UNCG announced Jerod Haase as its new Men's Basketball coach at a press conference at Bodford Arena on March 18th, 2026.
GREENSBORO, N.C. – UNC Greensboro (UNCG) today announced Jerod Haase as the new head coach for the men’s basketball program. He is the 12th head coach in UNCG men’s basketball history.
It’s decision time for high school students and transfers who are considering UNC Greensboro. Early spring is an introspective season not only for prospects, but also for current students who are taking inventory of their college experience with a “how it started and how it’s going” critical eye.
University accolades and alumni success support what prospective students are deciding and what current students are realizing. Here are a few reasons why UNCG is the right place for you.
Bang for Your Buck
As a UNC System university, we are an affordable institution for North Carolina residents seeking the academics and resources expected of a system university. And when tuition is out of reach, UNCG financial aid steps in with customized options such as grants, scholarships, and flexible payment plans. It’s a system with proven results that currently serves the Pell-eligible students who account for 57% of our undergraduate student body.
A UNCG degree is a life-changer, especially for half of our students who self-identify as first generation. When these students graduate to earn more than their parents did before them, their careers serve as ladders for future generations. This effect of higher education, which improves the futures of families and communities, is called social mobility. UNCG ranks first in the state for social mobility, with alumni who are testaments to the value of their educational investment.
“Because of UNCG, not only am I able to give a better life to my wife and my children, but to my mom who sacrificed for me,” Dr. Trey Bateman ’08. “It’s hard to measure the value of the way UNCG promotes social mobility for people, but it is something they are doing better than so many universities out there.”
No matter your financial circumstances, UNCG works to put you in a better one
This year, UNCG was named the top performer of all the UNC system universities. The accolade was based on graduation rates, credits earned, degree efficiency, cumulative student debt at graduation, university expenses per degree granted, and external funding.
Our performance is a direct result of our culture of care. Rather than being just a number, Spartans are supported in every step of their academic journey. Advisors work with students who need tutoring, advice on majors, and ways they can augment their studies with service and leadership opportunities. It’s support that drives them to graduation and beyond.
“My one word to describe UNCG is ‘opportunity,’” says Janae Wofford, biology student and Goldwater Scholar. “No matter where you are, there are people looking out for you and pushing you forward.”
Alumni often credit advisors for helping them turn their passions into careers. At UNCG, faculty and staff help students consider majors that fit their interests and strengths, and then give them the tools to succeed.
In today’s competitive job market, UNCG students have an advantage. They not only graduate with degrees, but most also have hands-on experience in their fields thanks to internships, leadership in student organizations, and service-learning opportunities.
Advisors and faculty are always thinking about career preparation for their students. All Bryan School students take professional development classes to polish their résumé and presentation skills. And Career & Professional Development (CPD) connects employers like Reynolds American Inc. with students like Ashanti Evans.
“I went in with nothing because they tell you that you don’t need a résumé draft to meet with their advisors,” Evans says. “They set me up for success. Without the CPD office, I would not have a full-time position prior to graduation.”
When students are asked what they like most about UNCG, the typical answer is the welcome they find here. Some arrive straight out of high school, and some come to us after other life experiences. Among honors students, commuter or online students, and student-athletes are learners who identify as:
They arrive from various backgrounds to thrive in a community that celebrates their differences and encourages how they can learn from each other. Although many colleges claim to do this, UNCG does it without leaving families behind.
From the first tour at UNCG, families of prospective students are engaged. Tours are conducted in English and in Spanish. Later, families discover that Spartan orientation isn’t just for students. Special sessions with language translation services are designed for guardians from around the globe to learn what to expect when their student goes off to college. And homecoming is always a family affair at UNCG with alumni, current students, and families of both joining in the fun together.
Angela McNair joined her daughter for homecoming festivities and raved about the support she found at UNCG: “Those first few weeks of school, there were challenges adapting to living on her own, but she has overcome all of that. I’m grateful that UNCG has been here to meet her needs along the way.”
First-generation family members particularly appreciate UNCG’s efforts to keep them informed and included. A new connection tool for families is the guest access portal for student accounts. It gives supporting family members protected access to their student’s records so they can keep tabs on tuition balances, credit hours, class schedules, and grades.
Residence hall drop-off and commencement shouldn’t be the only times families can share in their loved one’s college journey. At UNCG, they are a crucial part of the ride.
Facts aside, most students base their college decision on the feeling they get when they step on campus. It’s a feeling that has as much to do with the aesthetics of the campus as it does with the staff they meet and resources they find along the way.
The wide green quads, stately arbors, and brick sidewalks exude classic higher education. A walk through campus makes students feel worthy of the academic expectations they find here. Residence halls can be found in historic buildings and updated mid-rises, giving students a range of room types that appeal to our diverse students. Eighty percent of our first-years live on campus, and unlike some of our sister universities, there’s space for Juniors and Seniors to live on campus too!
The city of Greensboro also offers reasonably priced off-campus housing in a community that gives students opportunities for internships, part-time jobs, and career networking. It’s a city that isn’t too large but isn’t too small, conveniently located right in the middle of the state.
Within the comfort of campus facilities, students find an active student life with over 250 organizations representing a range of service, social, professional, and cultural groups.
“We’ve got 17 Division I sports teams, an esports arena, and an award-winning dining hall, but UNCG has a personalized feel,” says Joel Lee, Associate Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Management. “As students walk across the campus, it’s easy for them to find a community and feel like they’re part of something.”
Opportunities can be found everywhere, but staff prioritize students’ mental health and lists like Princeton Review’s Mental Health Honor Roll are taking notice. Whether students are looking for a cozy, Zen, or inspirational environment, it’s all within reach at UNCG.
Young alumni, current students, and committed prospects agree: there are many numerous answers to the “Why UNCG?” question. Take a visit to our campus, ask questions, feel the vibes, and join the ranks of UNCG’s Spartan nation.
Story by Becky Deakins, University Communications. Photos by Sean Norona, University Communications.
A sample of UNCG branded wallpaper made available in Canto.
Creating flyers, digital invitations and event signage at UNCG just got easier! In the past, campus communicators and graphic designers needed to submit a request to download unit logos, colors and fonts to create promotional materials. But now there’s a one-stop shop for all your graphics needs in Canto.
We already use Canto to download photos, but now all graphic assets can be found there including the following:
Logos: Find official University marks as well as departmental or unit logos.
Colors: Blue and gold and beyond. Be sure to check out our secondary colors.
Fonts: Stay on brand with headlines and descriptive text.
Digital templates: From Power Point presentations to social wallpapers.
Faculty, staff, students — absolutely anyone with a UNCG email address — can access Canto. Bookmark the brand guide and photo library in Canto to keep University assets at your fingertips.
Students interested in healthcare careers or planning to pursue graduate or professional school are invited to the Health Professions Graduate School Fair.
March 25 6–8 p.m. Elliott University Center Cone Ballroom
This event is part of the North Carolina Health Career Expo Tour.
More than 75 advanced master and doctoral programs from across the country, and even internationally, will be on campus to answer questions, discuss their admissions processes, and help students understand how to prepare a competitive application. It is open to all majors.
Programs represented include chiropractic, pharmacy, osteopathic medicine, physical therapy, dentistry, optometry, physician assistant studies, nursing, and medical schools, among others. This is a unique opportunity to connect directly with programs representing a wide range of health fields and explore next steps.
A Model UN for kids, entirely in Spanish, comes to the G
Posted on March 17, 2026
UNCG Students supporting middle school students as they tour and debate in Spanish.
An Immersion Blender of Schools, Culture, and Style
The students, more than 500 of them, come to the UNC Greensboro campus by the busload. They’re middle-schoolers from 28 counties around the state — from AC Reynolds and Cane Creek middle schools in the mountain county of Buncombe to the International School at Gregory, a part of New Hanover Schools in Wilmington.
Outside UNCG’s Elliott University Center on a cool, sunny morning, they pick up their T-shirts, pose for photos, and then filter inside for a day of lectures, debates, crafts, and the kind of learning that happens when disparate groups like this get together and confab.
The difference here is that all day long, from the campus tours to the lectures and debates in the EUC Auditorium to the crafts and information tables in the Cone Ballroom, these students will be speaking and learning in Spanish.
UNCG students conducted campus tours for the middle schoolers before the Model UN kicked off.
A Different Sort of Model UN
This is the fourth year UNCG has hosted this Model UN in partnership with Participate Learning, an educational nonprofit that, according to its website, works to “prepare students for career success through cultural exchange, dual language programs, and global learning.”
They accomplish this by recruiting teachers from around the world for positions in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. They help establish language-immersion programs in schools, in both Spanish and Mandarin. They also provide professional development for teachers interested in creating language-immersion programs or working for one.
And once a year, since 2023, they bring their talents to the G along with busloads of middle-schoolers.
It’s part of Participate Learning’s Conexiones program, a framework of learning built around mastering the Spanish language — or, in the case of native Spanish speakers, appreciating the utility of this skill.
About 27% of the participants come from Spanish-speaking households. All of them are in Spanish immersion programs in their schools.
Jason Strauss, senior manager of Conexiones, elaborates: “Our students are bilingual,” he says. “Some of them already speak Spanish. Some of them are learning Spanish. And it’s an incredible opportunity for them to be on this campus, to get this experience, all in Spanish.”
This is the fourth year Participate Learning has partnered with UNCG for this Model UN.
The UNCG Connection
Participate Learning chose UNCG for this event because of its affinity for Spanish. In the Spring 2026 semester, more than 2,800 students, or almost 16% of the student body, identify as Hispanic or Latino, the highest percentage of all UNC System schools. And though UNCG isn’t the only UNC System school that gives tours in Spanish — UNC-Chapel Hill gives them by appointment — it is the only one to incorporate Spanish-language tours into its regular schedule.
“UNCG has always been really intentional about welcoming all students in our area,” Strauss says.
Augusto “Gus” Peña
It’s a reflection of the state in which we live. More than 1 million North Carolina residents identify as Hispanic or Latine, which is more than 10% of the population It is the state’s fastest growing demographic.
Augusto Peña, director of UNCG’s Office of Intercultural Engagement, stresses the importance of personal relationships in the partnership. Conexiones was once a virtual program, before Marisa Gonzáles ’16, ’19, an educational developer with UNCG’s Teaching and Learning Commons, got involved.
“Marisa knew someone with the Conexiones program,” Peña says. “That relationship opened the door for Participate Learning to make this an in-person event.”
A native Spanish speaker himself, Peña recognizes the impact an experience like this can have on kids from Spanish-language households.
“Their parents are seeing them use their native language as an asset in school, which is rare,” he says. “And when they go back home and they talk about the college campus and what’s up the road for them after high school, that extends the runway they can see so much further. That’s powerful.”
Gonzáles is here today, too, checking in students, giving campus tours, and working a table in the Cone Ballroom. She still has a hand in the classroom, and 14 of her own students are here for the program. “I think it’s going great,” she says. “There’s a lot of excitement from the different schools and the students.”
There are 50 student-volunteers from UNCG’s School of Education on hand to give tours, lead groups, and staff information tables. For their efforts, they’ll be awarded a micro-credential for their résumés, which will give them an edge when they’re looking for teaching positions.
The Power of Language
Now, Strauss stands at the podium of the EUC Auditorium in front of the assembled delegates for the opening remarks. Later on, the students will debate this year’s theme — Animal Well-Being and Protecting Biodiversity — as pseudo-representatives of their respective countries.
But first, Strauss has an empowering PowerPoint presentation.
One slide reads: “¿Qué porcentaje de la población mundial hablan, por lo menos, dos idiomas?” What percentage of the world’s population speaks at least two languages?
The answer worldwide, Strauss explains in Spanish, is 60%. In the US, it’s 20%, a third of that. And in North Carolina, Strauss says, the figure is 12.4%. The kids are shocked.
And when he calls their bilingualism a “superpower,” they believe him.
Story by Brian Clarey, University Communications Photos by Sean Norona, University Communications
The national designation is presented by the American College Personnel Association in partnership with The EDU Ledger and highlights student affairs divisions that demonstrate strong commitments to workplace well-being, supportive environments, professional development, and work-life balance.
Recipients are selected based on survey data examining workplace climate, benefits, and opportunities for growth within student affairs divisions. The designation reflects Student Affairs’ ongoing commitment to fostering a supportive environment for the professionals who help Spartans thrive.
Behind the Wheel: The Team Driving Spartan Success
Posted on March 11, 2026
The Parking Operations and Campus Access Management department (POCAM) supports students, faculty, staff, and visitors at UNC Greensboro in getting from destination to destination. There’s a wide range of parking, transportation, and access services at UNCG, and POCAM is entrusted with such a big part of what makes campus life real for every Spartan.
POCAM responsibilities range from complimentary motorist assistance, Spartan Chariot shuttle bus operations, parking permit registration and management, to motor-pool vehicle rentals and after-hours temporary SpartanCard issuance.
If you think you’ll ever be in need of a jump start, a ride to and from your Spartan Village apartment, or a last-minute parking permit registration solution, get to know some of the faces who show up every day just to make this one thing a little less difficult for our campus community.
Fare‑free public transit access: By providing UMO codes for Greensboro Transit Agency (GTA) buses, we give the campus community a no‑cost option for traveling anywhere GTA serves, reducing financial and transportation barriers.
Comprehensive shuttle services: Our Spartan Chariot campus shuttle bus system — including the Campus Loop, Spartan Village Express, and Park & Ride routes — creates dependable connections between housing, academic buildings, parking areas, and key campus destinations.
Motorist assistance: Free jump starts and tire inflation keep individuals mobile and reduce disruptions that could prevent them from getting to class, work, or home safely.
After‑hours support: Temporary SpartanCard issuance during evenings and weekends ensures that students and employees can continue to access buildings and food even when the main office is closed.
— Desiree Coltrane and Grant Harris, Parking Operations and Campus Access Management
Chakra Cook Front Office Customer Service Representative
What does a typical day look like for you?
Every morning is a bit of a mystery, and the job is mostly about rolling with whatever comes your way. That said, August and the beginning of January are our “Super Bowl seasons” because parking permits take over everything. During those times, my days are packed, fast-paced, and fueled by problem-solving – but the rest of the year keeps me on my toes in different ways.
What fun activities do you like to pass the time during work or at the end of the day?
Downtime is a great excuse to connect with my coworkers. Since we spend so much time together, I really enjoy learning about their hobbies, interests, and families — it makes work feel more human. When I get a moment to myself, I tend to fall down research rabbit holes on things I’m curious about. Recently, I’ve been learning about Lesley Riddle and his huge influence on the Carter Family.
What skills should students develop to succeed in any workplace environment?
If I had to narrow it down, I’d say communication, emotional intelligence, and resilience are the holy trinity. Being able to clearly express yourself, read a room, handle feedback, and bounce back when things don’t go your way will take you far — no matter the job title. Technical skills are important, but these are the ones that keep you thriving when work gets complicated. I’m still pretty new in the workforce, but these are things I’ve been working on.
What’s an interesting fact about yourself?
I didn’t leave the United States until October 2025, but by August 2026, I’ll have visited four other countries. Once I started traveling, I was hooked. It’s become a huge part of my life because it pushes you out of your comfort zone and teaches lessons you just can’t learn by staying in one place. Travel has a funny way of testing you and helping you grow at the same time.
Park, Ride, & Thrive
Each semester brings something new: incoming freshmen, busy dorms, and another round of classes underway. Students can prepare for the best by simply knowing what resources are out there.
Over 650 students rely on Park & Ride services daily. Providing a reliable spot to park their vehicles, this option works to accommodate commuters living off campus and prevents both students and employees from facing the challenges of everyday traffic. Park & Ride Shuttles operate Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m.–10 p.m., and Friday, 7 a.m.–7 p.m.
POCAM encourages students to explore other alternatives to driving, such as the Greensboro Transit Agency (GTA), riding a bike, or carpooling. Oliver Murdick, a deck operations associate, says, “The Spartan Chariots and the free pass for the GTA are a fantastic service to combat the walking problem.”
Got somewhere to be but don’t have a parking permit? No problem! You can use the ParkMobile app to locate approximately 200 spaces on campus, with instructions at the site on how to pay for parking. To ensure convenience for all visiting motorists, the maximum length of occupancy is two hours.
Along with ParkMobile, Passio Go! helps students stay up to date with bus routes like the Campus Loop and Spartan Village Express. The Campus Loop passes through 13 stops while the Spartan Village Express serves five. An average of 7,850 bus trips are taken each week. All chariots are equipped with wheelchair lifts.
Oliver Murdick Deck Operations Associate
What’s one thing you wish more students knew about your job?
I wish students knew that we can see them on the cameras.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I oversee parking operations at night.
What fun activities do you like to pass the time during work or at the end of the day?
I like to juggle.
What skills should students develop to succeed in any workplace environment?
The best skill to have in a workplace is patience.
What’s an interesting fact about yourself?
I’ve never owned a car.
Every Trip Counts
When it comes to figuring out permits or paying a ticket, Chakra Cook, front office customer service representative, says, “A lot of students come into our office looking like they’re about to receive a court summons — and I get it; parking can feel intimidating. But honestly? We genuinely try to help.”
Parking enforcement can sometimes feel overwhelming, but here are a few comforting details students should keep in mind about parking citations:
The UNCG Parking School Community Service Initiative offers students an opportunity to complete community service to remove one specified parking citation per academic year. Learn more about eligibility here.
Most parking fine revenue goes to North Carolina’s public K-12 schools, including those in the Guilford County area.
Andrew Clapp Maintenance Supervisor
What’s one thing you wish more students knew about your job?
It is dangerous; we are among cars all day, with only a reflective vest or coat to ensure we are highly visible to drivers.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I go to every coin-operated meter on campus. I collect the coins and replace the battery if necessary. The rest of the week varies depending on the needs of the parking infrastructure; I may be replacing poles and signs in parking lots or decks. I will also be putting in new stop blocks in parking lots, including drilling holes for the rebar to secure them to the asphalt. The campus has many parking needs to attend to.
What fun activities do you like to pass the time during work or at the end of the day?
Growing up in Colorado, I love to ski.
What skills should students develop to succeed in any workplace environment?
Interpersonal social skills, even in a modern workplace, you must learn to interact with coworkers on a personal level.
What’s an interesting fact about yourself?
I am a veteran of the US Navy Seabees.
“Our goal is to work with students and staff to find parking options that actually fit within the rules,” says Cook. “Ticketing, booting, and towing are last resort situations, not our favorite hobbies. If you come talk to us, chances are we’re trying to help you avoid those outcomes, not create them.”
Understanding even a small part of the process can help provide greater context around parking enforcement and encourage students to lean on the campus programs available to them.
James Knight Parking Enforcement (Formerly a Spartan Chariot Driver)
What’s one thing you wish more students knew about your job?
The amount of noise, from both inside and outside the bus (traffic, passenger conversations, radio, etc.), is more prevalent than most students would believe. Also, the process of navigating different weather conditions while operating the bus makes each shift both different and interesting.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Volunteering to help vulnerable populations at various non-profit organizations during the day, then working 2nd shift driving the Spartan Chariot.
What fun activities do you like to pass the time during work or at the end of the day?
Listening to Music, Walking/Getting Exercise, and Learning New Things.
What skills should students develop to succeed in any workplace environment?
Communication, Teamwork, and Problem Solving.
What’s an interesting fact about yourself?
I have met several musicians, comedians, athletes, and politicians over the years! Each meeting made for a great memory and a great time!
Moving Campus Forward
Getting around campus takes many forms, and POCAM helps coordinate them all. At times, the team adapts services to accommodate special events, with a Spartan Chariot reserved to provide direct transportation to destinations such as Greensboro’s First Horizon Coliseum for athletic events or the Kaplan Center for professional development opportunities like the recent career fair.
These adjustments reflect the intentional effort to meet the needs of students, faculty, and staff and contribute to a broader mission of enhancing the University experience.
Parking is the first step, but succeeding as a Spartan is the next. Reach out to POCAM with any questions or concerns about how to improve your campus parking experience.
Story by Lauren Segers, University Communications Photography by Sean Norona, University Communications
In Memoriam: Dr. Sarah Shoffner, a Lifetime Educator
Posted on March 17, 2026
A March 20 memorial ceremony for the late Sarah Shoffner ’62, ’64 MS, ’77 Ph.D. will be held in Marcus T. Johnson Alumni House. Shoffner’s impact spans decades, from three-time student to educator and administrator, and later chair of the Alumni House Committee.
On March 23-27, the entire Spartan community will be participating in a photography project known as A Week at the G. This will be the fourth annual A Week at the G event, where faculty, staff, and students share snippets of life at UNC Greensboro by taking photos and submitting them to our online daily photo journal.
Capture the Moments
During A Week at the G, professional and hobbyist photographers will be lending their viewpoints, along with everyday observers snapping photos on their phones. A blooming dogwood tree on campus, a group gathered for lunch at Moran Fountains, a focused student in a biology lab, softball players encouraging each other at batting practice, smiling Spartan Dining staff, film majors working on a project at Carmichael Studios — just about everything you see can be part of A Week at the G.
With strong participation across campus, the collaboration will leave us with a collection of photos and video clips illustrating what it’s like to be a Spartan. Check out the video from our last Week at the G in October 2024 and get inspired!
Submit and Be Social
Let’s say you are walking through campus and happen to witness a moment that feels too UNCG not to capture. Once you take the photo, there are a couple of ways you can participate:
Submit your photo to our Week at the G daily online photo feed. (An online submission form will go live on weekattheg.uncg.edu beginning Mar. 23.)
Post it on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X using the hashtag #AWeekattheG.
There are a few commonsense guidelines to follow, including making sure the subjects know you are sharing their photo, being mindful of children and sensitive subjects, and avoiding other university’s logos. But otherwise, let your inner Spartan be your guide.
Prize Worthy Photos
If Spartan pride isn’t enough to spark your collaborative spirit, this year there are prizes to sweeten the deal. The best photos posted through our online submissions will be selected by the University Communications team and shared on social channels for public voting. The following prizes will be awarded:
Students: Photos submitted by students are eligible to win a Panasonic LUMIX G7 mirrorless camera ($800 value), UNCG swag, and have their photo enlarged for display on a billboard along Gate City Boulevard.
Social Posters: Photos posted by anyone during March 23-27 with our hashtag #AWeekattheG are also eligible to win a Polaroid Hi-Print Generation 2 Everything Box Set photo printer ($120 value) and UNCG swag as part of a “Photo of the Week” contest on Instagram, LinkedIn and X.
Keep in mind that everything from quiet, small moments to sweeping campus vistas are worthy of submission to our Week at the G daily photo journal. Together they paint an incredible picture of life at the G — one that isn’t complete without your unique POV.
Mark your calendar and clear your lens for all the beauty waiting to be captured March 23-27 during A Week at the G!
Story by Becky Deakins, University Communications. Photos by Sean Norona, University Communications.
Never Stop Dreaming: Forward-thinking Saxophonist Thrives on Jazz Culture
Posted on March 12, 2026
The chatter of intermission fades as a new band takes the stage at the Carolina Theatre of Greensboro to begin their warm-ups. Sonorous tones from the brass instruments usher the crowd of all ages to return to their seats inside the black box theater. The brick walls and columns evoke a mood that takes them back to the 1960s, ready to hear the legendary jazz musician Miles Davis himself, but this evening his music will be performed by UNC Greensboro’s Jazz Ensembles I and II.
Franco Romero signals his bandmates to begin their first set, his own arrangement of Davis’s 1961 classic “Teo.” When he rises for a solo, the audience listens, enraptured by the warm, powerful, lilting tones of his saxophone.
The evening’s air is crisp as Greensboro closes out a mild week that melted away all signs of the 10 inches of snow left by back-to-back winter storms. On stage, the skill of Romero and his peers settles any nerves of their professor, Dr. Thomas Heflin, who acknowledges to the audience how they lost two weeks of group rehearsals while the UNCG campus was closed. Judging from the applause after each solo, the weather’s interruption hadn’t soured their notes.
His history in music does not go back as far as the jazz king Davis, but his own musical story is off to an inspiring start, including a childhood fascination with jazz, work on a Grammy Award-winning album, a special meeting with a UNCG professor, and the generosity that brought him to the United States for college.
Dreams Set to a Jazz Tempo
Romero
Music runs in his family. As a child in Cuba, Romero grew up listening to his aunt, a cellist. According to his mother, when he was very young, he would cry whenever his aunt played a sad melody.
He tried a few instruments before finding his calling: “I started playing saxophone and knew that was where I really wanted to be,” he says.
He proved so talented that his tutors recommended he go to Alejandro Garcia Caturla Art School and then the Amadeo Roldan Conservatory for high school — institutions both named after Cuban composers.
While grateful for the teachers of his early years, connecting to professionals who could expand his skills proved difficult. Furthermore, most of the musical instruments available in Cuba were subpar. Then, in 2016, his school introduced the nonprofit-led program Horns to Havana. Finally, he and his classmates had access to better quality instruments and master classes from musicians from the United States.
The award-winning saxophonist and composer sits on Horns to Havana’s educational council and teaches at the UNCG School of Music. Eby saw Romero’s potential and began looking for ways to bring him stateside.
“It’s always been a dream for a Cuban student to have the opportunity to study outside the country,” says Romero. “We are lovers of jazz and music in general, but the dream is to go out there and learn from the place where jazz originates.”
Romero practices with Eby.
Romero and Eby looked at schools in Florida and North Carolina. Then they found a donor who would pay for Romero’s first year of tuition to study jazz at UNCG. In 2022, Romero saw his dream take hold, “to come here, have a real education, and the opportunity to go to college.”
Romero’s American Dream
Over the past three years, Romero has experienced so much of the United States, traveling to other cities to share his sound with diverse audiences. While many performers aspire to build their careers in major cities like Los Angeles or New York, Romero has developed a deep appreciation for Greensboro’s hospitality and vibrant musical community.
“The people here are incredibly welcoming,” he says. “The area is beautiful, and the campus itself is just inspiring. Greensboro is a smaller city, and like many musicians, I often dream about experiencing bigger cities and bigger stages. But there’s something about Greensboro that keeps bringing me back. It’s a place that has truly become meaningful to me.”
The Best of Miles Davis
Romero, with the UNCG School of Music, celebrates Miles Davis’s centennial year this spring. They’ll pay tribute to more of his music throughout the semester with concerts at the Carolina Theatre on April 7 and May 7.
For Romero, the Gate City has also been a springboard. After hearing about scholarship opportunities offered by the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation, he applied and was awarded the scholarship twice. It would cover half of his tuition for the following two years while his sponsor covered the remainder. The support allowed him to continue his studies and focus on developing his career as a musician.
He traveled as one of the Foundation’s ambassadors, including to Miami where he performed alongside friends from Cuba and renowned artists such as Sebastián Yatra and Elena Rose. He was invited to the 2025 Latin GRAMMY Awards in Las Vegas to perform in their Spotlight event dedicated to the legendary Cuban singer Celia Cruz.
Grammy Dream Come True
In Vegas, he got to see, hear, and meet some of the most influential figures in Latin music and some of his own personal idols: Alejandro Sanz, Susana Baca, Malena Burke, Lena Burke, Meme Solís, Bad Bunny, Rauw Alejandro, Karol G, and Emilio and Gloria Estefan, Ca7riel y Paco Amoroso, among many others.
“I was there the whole week,” says Romero. “Meeting artists, meeting producers, musicians, the whole industry in general.”
One of the most memorable moments for Romero was giving an award to Ivan Lins, one of Brazil’s most celebrated composers and songwriters, presented by the Latin Recording Academy in honor of Lins’s extraordinary contributions to Latin American music and culture. After the ceremony, Romero personally interviewed Lins, gaining insight into the legendary composer’s career, musical philosophy, and dedication to preserving his cultural roots.
The trip to Las Vegas also represented a full-circle moment, as before Romero got involved with Grammy events, he was already part of a Grammy-winning project. Before coming to UNCG, while still living in Cuba, Romero was one of the musicians who performed on Mendó, the album by Cuban-Canadian artist Alex Cuba. It went on to win Best Latin Pop Album in 2022.
“It’s always special to see your work recognized,” Romero says. “When you put so much passion into music, moments like that remind you why you chose this path.”
It’s always been a dream for a Cuban student to have the opportunity to study outside the country. We are lovers of jazz and music in general, but the dream is to go out there and learn from the place where jazz originates.
Franco Romero
Already soaring, always dreaming
Now entering his senior year at UNCG, Romero continues performing for audiences on campus and beyond, including recent shows at the School of Music. It’s also a moment of reflection for the young saxophonist, who carries with him the legacy of a deeply musical family, his Latin American roots, and the ever-evolving language of jazz.
Like Miles Davis, an artist who was never afraid to reinvent himself even after achieving success, Romero believes the journey of a musician is defined by exploration. For him, there are still many directions to pursue and many sounds left to discover.
For younger musicians and fellow School of Music students, his advice is simple: stay grounded in the fundamentals, seek opportunities to share your music, and learn from the mentors around you.
“Work hard and keep dreaming,” Romero says.
Story by Janet Imrick, University Communications Photography Sean Norona, University Communications
