January 2026 Announcements

• Several new department head appointments have become effective since the beginning of 2026:
  • Aaron Keiss (Interim), Prestage Department of Poultry Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
  • Steve Lommel (Interim), Department of Horticulture Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
  • Terri Long, Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
  • Seth Murray (Interim), Department of Integrative Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Humanities and Social Sciences

• The Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost is responsible for reviewing the administrative performance of deans and vice provosts at least every five years. A review of Vice Chancellor and Dean Doneka Scott and the Division of Academic and Student Affairs has been scheduled for this semester. As part of the review, the campus community is invited to attend an overview presentation by Vice Chancellor and Dean Scott on DASA’s goals and accomplishments on Wednesday, Feb. 4 from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. There will be both in-person and virtual options available for this presentation. In-person participants may join the provost and Vice Chancellor and Dean Scott in the Witherspoon Student Center, Washington Sankofa Room (Room 126). Virtual participants may join via Zoom, which will be accessible on Feb. 4 at 11 a.m. at https://go.ncsu.edu/dasa-review. The review process also includes surveys of specific populations (e.g., senior leadership, advisory committee members, unit employees) who interact regularly with Vice Chancellor and Dean Scott. If you are invited to participate in a survey for the review, your thoughtful and timely response helps to ensure that the leadership review is as accurate and comprehensive as possible.

From the Climate and Sustainability Academy:

• Applications open for the 2026 Coastal Community Resilience Immersive Training Program—an AmeriCorps opportunity with six positions available. This 10-week, paid program partners interns with a North Carolina community where they will conduct asset mapping, vulnerability assessments and community engagement alongside NC State mentors and local hosts. Participants complete a 300-hour AmeriCorps term with a $8,000 service contract, a $1,565 education award, and—for enrolled NC State students—an additional $3,000 housing and travel stipend, while gaining hands-on experience with ArcGIS Online and resilience planning. Learn more and apply.
• The Climate Leaders Program is excited to announce its 2026 cohort student/mentor teams. This interdisciplinary cohort of five undergraduate and 10 graduate students represents seven of NC State’s Colleges. The students will complete an internship and engage with each other and their faculty mentors throughout the calendar year as they pursue innovative climate mitigation and adaptation solutions. 
• CaSA is excited to sponsor a new sustainable design challenge at this year’s Make-A-Thon, NC State’s annual sustainability innovation competition. Inspired by the work of Northwestern University professor Lucia Stein-Montalvo—whose research explores climate-adaptive kirigami structures—students are invited to reimagine the structure’s current plastic material with a more durable, sustainable alternative. Select designs may inform a future demo installation at The Corner on Centennial Campus, bringing student innovation into a real-world campus setting. CaSA is offering a $1,000 prize for the top design, and Stein-Montalvo will return to campus to mentor teams and help judge submissions, alongside faculty from the Wilson College of Textiles, the College of Natural Resources and more. Coming Jan. 22-25, students should register early to secure their spot.

From University Data and Analytics:

• Fall 2025 end-of-term (EOT) student credit hours (SCHs) are now available in the UDA Factbook. The SCH interactive dashboard provides total SCHs for a number of different aggregations, including course owning college, department, student first major and degree level. Access the UDA Factbook by visiting our website.

From DELTA:

• NC State faculty and DELTA’s Course Quality team took center stage at the 2025 UNC System Quality Matters Summit, held at North Carolina Central University. The event brought together educators and instructional designers from across the UNC System to share insights on course design, faculty development and student engagement.
• In the fall, instructors from across NC State gathered at the D.H. Hill Jr. Library for AccessFest — a day-long, drop-in event dedicated to improving the accessibility of digital course materials. Hosted by DELTA’s A11Y team and University Libraries with support from the Office of Information Technology and the Office of Equal Opportunity, the event offered a practical, welcoming environment for faculty, instructors and teaching assistants to strengthen their materials with real-time support.
• NC State’s commitment to student success extends beyond the physical classroom. In an effort to continuously improve the digital learning experience, Digital Education and Learning Technology Applications (DELTA) conducted a student needs survey in the spring 2024 semester to better understand the unique experiences, challenges and opportunities for students enrolled in its distance education (DE) programs. The survey, which was sent to more than 2,000 current DE students across eight colleges, garnered 318 responses – providing DELTA with valuable insights into how students perceive their connection to the university, the support they receive and their overall satisfaction with the DE experience.

From the Office of Equal Opportunity:

• Save the date for the OEO Viz Gallery on Feb. 17-19! Join us for Know Your Rights: Your Equal Opportunity Protections, an inaugural visualization gallery exhibit highlighting civil rights and equal opportunity history, Title IX, accessibility advancements and key education milestones. The exhibit features a timeline of impacts of federal civil rights laws at NC State and resources for recognizing and reporting discrimination and harassment.

Visit the Cyma Rubin Visualization Gallery on the 3rd floor of D.H. Hill Jr. Library from February 17–19,  12 p.m. – 5 p.m. to explore the exhibit, pick up some goodies and learn more about your rights. An accessible web version of the exhibit will also be available. The Office of Equal Opportunity looks forward to welcoming you!

• In response to faculty feedback, OEO has developed a 30-minute module, Classroom Accommodations 101, covering NC State-specific accommodation procedures, recommendations for course modifications and accessible course design and the respective roles of students, faculty and the DRO. This module provides practical guidance to help instructors know what to do when they receive an accommodations letter from students.

From the Office for Faculty Excellence:

• Universal Course Design certificate applications are now open for the spring semester. The |RED| Universal Course Design Certification |UCDC| provides opportunities for faculty and teaching graduate students to reflect on multiple facets of teaching, encompassing the creation of a welcoming, equitable course climate, the design and implementation of accessible classroom practices and assessments, and the selection and implementation of course content. This course is 100% asynchronous and can be completed in a semester.
• Faculty Conversation: Teaching Large Classes will take place on Thursday, Jan. 22 from 1 – 2 p.m. via Zoom. In this session, we will explore effective and engaging teaching techniques tailored to the challenges and opportunities presented by large class sizes. From leveraging technology for active participation to implementing collaborative learning techniques, participants will gain practical insights into fostering student engagement and promoting meaningful interactions in sizable classrooms. Discover strategies to manage grading efficiently, maintain a vibrant learning environment, and address the needs of our student population.
• Registration is now open for the 4th Annual Conference on Faculty Excellence. The Office for Faculty Excellence, DELTA and the NC State University Libraries invite faculty, postdoctoral scholars and professional staff to attend the 2026 NC State Conference on Faculty Excellence, which will be held March 5 from 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. The conference brings together campus partners with an investment in faculty excellence. Leading experts from NC State’s Office for Faculty Excellence, DELTA and University Libraries will offer workshops throughout the day. Faculty, postdoctoral scholars and professional staff are invited to submit session and poster proposals for the conference.

From the Genetics and Genomics Academy:

• We are pleased to welcome Jennifer Ocasio Adorno to the Genetics and Genomics Academy Executive Committee as our new program manager. 

From the Office of Global Engagement:

• NC State’s strong commitment to global learning continues to shine in the latest Open Doors report. The annual Open Doors report, commissioned by the U.S. Department of State and produced by the Institute of International Education, highlights student participation in international education and exchange programs across the country. As the report highlights, NC State continues to enhance study abroad opportunities for all academic majors and enroll talented international students from around the world.
• The Office of Global Engagement is pleased to announce eight faculty and staff projects funded through our inaugural Advancing Global Learning at Home program, which supports innovative campus-based initiatives that bring international perspectives and global skills development to NC State students. Learn more about each project here.
• The Office of International Services, Study Abroad and Raleigh staff for the NC State European Center in Prague have a new home in Page Hall! Be sure to check out their respective webpages for each office’s updated address. For those of you in Raleigh, be sure to visit the new space at the Office Warming Open House. There will be hot cocoa and cookies to enjoy while you explore the new space. Mark your calendars for Jan. 28 from 12 pm. – 2 p.m. at Page Hall, 21 Current Drive, Raleigh, NC, 27695.
• NC State Ph.D. graduate Alexander Goodrich examines how heritage tourism shapes public memory in Bermuda in his dissertation, Heritage Tourism and the Politics of Public Memory in Bermuda. Through a global public history lens, Goodrich explores how tourism-driven narratives have long influenced how Bermuda’s colonial past, enslavement and African Diaspora history are remembered, interpreted and presented to the public.
• The Office of Global Engagement is accepting nominations through Jan. 30 for two awards recognizing outstanding international engagement and service: the Jackson Rigney International Service Award, which honors distinguished contributions to international service, research collaboration or capacity sharing; and the Distinguished Service in International Education Award, which recognizes exceptional service to international education and global learning for NC State students.

From the Global One Health Academy:

• GOHA’s Local Engagement Seed Grants have supported NC State students, postdocs, faculty and staff in multiple One Health-relevant local engagement projects. One supported project, led by Alexandra Duffy (College of Sciences), explores genetic erosion in the Cape Fear River Basin using North Carolina’s smallest fish to determine metal contamination and impacts to genetic variability over time. Learn more about how Duffy and her team engaged with NC partners and community members to explore this research idea.
• Last month, the Global One Health Academy hosted its first flash funding event as part of GCAP-AMR. During this “Speed Dating” event, participants got to network with new colleagues, form teams and then pitch ideas for new interdisciplinary research on antimicrobial resistance. At the end of the event, two teams were awarded funding for their live pitches.
• Applications are due Monday, January 19, 11:59 p.m. for the 2026-27 cohort of Global One Health Fellows. Learn more about the program here.
• Applications are due February 5 for the Summer Global One Health Applications study abroad program in Prague.
• Apply today for the Master of Science in Global One Health. Priority deadline: Feb. 28, 2026.

From the Office of Information Technology:

• Be a wolf, not a phish. A new semester always brings a rise in phishing. Follow these three tips to protect yourself and the university from scams.
• As the April digital accessibility compliance deadline nears, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Understanding what content to prioritize can help. Evaluate your content based on availability and audience size.
• OIT will perform extended IT quarterly maintenance Jan. 31 to Feb. 1. Many major IT and network services may be degraded or unavailable during this time.
• To enhance campus security, Google Calendar invites from unknown external senders are no longer added to calendars automatically. Learn more about the change.

From the Institute for Emerging Issues:

• In December’s Director’s Message, Sarah Langer Hall honors the life and legacy of former Governor James B. Hunt Jr.
• Coretta Walker joins IEI as director of community impact. In this role, she will lead IEI’s community engagement efforts, supporting program development and fostering partnerships that advance the Institute’s mission.
• IEI’s 2025 Faith and Community Initiative brought leaders together for an annual conference in Guildford County. The event equipped rural faith and community leaders with the tools and skills needed to forge meaningful connections and build resilient communities.
• On Thursday, Dec. 4, more than 160 individuals from 40 counties across North Carolina gathered in Tarboro for the December 2025 NC Digital Opportunity Gathering, hosted by the N.C. Department of Information Technology (NCDIT) and the Institute for Emerging Issues. After a year of ups and downs, it was rejuvenating to end on a high note, spending the day learning and connecting with friends and colleagues.
• IEI has released its FY 2024-25 Annual Impact Report, featuring impact updates from IEI’s community initiatives, events from the fiscal year, and much more.

From Institutional Effectiveness:

• Implementation plan contacts begin 2026 energized by year-end progress. This month’s Implementation Insights highlights our December on-site event, designed to provide busy implementation plan contacts with focused time to think, plan and move forward. Plus find quick tips to help boost your progress. Implementation Insights is a regular article series with initiative updates and cross-cutting observations from NC State’s implementation plan. 
• Packways High-Impact Experiences is pleased to announce our newest Packways Recognized HIEs! Congrats to:
  • Angela Allen – Environmental Resource Water Assessment Training Program
  • Shelly Hoover-Plonk – Engineering Mentorship Circles
  • Stephanie Mathews – Phage Hunters
  • Stephanie Mathews – Phage Genomics
  • Stephanie Mathews – Scientific Inquiry
  • Darby Orcutt – Interdisciplinary Research Experience for Credit
  • Jason Bocarro – James Buzzard Leadership Development Program
  • Sebastian Wolfrum – Brewing Science Study Abroad: Slovakia
  • Rebekah Dunston – Career Ambassadors
  • Kelly Lynn Mulvey – Social Development Lab
  • Becky Cibulskis – Cultural Exchange Facilitator
  • Carin Scott – Career Development Center Student Interns
  • Rhonda Sutton – The Leadership Learning Institute for Graduate Students
  • Tara Mullins – The State Dance Company
  • Mary Newman – Accounting Nonprofit Program
  • Annaka Sikkink – Shelton Scholars

These leaders have demonstrated alignment with the research-backed Packways framework for high-impact experiences and dedication to promoting success and growth for our students. Packways is currently identifying the date for our next in-person Packways ABCs workshops. For leaders of HIEs that need less support to align with the six essential elements of the Packways framework, Packways Express is an open-enrollment, self-paced online option that can be completed at any time. You can learn about Packways and the workshop options here.

From Outreach and Engagement:

• Nominations are open for the 2026 Community Engagement Awards, including the Opal Mann Green Engagement and Scholarship Award, Governor James E. Holshouser, Jr. Award for Excellence in Public Service, Outstanding Extension Award and Outstanding Engagement Award, and the William L. Turner Award for Outstanding Contributions to Extension and Continuing Education. Learn more about the awards and related deadlines here.

From the N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative:

• Five NC State graduate students used their data science and computer technology skills to help address agricultural challenges facing American farmers. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service’s Artificial Intelligence Center of Excellence and SCINet Graduate Student Internships Program is back for 2026, with eight slots available for NC State graduate students interested in being paired with a USDA-ARS scientist mentor for 10 weeks to engage in high-impact agricultural research. The application deadline is 5 p.m. Jan. 23.
• Dani Jones, of NC State’s Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, joins the N.C. PSI leadership team, planning to expand on the groundbreaking efforts of former Education and Workforce Development Platform Director Terri Long.

From the Shelton Leadership Center:

• The Thriving in Interdisciplinary Workshop Series is a hands-on, four-session experience designed to equip students with practical tools to excel in any team. Students will elevate their teamwork skills for academic and professional success. The workshop series is open to students of all majors, allowing them to engage with peers from various fields, learning a values-based, team-centric approach to leadership. All NC State students are invited to apply. The spring 2026 priority application deadline is Jan. 14, or until the program is full.
• The Shelton Leadership Center will host AI & Impact: Essential Skills to Lead Interdisciplinary Teams on Friday, Jan. 30, from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. in Duke Energy Hall in Hunt Library. Join industry and higher education leaders from companies from a wide range of industries as they share real stories of the pitfalls and triumphs during interdisciplinary projects in the AI space. The event, part of the Interdisciplinary Connections to Careers event series, is free and open to all NC State graduate students. The event series provides a structured space for students to practice interpersonal skills, connect with educational and industry leaders, as well as gain practical strategies to enhance their leadership abilities in preparation for their next steps. Space is limited! Registration closes January 23 or as the session fills.

From the University Sustainability Office:

• Get involved with Make-A-Thon, NC State’s annual sustainability innovation challenge. Students from all disciplines team up to design solutions to campus and global sustainability challenges during the Jan. 22–25 competition. Judges and mentors are needed, and even two hours of your time can make a real impact. Learn more and register at go.ncsu.edu/makeathon.