Dr. Susan Keane, who came to UNCG in 1983, has advanced research that can help families identify behavioral problems early and treat them. Her Candace Bernard and Robert Glickman Distinguished Professorship also helps her students get ahead in their own cutting-edge research.
SparkNC, UNCG and GCS Launch partnership to prepare students for technology careers
Posted on February 18, 2026
UNC System President Peter Hans signs the agreement launching NC's first SparkHub
New SparkHub at UNCG creates a first-of-its-kind bridge between K-12, higher education, and the global workforce
To bridge the gap between K-12 education, higher education, and the global workforce, SparkNC, UNCG, and Guilford County Schools (GCS) have launched North Carolina’s first SparkHub. This new learning environment is designed to connect high school students with innovative higher education experiences and in-demand technology careers.
Located on the UNCG campus, the SparkHub serves as a physical and intellectual bridge between K-12 education, higher education, and the global workforce. Through this partnership, GCS students will participate in immersive, hands-on learning experiences developed in collaboration with global technology leaders, including Apple, IBM, Epic Games, Lenovo, TEKsystems and Cisco. The launch is supported in part by Live Oak Bank, reflecting a shared commitment to expanding access to technology education.
The UNCG SparkHub is part of SparkNC’s growing inter-district network, enabling GCS students to collaborate with peers and technology professionals across North Carolina while gaining exposure to real-world career pathways.
“This partnership is about more than just teaching code — it’s about creating opportunity, confidence, and belonging,” said SparkNC President Lynn Moody. “By opening a SparkHub on the UNCG campus, we are breaking down barriers between high school and higher education and showing students where their potential paths can lead.”
“As a public research university, UNCG is committed to building pathways that expand access and drive economic mobility,” said Chancellor Franklin D. Gilliam, Jr. “This partnership demonstrates how higher education, K-12 schools and industry can work together to create meaningful opportunities for students across our state.”
NC’s first SparkHub launched on Tuesday with a digital signing ceremony including UNC System President Peter Hans, Guilford County Schools Superintendent Whitney Oakley, NC Senator Phil Berger, SparkNC President Lynn Moody, and UNCG Chancellor Franklin D. Gilliam, Jr.
High-tech curriculum for a digital future
Students participating in the SparkHub will engage in modular learning experiences aligned with some of the fastest-growing, most in-demand fields in the modern economy, including:
Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning
Game design and esports
Cybersecurity
Software development
UX/UI design
Data analytics
Exploring technology careers
The curriculum emphasizes experiential, project-based learning and is designed to evolve alongside industry needs.
A unique pathway to credit
Moving beyond fixed class periods and schedules, the SparkHub allows students to progress through learning modules at their own pace. By completing six learning experiences and building a professional portfolio students may earn a high school computer science credit through GCS.
This modular approach provides students with greater flexibility, autonomy, and ownership over their learning while aligning academic achievement with real-world skills.
The SparkHub launch event included remarks from signatories, current SparkNC students, and technology partners, followed by a tour of the UNCG ARCADE lab and technologies that will be available to incoming students.
Mentorship and innovation
The SparkHub’s location within the UNCG ecosystem provides students with access to faculty expertise and cutting-edge research through ARCADE (Applied Research in Computer Arts, Digitization and Esports). UNCG faculty will provide mentorship and guidance, connecting students to advanced technology applications across disciplines.
The initiative also serves as a living classroom for UNCG students, particularly future educators and researchers, who will support programming while gaining hands-on experience in next-generation teaching and learning environments.
Bryan School Introduces AI Workshop for Business Leaders
AI is everywhere. Some business professionals were early adopters; some questioned the tool’s possibilities.
Whatever one’s initial reaction to artificial intelligence (AI), it is here to stay. And since that is the case, Marketa Rickley, Bryan School of Business & Economics professor, wants to support organizations in ensuring AI strengthens their overall success.
UNC Greensboro was an AI “early adopter,” and Rickley’s January launch of a new Bryan School Executive Education: AI for Impact workshop adds to the University’s forward-thinking cache of AI initiatives.
The four-part, hands-on series — either taken online or in-person — digs deep into the practical, strategic, and ethical implementation of AI in business, drawing from Rickley’s expertise in strategic management and applied AI.
She launched the workshop earlier this year, with first client NEST, a New Jersey integrated facilities management company, whose leadership includes two UNCG alumni, CEO Rob Almond ’02 and VP of Strategy Jon Brumbaugh ’02, ’07 MA.
“Although we have been embracing AI at NEST for some time, we want to be cutting edge and competitive with our AI offerings,” says Almond. “When Dean Joy Bhadury told me about this curriculum, I immediately signed up.”
Faculty Expertise Drives AI Workshop
For Rickley, working in the AI field was borne from broader strategic thinking about the role of faculty. When considering this, she thought about her research, her students, and the community.
“My role is to push the knowledge domain further with research and to encourage students to be effective in changing the workplace but also to share insights with our broader community,” says Rickley.
The last objective really resonated with her. She wanted to ensure businesses in the community were taking advantage of advancement in tools like AI and applying them effectively for their future success, which led her to create the workshop.
Rickley focuses on generative AI (GAI) and predictive AI (PAI) in her research and work with business managers. GAI learns patterns from data to create new content while PAI projects future outcomes by analyzing historical data.
“I find it inherently interesting to be part of this ‘paradigm shift’ due to changes in technology,” she says. “I also like how AI enables us to think about difficult questions in a new way.”
Read more stories about AI implementation at UNCG
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How “AI for Impact” Evolved to Help Businesses
The Bryan School has readily adopted aspects of AI, using the tool in faculty training and adding an AI concentration and graduate certificate, and with support from Dean Bhadury, development of this program also gained momentum.
Rickley sought to contribute her skills by creating a workshop that makes AI accessible through a business lens.
“I wanted to get business professionals comfortable using AI and provide them a window into where AI is headed,” she says.
The course was then developed and road-tested before its official launch with NEST in February. The format is four, 60–90 minute modules, focused on AI for productivity, AI agent development, strategic AI integration, and ethical AI implementation.
The module format enables the program to flex its emphasis according to the clients’ needs, either further emphasizing or de-emphasizing certain topics.
“Without the combination of the forward-thinking leadership and the connections the Bryan School has built over the decades, we could not have launched this program,” Rickley says.
Delivering Practical AI Applications, Strategic Clarity
Participants should gain a clear and actionable sense of how AI can benefit their organizations in this workshop, explains Rickley.
“GAI can offer inspiration for marketing, HR training, and many other functional roles,” she says. “PAI can analyze a company’s business model, for example, and make recommendations.”
Due to her background, Rickley knows how to discuss AI in a way that resonates with business leaders; she does not approach the conversation from a technical perspective.
“Rather than getting into the technical details, I focus on helping business leaders build intuition about how AI works and how it can be integrated to strengthen their business model,” she says.
Organizations that are excited about AI are a good fit for this program. In other words, they want to use the technology — know they need to use it — but need help navigating the sometimes intimidating expanse of information about AI.
“The thought of using AI may overwhelm businesses,” Rickley says. “This course breaks it down into digestible pieces, helping leaders decipher what is worth investing in and what should be skipped.”
NEST’s Realistic Approach to AI
Rickley reflects on the workshop launch with NEST, a company led by UNCG alumni Almond and Brumbaugh offering integrated facility management support, which allows for brand consistency, cost effectiveness, and efficient processes.
NEST’s strong group of forward-thinking managers were already pursuing AI integration, which made the workshop engaging yet realistic.
“The NEST leadership had a great blend of curiosity and strategic realism,” she says. “We examined their current use of AI and what they could realistically build out in 6, 12, or 18 months.”
Following the workshop, Almond says NEST continues to focus on automation and efficiencies gained from AI implementation, without losing their personal touch with clients.
“We offer customized solutions to each customer because of their unique processes,” he says. “But we can apply AI to each of their ‘playbooks,’ allowing for increased response times and greater staff efficiency.”
Since they took the course, NEST now has a “sounding board” in Rickley. She sees their benefits as communal clarity and greater alignment in terms of AI.
“Participation in this course gives them a path to perhaps think differently about certain strategic questions,” she says. “From there, they can decide how to adjust their processes to make the most of AI.”
The leaders at NEST agree. In fact, one of their clients flew across the country to join the AI session.
“This client, like my team, was blown away by what we learned in the workshop,” says Almond. “He confirmed that we were doing the right thing be embracing AI on a whole different level.”
Looking Ahead: Rapidly Changing AI Landscape
In this workshop, Rickley helps businesses navigate the intricate world of AI by exploring questions: Why AI? What problem does it solve? Do you need it? Where will it create value?
With GAI, PAI and the responsible use of AI constantly evolving, AI for Impact will change and develop as well, based on the needs of the businesses it serves.
Teaching this workshop enables Rickley to stay at the forefront of the AI conversation.
“Teaching AI for Impact allows me to see in which direction industry is moving as well as offers me a birds-eye view into what modern businesses are considering in terms of AI,” she says.
Written by Amy Burtch, AMBCopy Photography provided by Bryan School of Business & Economics
YuJa Panorama Replaces UDOIT for Canvas Accessibility
Posted on March 05, 2026
ITS is making the change to YuJa Panorama, an accessibility tool built into Canvas to support new ADA Title II requirements. The full launch is planned for August.
All state agencies, universities, community colleges, and other public entities are eligible to receive this award if they meet the highest standard of fiscal accountability.
“This award reflects the Controller’s Office’s commitment to accuracy, transparency, and fiscal stewardship,” says UNCG Controller Ghazala Bibi. “Achieving this level of audit excellence requires diligence, technical expertise, and year-round collaboration. I am incredibly proud of our team for upholding the highest standards of financial reporting and compliance on behalf of UNCG.”
OSA focused on three criteria: timely submission of the entity’s unaudited financial statement package, no record of any significant audit adjustments upon completion of the OSA’s financial statement, and no record of any audit findings (significant deficiencies, material weaknesses, or other findings required by auditing standards).
UNCG thanks all the staff within the Controller’s Office for their hard work to earn this achievement.
For the 2024 fiscal year, OSA recognized 27 institutions or agencies overall for financial statement audits or single audits.
SOAR Signing Up Volunteers to Support Summer Orientation
Posted on March 05, 2026
Help UNCG make a direct impact on the newest Spartans by helping create a welcoming, supportive, and unforgettable orientation experience.
New Student Transitions & First Year Experience seeks faculty and staff volunteers to support SOAR sessions this June. They create a warm first impression by greeting students and guests, assisting with directions near parking and check-in, and answering general questions.
All interested should sign up by Friday, May 4 at 5 p.m.
Volunteer shifts are two hours in the morning and take place outdoors near SOAR check-in locations. Volunteers will receive a t-shirt, pom-pom, lunch voucher, and other helpful material. They’ll also be invited to attend the SOAR Preview on June 1 at 3 p.m.
Interested volunteers should speak to their supervisor before signing up, as flex or comp time is granted at their discretion, and supervisors will be notified of participation.
Students Can Enter Now to Win University Libraries Research Awards
Posted on March 05, 2026
The ULRA awards are given in recognition of an outstanding original paper or project in any media format. Two individual undergraduates and one graduate student will be awarded a $500 prize. Application materials are due March 20.
Jarrod Rudd ’13 Builds Civic-Minded Spartans, Ready to Serve and Vote
Posted on February 25, 2026
Higher education not only introduces students to a more global view of the world; it also teaches them how their voices and efforts can have a ripple effect of impact. This is especially true of civic engagement, a practice that is learned, modeled, and encouraged at UNCG. Mentors play a critical role in helping students recognize their power to make a difference in their communities and beyond.
Rudd returned to his alma mater in 2021 with a passion to empower students to serve their community and be changemakers. By 2024, he was heading up OLCE, the office that students turn to for engagement in local service projects and leadership development.
Service day T-shirts are emblazoned with the word “changemakers,” reflecting OLCE’s mission to turn Spartans into changemakers for their communities. “You don’t need to be the mayor to be a changemaker,” Rudd says. “I want students to understand their values and live through that. I truly believe in the motto of the University… service.”
Under his direction, OLCE’s service days, which call for students to volunteer with local nonprofits on Spartan Service Day in September and MLK Day of Service in January, fill to capacity with waitlists. Now there are service days every other week, connecting students with volunteer work in Greensboro. This year, he also secured a grant to add a 9/11 Day of Service to the mix.
“It was powerful,” he says about teaching students about 9/11’s impact on communities. “Even as we think about our current environment, we reflected on what happened on Sept. 11, 2001, and also what happened afterwards. How did people come together? What type of community did we build? How did we show up for one another?”
Starting small and showing up for one another is how Rudd teaches students about civic engagement. When students are feeling discouraged by current events, he offers simple advice: “Advocate for what you believe in by starting small conversations within your friend group. This is how hope is inspired.”
On service days, Jarrod Rudd hypes up the changemakers before they head out to community sites for hands-on volunteer work.
Vested in Voting
Rudd’s hope and enthusiasm for civic engagement really comes alive when elections, like next week’s primaries, are happening: “Today’s debates are sparking curiosity in students, and I want to support that and encourage them to use their voice in many ways — whether that is voting, attending city council meetings, or writing to elected officials.”
To prepare for the primary election on March 3, Rudd worked with student groups to demystify the election process and help them “make a plan” to vote. Asking questions like “Are you registered?” “Where are you registered?” “How will you get to the polls?” helps them craft a plan. In addition to meeting one-on-one with students, he also empowered student catalyst leaders to share election information with campus organizations and peer groups.
Voting plans for students were further complicated when early voting polls closed at UNCG and across town at NC A&T State University. Convenient polling locations are important to students who may be casting their very first ballot while in college.
Removing barriers to election participation is a priority for Rudd, who coordinated transportation for students wanting to vote early. On Feb. 25 and 26, shuttles will run from the EUC to the courthouse on Market Street so they can participate in early voting. Sign up here to join them.
“This was an instance where we were truly listening to our students who were upset about the early voting poll closing,” he explains. “We knew that mandate wasn’t going to change, so our action was to get them there.”
These may sound like extra measures for a primary election, but Rudd wants students to get involved early. “They have more power than they actually think,” he says.
Deserving of Distinction
Rudd was honored for his work when he was named the 2026 Civic Engagement Professional of the Year by North Carolina Campus Engagement . The award recognizes exceptional leadership in advancing civic learning, strengthening campus-community partnerships, and embedding civic engagement into institutional practice.
Rudd’s’ colleagues on the UNCG Community Engagement Council nominated him for his role in transforming civic engagement from a set of individual programs into a coordinated and mission-aligned institutional effort. His management of UNCG student leadership programs, voter education efforts, community-based career experiences, and campus-wide service events made him a clear choice.
Students agree that his reach has real impact. Zainab Adamou-Mohamed is a recent UNCG graduate who now serves on his staff. She originally met Rudd when she served as an OLCE catalyst leader and has watched him welcome students to service-day events since she was a first-year.
“His upbeat and encouraging tone appeals to students who are unfamiliar or even nervous about participating in service,” she says. ”It reflects his ongoing commitment to empowering young people through acceptance, warmth, and encouragement, no matter where they are in their leadership journey.”
Judd loves working with students like Adamou-Mohamed, but he is quick to credit UNCG staff and faculty cooperation.
“Every day, I get to see UNCG students step into their power as changemakers, whether that is making a plan to vote, serving alongside someone with a different perspective, or building partnerships that create real impact in Greensboro,” he says. “This award is deeply meaningful because it reflects the collective commitment of our campus and community partners to civic engagement. It is not just recognition of my work, but of the incredible ways UNCG students show up to make their communities stronger.”
Story by Becky Deakins, University Communications and Nicole Merritt, Student Affairs. Photos by Sean Norona, University Communications.
Commencement team signing volunteers for Spring 2026
Posted on February 23, 2026
The Spring Commencement season is here once again, and all are cordially invited to join UNCG’s graduating class in these celebratory occasions.
Volunteers are an integral part of both the Doctoral and Master’s Commencement Ceremony and the University Commencement Ceremony. They play a key role in the success of these events each semester. Those ceremonies will be held on May 7 and 8 this year. Both are at First Horizon Coliseum.
The ceremonies begin at 10 a.m. Volunteers should report to the Coliseum by 8 a.m.
Volunteers will receive a continental breakfast the morning of the event, in addition to a volunteer thank-you event. For those that may be leery to commit to being a volunteer, we have a formal walkthrough with training and plan for virtual meet-ups. Volunteers will learn their team leads before the walkthrough.
Sign up here for the Doctoral and Master’s Commencement Ceremony, the University Commencement Ceremony, or both.
UNCG very much appreciates everyone who contributes their time, expertise, and support in bringing these special events to life for graduating students and their families.
Why should you volunteer for Commencement ceremonies? You help make unforgettable moments like these from May 2025 that graduates and their loved ones will never forget.
School of Nursing Expanding Care With UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of North Carolina Gift
Posted on March 02, 2026
The $715,000 investment will go toward the School’s goals to grow its health care reach, particularly in rural and underserved areas of the state. It will go toward the purchase of a second Minerva’s Mobile Health van and hands-on training for even more students.
