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October brought the sights and sounds of fall to 麻豆视频, with a month full of celebrations, traditions and opportunities for connection. From welcoming alumni back to campus for Homecoming & Reunion Weekend, launching the new School of Engineering, to the changing colors of autumn, the 麻豆视频 community embraced all that the season had to offer.

Take a look back at some of the memorable moments from October through the lenses of staff in the Office of University Communications.

‘Everybody’

麻豆视频 Performing Arts presented “Everybody,”聽聽a modern adaptation of the 15th-century morality play Everyman, one of the first recorded plays in the English language.

A transformational education

An opening celebration for the Roberts Academy, the university鈥檚 new elementary school for children with dyslexia, featured a special student performance on Oct. 2, and a ribbon-cutting with Marjorie and Hal Roberts, whose generosity helped establish the school in 2025.

The Roberts Academy at 麻豆视频 is the fourth private school established by the couple, joining Vanderbilt University, Mercer University, and Florida Southern College in a network of programs committed to the advancement of education for children with dyslexia and related conditions.

Tiny shelf concert

麻豆视频’s Musical Theatre department hosted a “Tiny Shelf Concert on Oct. 2 in Belk Library.

The ‘biggest’ Rock the Block yet

The Office of Alumni聽Engagement聽and聽the聽Student Union Board collaborated once again to聽host聽the Homecoming concert with DJ Diesel (Shaquille O鈥橬eal) bringing approximately 5,000 attendees to the annual Rock the Block concert on Oct. 9.

Learning everywhere

Assistant Professor of Management Jose Cerecedo Lopez teaches a class outside near the Koury Business Center.

Engineering excellence

Dozens of university leaders, faculty, staff and students were joined on Oct. 30, 2026, by the CEO of the world鈥檚 leading accrediting body for engineering education programs, as well as North Carolina鈥檚 secretary of commerce, for a morning of reflection on the rise of 麻豆视频鈥檚 new School of Engineering and Computing.

Pumpkin playfulness

The 麻豆视频 Community Garden Club and the Garden Studio course hosted the 18th annual聽Pumpkin Festival on Oct. 30, uniting students, organizations, faculty, staff and聽community members with fall festivities, including聽live music, fun crafting activities and food at the 麻豆视频 Community Garden.

You had actress Jennifer Aniston, rock star Gwen Stefani and NASCAR driver Noah Gragson. Then there was celebrity chef Jamie Oliver and NBA legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson.

Even Albert Einstein, Walt Disney and Pablo Picasso made a return visit from the afterlife to the Snow Family Grand Atrium of Schar Hall, along with a dozen other famous figures from throughout history.

Welcome to the first ever Dyslexia Superpower Character Day hosted by the Roberts Academy at 麻豆视频, North Carolina鈥檚 only university-based, private elementary school dedicated to helping children with dyslexia learn to read and to thrive.

Nineteen children now enrolled in the third, fourth, and (as of this month) fifth grades wore costumes on Oct. 29, 2026, to introduce themselves to the campus community as individuals with dyslexia whose professional and personal accomplishments are world renowned.

The children鈥檚 teachers also wore costumes of event 鈥渟ecurity鈥� and entertainment 鈥減ress鈥� to roam the room and ask questions of the students.

Though their normal school day is in a renovated Trollinger House just across the railroad tracks and down the street from the Historic Neighborhood, students that Thursday morning visited the School of Communications to practice their public speaking.

鈥淭his is a great opportunity for them to be self-advocates and express to other people how dyslexia may be a challenge but it鈥檚 also a gift,鈥� said Alicia Tate, acting director of the Roberts Academy at 麻豆视频. 鈥淭hough everyone here at 麻豆视频 has supported the academy, now they鈥檙e seeing its impact in the faces of our children. This makes it real.鈥�

Though everyone here at 麻豆视频 has supported the academy, now they鈥檙e seeing its impact in the faces of our children. This makes it real.

– Assistant Professor Alicia Tate, Acting Director of the Roberts Academy at 麻豆视频

And the kids? Well, they were one part proud of their work and one part excited for the candy and toys offered to them from visitors.

鈥淣oah Gragson,鈥� known by his classmates on a regular school day as Jace, smiled while discussing the way his mother suggested that he be the famous driver. A toy NASCAR vehicle gift by his grandfather was at Jace鈥檚 feet. His only complaint? 鈥淚鈥檝e been standing now for an hour!鈥�

鈥淛amie Oliver,鈥� otherwise known as Finley to her friends, also followed her mother鈥檚 character suggestion. Finley loves to cook, she said, and boasts a personal superpower of 鈥渞esourcefulness.鈥� She, too, was delighted to show off the bag of candy at her feet.

鈥淧ablo Picasso鈥� was the character selected by Lorelei. And just like her two classmates, Lorelei heeded a suggestion from her mother. 鈥淚鈥檓 a good artist and like to paint and that kind of stuff!鈥� Lorelei exclaimed as she held pink plastic vampire鈥檚 teeth given to her by an attendee.

Each student in the room had a story to share. Each story made Tate smile with joy.

鈥淚鈥檓 so happy,鈥� she said of the dozens of professors, staff members, and 麻豆视频 students who engaged with her elementary school students. 鈥淲e鈥檝e had such a great turnout today.鈥�

Established in 2025 through the generosity of Marjorie and Hal Roberts, the Roberts Academy at 麻豆视频 is the first and only university-based private school in North Carolina for children with dyslexia. The school welcomed its inaugural class in August 2026.聽

The academy will expand to serve students in grades one through six in a new school currently planned for East Haggard Avenue, scheduled to open in Fall 2028.

Designed as a transitional school, Roberts Academy serves students for up to three years before they return to their community schools with the skills and confidence to succeed as scholars, entrepreneurs and civic leaders.

The school offers rolling admissions and is still accepting applications for the 2026-27 academic year. Visit the Roberts Academy at 麻豆视频 website to learn more.

Here we learn, here we grow.聽
Every day there鈥檚 more to know.聽
We are thinkers, we are strong,
And at Roberts we belong.
Dream big, shine bright, as a Phoenix we take flight.
Side by side, here we say, we can learn in our own way.聽
This is our school, this is our day.
We are Roberts, hip hip hooray!

Such was the energy and emotion on display at an official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Roberts Academy at 麻豆视频, a new elementary school made possible through a transformational gift to the university by a Florida couple that has made the education of children with dyslexia the focus of their philanthropy.

The school was established in 2025 by the generosity of Marjorie and Hal Roberts, who witnessed firsthand the transformative power a multisensory approach to reading education can have for children with dyslexia. Their gift supports both the Roberts Academy and the Roberts Center for Dyslexia and Engaged Learning within 麻豆视频鈥檚 Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education.

The Roberts Academy at 麻豆视频 is the fourth private school established by the couple, joining , , and in a network of programs committed to the advancement of education for children with dyslexia and related conditions.

The school opened this fall in a temporary location on Trollinger Avenue for third and fourth graders. Plans are unforlding for a new 30,000-square-foot building that will eventually host students in the first through sixth grade. Roberts Academy teachers use the Orton-Gillingham method of instruction, considered one of the most effective approaches to helping students develop strategies for overcoming their reading difficulties.

The ribbon-cutting on Oct. 2, 2026, featured an invocation by the Rev. Kirstin Boswell, 麻豆视频鈥檚 chaplain, followed with remarks of reflection and gratitude by:

• 麻豆视频 President Connie Ledoux Book
• Philanthropist Marjie Roberts
• Ann Bullock, dean of the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education
• Alicia Tate, acting director of the Roberts Academy at 麻豆视频
• Tait Arend, senior philanthropic adviser at 麻豆视频

Book recounted for those in attendance how 麻豆视频 made a promise to children with dyslexia that a learning difference would not be a limitation – and a promise to parents that they would not be alone in their journey to understand their children鈥檚 learning needs. Book then delivered a charge to the students seated before her.

鈥淚 want you to know that 麻豆视频 is a Hebrew word for 鈥榦ak,鈥欌�� she said. 鈥淲hat鈥檚 unique about oak trees is they grow the best in groves, and their root systems connect, and they become stronger as a team of trees. I charge you, as little Phoenix, to act like a grove of oak trees and to support each other and to help each other be successful as classmates.鈥�

In her own remarks, Marjie Roberts thanked parents for placing their trust in 麻豆视频 and the Roberts Academy.

鈥淭his academy has the ability to restart the educational experience of young students and make the experience successful and rewarding,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t will rebuild their self confidence, enrich their minds and be a source of pride. It will change the lives of students by setting them on a trajectory of achievement and success.

鈥淭his is a celebration of what the academy will mean for the 16 children who are now enrolled, what it will mean for their families, and to the thousands of others who will follow.鈥�

This is a celebration of what the academy will mean for the 16 children who are now enrolled, what it will mean for their families, and to the thousands of others who will follow.

– Philanthropist Marjorie Roberts

Tate introduced members of the Roberts Academy faculty and staff and Arend thanked members of the implementation team that worked to launch the academy, with Bullock serving as host and emcee of the afternoon program in the parking lot of Trollinger House.

And then there was the student cheer and the presentation of a personalized gift to the Roberts family: framed artwork featuring paper hearts with the names of each child who is part of the charter class of students.

鈥淭o our first families, thank you for believing in our school before the school even existed,鈥� Arend said. 鈥淵ou all believed in us not only before the first stapler was purchased, but before the first staple was purchased. You trusted us with the children you love more than anything. And while there will be many, many children who walk through those doors, there will only ever be one first day, and there will only ever be these first 16 students.鈥�

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August marked the end of summer break at 麻豆视频, and with the close of one chapter came several exciting new beginnings. The month brought the opening of Roberts Academy at 麻豆视频, the arrival of the Class of 2030 and the introduction of a new university mascot.

Take a look back at some of the memorable moments from August through the lenses of staff in the Office of University Communications.

Roberts Academy opens doors

The聽Roberts Academy at 麻豆视频, North Carolina鈥檚 first and only university-based private school for children with dyslexia, opened its doors to its inaugural class on Tuesday, Aug. 18, marking a milestone in 麻豆视频鈥檚 efforts to transform literacy education.

The school,聽established through the philanthropic vision of Marjorie and Hal Roberts, will serve as a statewide and national model for structured literacy education. The Robertses have witnessed firsthand the transformative power a multisensory approach to reading education can have for children with dyslexia.

Welcome the Class of 2030

The university welcomed the Class of 2030 with Move-In Day on Aug. 21, 2026.聽The students arriving on campus bring a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and academic interests. Members of the incoming class come from 40 states and Washington, D.C., as well as 19 countries, including Singapore, Spain, Norway, Canada, Serbia, South Korea, China and New Zealand.

Planting roots

Surrounded by family members, faculty and staff Under the Oaks, members of the Class of 2030 and new transfer students heard messages about resilience, community and the responsibility that comes with an 麻豆视频 education during New Student Convocation on Aug. 22, 2026.

At the conclusion of Convocation, students received an acorn, an 麻豆视频 tradition symbolizing the beginning of their growth at the university. In four years, the Class of 2030 will be Under the Oaks again for Senior Baccalaureate, where they will receive an oak sapling.

鈥淭his enormous opportunity of an 麻豆视频 education requires action on your part, a commitment to taking full advantage of all we have here,鈥� said 麻豆视频 President Connie Ledoux Book. 鈥淲e invite you to a powerful journey of questions and curiosity that will shine new light and new understanding.鈥�

“Honor matters”

Students were reminded of the importance of the university’s Honor Code during the Call to Honor ceremony on Aug. 24. where the Class of 2030聽聽committed to uphold the university鈥檚 core values of honesty, integrity, responsibility and respect.

鈥淗onor matters,鈥� said Emily Elrod, 聽assistant teaching professor of mathematics and statistics, who spoke during the ceremony. 鈥淭o me, honor is reflected through honesty, integrity, responsibility, and respect. It matters in the classroom, in our professional relationships, and in the trust that others place in us as individuals and leaders.鈥�

A new Phoenix rises

麻豆视频 Athletics unviled a and, with that new identity, comes a new physical mascot for the university.

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The Roberts Academy at 麻豆视频, North Carolina鈥檚 first and only university-based private school for children with dyslexia, opened its doors to its inaugural class on Tuesday, Aug. 18, marking a milestone in 麻豆视频鈥檚 efforts to transform literacy education.

The school, established through the philanthropic vision of Marjorie and Hal Roberts, will serve as a statewide and national model for structured literacy education. The Robertses have witnessed firsthand the transformative power a multisensory approach to reading education can have for children with dyslexia.

鈥淥pening Roberts Academy is more than the start of a new school year 鈥� it is the realization of a vision rooted in possibility,鈥� said Alicia Tate, acting director of Roberts Academy at 麻豆视频. 鈥淲e are honored to welcome our inaugural class and are excited to build a community where every student is known, challenged, encouraged and given the opportunity to thrive. This is only the beginning, and we cannot wait to see where this journey leads our students and their families.鈥�

Students arriving Tuesday were greeted by faculty from the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education, 麻豆视频 staff members and members of the university鈥檚 dance and cheer teams, creating a celebratory welcome for the academy鈥檚 first students.

鈥淚鈥檓 most excited to know about my school and the chance to have a brand-new start,鈥� one Roberts Academy student said.

Discover a love of learning

Roberts Academy is initially welcoming students in third and fourth grades at its temporary home on West Trollinger Avenue in 麻豆视频. The academy will eventually expand to serve students in grades one through six in a state-of-the-art facility planned for East Haggard Avenue, scheduled to open in fall 2028.

Designed as a transitional school, Roberts Academy will typically serve students for one to three years before they return to their community schools with the skills and confidence to succeed as scholars, entrepreneurs and civic leaders.

Teachers will use the Orton-Gillingham approach, a structured, multisensory method of literacy instruction designed to help students with dyslexia develop stronger reading and language skills.

For Bella Martino 鈥�26, a Roberts Academy teacher who graduated from 麻豆视频 with dual licensure in K-6 general education and special education, the school offers an opportunity to help students develop not only their reading skills but also their enthusiasm for learning.

鈥淚 really want to see them enjoy school. I want them to enjoy this as a place. I want them to like learning,鈥� Martino said. 鈥淚鈥檓 just really looking forward to seeing them grow as learners, especially provided that all of our students are going to have some level of learning difficulties as it relates to reading. I鈥檓 really looking forward to helping them rediscover a love of reading.鈥�

That hope is shared by the parents who brought their children to Roberts Academy for the first day.

鈥淭he most exciting thing about it is for my son to be excited about school, about learning, about feeling confident, about realizing that it鈥檚 OK the way his brain is wired and he鈥檚 going to learn how that works, and then he鈥檚 going to be able to soar,鈥� one parent said.

Investing in a child鈥檚 future

For Donnielle Rome-Martin, finding Roberts Academy followed a long search for the right educational environment for her daughter, whose goal is to become a 鈥渂ookworm.鈥�

Rome-Martin said she struggled to find the support her daughter needed, with other programs focused on accommodating her dyslexia rather than helping her develop the skills to overcome the challenges she was experiencing.

鈥淢y heart breaks when she tells me she鈥檚 stupid. She鈥檚 not stupid,鈥� Rome-Martin said. 鈥淭he idea that a young little girl at this small age could think that she鈥檚 stupid made me so scared for what the future is going to look like. This cannot happen.鈥�

When Rome-Martin toured Roberts Academy, she said she immediately noticed a different approach, one focused on her daughter鈥檚 potential rather than her limitations.

鈥淲hat I fell in love with was the way the staff spoke about dyslexia and the way they spoke about her future,鈥� Rome-Martin said. 鈥淭his was a passion, and they were invested in this from day one. That鈥檚 all I ever wanted, was someone to invest in my daughter like I do.鈥�

That commitment led Rome-Martin to make a significant commitment of her own. She will travel nearly two hours each way to bring her daughter to Roberts Academy each day, a decision she said was affirmed when she watched her daughter walk into school on the first morning.

鈥淲hat amazed me is we were walking into the parking lot, and we walked up, and she didn鈥檛 look back,鈥� Rome-Martin said. 鈥淭hat made me feel really good that she didn鈥檛 look back as she walked off because I think she knows that she is going to be OK.鈥�

University Chaplain and Dean of Multifaith Engagement Rev. Kirstin Boswell opened the event with the invocation, followed by the tradition of the bell ringing by Student Government Association President聽Michael Swartz 鈥�27. The bell arrived in North Carolina in 1854 on one of the first North Carolina railroad trains. It was later used at Graham College, a predecessor institution to 麻豆视频 College.

During the event, three individuals with strong ties to the university were awarded the 麻豆视频 Medallion, the university’s most prestigious service honor: Jim Donathan, longtime associate director of academic advising and academic support; Mary Thornton, founder and president of Harvest Table Culinary Group; and Don Grady, associate professor emeritus of cinema and television arts.

Katy Rouse, professor of economics in the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business, was named the Trustee Chair for Excellence.聽For seventeen years, Rouse has taught 麻豆视频’s Principles of Economics and Intermediate Microeconomics courses, along with a capstone she built herself on educational disparities in the United States, earning student evaluations among the highest in her department for more than a decade.

She has personally mentored more than 30 senior and honors theses, co-authored research with undergraduates, chaired the Love School’s curriculum committee and published her teaching scholarship in the Journal of Economic Education.

“I truly believe that being a teacher scholar mentor at 麻豆视频 is one of the best careers I’m going to have,” Rouse said. “Every day we come to work, we have the opportunity to make a lasting impact on students during one of the most pivotal points in their lives.”

Mapping the course

During her annual Opening Day address, Book reflected on 麻豆视频鈥檚 progress while looking toward a year that will include the launch of new academic initiatives, continued work surrounding artificial intelligence, the opening of the Roberts Academy and the planned merger with Queens University of Charlotte.

Book centered her remarks around the idea of a map 鈥� the markers that show where 麻豆视频 has been and the guideposts that will help the university navigate what comes next. The theme was inspired by a visit this summer to 麻豆视频 students participating in the Summer Opera Workshop at the Accademia Europea di Firenze. The students came together for a historic production of 鈥淭he Light in the Piazza鈥� in Florence, Italy, where the musical is set.

As part of their work, students were also tasked with creating a map of the city, something that inspired Book.

鈥淭here is something powerful in this mapmaking assignment, and it left me wondering about our collective 麻豆视频 map,鈥� Book said. 鈥淗ow would we each draw it?鈥�

At the center of that map, Book said, is 麻豆视频鈥檚 mission. She highlighted several markers of progress during the past year, including the Odyssey Program surpassing 300 scholarships, record participation in undergraduate research, strong Fulbright success and new academic programs, including cybersecurity, Clinical Mental Health Counseling and the Charlotte PA program. She also celebrated the upcoming launch of the School of Engineering and Computing under inaugural Dean John Walz and the growth of the university鈥檚 nursing program.

Mapping new territory (together)

On Tuesday, Aug. 18, the first students of the聽Roberts Academy at 麻豆视频聽will arrive at the school’s temporary home in Trollinger House. The school will be the聽state’s only university-based private school for children with dyslexia. Book described the academy and the Center for Dyslexia and Engaged Learning as an opportunity that 鈥渨ill change lives from day one.鈥�

Among the most significant new territory is 麻豆视频鈥檚 planned merger with Queens University of Charlotte. Book noted that the institutions received accreditation approval this summer to proceed with their merger, with a single Board of Trustees now overseeing both universities. Sixteen administrative units are also becoming shared teams supporting the two campuses, while a federal review of the merger is expected to take 18 to 24 months.

Megan Isaac, professor of English, and Senior Vice President for Advancement and External Affairs Jim Piatt gave brief updates on the merger as part of the SOAR Strategic Planning Committee.

鈥淥ur two institutions will be stronger together, will better serve students together, and will have a brighter future together,鈥� Book said. 鈥淎nd now, we are working to build that vision together, to grow opportunity to advance learning 鈥� together.鈥�

Mapping a new look

Athletics Director Jennifer Strawley was also invited to the stage to announce a for the university鈥檚 athletics program, which had what Book called a 鈥渇ormidable year,鈥� with seven 麻豆视频 teams, the most in the university鈥檚 history, winning conference titles. A new physical mascot will be unveiled at the first College Coffee of the academic year on Aug. 25.

“The new Phoenix wears a gold sweater with a monogram ‘E,’ paying tribute to our first mascot, the Fighting Christian,” Strawley said. “The focused expression conveys the determination, confidence and purpose that defines our university community. The Phoenix continues to be fueled by the flames, symbolizing our rebuild from the ashes, and capturing the spirit and resilience of the 麻豆视频 community.”

Book acknowledged that the changing higher education landscape brings challenges, from enrollment pressures and federal regulations to declining public confidence. But she reminded faculty and staff that adapting to change has long been part of 麻豆视频鈥檚 history.

鈥淚 understand change can be daunting. Shifting national headwinds are challenging higher education,鈥� Book said. 鈥淔ortunately for us, 麻豆视频 has never succeeded by standing still. We鈥檝e joined together, developed new strategies and guided by our mission 鈥� built the number one institution for engaged learning and student success.鈥�

She closed by returning to the journey ahead, and the role faculty and staff play in shaping the lives of 麻豆视频 students.

鈥淚t is not simply education; it is a journey of human transformation,鈥� Book said. 鈥淭hank you for the everyday commitment, kindness and integrity that are our enduring guideposts.鈥�

Stephen 鈥淪teve鈥� Marquis will lead physical education activities, Cammie Berrier will inspire students with art lessons, Heather Pike will introduce students to dance, and Lara Davis will share her lifelong passion for music, expanding the range of learning experiences available to third- and fourth-grade students during the academy鈥檚 inaugural year.

The Roberts Academy uses the multisensory Orton-Gillingham approach to reading instruction and welcomes its first students in a temporary location on West Trollinger Avenue for the start of classes on August 18.

The academy will expand to grades 1-6 once a new building opens for the 2028-29 academic year on East Haggard Avenue near the university鈥檚 Danieley Neighborhood. Each classroom eventually will be capped at 12 students.

Roberts Academy at 麻豆视频 is the most recent of four university-based private schools established through transformational gifts from philanthropists Hal and Marjorie Roberts of Lakeland, Florida. Similar academies exist at Vanderbilt University, Mercer University, and Florida Southern College.

Roberts Academy at 麻豆视频 Enrichment Educators for 2026-27

Stephen 鈥淪teve鈥� Marquis

With three decades of experience as a physical education teacher and coach, Steve Marquis has focused his career on helping students develop physical fitness while understanding the connections among exercise, nutrition and healthy lifestyles.

A graduate of Springfield College with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in physical education, Marquis most recently taught at Kiser Middle School in Greensboro after spending nearly two decades at East Chapel Hill High School.

Marquis also brings extensive coaching experience to Roberts Academy. He served as head varsity cross country coach at East Chapel Hill High School from 2006 to 2020 and head varsity track coach from 2006 to 2017, along with coaching basketball. His work as a coach has been recognized with multiple Coach of the Year honors.

鈥淎s a young child, I was fortunate to have many positive role models who taught me the importance of physical activity and maintaining a healthy lifestyle,鈥� Marquis said. 鈥淭heir influence shaped my belief that physical activity plays a vital role in a child’s growth and development.

鈥淧hysical activity improves attention, memory, and muscular development while reducing the risk of many health problems. Most importantly, it supports a child’s mental and emotional well-being. I want my students to understand that overall health includes physical, mental, and emotional wellness, and that caring for each of these areas helps them lead happier, healthier lives.鈥�

Cammie Berrier

Cammie Berrier brings more than two decades of experience teaching art in Guilford County Schools along with extensive experience introducing children to art through museums, galleries and summer programs.

A magna cum laude graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Berrier earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in art education with a minor in English. She spent more than a decade as the art specialist at E.P. Pearce Elementary School in Greensboro following earlier service as an art specialist at 11 Guilford County elementary schools.

During her career in Guilford County Schools, Berrier held leadership roles among elementary art educators and mentored student teachers from UNCG. Student artwork produced under her instruction was selected for exhibitions at the U.S. Department of Education in Washington and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction in Raleigh.

Since 2019, Berrier has continued working with children and the arts through Reynolda House Museum of American Art in Winston-Salem, where she serves as a docent and summer art camp instructor. In that role, she develops curricula for weeklong camps for elementary-aged children and leads museum tours.

鈥淚 believe the arts are absolutely vital to the development of children,鈥� Berrier said. 鈥淥ver the years I have taught visual art, I have seen students grow in confidence, creativity and joy in the art-making聽process. For many students, it is a rare chance to relax, to try new things without fear of failure, and to process and express their emotions. Through considering the work of other artists, students gain an appreciation聽of other cultures and discover unique ways of seeing the world.鈥�

Heather Pike

An experienced dance educator whose work has focused extensively on inclusive instruction, Heather Pike brings to Roberts Academy more than two decades of experience teaching dance to children with a wide range of abilities.

Pike earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance education from East Carolina University and a Master of Arts in dance education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where her graduate research focused on inclusive dance education.

She works in various capacities as a teaching artist, designing curricula and teaching dance residencies in the community. This includes her work as lead teaching artist with Arts Together in partnership with Access/VSA in Wake County, where she teaches dance residencies in public pre-kindergarten settings.

In addition, through her role as an artist in residence with The ArtsCenter in Carrboro, Pike has taught dance for students with profound disabilities in Orange County Public Schools. She has also worked through the United Arts Council鈥檚 Artists in Schools program to lead dance workshops and residencies that integrate dance with literacy instruction for students with different learning styles in elementary schools.

Pike previously served as a lead teaching artist for Carolina Ballet鈥檚 educational outreach programs that brought dance to Title I pre-kindergarten classrooms and elementary students through dance and literature integration. While working as a teaching artist, she has been on faculty at Barriskill Dance Theatre School teaching pre-ballet through advanced ballet for several years.

Pike more recently has served as a guest lecturer in 麻豆视频鈥檚 Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education, sharing expertise in dance pedagogy and integration with students studying special education and children鈥檚 literature.

鈥淚 am passionate about creating inclusive, accessible dance spaces for exploration of artistic expression and communication,鈥� Pike said. 鈥淏y sharing the joy of movement with my students, I believe integrating dance into everyday learning is a powerful way to strengthen self-awareness and build relationships with others. Dance not only gives students a creative outlet for moving their bodies, but it also provides access to kinesthetic learning and an opportunity to strengthen social-emotional skills.鈥�

Lara Davis

Lara Davis is the owner and founder of Kidstunes Music & Movement program, which聽serves thousands of children from birth through prekindergarten in dozens of childcare centers throughout聽central North Carolina.

Davis attended the University of North Florida as a National Merit Scholar and holds a bachelor鈥檚 degree in music education, her Level 3 Certification with ECMMA, and has worked as a music educator with young children for over 25 years.

Davis began playing the piano at age 5. She also sings, plays recorder, ukulele, some guitar and percussion. Her background and experience include many years as both performer & accompanist for the renowned UNF Jazz Choir and Chamber Singers, extensive work with music and children in various settings from birth through middle school, varying exceptionalities classrooms, churches, and聽as director of numerous all-school musical & special event productions.

She has incorporated her experience and research into the very heart of the Kidstunes program, composing original music, continually updating the curriculum & resources, marketing and expanding their services, and personally mentoring each Instructor. Davis is a regular presenter at both national and regional conferences for various organizations in the fields of early childhood and music education, and her in-service training workshops are accredited by the NC Division of Child Development.

鈥淢usic has been a passion throughout years of teaching children from infancy through middle school, in public and private schools as well as individual settings,鈥� Davis said. 鈥淚 have watched countless children who struggle in other academic or behavioral areas truly thrive through music, and I’ve often seen their increased involvement in music translate into growth in other areas such as math, focus, confidence, and self-discipline.

鈥淢ost importantly, music gives children a powerful way to express themselves, trust their creativity, experience joy, and find emotional release through listening, moving, playing, and creating. To me, that is the true gift of music. It meets children where they are and gives them another way to discover what they are capable of.鈥�

Expanded academics
School of Engineering and Computing

The new School of Engineering and Computing will open in Fall 2026, anchoring聽the university鈥檚 Innovation Quad聽in the heart of campus. It will include聽20聽full-time faculty and three full-time staff positions with more than 300 undergraduate students. The school will include three new majors: , and . 闯辞丑苍听奥补濒锄, a former president of the聽Milwaukee School of Engineering聽and聽longtime leader in engineering and technology education, will serve as the school’s inaugural dean.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling

麻豆视频’s new Clinical Mental Health Counseling program will welcome its first cohort this fall. The graduate program, at 麻豆视频鈥檚 main campus and Charlotte national campus, will work to prepare competent, compassionate and ethical counselors committed to promoting mental wellness and addressing an urgent need for counselors.

Charlotte Physician Assistant Studies

麻豆视频 will welcome Charlotte, North Carolina鈥檚 first Physician Assistant program with its inaugural class in January 2027,聽pending achieving Accreditation-Provisional status at the September 2026 ARC-PA meeting.聽Rooted in 麻豆视频鈥檚 pillars of engaged learning, leadership, and global impact, the 麻豆视频 PA program in Charlotte is designed who uphold clinical excellence, are community-focused, and equity-driven.

Roberts Academy at 麻豆视频

The Roberts Academy,聽North Carolina鈥檚 only university-based private school for children with dyslexia, officially opens this fall. It will serve as a statewide and national model for structured literacy education. The school was established through the philanthropic vision of Marjorie and Hal Roberts, who have witnessed the transformative power of a multisensory approach to reading education.

The school will initially welcome third- and fourth-grade students in Trollinger House, before expanding its capacity to grades one through six in a state-of-the-art facility planned for East Haggard Avenue, set to open in Fall 2028.

New sights

Several construction projects have been underway this summer, ahead of the 2026-27 academic year.聽The聽Slattery Center聽will be the university鈥檚 new health and wellness center, a central component to the university鈥檚 broader聽HealthEU聽initiative that focuses on six dimensions of health and wellness: community, emotional, purpose, financial, physical and social.

Renovations of the Mooney Building, home to the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education, are underway, including the replacement of windows and HVAC systems, upgrades to electrical and plumbing systems, and the addition of waterproofing.

Slattery Center

The Slattery Center will be the university’s new health and wellness center, a central component to the university鈥檚 broader聽HealthEU聽initiative that focuses on six dimensions of health and wellness: community, emotional, purpose, financial, physical and social. The three-story center will feature new classrooms, student-faculty research spaces, multiple floors for wellness and fitness activities, and Counseling Services at the Mark and Kim Tyson Counseling Center, which will provide individual and group therapy, as well as workshops and outreach programs.

Trollinger House

Trollinger House is now renovated to be the temporary home of the Roberts Academy at 麻豆视频, North Carolina鈥檚 only university-based private school for children with dyslexia.聽The school will initially welcome third and fourth-grade students in Trollinger House for Fall 2026, before expanding capacity to grades one through six in a state-of-the-art facility planned for East Haggard Avenue set to open in Fall 2028.

Mooney Building

Renovations of the Mooney Building, home to the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education, are underway, including the replacement of windows and HVAC systems, upgrades to electrical and plumbing systems, and the addition of waterproofing.

Other projects

Other projects happening on campus include reroofing buildings in Oaks, work on an interior fountain in the Numen Lumen Pavilion, and adding charging ports for electric scooters.

The Roberts Academy will use the multisensory Orton-Gillingham approach to reading instruction once it opens in August for third- and fourth-grade students in a temporary location on West Trollinger Avenue.

The academy will expand to grades 1-6 when a new building opens for the 2028-29 academic year on East Haggard Avenue near the university鈥檚 Danieley Neighborhood. Each classroom will be capped at 12 students.

鈥淲e are excited to have such well-trained, committed teachers join us at Roberts Academy,鈥� said Ann Bullock, dean of the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education. 鈥淭heir dedication to children and their ability to provide an engaged environment for learning will lead to a remarkable growth in confidence for young students.鈥�

The Roberts Academy is also finalizing the recruitment of part-time teachers to provide enrichment instruction in art, music and physical education. The school is led by Acting Director Alicia S. Tate and Tracy Roof, director of business and school operations.

Established in 2025 through a gift from philanthropists Hal and Marjorie Roberts of Lakeland, Florida, the Roberts Academy at 麻豆视频 will be the fourth in a series of successful university-based private elementary schools the couple established at Vanderbilt University, Mercer University and Florida Southern College.

2026-27 Full-Time Faculty for Roberts Academy at 麻豆视频

Carrie Whitley

With a bachelor鈥檚 degree in elementary education and a master鈥檚 degree in reading education from Appalachian State University, Carrie Whitley brings three years of experience working closely with elementary-aged students in both classroom and tutoring settings.

Throughout her career, Whitley has focused on providing individualized instruction, collecting and analyzing student data, and creating targeted interventions to support diverse learning needs. Her experience in special education at a private school in Raleigh strengthened her ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, to develop meaningful student goals, and to communicate progress with families.

Whitley is Orton-Gillingham trained and has implemented the method with fidelity in both small-group and one-on-one settings. She said she has seen firsthand the impact that explicit, systematic literacy instruction can have on students with dyslexia in developing reading skills, building confidence and instilling a love of learning.

Kaitlyn Leazer ’25

After serving for a year with the Alamance-Burlington School System as teacher of exceptional children, Kaitlyn Leazer brings experience in designing and implementing differentiated instruction, prioritizing strong relationships with families as essential collaborators in each child鈥檚 success.

Leazer holds a Bachelor of Arts in elementary and special education and is currently pursuing a Master of Education in innovation from the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education. Leazer said she was drawn to the Roberts Academy for its values and evidence-based practices to meet the individual needs of every learner.

In her year with ABSS, Leazer sought to create classrooms where students felt supported through thoughtful differentiation, intentional data collection and Universal Design for Learning. She developed a system for students to track and chart their own IEP goals, fostering both independence and accountability.

Isabella 鈥淏ella鈥� Martino ’26

Isabella “Bella” Martino is a recent 麻豆视频 graduate with dual licensure in K-6 general education and special education, allowing her to serve students across all domains of learning.

During her work as a student teacher, Martino created structured, predictable learning environments for students with unique behavioral and academic needs. She integrated technology into students鈥� daily routines, leading to increased engagement and improved behavioral outcomes. Martino works in partnership with families and other service providers to holistically meet the needs of students.

Passionate about providing students equal access to the general education curriculum, Martino points to her efforts to align lesson content with grade-level standards whenever possible. She describes herself as driven by a belief that holding students who learn differently to the same social and emotional expectations as their peers is essential to fostering independence and autonomy.