The UNC Greensboro campus has been bustling while most students were gone for the summer. From construction crews to academic planners and online degree options, teams across campus have been preparing exciting updates for the fall semester. 

Some of those are obvious by following the construction signs and fencing. Other improvements are apparent in academics and popular hang-out spots. 

UNCG invites everyone to see what’s new at the G. 

New leadership 

UNCG welcomes new deans to four Schools and Colleges. Some are new to the University while others have served us well in other positions. 

• Kelly Joyce, Ph.D., College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) 
• Joy Bhadury, Ph.D., Bryan School of Business and Economics 
• Masud H. Chowdhury, Ph.D., Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering (JSNN) 
• Kimberly Petersen, Ph.D., interim dean of the Lloyd International Honors College 

New in the classroom 

The Bryan School announces new undergraduate degrees and post-bachelor certificates in these high-demand fields:

• Sports business 
• Human resource management 
• Cybersecurity 
• Generative AI 
• Financial reporting and assurance 

The School of Health and Human Sciences now offers the following: 

• Psychosocial strategies for physical activity promotion post-bachelor certificate 
• M.S. in recreation and sport management (online)

The School of Nursing is excited about its tremendous growth, welcoming eight new faculty members as well as its first cohort of the UNC System’s first direct admission program.

CAS made several degree changes: 

• Videogaming and esports is now a major through the liberal and professional studies program. 
• The B.A. in history with a concentration in public history and the minor in Ancient Mediterranean studies now have fully online options. 
• The bachelor of fine arts in interior architecture has been renamed interior architecture and design. 
• A redesign of curriculums for the B.A. in communication studies and the English graduate program will help students better devise a coherent plan of study and prepare for the job market.

The master of science in informatics and analytics (MSIA) has moved from the Department of Computer Science to the School of Education’s Department of Information, Library, and Research Sciences. 

New in excellence 

First-year students now receive a fully digital Your First Year (YFY) Success Planner. This mobile-friendly, real-time tool brings a downloadable academic calendar, campus resources, and key events all to one convenient platform. Students can subscribe for real-time updates or download a static version to use offline.

A faculty- and student-led committee formed by the Honors College has reimagined the Residential College experience. This semester, it rolls out the redesigned program open to both honors and non-honors students:

• Ashby Residential College: Arts, Media, and Design 
• Strong Residential College: Social Sustainability and Environmentalism 
• North Spencer Residential College: Community Health, Wellbeing, and Medicine 
• South Spencer Residential College: Law and Justice 

Study abroad offers a new summer faculty-led experience. Honors and Residential College students can now sign up to study in Copenhagen, Denmark. 

University Communications has moved closer to the main campus. Their refreshed and welcoming environment is at 1100 West Market Street.

New for your social life

In CAS, communication studies and women’s, gender, and sexuality studies (WGSS) have renewed their lounges for study and socializing. The communication studies’ lounge is in the Ferguson Building. WGSS’ lounge and open closet are in the Curry Building.

Borough Coffee has a new counter at the Weatherspoon Art Museum. Their weekly schedule will be Tuesdays through Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the museum’s Warmath Commons on the first floor. The Weatherspoon’s fall exhibition season begins with works in the “Fighters for Freedom” series by acclaimed artist William H. Johnson, celebrating the impact of Civil Rights leaders.

Speaking of Borough Coffee, it and the creative writing program are launching Wednesday Words Open Mic Nights. On the first Wednesday of every month at 6 p.m., undergraduates and graduate students of the program will read at their Double Oaks location in Greensboro, followed by an open mic for all community members.

In order to make it easier for students and community members to visit its eclectic shops and restaurants, Spartan Village has made changes to parking just across Gate City Boulevard.

The College of Visual and Performing Arts brings amazing talents to campus with their University Concert and Lecture Series. They keep the arts accessible with free opportunities at Greensboro Project Space and in their beautiful performance spaces in the School of Music. Tickets for the 18th annual Collage performance are on sale now.” Collage | College of Visual and Performing Arts

New in Wellness

For those looking for physical exertion—whether it’s an afternoon or a multi-day excursion—Recreation and Wellness has rolled out its new lineup of outdoor trips, with some staying close to campus and others venturing outside the state. 

HealthyUNCG will host the 500 Fist Bumps Workplace Wellness pilot. It’s designed to spark 500 meaningful moments of human connection throughout the semester. Those may be in the form of a greeting, a quick hallway check-in, or a kind message. Each “fist bump” is a small step toward a more connected, caring UNCG. The 500 Fist Bumps initiative began with Public Health Education Associate Professor Mike Perko, Ph.D. 

While Jackson Library’s usual lactation room is temporarily closed for renovations, a new Mamava lactation pod is now available in the Elliott University Center. This clean, secure, and private space is designed to support students, faculty, staff, and visitors—because UNCG believes caring for yourself and your family should always be convenient and supported. 

Story by Janet Imrick, University Communications 
Photography by Sean Norona, University Communications