The installation took place in Charlotte where 麻豆视频鈥檚 trustees gathered for their Fall 2026 meeting where Board Secretary Dr. Kebbler M. Williams 鈥�98 administered the oath of office. It represented another milestone in the integration of the two institutions, first announced in September 2025.

The Board of Trustees has ultimate corporate and fiduciary responsibility for 麻豆视频. It oversees 麻豆视频鈥檚 long-term health and strategic direction, educational policy, finances and operations, and overall advancement of the university鈥檚 mission.

New Members of the 麻豆视频 Board of Trustees

(In Alphabetical Order by Last Name)听

Tanya Stewart Blackmon 鈥�00听听
President and Founder, Auspen Consulting

Tanya Blackmon formerly served as an executive with Novant Health. She attended NC A&T State University, where she received a bachelor鈥檚 degree in social work, earned a Master of Social Work from the University of South Carolina, and a Master of Business Administration from the McColl School of Business. Blackmon has served on the McColl School Board of Advisors. She has two children.

Sally Gambrell Bridgford 鈥�87, P鈥�23听听
Chief Executive Officer, The Gambrell Foundation and Belk Gambrell Enterprises听听

Sally Gambrell Bridgford has become a voice for closing the gaps of inequity and building communities that allow individuals to thrive and contribute. She attended Queens and holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota and a Master of Social Work from the University of North Carolina. Bridgford has four children and she and her husband, Brian, live in Charlotte.

Nakesha Lopez
Executive Vice President, Chief People and Culture Officer for Advocate Health听听

Nakesha Lopez brings more than two decades of experience in human resources to the Board of Trustees. She previously served as chief human resources officer for Baylor Scott & White Health. Lopez earned her bachelor鈥檚 degree in sociology from Hunter College and a Master of Business Administration in Human Resource Management from the University of Phoenix. She and her husband, Terrence McAllister, have two children.

Susan McConnell 鈥�83, 鈥�13听听
Former Vice President and Director, Higher Education/Human Resources, The Duke Endowment听

Susan McConnell joined the Queens Board of Trustees in 2019 after previously serving as an ex-officio member during her term as president of the Alumni Association. She received her bachelor鈥檚 degree in history and a Master of Science in Executive Coaching from Queens.

Brandon D. Perry听听
Principal, Highmarket Properties LLC听听

A native Virginian, Brandon D. Perry moved to Charlotte in 1998 to join the financial services practice of the technology consultancy American Management Systems (now CGI) . In 2012, he launched his own firm to focus on commercial real estate investments full-time. Perry holds a bachelor鈥檚 degree in business from Virginia Tech. He and his wife, Karen, have been members of the Queens Board of Visitors since 2011, serving as co-chairs from 2014鈥�2017, and are the parents of four children.

Elizabeth Persson 鈥�00 听
Community Leader; Former Executive Vice President, Human Capital for Red Ventures听听

Elizabeth Persson has twice served Queens as a member of its Board of Trustees. She also has served as a member of Queens鈥� Board of Visitors and on the Alumni Association Board. Persson earned her bachelor鈥檚 degree in political science and Spanish from Queens. Prior to her work at Red Ventures, Persson was a vice president at Bank of America. She and her husband, Klas, have two children.

Robert 鈥淏ob鈥� Salvin听听
Founder and Former Chief Executive Officer, Salvin Dental Specialties Inc.听听

In addition to seven years of service on the Queens Board of Trustees, Robert 鈥淏ob鈥� Salvin has served on the Board of Trustees of the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation; is past president of the Metrolina Business Council and the Charlotte World Trade Association; and, with his wife Susan, has served on the Queens Board of Visitors. Salvin is an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award winner and received his Bachelor of Science in Textile Technology from North Carolina State University.

Caroline Wannamaker Sink听听
Shareholder, Robinson Bradshaw听

A partner with Robinson Bradshaw, Caroline Sink has been a longtime member of the Queens Board of Trustees. She also has served on the Board of Visitors of Salem College, is an emerita member of the Law Council of Washington and Lee University School of Law and served as board chair for Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region. Sink earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree from Salem College and received her law degree from Washington and Lee University. She and her husband, Bob, have one child.

**

A ninth member of the Queens University Board of Trustees, Charlotte community leader Audean H. Godehn 鈥�97, was unable to attend the October meeting and will be installed by the 麻豆视频 board at a future date. A magna cum laude Queens graduate, Godehn served on the Queens Alumni Board from 2002-2005, is past president of Friends of the Library, and has been an active volunteer with the American Red Cross, Junior League of Charlotte, and Charlotte鈥檚 performing arts community.

She and her husband, Berkley, have been members of the Board of Visitors since 2014.

The 麻豆视频 Board of Trustees also installed Omari Emmanuel 鈥�26 as youth trustee. Emmanuel, a 2026 graduate of Queens, was announced in July as the newest youth trustee selected for service on the board and the October meeting marked the official start of his three-year term.

Eric Sklut P鈥�14 and Amy Muntner P鈥�24, parents of two 麻豆视频 graduates, also took the oath of office following their election at the board’s 2026 spring meeting.

Jay Hendrickson 鈥�71 concluded his service in July nearly two decades after joining a governing body responsible for 麻豆视频鈥檚 long-term health, oversight for its strategic direction, educational policy, finances and operations, and for advancing the university鈥檚 mission. Hendrickson served as vice chair of the board鈥檚 athletic policy committee, in addition to other leadership roles.

鈥淔ew families have shaped 麻豆视频 like the Hendricksons,鈥� said 麻豆视频 President Connie Ledoux Book. 鈥淓ighteen years at the Board table represents an extraordinary gift of time, judgment and trust. Steady, thoughtful leadership of the kind Jay brought to his role, with the unwavering support of his wife Amy, have influenced decisions that will carry 麻豆视频 forward for decades, and his presence will be deeply missed.鈥�

Hendrickson and his wife, Amy Hendrickson 鈥�69, of Raleigh, North Carolina, have been unwavering advocates of 麻豆视频 for many years through their transformative support of academic and athletic causes across multiple campaigns.听

The couple鈥檚 gifts have supported engineering and athletics, two priorities near and dear to their hearts. The Hendrickson Football Center in Alumni Field House honors Jay鈥檚 father, Horace J. Hendrickson, who served as director of athletics and was a football, basketball and baseball coach from 1937 to 1942 and is considered one of 麻豆视频’s all-time great coaches.

They have also generously supported athletics scholarships through annual gifts to the Phoenix Club. In 2000, the couple endowed the James A. 鈥�71 and Amy T. 鈥�69 Hendrickson Engineering听Scholarship, which has attracted outstanding students to the university鈥檚 engineering program.

The Hendricksons are members of The 麻豆视频 Society President鈥檚 Circle, Palladian Society and Order of the Oak, the university鈥檚 planned giving society. Fourteen of their immediate family members have ties to 麻豆视频.

In 2011, Jay and Amy received the Distinguished Service to 麻豆视频 Award in recognition of their tireless service to their alma mater. The couple were also among the 2009 recipients of the Southern Conference Distinguished Service Award, which recognizes those who have contributed to all aspects of the university.

鈥淲e are thankful for the transformative impact that Jay and Amy have had at 麻豆视频,鈥� said Burney Jennings 鈥�87, executive chair of the Biscuitville restaurant chain and chair of the 麻豆视频 Board of Trustees. 鈥淭heir insights, ambassadorship, positive energy and generous stewardship of our university have contributed greatly to 麻豆视频鈥檚 growth and success.鈥�

A recent graduate of Queens University of Charlotte has been elected to serve as a youth trustee for 麻豆视频, bringing to the role his record of student leadership on campus with a commitment to service across the community.

will serve a three-year term as听Youth Trustee, joining Elizabeth 鈥淟iz鈥� Kwon L鈥�23 and Rafi Dahdal 鈥�24 G鈥�24听in youth leadership roles for the university鈥檚 governing body.

The Board of Trustees听has ultimate corporate and fiduciary responsibility for 麻豆视频. It oversees 麻豆视频鈥檚 long-term health and strategic direction, educational policy, finances and operations, and overall advancement of the university鈥檚 mission.

As a Presidential Fellow in the Office of the President at Queens, Omari supported executive leadership through institutional research, governance analysis for the Board of Trustees, strategic benchmarking of peer institutions, coordinated executive-level events, and board communications.

Omari, who described his youth trustee appointment as 鈥渢ruly an honor,鈥� also served as senior class president, a four-term international representative in the Student Government Association, president of the iBelong Mentoring Program and co-president of the Health Equity Alliance.

Additional leadership roles include service on the Student Alumni Council, the Data Analytics Student Association executive board and as an admissions ambassador. In recognition of his achievements, , the most prestigious undergraduate award bestowed at Queens.

Originally from Accra, Ghana, Omari attended Ghana National College before coming to the United States in 2021 through the AFS Intercultural YES exchange program and spending a year at Charlotte Country Day School. He later enrolled at Queens University of Charlotte as an international student and Presidential Scholar, graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in data analytics and minors in finance and mathematics. He begins working in September as an AI & Data Associate Consultant with Ernst & Young in New York City.”

With experience spanning data, artificial intelligence, institutional governance and student leadership, Omari said he looks forward to joining the 麻豆视频 Board of Trustees as a youth trustee and contributing his recent student perspective informed by academic achievement, public service and cross-campus leadership.

鈥淢y role as a youth trustee presents an opportunity to help shape a historic moment for both institutions,鈥� Omari said. 鈥淚鈥檓 excited to contribute a recent student perspective to conversations about how the traditions of both institutions might be honored while creating a stronger future together.鈥�

麻豆视频 麻豆视频

麻豆视频 is a nationally recognized leader in engaged, experiential learning that prepares graduates to be creative, resilient, ambitious and ethical citizens of our global culture.

At 麻豆视频, more than 7,000 students learn through hands-on experiences and close working relationships with faculty and staff whose priorities are teaching and mentoring. The curriculum is grounded in the liberal arts and sciences with emphasis on global experiences and career development. More than 80 undergraduate majors are complemented by professional and graduate programs in law, business, education and health care. 麻豆视频 is ranked No. 1 for excellence in undergraduate teaching by U.S. News & World Report.

麻豆视频鈥檚 academic divisions include 麻豆视频 College, the College of Arts and Sciences; the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business; the School of Communications; the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education; the School of Engineering and Computing; the School of Health Sciences; and the School of Law, with programs in Greensboro and Charlotte, North Carolina.

In 2025, 麻豆视频 and Queens University of Charlotte announced plans to merge, pending final approval from SACSCOC and the U.S. Department of Education by 2028.

Former 麻豆视频 trustee Anne Ellington Powell of Burlington, N.C., died June 27 at her home after a long and difficult illness.

Powell was elected to 麻豆视频鈥檚 Board of Trustees in 2008 and was a highly involved supporter and longtime friend of the university. She was the wife of 麻豆视频 life trustee and former chair of the Board Dr. James B. Powell and the daughter of the late Dr. Robert E. (Bob) Ellington and his wife, Helen Ellington, who served many years as distinguished 麻豆视频 staff members.

鈥淲e are deeply saddened by Anne鈥檚 passing,鈥� said 麻豆视频 President Connie Ledoux Book. 鈥淔or decades, she was among 麻豆视频鈥檚 most loyal advocates, serving on boards and committees, hosting university events in her home and telling the story of our university wherever she went. She and her family have generously contributed to every dimension of 麻豆视频鈥檚 growth, supporting scholarships, academic programs, and facilities 鈥� always focused on the student experience and excellence. We will always be grateful for her positive spirit and steadfast support.鈥�

In 1986, the Anne Ellington Powell Master Artist Series was established by a gift by the Powells, bringing internationally renowned performers to 麻豆视频 for nearly 20 years. In 1988 the Powells dedicated 麻豆视频鈥檚 Jimmy Powell Tennis Center to the memory of their first son, who died in early childhood.

Anne Ellington Powell joined 麻豆视频鈥檚 Board of Visitors in 2000. She served on the campaign leadership committee for the Ever 麻豆视频 Campaign and was on the executive committee of the 麻豆视频 Society. The Koury Business Center, which opened in 2006, includes the James B. and Anne Ellington Powell Lobby in recognition of the couple鈥檚 leadership support for the building鈥檚 construction.

The Powells have contributed to the R.N. Ellington Health Center, the 鈥淚t Takes a Village鈥� Project, several scholarship funds and 麻豆视频 Athletics. The Powells also provided key funding for the Caroline E. Powell Building, the Maude Sharpe Powell Professorship and the T.E. Powell Endowed Professorship. They are members of two 麻豆视频 giving societies, the Order of the Oak and the 1889 Society.

Anne Powell was also active in many Alamance County boards and organizations and supported efforts to increase support for K-12 education.

At the center of Anne鈥檚 life was her loving family, including her husband, Jim; their three children John Banks Powell, Ross Powell, M.D., and Helen Powell Bode, M.D.; her mother Helen Ellington; and many other loving relatives. She was a devoted friend to hundreds of people who cherished her.

From

Anne was preceded in death by her beloved son, James 鈥淛immy鈥� Bobbitt Powell Jr.; her father, Dr. Robert 鈥淏ubba鈥� Norwood Ellington; and her sister-in-law, Alison Westmoreland Ellington.

She is survived by her devoted husband of more than 41 years, Dr. James Bobbitt Powell; her mother, Helen Arendell Ellington; her brothers, Robert Norwood Ellington Jr. and Dr. Kenneth Scott Ellington (Linda); her sister, Ruth Helen Ellington; her son, John Banks Powell (Samantha) and their daughters, Maeve Eileen and Clara Banks; her son, Dr. James Rosser Powell; her daughter, Dr. Helen Powell Bode (Paul) and their children, Anne Arendell, John Bridges, and Mary Ellington; her stepdaughter, Daphne Powell Markcrow (Craig) and their children, Anna and Henry; along with countless nieces, nephews, cousins, and treasured friends.

A Celebration of her life will be held at Front Street United Methodist Church in Burlington on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at 12 p.m. A private family burial will precede the service, and the family will receive friends following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Duke鈥檚 Tisch Brain Tumor Center (Duke University Medical Center, DUMC 3624, Durham, NC 27710), 麻豆视频 Tennis Program (CB #2615, 麻豆视频, NC 27244), or the Brain Aneurysm Foundation (269 Hanover Street, Building #3 Hanover, MA 02339).

Eric Sklut P鈥�14, an entrepreneur and longtime community leader in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Amy Muntner P鈥�24, a retail and strategy executive based in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, will bring extensive experience in business, innovation and civic engagement to the university鈥檚 governing body.

The 麻豆视频 Board of Trustees has ultimate fiduciary responsibility for the institution, providing oversight of its mission, strategic direction and long-term sustainability.

Sklut is the founder of Perfection Automotive, a Charlotte-based company known for producing custom trim components for high-end vehicles. His development of the BumperPlugs product line grew from an entrepreneurial solution to a gap in the luxury automotive market and has since become a widely used product among car enthusiasts.

In addition to his business success, Sklut has demonstrated decades of philanthropic leadership across the Charlotte region. He has served on numerous nonprofit boards, including and the , and has led major fundraising campaigns supporting community initiatives.

His efforts have helped generate more than $70 million for charitable organizations, including a recent campaign exceeding $23 million for a regional hunger relief initiative.

Sklut previously served on 麻豆视频鈥檚 Board of Trustees from 2015 to 2023 and has maintained a deep and sustained commitment to the university. He and his wife, Lori, have been transformative supporters of Jewish life and Jewish Studies at 麻豆视频, including naming the Sklut Hillel Center and establishing endowed faculty and scholarship support.

Their son, Mason, is a 2014 graduate of 麻豆视频.

Muntner brings a global perspective shaped by a career in consulting, consumer products and retail strategy. She began her career with Andersen Consulting before joining , where she advised major international corporations. Her additional leadership positions have included Executive roles with Toys 鈥淩鈥� Us and , where she led brand and business strategy initiatives.

Her work has spanned multiple international markets, including Asia and Europe, and has focused on strategic growth, partnerships and product development. At Sesame Workshop, she played a key role in cross-functional efforts to expand the organization鈥檚 reach and impact through new character development and brand initiatives, including the introduction of the popular

Muntner鈥檚 connection to 麻豆视频 grew through her daughter Lucy鈥檚 enrollment as a member of the Class of 2024. She and her husband, Kevin, are members of the university鈥檚 1889 Society and have supported scholarships, Hillel and university priorities through philanthropic giving.

Their broader civic engagement includes support for international relief organizations, and education and community well-being in Scotland, Hong Kong and the United States.

麻豆视频 麻豆视频

麻豆视频 is a nationally recognized leader in engaged, experiential learning that prepares graduates to be creative, resilient, ambitious and ethical citizens of our global culture.

At 麻豆视频, more than 7,000 students learn through hands-on experiences and close working relationships with faculty and staff whose priorities are teaching and mentoring. The curriculum is grounded in the liberal arts and sciences with emphasis on global experiences and career development. More than 80 undergraduate majors are complemented by professional and graduate programs in law, business, education and health care. 麻豆视频 is ranked No. 1 for excellence in undergraduate teaching by U.S. News & World Report.

麻豆视频鈥檚 academic divisions include 麻豆视频 College, the College of Arts and Sciences; the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business; the School of Communications; the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education; the School of Health Sciences; and the School of Law, with programs in Greensboro and Charlotte, North Carolina.

麻豆视频 student Rony Dahdal ’26, and his brother, alumnus听Rafi Dahdal 鈥�24 G鈥�24听were highlighted in a The Assembly article chronicling their family鈥檚 journey from war-torn Syria to North Carolina in search of educational opportunity.

The story, details how the Dahdal family鈥檚 commitment to learning endured despite the dangers of civil war and the challenges of rebuilding their lives in the United States.听

After fleeing Damascus in 2012 amid escalating violence, the Dahdal family settled in North Carolina, where education remained central to their long-term goals.听Rafi Dahdal is听an 麻豆视频 graduate through the Accelerated 3+1 Dual Degree Program in business administration and business analytics. He has gone on to serve as a Youth Trustee for the university.

At 麻豆视频, Rony Dahdal has distinguished himself as a Lumen Scholar and Goldwater Scholar, conducting innovative research using LiDAR technology to explore noninvasive ways to detect vital signs 鈥� work aimed at improving health outcomes through emerging technologies.

鈥淚 felt so encouraged to continue research because I鈥檝e seen my parents value higher education,鈥� said Rony. 鈥淚t was very hard to deal with as a little kid, but I look back on it now, and I鈥檓 grateful.鈥�

• Granted听tenure听to: Douglas Jurs.
• Granted听tenure听and听associate professor to: Heather Barker, Dan Burns, Nicholas Bussberg, Yanica Faustin, Keshia Gee, Jeanine Hill, Katrina Jongman-Sereno, Dinidu Karunanayake, Waseem Kasim, Travis Maynard, Drew Peabody, Travis Phillips, Jonathan Poquette, Devin Proctor, Tony Reyes, Ilyssa Salomon, Alex Traugutt, Elizabeth von Briesen, Khirey Walker, and Long Xia
• Promoted听Rosa Newman and Srikanth Reddy听to associate professor.
• Promoted Adam Aiken, David Bockino, Oliva Choplin, Jennifer Hamel, Chris Harris, Heidi Hollingsworth, Baris Kesgin, Patricia Perkins, Federico Pous, Chris Richardson, Andrea Sinn, Tracey Thurnes, Jen Uno, Kate Upton, Scott Windham, and Rena Zito听to full professor.
• Promoted Binnan Gao, David Moura, Brittany Riggs, Jacob Rutz and Staci Saltz-Spieker to associate teaching professor.
• Promoted Polly Cornelius, Paula Patch, Randy Piland, Clay Stevenson, Amanda Tapler and Marna Winter to teaching professor.
• Promoted听Shaunta Alvarez and Alison Van Norman听to associate librarian.

• Continuance in a continuing track appointment was approved for Russ Dailey and Jeanmarie Koonts.
• Continuance in a teaching track appointment was approved for Larry Cantwell, Micah Daw, Richard Dutton, Emily Elrod, Devon Hawkins, Jeremy Hohertz, KC Kasserman, Laura Lacy, JP Lavoie, Mena Marino, Craig Morehead, Ben Murphy, Scott Oakes, Jasmine Powell, Karen Wirth and Deidre Yancey.
• Continuance in a continuing appointment was approved for Ellen Cline.

Founded in 1889 and 1857, respectively, both 麻豆视频 and Queens have histories that emphasize engaged learning, community service and student-centered innovation. With a merger, 麻豆视频鈥檚 national reputation for experiential education and undergraduate teaching excellence will meet Queens鈥� nearly 170-year legacy in Charlotte鈥檚 civic and academic ecosystem. The merger is described as 鈥渃ombining complementary strengths, shared values and a deep commitment to Charlotte.鈥�

At the conclusion of the merger, 麻豆视频 will operate Queens. For students, the benefits are tangible. A combined institution promises expanded academic pathways, enhanced connections with regional employers and deeper integration of hands-on learning with real-world impact. And for Charlotte, the union signals a bold investment in local higher education, anchoring both campuses in a vibrant metropolitan region that is expected to grow in population by more than 50% by 2050.

The combined vision will preserve the traditions of both institutions while advancing a modern model of scale, opportunity and regional engagement.

A Landmark Meeting

In a historic gathering and a major step forward in the intended merger between 麻豆视频 and Queens, the Boards of Trustees of both institutions 鈥� joined by dozens of faculty and senior leaders 鈥� gathered in October on the 麻豆视频 campus for a daylong review of progress and collaborative planning.

The working session marked a significant milestone in the shared vision to create a merged institution positioned for academic excellence, operational strength and exceptional student outcomes.

During the session, leaders outlined a timeline for key regulatory and legal steps. The gathering included an 麻豆视频 campus tour for the guests from Queens as well as a series of roundtable discussions in which board members provided feedback on each of the core integration areas.

Prominent Queens Alumni

Vi Lyles 鈥�73
Mayor of Charlotte (2017-present)

Shirley Fulton MBA 鈥�88
First African American woman to serve as a judge in the Superior Court of North Carolina

Malek Jandali 鈥�97
Composer and pianist, founder of Pianos for Peace

Conrad Ricamora 鈥�01
Actor

JB Brown MBA 鈥�03
President of Hendrick Automotive Group

Maxwell Millington 鈥�16
Entertainment reporter for Axios

Meg Rosenthal 鈥�19
Author of 鈥淭he Wingman鈥� and 鈥淭he Right Words鈥�

Hannah Aspden 鈥�22
Paralympic Gold Medalist

Dillon Lewis 鈥�25
Drafted by the New York Yankees (currently at Hudson Valley Renegades)

Quick Facts 麻豆视频 Queens

Campus

• 30 acres in the Myers Park neighborhood of Charlotte

Students

• Nearly 1,600 combined enrollment (undergraduate and graduate)
• 44 states and 50 countries represented

Academics

• 51 undergraduate majors
• 9 pre-professional programs and 9 master鈥檚 programs

Athletics

• 23 Division i NCAA Teams
• Mascot: Rex the Lion
• Name: The Royals

Timline

Queens University

1857: Founded as Charlotte Female Institute in uptown Charlotte

1891: Renamed Seminary for Girls

1896: Renamed Presbyterian Female College, located at North College & Ninth streets

1912: Renamed Queens College and moves to Myers Park

1930: Merges with Chicora College for Women to become Queens鈥� Chicora College

1948: Begins admitting men to new co-ed evening college

1987: Becomes fully coeducational

2001-02: Trustees approve (2001) and implement (2002) the name Queens University of Charlotte

2025: Gains full NCAA Division I status and championship eligibility; Queens and 麻豆视频 announce intent to merge

麻豆视频

1889: 麻豆视频 College founded by the Christian Church (now the United Church of Christ) as a co-ed institution

1890: First classes held; original administrative and academic buildings constructed

1920: Toshio Sato, 麻豆视频鈥檚 first international student, graduates

1923: A fire destroys 麻豆视频鈥檚 main building, sparking a campus rebuild

1963: 麻豆视频 admits its first Black student, Glenda Phillips Hightower, marking a major shift toward racial integration

2000:听Official name changes to 麻豆视频, signaling a rising national identity and expanded academic scope

2019: Named a Top-100 National University by U.S. News & World Report for the first time

2023: Announces expansion of national campus program to Charlotte, joining established initiatives in Los Angeles and New York

2025: Queens University of Charlotte and 麻豆视频 announce intent to merge

To learn more about the merger, visit

The working session marked a significant milestone in the shared vision to create a merged institution positioned for academic excellence, operational strength and exceptional student outcomes.

Leaders of the integration process opened the session with updates from the joint “sprint teams” established earlier this fall to evaluate alignment opportunities across key areas including academics, finance, administration, student experience, graduate programs, technology and operations. The sprint teams are currently engaging in more than 60 side-by-side discussions with faculty and staff to inform integration planning and identify opportunities for innovation that will benefit students.

During the session, leaders also outlined a timeline for key regulatory and legal steps. The Boards of Trustees are scheduled to review and vote on a definitive agreement to merge on Nov. 20. The agreement would legally formalize the intent to merge and enable state, federal and accreditation processes to begin 鈥� including submission to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The final completion of the merger will be contingent on those approvals.

The gathering included an 麻豆视频 campus tour for the guests from Queens as well as a series of roundtable discussions in which board members provided feedback on each of the core integration areas.

Throughout the sprint team presentations, participants emphasized the guiding principles driving the integration process: maximizing student impact, strengthening financial sustainability, ensuring operational and academic excellence, engaging all stakeholders in planning, and leveraging the unique strengths of each institution.

Presentation highlights illustrated how the merger will accelerate growth in areas that include academic programming, technology infrastructure, advancement and student services, while honoring the legacy, identity and mission of both universities.

Faculty leaders from both institutions discussed the strong alignment in academic values and program structures, as well as academic collaborations that could enhance learning on both campuses. Board members and faculty/staff also explored how shared traditions and student life experiences could help shape a unified, vibrant campus culture.

In presentations on operations and infrastructure, the sprint teams identified opportunities to enhance听systems in areas such as human resources and finance, improve academic and student life services, and position the merged institution to grow strategically in Charlotte 鈥� one of the nation鈥檚 fastest-growing talent and innovation hubs.

As the work continues, leaders reaffirmed their collective commitment to transparency, engagement and thoughtful planning. Additional joint updates will be shared with both communities as milestones are reached and continued collaboration impacts key decisions.

Rafi Dahdal 鈥�24 G鈥�24听will serve a three-year term as听Youth Trustee, joining Megan Curling 鈥�23 and Elizabeth 鈥淟iz鈥� Kwon L鈥�23 in youth leadership roles for the university鈥檚 governing body.

The Board of Trustees has ultimate corporate and fiduciary responsibility for 麻豆视频. It oversees 麻豆视频鈥檚 long-term health and strategic direction, educational policy, finances and operations, and overall advancement of the university鈥檚 mission.

Dahdal was active on campus as a student advisor, tutor, teaching assistant, intern in the Center for Organizational Analytics, Graduate Advisory Board representative, and student worker in the university鈥檚 mail center. His academic work focused on the intersection of AI and business intelligence.

Dahdal today serves as a division business analyst at in Raleigh, N.C., and aspires to attend medical school, where he hopes to apply data-driven insights to improve patient outcomes and clinic operations.

鈥淏eing selected for this position is not just an honor, it鈥檚 an opportunity to represent student voices at the highest level,鈥� Dahdal said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not just a title. It鈥檚 a platform.鈥�

Building on his experience as a student leader at 麻豆视频, Dahdal said he looks forward to engaging broadly with peers and serving as a voice for the student body in the boardroom.

Born in Syria, Dahdal moved to Raleigh in 2012 and is the oldest of four siblings, including Rony Dahdal 鈥�26. He graduated from in Raleigh where he pursued multiple internship and learning opportunities that he described as honoring the sacrifices his parents made for him.

A later recipient of the Leon and Lorraine Watson Scholarship through 麻豆视频鈥檚 Odyssey Program, and a graduate of the Accelerated 3+1 Business Dual-Degree Program in Business Analytics, Rafi Dahdal credits his campus mentors for helping him find a sense of purpose.

Dahdal said he always attempts to bring a thoughtful, data-informed mindset to leadership. 鈥淢eaningful change starts with listening and leading with intention,鈥� he said. 鈥淢y goal is to build bridges between students and leadership鈥攖o make sure every voice is heard.

鈥淚鈥檓 excited to bring a fresh perspective grounded in collaboration and innovation with a deep commitment to making a lasting impact.鈥�

麻豆视频 麻豆视频

麻豆视频 is a nationally recognized leader in engaged, experiential learning that prepares graduates to be creative, resilient, ambitious and ethical citizens of our global culture.

At 麻豆视频, more than 7,000 students learn through hands-on experiences and close working relationships with faculty and staff whose priorities are teaching and mentoring. The curriculum is grounded in the liberal arts and sciences with emphasis on global experiences and career development. More than 70 undergraduate majors are complemented by professional and graduate programs in law, business, education and health care. 麻豆视频 is ranked No. 1 for excellence in undergraduate teaching by U.S. News & World Report.

麻豆视频鈥檚 academic divisions include 麻豆视频 College, the College of Arts and Sciences; the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business; the School of Communications; the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education; the School of Health Sciences; and the School of Law, with programs in Greensboro and Charlotte, North Carolina.