February 2026 Announcements

• College of Design Dean Mark Hoversten will step down effective July 1, 2026, after dedicating a decade of service to NC State.
• Chancellor Kevin Howell has announced two senior leadership appointments. Thad J. (TJ) Trantham, CPA, CIA, CISA, has been named chief audit officer of NC State and will join the university effective March 23. Mark Schmidt, Ph.D., has been appointed as interim vice chancellor for external affairs, partnerships and economic development, effective Feb. 1. Learn more.

From the Office of Academic Strategy, Innovation and Solutions

• Over the past year, Helen Chen, senior vice provost for academic strategy and innovation at NC State, served as a Fulbright Specialist supporting Egypt’s Supreme Council of Universities (SCU) on a national-level initiative aligned with Egypt Vision 2030. The engagement advanced interdisciplinary education and research with practical attention to the enabling conditions that support implementation across institutions—policy design, governance and administrative structures, quality expectations, and change management—and connected this work to workforce alignment, national priority areas and the broader innovation and economic development ecosystem. Learn more.

From the Institute for Advanced Analytics:

• On Thursday, Feb. 19 at noon (EST), NC State Alumni will host a virtual session on “AI and the Future of Business,” featuring Bill Rand, Goodnight Executive Director of the Institute for Advanced Analytics and McLauchlan Distinguished Professor of Marketing and Analytics in the Poole College of Management. Rand will explore how AI is reshaping industries, what skills are becoming essential in the modern workplace, and how NC State is preparing students to excel in an increasingly data-driven world.

From the Climate and Sustainability Academy:

• The Climate and Sustainability Academy is hosting the Climate and Sustainability EduJam on April 21, from 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. This networking and tabling expo is designed to connect educators with resources, ideas, and peers who support climate and sustainability education across campus. At EduJam, you can:
  • Showcase your courses, programs or classroom-ready resources
  • Connect with peers and exchange ideas
  • Share a slide with links or QR codes for easy follow-up

RSVP and choose how you’d like to participate: go.ncsu.edu/edujam-rsvp. 

From Continuing and Lifelong Education:

• Career Catalyst Conversations returns on Thursday, Feb. 26, with a new workshop that teaches targeted approaches grounded in real hiring decisions. Join NC State Continuing and Lifelong Education for Send Less. Land More: Navigating Today’s Job Market with speaker Kristine Sloan, executive director of Leadership Triangle. Learn more and register.
• Take a one-day Strategic Real Estate Investing Course with NC State Continuing and Lifelong Education on Tuesday, March 24, at noon via Zoom. Led by industry expert and best-selling author Jason Kogok, this hands-on professional development seminar is designed for professionals and aspiring property investors who want to build lasting wealth through real estate. Learn more and register here.
• Mark Bernhard, vice provost for Continuing and Lifelong Education, wrote a feature article for Evolllution on the future of non-degree learning in higher education.

From University Data and Analytics:

• Fall 2025 faculty and staff headcount data (October 2025 snapshot) are now available in the UDA Factbook. The Faculty and Staff Headcount dashboard provides total headcounts for a number of different aggregations, including personnel type and organizational unit. Access the UDA Factbook by visiting our website.

From DELTA:

• Join DELTA’s A11Y team and campus partners on March 25 at Hunt Library (Duke Energy Hall A), from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., for AccessFest — a day-long, drop-in event designed to help NC State faculty and instructors improve digital course accessibility. This is not a workshop with formal instruction — it’s a practical, come-and-go opportunity to work on your own materials in a supportive environment.
• Check out our recent article “Inside NC State’s VR Fitness Revolution: How Renee Harrington, Ph.D., is Reimagining Immersive Wellness.” DELTA’s ongoing work in supporting VR Classrooms at NC State continues to expand opportunities for immersive learning across campus.

From the Office of Equal Opportunity:

• If you don’t already receive our quarterly newsletter, please consider subscribing today! You’ll get the latest updates on our events, educational opportunities, resources and more. To see past newsletters and subscribe, visit our newsletter archive.
• 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 third floor of D.H. Hill Jr. Library from Feb. 17-19, noon – 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!

From the Office for Faculty Excellence:

• Register now for the 2026 NC State Conference on Faculty Excellence! Get ready to ignite your passion for academic innovation and instructional excellence at the 2026 NC State Conference on Faculty Excellence on March 5 at Talley Student Union. Topics such as transformative teaching methods, creative academic initiatives or impactful SoTL research will be discussed. Join us in driving innovation in academic excellence!
• RED Teaching Toolkit: CATs for Everyone: New Approaches to Classroom Assessment Techniques will take place Thursday, Feb. 12 from 1 – 2 p.m. via Zoom. Classroom Assessment Techniques (CATs) are essential for gauging student comprehension and perception, yet their traditional application often feels rigid or difficult to adapt to diverse subjects. Many educators hesitate to use them, fearing “incorrect” implementation or a lack of fit for their specific course. It’s time to move beyond these inflexible structures and embrace a more dynamic approach. In this interactive workshop we invite you to rethink and reimagine your assessment toolkit.
• Best Practices for Documenting and Incorporating Non-traditional Activities in the RPT Process will take place on Thursday, Feb. 24 from 1 – 2 p.m. via Zoom. Activities covered include interdisciplinary activities and community-engaged efforts.
• Developing and Facilitating High-Impact Experiences will take place on Thursday, March 4 from 1 – 2 p.m. via Zoom. High-impact experiences intentionally integrate evidence-based pedagogical strategies, such as undergraduate research or project-based learning, that require significant student engagement and foster deep learning through meaningful interaction with faculty, peers and real-world challenges. These transformative educational experiences are characterized by their focus on academic competencies, critical reflection and the ability to communicate the impact of the experience on the student and their future goals. HIEs can be rewarding for both students and faculty — we hope you’ll join us to discuss opportunities to engage with them.

From the Genetics and Genomics Academy:

• GGA Summer Teamwork Mini-Grants are open through March 2. Up to eight team awards of $4,500 for undergraduate students doing summer research projects in the area of Genetics and Genomics under the mentorship of NC State graduate students, postdocs or research scholars.

From the Office of Global Engagement:

• The Intensive English Program is offering workplace-focused ESL courses tailored to campus needs, from dining services to facilities. The program strengthens communication, safety and access to technology.
• At NC State, students don’t just learn about the world — they experience it. Meet Michelle Cabrera, a graduate student in architecture from Bogotá, Colombia. Michelle shares how studying at NC State has changed her perspective, influenced her design work and helped her build meaningful connections in Raleigh. Her story is part of the World Class Wolfpack series, which highlights how global experiences shape students and strengthen our campus community.
• University Global Partnership Network Research Collaboration Fund applications are now open! This funding opportunity supports international research collaborations among UGPN partner institutions (of which NC State is a partner) fostering substantive engagement and high-quality outcomes. Available for faculty and research professionals (those who comply with Sponsored Programs Eligibility Requirements at NC State). The deadline to apply is May 15, and there will be a UGPN Funding Opportunity and Research Cafe webinar being held for those interested on Feb. 12 at 9 a.m.
• The Distinguished Service in International Education Award is accepting nominations for current, full-time NC State faculty and professional staff members who demonstrate exceptional contributions to advancing international education for NC State students. The recipient receives a plaque, $1,000 to advance their global work and recognition at the annual Global Engagement Honors & Awards Luncheon. The deadline to submit nominees is Feb. 13!
• The Jackson Rigney International Service Award nominations form is open to faculty and staff who promote international understanding and service, research collaboration or capacity sharing over the course of their careers. Recipients of the Jackson Rigney International Service Award receive a plaque and $1,000 to advance their global work. Recipients are recognized each year at the Global Engagement Honors & Awards Luncheon in April. The deadline to submit nominees is Feb. 13! 
• NC State’s Intensive English Program (IEP) has evolved into a vital resource for staff by offering workplace-focused English instruction tailored to campus needs. Led by director Catherine Madden, the program partners with units like Dining Services and Facilities to improve communication, safety and technology access for employees. The impact has been immediate and meaningful, empowering staff with practical language skills while underscoring NC State’s commitment to investing in its workforce.

From the Global One Health Academy:

• The priority deadline for the Master of Science in Global One Health is fast approaching! Get your applications in by Feb. 28!
• Join the Global One Health Academy for its third annual One Health Research Symposium on Tuesday, April 14 from 1 – 5 p.m. in the Talley Student Union Coastal Ballroom. This half-day event will spark excitement and spur conversation and new collaborations around One Health, a framework that recognizes the interconnected nature of plant, animal, human and environmental health. The symposium will feature a keynote presentation from Tony Goldberg (University of Wisconsin-Madison), research talks from the 2025-26 Global One Health Fellows, an engaging panel discussion on topics at the food-water interface, and research sharing opportunities, including a poster session and paper of the year award! Faculty, staff, students and members of the public are encouraged to attend this celebration of One Health research and leadership at NC State!

From the Office of Information Technology:

• New features are available for Go Links. Changes include new bulk management, link health and dark mode options.
• Unlock more in Google Workspace with add-ons. You don’t need to leave your inbox or document to get things done. Add-ons, like Grackle for accessibility, bring your favorite tools directly into your Google sidebar.

From Innovation and Entrepreneurship:

• Do you have a startup idea or side-hustle that you would like to turn into a profitable full-time job? NC State is here to help! Apply for the NC State Andrews Launch Accelerator offered through the NC State Entrepreneurship Clinic by March 31.

The purpose of the Accelerator is to give NC State founders the opportunity to jumpstart their entrepreneurial journey. We provide founders with funding, resources and guidance to take their startup to the next level. 

From the Institute for Emerging Issues:

• Tickets are still available for the 2026 Emerging Issues Forum: Future Forward Water. Join statewide and community leaders on Wednesday, Feb. 25, in Asheville, Winston-Salem and Morehead City, as we examine the pressing challenges facing our state’s water infrastructure. This multi-city event offers a unique opportunity to connect locally on this issue while also marking the 40th anniversary of the Emerging Issues Forum.
• IEI is kicking off the 40th year of the Emerging Issues Forum. In her latest message, IEI Director Sarah Hall looks back on 40 years of the forum and encourages past attendees to share their memories.

From Institutional Effectiveness:

• NC State’s implementation plan receives midpoint touch-ups. This month’s Implementation Insights highlights the few minimal and meaningful adjustments made at the midpoint of the FY25-27 implementation plan. Implementation Insights is a regular article series with initiative updates and cross-cutting observations from NC State’s implementation plan. 
• Congratulations to the following HIE leaders who have demonstrated alignment with the 6 Essential Elements of the Packways Framework and achieved Packways Recognized status for their HIE!
  • Bucky Gates – Italy: Environmental and Evolutionary Change
  • Christian Doll – Researching the City
  • Robin McWilliams – The Ron Clark Academy Trip
  • Emily Grace – AVID-CATES for Middle Schoolers
  • Keondra Jenkins –  Sustainability Stewards
  • Carlos Goller – MB 360 Inquiry in Microbiology: At the Bench — Microbial Genomics
  • Carlos Goller – LSC 170: Microbial Superheroes
  • Dana Thomas – Biological Sciences Learning Experience Elective
  • Rachel Haynes – NC State Sustainability Career Development Program
  • Rachel Haynes – Future Business Sustainability Leaders Program
  • Aneesah Johnson – Social Work Community Engaged Learning Experience/Mentorship In Practice
  • Cassidy Hawkins, Alli Duffy, and Carlos Goller – BioSci Honors Program 

Welcome to the Packways community!

From the NC State University Libraries:

• Looking for a suspenseful page-turner to take a study break? Itching to read the novel that everyone’s talking about? The NC State University Libraries has a whole new collection of books for you at the Hunt Library. Browse the Pop Reads Collection at Hunt on the outer ring of the largest round bookcase in the Rain Garden Reading Lounge (the open seating area past Ask Us) that is closest to the Tech Showcase. You’ll find around 450 titles—mostly fiction, but some nonfiction too—published within the last decade and mostly from within the past three years. Learn more.
• Have you taken some fabulous shots or video in the lab or the field during the course of your work? Submit them to Envisioning Research—NC State’s annual research image contest! NC State is calling on graduate students, undergraduate students, postdocs, faculty and staff to help highlight the beauty and importance of the work being done both on campus and around the world. There are cash prizes for winners and runners-up in four categories: photography, microscopy, graphics and data visualization, and video and interactive. The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, April 29. Full contest details and the online submission form are at https://envisioning.research.ncsu.edu/.
• Nominations are now open for the 2026 NC State University Libraries Faculty Award. The annual award recognizes NC State faculty members who have contributed consistently and notably to the accomplishment of the Libraries’ mission, vision and strategic initiatives. The award, established in commemoration of the Libraries’ centennial year in 1989, enables the Libraries to recognize a faculty member’s contributions and their commitment to open and public scholarship and access to information resources. The award comes with an honorarium. To submit a nomination, complete this form. The deadline for nominations is Friday, April 10.
• Hey research teams, want some new skills—on your schedule? Workshops about what your research group needs to know, online or in-person, and on your schedule? Yeah, you heard that right. The Libraries’ Collections and Research Engagement (CoRE) team will lead a workshop for your research group by request. You pick the date and time, and our subject-specialist librarians will plan a workshop for your team on the following topics:
  • Getting Started with Scholarly Research
  • Getting Started with Patent Research
  • Citation Management with Zotero: Bibliographies Made Easy!
  • AI Tools for Research
  • Systematic Methods for Literature Reviews
  • Misinformation & Source Evaluation
  • Designing and Presenting Research Posters
  • Research Fraud and Ethics
  • Introduction to Open Access Publishing
  • What You Need To Know About Deceptive Publishers

Learn more here.

From the N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative:

• Register now for the AI in Ag Conference at NC State. The 2026 AI in Agriculture Conference is an opportunity to connect, collaborate and shape the future of AI-enabled agriculture. Taking place March 31 to April 2, the event will emphasize how integrative, AI-enabled solutions can enhance productivity, profitability and environmental stewardship across crop and livestock production and supply chains. 
• Spring will bring a full slate of N.C. PSI STEM education events. The N.C. PSI’s Education and Workforce Development Platform, led by Dani Jones (Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering), will host three large events this spring to provide high school and university students with opportunities to grow their interest in plant sciences, as well as their knowledge and skills:
  • Plant Science Outreach Day

Held Feb. 28 at the Plant Sciences Building, this event provides high school students from across North Carolina with the opportunity to explore the interdisciplinary field of plant science through hands-on activities and discussions with leaders in the field. This event is hosted in partnership with the NC State College Advising Corps, TRIO and Juntos. The day includes hands-on demos, lab tours, industry panels and conversations with current students at NC State. This event is by invitation only through collaborating programs, but high school teachers interested in bringing a class for a hands-on learning experience in our Demo Lab can contact Sarah Dinger (scdinge2@ncsu.edu).

• N.C. PSI BRIDGE Symposium

The N.C. PSI BRIDGE (“Bringing together Research Ideas for Greater Extension”) Symposium, to be held 2 – 5 p.m. March 12, will feature presentations from teams of graduate students and postdocs that have built collaborative bridges across disciplines to offer innovative solutions to improve the economy, environment and people’s lives. Directly following the symposium presentations, all participants and attendees are invited to participate in a networking session with industry judges. Although registration for presenting one’s work closed in December, all NC State students and faculty are encouraged to attend the BRIDGE networking event and support the presenters.

• N.C. Youth Institute

On April 16-17, high school students will be at the Plant Sciences Building for the N.C. Youth Institute, designed to ignite a passion for solving global hunger through an engaging exploration of agriculture and food systems. The event is designed to spark emerging leaders in developing innovative solutions for our world’s most pressing grand challenges. Youth participating in this program will develop a research paper and poster on global food security, agriculture and sustainability. The event is hosted by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, NC State Extension’s 4-H Youth Development Program and the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences and is a part of the World Food Prize Foundation’s Global Youth Institute. 

• Learn more about these and other N.C. PSI opportunities for students, from high school through university, in a recent NC State homepage story.

From Outreach and Engagement:

• NC State has been awarded the prestigious Carnegie Community Engagement Reclassification in recognition of our long-standing institutional commitment to fostering mutually beneficial partnerships with our local, regional and global communities.  Developing and nurturing meaningful collaborations through community-engaged scholarship is a central tenet of NC State’s mission, vision and values as a land-grant university. Our reclassification is a testament to the deep and sustained impact of our collective efforts – of faculty, staff, students, community and industry partners – on the well-being and resiliency of our communities. Learn more.
• The Carnegie Foundation Community Engagement Reclassification is the gold standard for recognizing institutional commitment to serving the community. This prestigious designation identifies institutions that have deeply integrated community engagement into their mission, culture and practices. The success of our application reflects a university-wide effort, guided by a volunteer group of thirty faculty, administrators and staff who generously offered their time, expertise and insights: the NC State 2025 Carnegie Reclassification Task Force.

From the Shelton Leadership Center:

• Join our leadership community of practice today! Interested in connecting with leadership practitioners and educators across campus? We’re cultivating a vibrant, interdisciplinary and collaborative community where faculty, staff and students passionate about leadership can connect, share expertise, co-create actionable resources, and collectively advance leadership understanding and practice to drive positive impact and ensure accessible, high-quality leadership development across the university. The group meets in person every other month, and we’re looking to expand our community! 

Stay informed about Leadership Community of Practice meetings as well as get insights and resources directly to your inbox by joining our Google Group. Request to join the Google Group by visiting https://groups.google.com/all-groups and searching “leadershipcommunityofpractice”

From the University Sustainability Office:

• Nominate a changemaker today for an NC State Sustainability Award! Each spring, winners are selected for outstanding achievements in climate and sustainability in the following categories: Student, Faculty, Staff, Department/Organization, Innovation/Impact, Student-Led Initiative and Climate. Learn more and nominate someone by March 1 at go.ncsu.edu/sustainabilityawards. 
• Showcase your sustainability work at NC State Earth Fair on Wednesday, April 8. Register to table by March 31 to be part of this annual event.