News Briefs

For more UNC News stories:  News Central

• UNC Alumna, Professor Featured in Elle Magazine 

  Megan Lundstrom ’16, ’20 and UNC Professor of Sociology Angie Henderson appeared in the August issue of Elle magazine in the article, “Megan’s Account: The unlikely story of a cash-strapped single mom and sex trafficking survivor, and the sociology professor who changed her life,” by John H. Tucker. The article chronicles Lundstrom’s journey from sex-trafficking survivor to scholar and founder of The Avery Center, a nonprofit organization that focuses on sex trafficking research and support services.

  Lundstrom’s story also appeared in the fall/winter 2016 issue of UNC Magazine. Since then, she’s finished her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and earned her master’s degree in Sociology and founded her non-profit, The Avery Center, which provides services and uncovers new knowledge on sex trafficking. The Avery Center has received $1.6 million in multiyear state and federal grants. 

• UNC Held In-Person Spring Commencement Ceremonies, May 8 and 9 

  UNC held its spring commencement ceremonies Saturday, May 8, and Sunday, May 9, at Nottingham Field with more than 1,900 graduates in attendance. Joining this year’s graduates were approximately 200 of UNC’s 2020 graduates, noted by their gold mortarboards during this year’s ceremonies. The 2020 grads were invited to walk across the stage this spring to receive their degrees, an opportunity they missed out on last year due to COVID-19 restrictions. 

  To comply with public health guidance regarding large, seated outdoor events, the university hosted four separate ceremonies over the two days for both graduate and undergraduate students.  

  Commencement Recap Video

• Board of Trustees Approves Tuition Increase and Extends President’s Contract Through 2024  

  On Friday, June 11, UNC’s Board of Trustees approved an increase to tuition and fees for the fiscal year that began July 1, 2021. Even with the increase — 7% for undergraduate tuition, 3% for graduate tuition, 3% for student fees, and 4% for room and board charges — UNC remains one of the most affordable research universities and one of the most affordable public universities in Colorado.

  The 7% tuition increase for the average undergraduate resident student amounts to an annual increase of about $387 or $39 per three-credit course, after institutional aid is applied. However, with increases in institutional financial aid, on top of students’ Pell grants, Colorado financial aid, and other Foundation and private scholarships, approximately 30% of UNC’s undergraduate students, especially those from low- and middle-income families, will see little to no increase in out-of-pocket expenses. 

  The increases are important steps in correcting the strategic positioning of UNC’s comparative rates among other Colorado research institutions, and will provide timely, incremental base-level funding for critical investments in FY22 and the years ahead. In addition, a significant amount of the revenue generated from the increases will be used to re-invest in the university and our students, funding initiatives in UNC’s  10-year strategic plan, Rowing, Not Drifting 2030. 

  The board also approved a new employment contract for Feinstein, extending his presidency through June 30, 2024.

• Feinstein Named to NCAA Division 1 Board of Directors 

  This past May, UNC President Andy Feinstein, who is also the current chair of the Big Sky Conference Presidents’ Council, was appointed to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Board of Directors.  

  The Board is the top governing body for Division I and is responsible for providing strategic direction and collective oversight for the Division I collegiate model. The Division I Board of Directors reports to the NCAA Board of Governors and oversees committees that include the Division I Council, Committee on Infractions, Infractions Appeals, Presidential Forum, and Committee on Academics.

  Feinstein’s two-year term officially began July 1, 2021, with his first regular Board meeting Aug. 4, 2021. His term will conclude after the August 2023 Board meeting.

• UNC Appoints Interim Provost for 2021-22 Academic Year  

  

  UNC President Andy Feinstein announced on June 17 that Lisa Vollendorf, PhD, was appointed as interim provost and chief academic officer for the 2021-22 academic year. Vollendorf brings 26 years of higher education experience to UNC and has held numerous leadership roles, including provost, dean, department chair and Academic Senate chair. She started her new role on July 1, 2021. 

  Feinstein, who worked with Vollendorf when he was provost at San Jose State University and she was Dean of Humanities and the Arts, said, “Lisa is a seasoned administrator with a can-do attitude. She understands what it means to be a Students First university and is cognizant of the importance faculty play in moving the institution forward. She was an excellent leader at San Jose State and the feedback we received from community members when she visited UNC was unanimously positive.”  

  Vollendorf grew up in Colorado, earning a bachelor’s degree in English and Spanish from Colorado State University before going on to earn a master’s in Spanish and Latin American Literatures and a doctorate in Romance Languages from the University of Pennsylvania.  

  During her career, Vollendorf has held faculty appointments at Miami University (Ohio); Wayne State University; University of California, Santa Barbara; California State University, Long Beach; University of California, Los Angeles; and Sonoma State University. Her previous leadership positions were at California State University, Sonoma State University and San José State University.

• Biology Faculty Member Wins Award

  

  Emily Holt, PhD, associate professor of Biological Sciences was awarded the 2021 Sears Helgoth Distinguished Teaching Award. Holt, who just completed her fifth year at UNC, teaches undergraduate courses in ecology and plant sciences and graduate courses in bioeducation. 

  The award, administered by UNC’s College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, recognizes UNC’s commitment to high-quality and innovative teaching along with the historical importance of the teaching mission at UNC. It rewards faculty members who have made outstanding contributions to teaching and learning that result in the enhancement of the intellectual development and lives of students.

  “My goal is to provide opportunities to allow my students to succeed, which involves non-traditional assessments, ownership of their learning experience and an inclusive and welcoming learning environment,” Holt said.  “I strongly value reflection to improve my own teaching, learn more about my students, gain knowledge about current pedagogues and become a better learner myself. I am honored that my approaches are valued as ‘outstanding’ amongst my peers.”