Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter and MacArthur Fellow Nikole Hannah-Jones, poses for a portrait. Photo courtesy of John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

UNC and Nikole Hannah-Jones reach settlement over last year's tenure controversy

By Madi Kirkman | Jul. 18

On Friday, the University reached an agreement with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones to resolve legal matters related to her application for a tenured position in the Hussman School of Journalism and Media.
The settlement required three key provisions for UNC: an inclusive search process, mental health counseling and reserved funds in the provost's office, according to a statement by the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.

Gregory Paul Copenhaver poses for a portrait in a lab in the Genome Science Building on Monday, June 20, 2022. Copenhaver was recently named director of UNC's Institute for Convergent Science.

Director of Institute for Convergent Science aims to solve real-world problems through research

By Joelle Adeleke | Jun. 21

UNC's Adams School of Dentistry. Photo courtesy of Chris Pope, the school’s creative media specialist.

Janet Guthmiller named dean of Adams School of Dentistry

By Madi Kirkman | May. 11

Carroll Hall, home of the Hussman School of Journalism and Media, as pictured on March 9, 2021.

Column: Hussman’s provisional accreditation is not “unexpected”

By Caitlyn Yaede | May. 4

Patricia Rosenmeyer is the new director of the Carolina Center for Jewish Studies. Photo courtesy of Patricia Rosenmeyer.

Patricia Rosenmeyer named director for the Carolina Center for Jewish Studies

By Keerthana Gotur | May. 3

Research shows significant inequities in UNC faculty salaries

By Liv Reilly | Apr. 19

'This is '1984'': UNC inquiry on Hussman emails has broader scope than previously known

By Praveena Somasundaram | Apr. 12

Recently released records show that the scope of the University's inquiry into the emails of journalism school faculty and staff may have been larger than previously thought. Journalism school associate professor Ryan Thornburg calculated that the inquiry might have targeted up to 22 people — and the records show that UNC officials requested access to emails and hard-drive backups. “It indicates that this was not just a performance for donors," Thornburg said. “It indicates that there was some real effort that was put into going deeper after the surface was scratched. Somebody said, ‘That’s not enough.’”

Bettina Shuford, associate vice chancellor for student engagement, was named a leading woman in higher education by "Diverse: Issues In Higher Education" for their Women's History month issue.

Meet Bettina Shuford, UNC's associate vice chancellor for student engagement

By Zoe Frederick | Apr. 12

Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Engagement Bettina Shuford was recognized by "Diverse: Issues In Higher Education" for its Women's History month issue. Shuford's work at UNC centers on diversity, equity and inclusion, identity development of students of color and retention of students of color.

Faculty members talking and meeting each other at the Carolina Latinx Center's first faculty council meeting in the Campus Y on Friday, Apr. 8, 2022.

'Strength in numbers': Carolina Latinx Faculty Council holds first meeting

By Annie Ham | Apr. 12

This Carolina Latinx Faculty Council held its first official meeting on April 8. Created within the Carolina Latinx Center, the council consists of faculty from a wide array of disciplines who share the goal of bringing awareness and fellowship to the Latinx community at the University.

UNC's School of Journalism and Media bears the name of Walter Hussman, a top donor, who opposed Nikole Hannah-Jones' bid for tenure.

UNC faculty talks salary inequities, administrative leadership changes

By Natalie Varma and Brooke Elliott | Apr. 11

At their April 4 meeting, Faculty Executive Committee members continued their conversation on faculty salary inequities, and also spoke about the University's inquiry into journalism faculty emails regarding the $25 million Hussman school donor agreement.

Editorial: Addressing the faculty pay gap at UNC

By Editorial Board | Mar. 29

“Minorities in faculty and staff positions on our campus have significantly become underrepresented in specific fields and discussion, in part due to the problem of salary equity.”

Deb Aikat, an associate professor at the Hussman School of Journalism and Media, is an elected member of the Faculty Executive Committee.

Faculty Executive Committee discusses 'Tarred Healing' photo story, faculty salaries

By Brianna Atkinson | Mar. 23

At Monday's Faculty Executive Committee meeting, School of Nursing clinical professor Rumay Alexander said some faculty members have expressed concerns about recent comments made by Provost Chris Clemens regarding the "Tarred Healing" photo story.

Dr. LaSaundra Booth plays piano in the piano lab at Kenan Music Building on Tuesday, Mar. 8, 2022. Dr. Booth was recently featured as the NAfME 2021 All-National Honors Orchestra Conductor.

'I hope to empower': Meet music education lecturer LaSaundra Booth

By Kelly Kendall | Mar. 20

LaSaundra Booth, a lecturer of music education at UNC, began playing the cello in the fourth grade and fell in love with it. She has since performed in a variety of symphonies and orchestras, and founded the Wake Forest Community Youth Orchestra, a nonprofit organization that provides instruments and musical training to over 350 children across three counties. “If there’s one word I’m taking into 2022, it’s 'empower,'" Booth said of her work. "I want to empower the next generation of teacher leaders.”

Renée Alexander Craft, interim chairperson of the Deptartment of Communication smiles for a portrait in Portobelo, Panamá. Photo courtesy of Oronike Odeleye.

'Pay it forward': Renée Alexander Craft celebrates Tanner Award recognition

By Jennifer Tran | Feb. 28

The interim chairperson for UNC's Department of Communication, Renée Alexander Craft said she is interested in stories of how Black communities create their own system to share their history and mechanisms of self-care, motivation and empowerment.

Dr. Li-Ling Hsiao is an associate professor for the Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies. Photo Courtesy of Li-Ling Hsiao.

Meet Li-ling Hsiao, UNC associate professor in Asian and Middle Eastern studies

By Aisha Baiocchi | Feb. 15

Li-ling Hsiao, associate professor in the Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies and associate dean for First-Year Curricula, teaches classes ranging from the study of Kung Fu movies to a popular course on traditional Chinese opera. Her research combines art, literature and music.

DTH Screenshot. Screenshot of The Committee on Community and Diversity meeting on Feb. 14, 2022.

Diversity committee discusses department hiring, faculty mentoring resources

By Brianna Atkinson | Feb. 15

At its Feb. 14 meeting, the Committee on Community and Diversity met to discuss results from UNCu2019s 2018 Collaborative On Academic Careers in Higher Education survey and hiring processes within University departments.

The Carolina Postdoctoral Program for Faculty Diversity poses for a portrait. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Pruitt.

'They see value': Postdoctoral program supports faculty members of color

By Hannah Rosenberger | Feb. 14

The Carolina Postdoctoral Program for Faculty Diversity aims to set up scholars from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups for possible tenure-track appointments at UNC or other research institutions. Sarah D. Mills, who completed the program in 2021 and is now an assistant professor at UNC, said programs like the Carolina Postdoctoral Program for Faculty Diversity can’t be the only solution to recruiting and retaining diverse faculty. “These types of programs are really critical to there being change in what faculty at universities look like,” she said. “And I don't think just these programs alone are enough.”

William Sturkey, an associate history professor at UNC who specializes in the racial history of post-1865 America, poses for a portrait in his office on Feb. 1, 2022.

UNC history professor William Sturkey aims to empower students to talk about race

By Hannah Rosenberger | Feb. 3

Associate professor William Sturkey focuses on the history of race in the American South, writing about the experiences of non-white people who have fundamentally shaped American history but have largely been excluded from the narrative around it. "I love empowering students to talk about race in America," he said.

Professor Juan Álamo poses for a portrait in the Kenan Music Building on Friday, Jan. 20, 2022. Álamo has been appointed as a distinguished term associate professor in the department of music.

Meet Juan Álamo, UNC distinguished term associate professor in Latin American studies

By Jade Neptune | Jan. 26

Juan Álamo was recently appointed as a distinguished term associate professor in Latin American studies at UNC. In his new role, he aims to approach the instrument he primarily plays, the marimba, from a more global perspective. "I love what I do," he said. "If I were to be born a hundred times again, I would be a musician.”

Members of the Carolina Black protest the UNC decision to deny tenure to Nikole Hannah-Jones at the UNC Board of Trustees meeting at the Carolina Inn on Thursday May 20, 2021.

Editorial: Retaining BIPOC faculty must be a priority for higher education

By Editorial Board | Jan. 24

"The University must dedicate itself to creating a thoughtful work environment that honors and respects the time, expertise and resources of faculty of color. Here are some ways that UNC can better retain faculty members of color."