Delivering a keynote address titled “Navigating Change, Empowering Progress: A Roadmap for Leaders Committed to Community and Democracy,” Trudeau shared insights from his time in office, emphasizing strategies for democratic resilience and inclusive leadership.

Made possible by a transformative gift from Bob and Susan Salvin through the Salvin Impact Fund, the event reinforced Queens’ legacy as a premier regional convener in Charlotte, serving as a hub of thought leadership, public programming, and civic engagement.

�鶹��Ƶ President Connie Ledoux Book served as the moderator for the main evening program, guiding a thought-provoking discussion on global governance and civic discourse.

Just prior to the evening lecture, Trudeau participated in a student-led discussion moderated by Queens student Sana Konar ’28, a biology major from Charlotte. Alongside three student co-panelists, Trudeau emphasized the importance of youth engagement in shaping the future of their communities.

“We don’t need you to be leaders tomorrow, we need you to be leaders today,” Trudeau said. “We need you to understand the choices you make now, how you choose to spend your time, how you choose to spend your money, how you choose to vote, how you choose to engage, matter deeply and can shape the world.”

Trudeau’s message struck a powerful, immediate chord with Konar, founder and president of the Queens Health Equity Alliance. The student group created a community resource map piloted across local organizations, connecting underserved populations directly with vital healthcare accessibility tools.

For Konar, Trudeau’s call to action gave fresh purpose to her own career path as she prepares to apply to medical school this coming spring.

“I don’t have to wait until I’m a doctor to help bridge healthcare equity gaps,” Konar shared. “I want to work right now to progress healthcare equity and bridge those gaps to make an impact today.”

Redefining True Leadership

Reflecting on his decade in office navigating international diplomacy and domestic policy, Trudeau challenged traditional notions of authority.

“Real leadership isn’t about being the boss and telling everyone how it’s going to be,” Trudeau said. “Real leadership is empowering everyone around you to be the very best version of themselves. Leadership is about lifting up all those around you to try and create the maximum impact.”

A Uniquely Transformative Experience for Queens

For Konar and her fellow student panelists, the opportunity to sit down with a former head of state highlighted the unique value of the Queens student experience. Reflecting on the event, Konar emphasized how moments like these inspire students to think bigger about their own potential.

“It’s incredibly important to have global leaders come and speak in Charlotte. It helps us imagine what is possible, how big our dreams can be,” Konar said. “It gives us an opportunity to interact with global leaders that we wouldn’t be able to otherwise if it weren’t for the Learning Society.”

In closing, Trudeau left the Charlotte audience with an empowering note of hope for the future of global democracy and youth engagement.

“I remain optimistic because I’ve seen just how many good people throughout political systems around the world are leaning in on trying to do right by their people and right by the future that we borrow from our grandchildren rather than inherit from our parents.”

Michael Rhodes, CEO of Ally Financial, Inc., delivered his remarks on Oct. 21 as part of the Peter and Kathy Browning Distinguished Leaders in Action Lecture Series, which connects members of the campus community with regional corporate executives.

Rhodes shared with his audience in Ketner Auditorium his candid reflections on leading the nation’s largest all-digital bank, his unconventional career trajectory, and the core philosophies guiding his executive leadership.

Building High-Performing Teams

Drawing on executive roles across Bank of America, TD Bank Group, Discover Financial Services, and Ally Financial, Rhodes emphasized that individual heroics cannot scale an enterprise. Early line-management advice shaped his foundational approach: know your team members’ stories, protect their schedules, and support their incentive plans.

To scale leadership effectively across complex organizations, Rhodes relies on his “Four L’s” framework: listening to cultivate transparency and trust, learning as a dedicated student of the business, leading by translating vision into execution, and honoring legacy by respecting organizational history.

“Honoring the legacy of an organization is incredibly important,” Rhodes said. “Organizations have a lot of institutional pride, and taking the time to understand and respect that history before launching the next chapter is essential.”

When evaluating and assembling top-tier talent, Rhodes looks across four core dimensions: head (curiosity), heart (genuine care), hands (execution), and guts (courage under pressure).

Importance of Student Impact

Emphasizing the value of engaging directly with students, Rhodes highlighted adaptability and curiosity as essential drivers of career growth.

“Careers rarely follow a straight line,” Rhodes shared. “The most important opportunities often come from being curious, raising your hand for challenges that stretch you, and staying open to paths you didn’t expect. Adaptability, relationships, and continuous learning matter just as much as any career plan, and those qualities often make the difference when opportunities arise that you never could have anticipated.”

The conversation was moderated by Will Sparks, executive director of the Center for Leadership and Executive Education, and students said that Rhodes’s messages deeply resonated with them.

“Hearing the CEO of Ally Financial speak freely about his love for learning and simply not taking ‘no’ for an answer was incredibly inspiring,” said Allie Bostic ’27, a senior sport management major from Monroe, North Carolina. “It was validating to realize how much of that mindset I share.”

For Catherine Stewart ’27, a senior international studies and business major from Jersey, United Kingdom, Rhodes’ emphasis on human-centered management mirrored her coursework at Queens.

“In my classes, we’ve been studying how crucial relationships are in leadership,” Stewart said. “Hearing Mr. Rhodes emphasized the importance of backing your people and building relationships on trust and transparency really stood out to me.”

Addressing emerging technologies, Rhodes cautioned against adopting artificial intelligence without a clear purpose. “At Ally, we anchor our AI approaches strictly in what business problem we are trying to solve,” Rhodes said, citing current use cases in contact centers and software development.

Closing the event, Rhodes spoke enthusiastically about Charlotte’s recent growth, hailing the Queen City as an unparalleled hub for business and innovation. Having worked across major global financial centers throughout the country, Rhodes praised the region’s extraordinary economic momentum, collaborative corporate community, and vibrant quality of life.

“The energy, the collaborative business community, and the quality of life here make Charlotte an extraordinary place for companies like Ally to grow and for the next generation of leaders to build their careers,” said Rhodes.

The LINK Foundation, a local nonprofit dedicated to leveraging technology to equalize access to resources for immigrants and vulnerable communities, was preparing to launch its this fall to support emerging Hispanic entrepreneurs across Charlotte.

Gamez knew immediately where this partnership belonged: her senior graphic design capstone course, and this fall all 14 students in the capstone class are putting their years of visual design and strategic thinking into practice by building complete visual identities for Hispanic entrepreneurs in the community.

Through an intensive three-week sprint, each student is paired directly with a business owner to deliver a comprehensive brand identity package including logo variations, brand guidelines, usage rules and collateral mockups which will then be handed off to LINK’s web development team to launch live client websites.

Experiential Learning with Real-World Impact

For these senior design students, the project moves beyond the typical classroom assignment. It introduces live clients, firm deadlines, and the real-world responsibility of helping a local business build its identity.

“We give them projects in the classroom all the time, but when they’re working with a live human being who has a business and a deadline to get to the next step, it actualizes that for them in a different way,” Gamez said. “This type of project also provides a great opportunity to take care of your community. We teach out students the importance of giving back. This is experiential learning built around a culturally rich heritage.”

The collaboration also offers students a chance to refine their professional communication skills and navigate cross-cultural collaboration. Because not all participating entrepreneurs are native English speakers, students utilize digital translation tools during virtual meetings on Google Meet to ensure seamless communication.

Building Bridges and Cultural Connections

During a recent classroom visit to observe initial concept creation presentations, Pedro Cordido, technology director at the LINK Foundation, highlighted the deeper purpose behind the partnership.

“We are here to build bridges and create new paths,” Cordido told the students. “You are in the final lap of your academic career, about to work in the real world. And today, before even graduating from Queens, you are helping people in the Charlotte community build their dreams, and at the same time, you are building your own dream.”

For two students in the class who identify with the Latinx community, the capstone project represents a deeply personal opportunity to bridge creative talent and cultural advocacy.

Anahi Maciel ’27, a double major in graphic design and business who was born in Mexico and raised in Charlotte, felt an immediate connection to the initiative.

“When I heard about the project, I thought it was a great opportunity for us as a stepping stone to the outside professional world,” Maciel shared. “Being able to help my own community allows me to ‘pay it forward’ and lets me do what I love.”

Maciel is paired with entrepreneur Camila Cruz, who is launching a holistic wellness center focused on spiritual growth, empowerment and personal transformation.

For Mandy Gutierrez ’27, a transfer student from Voorhees, New Jersey, and a student-athlete on Queens’ women’s rugby team, the initiative offered a chance to make an immediate impact in her new city. The daughter of Puerto Rican and Nicaraguan parents, Gutierrez felt a deep connection to the project’s mission.

“I originally went into art therapy because I love helping people, but I realized graphic design allowed me to create even more,” Gutierrez said. “Using my passion and skills to give back to the community is so important to me. When I spoke with my client, she said she was thrilled to work with someone who truly understood her—without worrying about anything getting lost in translation.”

Gutierrez is collaborating with Willeny Figuera, a Venezuelan entrepreneur behind Valery’s Cakes, a custom bakery named after Figuera’s daughter, specializing in cakes for quinceañeras, weddings and community events.

A Full-Circle Journey

For Gamez, watching her students lead client consultations and guide real-world brand strategy is the culmination of a four-year journey. Having taught many of these same students during their first year at Queens, she has seen them transform from timid beginners into self-assured, creative problem solvers.

“They arrive at Queens with little knowledge of graphic design — and that’s expected — so they’re naturally nervous,” Gamez said. “But by their senior year, they’ve transformed into independent strategic thinkers and creative problem solvers. Seeing that growth is my favorite part of teaching.”

Elevating Local Latinx Leaders

As the design sprint progresses, moving from initial sketches and class critiques to polished, final brand guidelines, the students gain more than just course credit. They walk away with a published, professional case study to add to their portfolios upon graduation, while local Latinx entrepreneurs receive high-caliber branding assets to launch and grow their businesses.

“Our students love these experiences and having real work that’s going to be out there in the world,” Gamez said. “This is a fantastic benefit for them, and it shows the power of giving back to the community you live in.”

Led by members of the Queens senior leadership team, the event focused on the year’s institutional priorities organized under four pillars of the strategic plan: Learn, Thrive, Connect, and Rise. Going forward, the development of annual departmental, divisional, and institutional priorities will align faculty and staff across the university in advancing these themes.

“These four pillars represent the foundational roadmap for our merged institution,” said Acting President Jesse Cureton. “Bringing faculty and staff together for these forums allows us to be intentional about our shared progress, ensure transparency and keep our momentum moving forward across both campuses.”

Strategic framework: The four pillars

• Learn (Innovative Teaching, Engaged Learning, and Mentoring): Focuses on experiential learning expansion, academic alignment between �鶹��Ƶ and Queens, and accelerated pathways and pipelines.
• Thrive (An Inclusive, Healthy Community Where All Belong): Prioritizes employee experience and culture, institutional integration across people, systems, and services, campus and student experience modernization, and student well-being and belonging.
• Connect (Partnerships: Alumni, Community, Athletics): Focuses on Charlotte strategic partnership and engagement to position the institution as a regional hub for talent, innovation and impact.
• Rise (Future-Focused Growth & Excellence): Encompasses philanthropy growth and campaign readiness, undergraduate enrollment growth, graduate enrollment expansion, financial sustainability and performance, and brand visibility.

Learn: Calendar alignment and academic innovations

Provost Sarah Fatherly detailed operational shifts designed to enable academic collaborations between the two campuses, beginning with undergraduate academic calendar alignment in January 2027. The shift introduces a three-week Winter Term course, leading into a synchronized spring semester.

Fatherly also shared encouraging news on student retention, noting that undergraduate retention has rebounded to approximately 76%. The university has already launched new academic cohorts in nursing, business, communications and a re-envisioned honors fellows program that will build on this momentum.

Fatherly noted that purposeful cohorts create a sense of belonging by surrounding incoming students with dedicated mentors and peers from day one.

“You’re connected with a peer set, and you’re connected with a staff or faculty member who knows you,” Fatherly said. “This is one way we can help accelerate retention in a way that’ll continue to improve our results.”

Thrive: Enhancing the student experience

Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Campus Life Amber Perrell Slack detailed plans to adopt �鶹��Ƶ’s HealthEU framework to support student well-being, belonging and overall campus life. The initiative brings together programs, resources, and six dimensions of well-being to empower the campus community and foster a healthier, more connected experience.

Turning to campus facilities, Slack highlighted the initial steps being made by the Campus Master Plan Committee to modernize the physical student spaces on campus.

“We’ve already started looking at ways that we can improve facilities for our residence halls and create more spaces for our students to have opportunities to connect with each other,” said Slack.

Connect: Positioning Queens as a strategic partner in Charlotte

Chief Integration Officer Jeff Stein emphasized that the university’s future growth relies on expanding deep civic, cultural and workforce development across the region. The primary focus under this theme is positioning the merged institution as a strategic partner and gateway for opportunity in Charlotte by strengthening employer relationships and talent development, advancing experiential learning opportunities for students in the community,�� and serving as an intellectual and cultural hub through programs like the Queens Learning Society.

“For the university to be strong, we have to be engaged in Charlotte, and Charlotte has to be engaged with the university,” said Stein.

Rise: Growth through philanthropy

Queens’ Vice President for University Advancement Lori Ann Summers outlined how strategic philanthropy will fuel the university’s academic and operational ambitions, pointing to the importance of support through the Queens Fund and expanding programs and corporate partnerships as critical drivers.

Summers emphasized that feasibility studies are already underway to lay the groundwork for a historic capital campaign with �鶹��Ƶ designed to build long-term scholarship support, capital improvements and endowment capacity.

Looking ahead: Sustaining campus dialogue

Closing the forum, university leaders emphasized that ongoing communication remains essential as Queens and �鶹��Ƶ continue aligning their academic, operational and philanthropic goals. Campus leadership plans to host regular forums and town halls throughout the academic year to keep faculty and staff informed on key integration milestones and gather feedback as initiatives progress.

“Feedback’s a gift and we get a lot of it, but I welcome it so that we can be responsive to our campus community,” said Chief Operating Officer Kenitra Horsley. “We want to make sure this dialogue continues as we do this work together.”

Shardae Brown has been named director of the CJC, while Sana Silvera-Roy will serve as the inaugural Charlotte documenters program manager. Together, they will lead the CJC’s continued work connecting local news organizations, community institutions and residents while expanding opportunities for civic participation.

Chris Rudisill, who has led the CJC since 2020, will transition into a Senior Advisor role to support the leadership transition and ensure continuity as the new team assumes responsibility for the collaborative’s growing programs and partnerships.

“This is an exciting moment, not only because of two outstanding hires, but because it reflects our continued investment in the CJC’s work and its impact in the community,” said Sarah Fatherly, provost at Queens University. “The Charlotte Journalism Collaborative has become an essential part of Charlotte’s local news ecosystem, and we’re thrilled to welcome Shardae and Sana as they help lead its next chapter.”

Since its launch in 2019, the Charlotte Journalism Collaborative has grown into one of the nation’s most respected local journalism collaborations. Bringing together local news organizations, universities, libraries, and community organizations, the CJC has expanded collaborative reporting, convened community conversations through the annual Local News Impact Summit, developed innovative civic information resources, strengthened student journalism, and recently launched Charlotte Documenters – a resident-powered initiative that trains and pays community members to document local government meetings.

The creation of a full-time director position through Queens University’s Knight School of Communication reflects the university’s commitment to making the CJC an important part of its journalism and civic engagement mission.

�鶹��Ƶ the New Leadership
CJC Director Shardae Brown brings more than 15 years of experience leading projects, programs and teams across the corporate, nonprofit, government and community sectors. Her work is rooted in a human-centered approach that recognizes the power of personal narrative to strengthen organizations and communities. Brown is the co-founder of the community-based production company Epoch Tribe, which has put Charlotte’s Black stories at the forefront of the stage, including through “I Am Queen: Charlotte” where hundreds of women have shared their stories.

Brown studied at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill before earning a bachelor’s degree from East Carolina University and a Master of Education from Northeastern University. She is passionate about history, culture and community, and says her love of legacy is the driving force behind both her personal and professional life.

“As someone who believes deeply in the power of community, collaboration and storytelling, I’m honored to join the Charlotte Journalism Collaborative,” Brown said. “The CJC has built an extraordinary foundation, and I look forward to working alongside our partners to strengthen local journalism, expand civic participation and ensure every resident has access to trusted local information.”

Charlotte Documenters Program Manager Sana Silvera-Roy joins the CJC with more than 25 years of experience in journalism, strategic communications, higher education, media relations and community engagement.

Most recently serving as media relations specialist for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Silvera-Roy has also held communication roles with the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, WXII 12 News and was an assignment desk editor at WSOC Channel 9. She currently teaches communications as an adjunct instructor at Central Piedmont Community College.

She holds a Master of Science in Strategic Communication from Troy University, a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication from Trinity University and is an AI Champion Ambassador.

“Charlotte Documenters is about empowering residents to better understand and engage with local government,” Silvera-Roy said. “I’m excited to help build a network of community members who are invested in strengthening civic participation while supporting local journalism.”

A Thoughtful Transition
Rudisill will continue serving as senior advisor during the transition, providing strategic guidance while supporting Brown, Silvera-Roy and Queens as they continue expanding the CJC’s work.

“I’m incredibly proud of what our partners have built together over the past six years,” Rudisill said. “Seeing Queens deepen its commitment to the CJC and welcome leaders like Shardae and Sana gives me tremendous confidence in its future.”

Today, the CJC includes Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, The Charlotte Observer, the Knight School of Communication at Queens University of Charlotte, La Noticia, QCity Metro, QNotes, UNC Charlotte Urban Institute, WCNC Charlotte, and WFAE, alongside dozens of community partners working together to strengthen Charlotte’s local news ecosystem.

“The CJC has always been built on the belief that no single newsroom, university or community organization can meet today’s information challenges alone,” Brown said. “That belief remains unchanged, and I’m excited to continue building on that shared commitment.”

Supported by funding from The Alliance for Campus Community Engagement, in partnership with 9/11 Day, AmeriCorps, and North Carolina Campus Engagement, the Queens community turned a solemn milestone into a multi-day initiative focused on unity and giving back.

Program Coordinator for Community and Civic Engagement Darryl White Sr. ’92, ’21, a Queens alumnus and U.S. Army veteran who was called to active duty following the attacks, led the campus events.

Across three days of service opportunities surrounding the ceremony, more than 150 volunteers dedicated over 250 combined hours to support local community members in need. Together, the Queens community assembled:

• 475 sandwiches and 275 personal hygiene kits complete with handwritten messages of encouragement for Roof Above, a shelter in Charlotte, North Carolina.
• 25 Welcome Home Cleaning Kits for Veterans Bridge Home, a community resource for service members in Charlotte.

“The 25th anniversary of 9/11 helps us to reunite,” White said. “Doing good is not just a one-day thing, Every act of service we do for our community goes a long way.”

The 9/11 commemoration began on the academic quad with the singing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by first-year nursing student Jasmine David ’30 from Salisbury, North Carolina.

“I was delighted to participate in today’s ceremony,” David said. “I’ve been singing ever since I was young, so I was honored to be given this opportunity to contribute to Queens and our community in this meaningful way. This event means a great deal for the 9/11 victims, veterans, and our country. And this is my way of giving back.”

At 8:46 a.m., the exact moment the first plane hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center, the community participated in a moment of silence led by University Chaplain Adrian Bird.

“It’s wonderful that we have this opportunity to gather here on the Queens campus as we remember, as we reflect,” Chaplain Bird shared before leading the prayer. “Hard to believe it’s been 25 years, and the impact of that day still resonates certainly here and around the world.”

Following the moment of silence, student veteran Rick Wright ’29 led the community in ����placing the first American flags on the lawn.

For Wright, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and creative writing major, taking part in the service event carried layered personal significance. Having served in the Marines from 1988 to 2003, Wright felt an overwhelming call to re-enlist following the 9/11 attacks.

His specialized skill as a static line jump master sent him “from the couch to the desert” for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Now pursuing his passion for writing alongside traditional-age undergraduates, seeing younger students honor the anniversary gave him a powerful sense of hope and continuity.

“I like seeing all of the young students out here helping with this and commemorating the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks,” Wright said. “For people who are older and lived through 9/11 we understand the sense of loss, the tragicness of it. It gives me hope that the younger generation is keeping the spirit alive and never forgetting.”

For Head Women’s Basketball Coach Jen Brown, a native New Yorker who was a high school student in midtown Manhattan on Sept. 11, 2001, the day carries deep personal weight.

“It’s very somber,” Brown shared, reflecting on her family back in Brooklyn and her sister, who served as a nurse responding at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue. “I don’t think people understand the mental toll it took on the first responders and the nurses and doctors. It was a very traumatic experience for everybody.”

Yet, Brown sees the same national unity that emerged in 2001 reflected on campus today.

When asked what today’s students, most of whom were born after 2001, should carry forward, Brown’s message was simple: perspective and gratitude.

“Never take any day, any second for granted,” Brown said. “You should be appreciative of every second you get to spend with your loved ones.”

The series features prominent leaders and provides the campus community with an opportunity to learn directly from top executives shaping major industries in Charlotte, North Carolina.

McColl School of Business Dean Denise Rotondo kicked off the evening of Sept. 10, 2026, with welcoming remarks.

“For our students listening tonight hoping to learn about leadership and the journey, you will hear amazing stories from Ms. Cayette-Weston about self-awareness, courage, measured risk-taking, authenticity, and the ability to build excitement and energy around a shared vision,” Rotondo said.

The crowd in Ketner Auditorium then watched a high-energy video of the franchise’s new “Hive Mentality” brand campaign, an initiative aimed at ushering in a new era for the team, the city, and fans across the Carolinas.

In a conversation moderated by Will Sparks, executive director of the Center for Leadership and Executive Education, Cayette-Weston reflected on her journey from collegiate student-athlete and Tulane Athletics Hall of Fame inductee to one of the National Basketball Association’s most accomplished and respected business executives.

After spending 12 years with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Cayette-Weston now leads more than 1,200 team members across the Charlotte Hornets, the NBA G League’s Greensboro Swarm, and Spectrum Center, a leading venue hosting over 150 sporting events, concerts, and community gatherings annually.

She has ushered in one of the most significant periods of business growth in the franchise’s history. Under her leadership, the organization achieved the highest attendance growth in the NBA for the 2025–26 season, delivered top-five league growth in ticketing and corporate partnerships, and set new franchise records in retail and merchandise sales.

When asked why engaging with college audiences is a priority alongside her extensive civic duties, which include serving as a trustee of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, a board member for Foundation for the Carolinas, and incoming chair of the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, Cayette-Weston highlighted the mutual energy and goal of empowering rising professionals.

“Leadership is all about empowerment and developing great future leaders,” Cayette-Weston said. “Not only do I get energy from them, but it’s always beneficial for me to hear different stories and learn different people’s paths so that I can create my own. I hope sharing my truth inspires them to continue to craft their path.”

Ethan Mello ’28, a business administration major from Clayton, North Carolina, said he was eager to hear about the operational dynamics of a major professional franchise and how off-court success drives broader organizational performance.

“I was always engaged in sports growing up and was intrigued to hear about Ms. Cayette-Weston’s professional journey,” Mello said.

Student-athlete Charlie Podgorny ‘27, an entrepreneurial studies major from Niles, Illinois, was also interested in learning about Cayette-Weston’s leadership style. “Events like Leaders in Action give students the chance to learn from successful professionals and hear about real experiences outside of the classroom,” Podgorny said.

Both Mello and Podgorny are students in Professor Dave Anderson’s Principles of Management and Organizations & Leadership class.

“In Professor Anderson’s class, we learn about leadership and how it impacts your environment,” Mello said. “One of the big things we talked about in class that she hit on was adaptability. It’s not the same from area to area or company to company. You’ve got to be able to adapt to your team or whatever group you’re in charge of to make sure you’re reaching the target.”

Podgorny agreed, emphasizing the value of tailored leadership communication. “The adaptability part really hit home,” he said. “You have to be able to talk to different people in different ways and figure out how to communicate with them so everyone can perform at their highest potential.”

The alignment between classroom concepts and Cayette-Weston’s real-world strategy highlighted the core mission of the lecture series: bridging academic lessons in the class with executive practice in real-world settings.

“Shelly represents the exact blend of strategic vision and human-centered leadership we teach in the Center for Leadership and Executive Education,” Sparks said. “Having her share her journey, from student-athlete to leading business operations for an NBA franchise, provides Queens students with a real-world blueprint for authenticity, resilience, and driving organizational performance.”

The incoming class brought with it a wide range of academic interests, with intended majors spanning biology, business, nursing, and exercise and sport science. The class spans 38 states. Fifty-eight percent of students arrived from outside North Carolina, and the class includes some traveling from as far as Hawaii and Australia.

Faculty, staff, and student volunteers worked alongside the Student Affairs and Residence Life teams on Aug. 26, 2026, to keep Move-In Day running smoothly for new students and their families. A steady stream of vehicles pulled up to residence halls while volunteers worked in tandem to unpack trunks, haul mini-fridges, and guide incoming Royals to their rooms.

As lofted beds went up, so did the excitement for the more than 300 incoming students taking their first steps into college life.

After saying goodbye to their families, students gathered for the annual Sed Min ceremony where Acting President and CEO Jesse Cureton formally welcomed the new class and reflected on his ties to Queens as a Charlotte native, alumnus, and former Chair of the Board.

Cureton highlighted the unique timing of the students’ arrival, notably as Queens progresses toward its merger with �鶹��Ƶ.

“Your class will be among the first students who experience what happens when two great institutions join forces to create more opportunities — more networks to connect with, more academic program offerings, pathways to graduate school, and expanded opportunities for global education,” Cureton said.

He emphasized that character and community lie at the heart of the Queens experience before inviting the Class of 2030 to sign the Honor Code, a commitment to living with integrity, compassion, and responsibility.

“Thousands of Queens alumni have sat in your seats, participating in this tradition for decades,” said Provost Sarah Fatherly. “This time of year, I am always reminded that moments of transition are special times, ones that are full of possibilities.”

Student Government Association President Jessica Paredes ’27 also addressed the class, encouraging the newest Royals to live out the university motto. “Today, you have the wonderful privilege of being a part of this ceremony, upholding Queens’ motto: ‘Not to be served, but to serve,’” Paredes said. “On our campus and abroad, we are committed to upholding integrity through serving our relationships, our campus, and our community.”

The ceremony marked the start of Royal Kickoff, an orientation program designed to provide incoming Royals dedicated time to settle in, explore campus, and build connections before classes begin on Aug. 31.

“Royal Kickoff will help students continue to learn about Queens and lay down their roots as part of the campus community,” said Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Campus Life Amber Slack. “We are so excited to have them here and look forward to a great year ahead!”

Driven by a shared dedication to interactive teaching, the educators said they are ready to engage the next generation of Royals through hands-on learning and strong community connections.

“We are thrilled to welcome our new faculty to Queens,” said Provost Sarah Fatherly. “Each one brings a rich blend of innovative teaching and a commitment to student success. As they connect their classrooms to the city of Charlotte, they will enrich our academic community and inspire our students to lead beyond the classroom.”

Dave Anderson: Inspiring leadership in the classroom

Dave Anderson joins the McColl School of Business as an instructor of business and executive-in-residence. Anderson brings decades of C-suite executive experience to Queens, having served as president and CEO of Andesa, Merit Life, InsPro Technologies, and TIAA-CREF Life Insurance Co.

Holding an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, he draws on a deep background in strategic leadership and enterprise growth to teach Principles of Management and Organizations & Leadership. Anderson bridges academic concepts with real-world scenarios, helping students develop unique leadership styles tailored to Charlotte’s thriving business and entrepreneurial environment.

Isabella Leite Trindade: Connecting spaces, culture, and community

Isabella Leite Trindade joins the College of Arts and Sciences as a visiting assistant professor of design. She brings over 20 years of experience as an architect, interior designer, and educator, having previously served on the faculty at Rochester Institute of Technology.

Her research and practice span architectural history, adaptive reuse, and integrating emerging technologies like virtual reality into design education. Viewing interior design as a tool for positive societal change, Trindade teaches Introduction to CAD, Branded Environment, and Human Environments. She said she looks forward to leveraging Charlotte’s rapid growth as a dynamic “living laboratory” where students observe firsthand how interior environments shape human experience across residential, healthcare, and hospitality sectors.

��Sanjay Mayadunne: Driving decisions through data

Sanjay Mayadunne joins the McColl School of Business as an associate professor of business analytics. Mayadunne holds a doctorate from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and previously served as associate professor of decision sciences and MIS at Georgia Gwinnett College.

His teaching and research focus on supply chain strategy, decision support systems, and mathematical optimization. Teaching Business Analytics and Supply Chain Management, Mayadunne guides students in transforming data into actionable insights, showing them how analytical tools solve complex challenges across Charlotte’s key finance and logistics sectors.

��Felicia Tozzi: Translating science into everyday life

Felicia Tozzi joins the College of Arts and Sciences as an assistant professor of exercise and sports science. Tozzi holds a doctorate of business administration in healthcare administration and brings two decades of clinical athletic training and teaching experience to campus.

Her expertise encompasses exercise physiology, injury prevention, and sports performance. Teaching Foundations of Exercise and Sports Science, Sports Psychology, and Principles of Strength and Conditioning, Tozzi focuses heavily on practical application, ensuring students bridge theory with real-life performance while preparing for careers in physical therapy, athletic training, and physiology.

��Courtney Willover: Rooted in compassion

Courtney Willover joins the Presbyterian School of Nursing as an assistant professor of nursing. A Charlotte native, Willover is a registered nurse and an Oncology Certified Nurse with extensive clinical experience across outpatient infusion, stem cell transplant care, and medical-surgical units.�� She earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice at Lenoir-Rhyne University and has extensive experience in teaching medical-surgical I and health policy. Through interactive learning and continuous communication, Willover said she looks forward to connecting students directly with Charlotte’s vast healthcare landscape to empower future nursing professionals.

The afternoon event��blended updates on��institutional��strategy��and operations��with��personal��reflections��on��the��university’s��historic merger��with �鶹��Ƶ.��

“I want you to know that I’m proud of all that you’ve done, your commitment to this university, your commitment to Queens,��and��your��commitment to �鶹��Ƶ,”��said Queens Acting President and CEO Jesse Cureton.����“It’s��powerful.”��

Cureton��highlighted key administrative shifts, including the establishment of the Queens Advisory Board and Pamela Davies’ transition to Strategic Advisor to the President. He��also��introduced the��Campus Core Team,��a cross-functional group connecting senior leadership with shared services leaders to foster transparency, operational alignment, and collaboration across campus.��

Cureton��commended��employees from both campuses for their collaborative work toward securing SACSCOC regulatory approval��with special��recognition��of��Nicole Tarr, executive director of institutional effectiveness and institutional research, and Derrick Everhart, director of financial aid,��both of whom��were��presented��with the Queens Leadership Award.����

“Their expertise, commitment, and��willingness to do whatever was needed helped us reach this historic milestone,” Cureton��said.

�鶹��Ƶ President Connie��Ledoux��Book��addressed faculty and staff with her reflection��on the transformative power of higher education,��what she termed an “everyday miracle,”��and a bold future for both campuses made possible by the merger.����

“I am confident that…��in 100 years, people are going to look back at this decision and point to it as a turning point for our institutions as we become one,”��Book said.��

Newly appointed Chief Operating Officer Kenitra Horsley outlined how campus operations align with the overarching��Boldly �鶹��Ƶ 2030��vision,��and she introduced��the��Campus Master Planning Committee led by Chief Integration Officer Jeff Stein.��

“This is not just about combining institutions��– it’s��about building something stronger, more agile, and more relevant for the next generation of students,” Horsley shared. Amber Slack,��vice��president of��campus��life and��dean of��students, presented student engagement and campus life updates, highlighting an��increase in night and weekend events last year and��nearly 8,500��total community service hours logged by students and student-athletes.����

Provost Sarah Fatherly highlighted summertime academic achievements, including 17 faculty-student research pairs through the seventh year of the James Rogers Summer Institute for Research, as well as an outstanding academic report card for Queens’ student-athletes.

Fatherly announced that Queens will host the National Learning Communities Conference in��November,��which recognizes��the��university’s decade-long thought leadership in course-based learning communities.����

She also discussed the academic calendar harmonization taking effect with the return of Winter Term in January 2027 and previewed expanded cross-campus professional development opportunities for faculty and staff.��

Following the main��campus��update, attendees gathered for interactive breakout sessions detailing core university priorities:��

• SOAR & Strategic Planning:��Led Dean Denise Rotondo and���鶹��Ƶ Senior Vice President��Jim Piatt,��co‑chairs��of the SOAR Strategic Planning Committee,��the��session��explored strategic integration through a Charlotte lens around five core themes: place as curriculum, an integrated student journey, amplified opportunities, practice-driven hubs, and civic��convenership.��

• The Return of Winter Term:��Academic leaders��hosted a session��detailing the return of Winter Term in January 2027, an intensive three-and-a-half-week term designed to drive retention through immersive faculty mentoring.��

• Targeted Enrollment & Cohorted Fellows:��Leaders from student affairs, academics and enrollment��explored��how cohort-based Fellows programs drive enrollment while fostering student belonging through shared academic experiences. The discussion also addressed scaling the model, integrating faculty feedback, and supporting overall enrollment growth across all academic programs.��

• Campus Master Plan & Infrastructure:��Facility��leaders provided updates��on this summer’s campus renovations and upcoming facilities projects.��Attendees expressed their appreciation of the sprawling campus beautification and renovation updates including the renovation of the Sykes Learning Center, Queens��Hall��and residence halls.��

The afternoon concluded at Tyson House for the annual Opening of School Reception, bringing faculty, staff, and visiting �鶹��Ƶ leaders together for refreshments and community connection.��