work with Multilingual Families April 1, 5–6 p.m. Weatherspoon Art Museum
This roundtable will explore stories, challenges, and practical strategies to build trust across languages and systems within our communities. Clinical Assistant Professor Doris Kroiss of the School of Education.
WEDOIT Accessibility Incubator April 7, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. School of Education Building, Room 302
This hands-on event is designed to help you enhance your course materials for better accessibility. Bring your syllabus, assignments, or any course content, and we’ll provide expert guidance and technical support! Whether you’re making small tweaks or big changes, we’re here to make the process easier.
Rethinking How We Talk About And Work With A.I. April 9, 4 p.m. School of Education Building, Room 206
Anthropomorphizing language can obscure the fact that replacing humans with machines does not lead to equivalent actions or interactions. In this session by Dr. Cristiane Damasceno, Communication Studies, presents a framework for understanding how technology changes the nature of tasks and prescribes behaviors. This is part of the Ashby Dialogues.
Science Everywhere April 11, Noon–4 p.m. Campus-wide
Kids and adults will participate in hands-on STEM activities hosted by multiple UNCG departments and programs. They can visit with scientists and connect with local groups to see how to get involved as a citizen scientist in the Triad.
New Frequencies March 26–April 24 The Gatewood Gallery, 527 Highland Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27412
New Frequencies presents a selection of works by Sandra Andrade, Rodgers Dameron, Blas Isasi, Kasia Ozga, Varun Saxena, and Leilei Xia. Over the past three years the UNCG School of Art has welcomed these six artists as new members of its Studio Art faculty. This group exhibition highlights a dynamic range of practices across sculpture, new media and design, animation, and interdisciplinary media, offering insight into the creative research and artistic inquiry shaping the work of these recently appointed faculty members.
Concert Band April 22, 7:30–9 p.m. UNCG Auditorium
School of Music’s Cat Keen Hock will serenade everyone with her clarinet in this show conducted by Patty Saunders.
Wind Ensemble April 23, 7:30–9 p.m. UNCG Auditorium
Wind down for the evening with a performance of Bach, Stravinsky, Edwin Franko Goldman, and more famous pieces by Ryan Reynolds on bassoon and conductor Jonathan Caldwell.
