Just like the comic book characters Nancy Brown likes to emulate, she believes students from the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering (JSNN) are going to change the world.
Though they are not fighting crime in Gotham City like Brown’s favorite character Lady Blackhawk, the students she supports do use nanoscience to solve real-world problems in fields like medicine, energy, and electronics.
And in her role as University Program Manager in the JSNN Dean’s Office, it’s Brown’s job to encourage their success.
After almost a decade working at the school, Brown is known for being a proactive doer, a student advocate, and, to many international students, “a mom away from home.”
From cosplay to supporting science on the nanoscale, Brown, too, has some superhero qualities of her own.
Impacting Nanoscience
Brown had excelled as an executive assistant in the nanoscience field for many years before then-Interim Dean Mitch Croatt recruited her to the Dean’s Office early this year to increase her impact at JSNN.
Dean Masud Chowdhury, who started as JSNN’s new leader this fall, is grateful for that move as Brown is helping him settle into his new role by training him on different systems.
Nancy is very resourceful, with a willingness to help with matters beyond her list of responsibilities,” says Chowdhury. “Her proactive collaboration and problem-solving skills are making my transition to this new role easy and enjoyable.”
In addition to welcoming the new dean, Brown focuses her efforts on event coordination, communications, student support, alumni engagement, and grant fund management for JSNN.
Event Coordination
You may not easily spot Brown at JSNN events, but she’s there — often behind the scenes, ensuring the smooth execution of all things.
In August, “Africa and the Future of Global Research,” a talk with the Ambassador of the United Republic of Tanzania Elsie S. Kanza, highlighted potential international partnerships with Africa. Brown assisted Kanza and her guests with their JSNN visit, touring the school and the labs.
Brown also recently facilitated JSNN in hosting “Enhancing Research Security through Regional and Subnational Diplomacy,” an event organized by NC Global Leadership, including U.S. Department of State representatives and a delegation from Japan, that looked at U.S. best practices for research integrity.
Lastly, Brown supports Associate Dean Daniel Rabinovich and Assistant Professor Suzanne Ahmed in the annual production of the NanoImpacts Conference. This year’s theme is “Active and Adaptive Matter.” The two-day conference takes place in October at JSNN.
Communications
Brown brings students, faculty, alumni, and staff the most up-to-date JSNN news by helping update content on social media platforms and the website, to promote impactful news stories about the school’s efforts in the lab and beyond.
It’s also Brown’s job to supervise JSNN’s Student Ambassadors, an assistantship program with the Dean’s Office, who also drive communications.
“I organize the ambassadors tabling at recruiting events,” Brown says. “And direct their participation in student tours, office management, social media production, and outreach support.”
Student Support + Alumni Engagement
Brown plays an active role in student support services at JSNN. In fact, Croatt says, “She raises value-added perspectives, giving voice to our students in leadership meetings.”
Brown says she learns how the students feel — whether it’s about their classes, transportation, or resources. Armed with this valuable information, she funnels it to the Dean’s Office and faculty.
“In fact, this is how the JSNN Spirit Store came about,” Brown says. “We learned about students’ hardships, so any profit from the store’s sales of JSNN-branded items goes into a student emergency fund to support students in times of need.”
The fund launches later this semester; students can apply for a $200 stipend if they hit a bumpy patch and need support. This is yet another example of Brown fighting for the good.
With the hope of connecting JSNN students and alumni, Brown also has the beginnings of an Alumni Advisory Team in the works.
“I want to bring alumni to campus to talk about their career paths, exposing current students to various career options,” she says. “It benefits both groups: students connect with companies and jobs, and JSNN celebrates our alumni.”
Grant Fund Management
When Brown first started working with JSNN, she helped with the administrative side of the grant process yet quickly realized she wanted to unburden faculty of the many details.
“I knew if I could work on the template forms, the faculty would have more time to focus on and write about science,” she says.
In pursuit of this goal, Brown trained to become a Certified Research Administrator (CRA®) in 2024, with assistance from UNCG’s Sponsored Programs office.
As a CRA®, Brown can assist Dean Chowdhury on grant applications as well as serve as the pre- and post-award contact for any grants for which he is principal investigator.
Inspired by Students
It’s clear to Brown you do not need to wear a cape to be a force. She admires the courage of the many JSNN students she sees coming to the U.S. for the first time to attend school here.
“These students come from such different backgrounds, and I learn so much from them,” Brown says. “ It takes a strong individual to leave the comforts of home and pursue their goals. I try to help them find friends and join JSNN clubs.”
And the students are so grateful for her support.
“At JSNN, Nancy has been my lifeboat,” says Omiya Ayoub, a third-year doctoral candidate. “When I first moved here and felt a bit lost, she was my go-to person who never said no. Honestly, everyone needs a Nancy in their corner.”
As this diverse group of students, faculty, and staff — 16 countries represented to be exact — plays their part to change the world, Brown hopes she plays a small role in their successes.
“I do whatever is needed, I help out wherever I can,” she says. And then she leaps to the next tall building.
Story by Amy Burtch, AMBCopy
Photography by Muhammad Hassan Raza, JSNN Student
