Letter from Chancellor
Sharon L. Gaber

Dear Niner Nation,

The 2025-26 academic year was a remarkable year for UNC Charlotte, one defined by record achievement, growing national distinction and an expanding impact on our region and beyond.

We began the year as one of the nation’s newest R1 research universities. We ended it having secured the largest research award in Charlotte’s history, with the National Science Foundation selecting UNC Charlotte to lead the NSF Grid Modernization Engine in the Carolinas. Supported by more than 100 partners across North and South Carolina, the initiative has the potential for up to $160 million in NSF funding over the next decade and will position our region at the forefront of one of the nation’s most pressing challenges: modernizing the electric grid.

That historic award was one of many milestones in 2025-26.

Record growth and student success: Enrollment surpassed 32,000 students for the first time, and we conferred more than 9,000 degrees and graduate certificates, also a University record. Eighty percent of our graduating seniors participated in experiential learning, helping prepare them to succeed after Charlotte.

Rising national distinction: UNC Charlotte climbed to No. 74 among U.S. public universities and No. 38 nationally for innovation. Our online bachelor’s programs rank No. 4 in the nation, and more than 30 graduate programs and specialties are ranked among the top 100 nationally.

Research with real-world impact: Our first full year as an R1 institution demonstrated the growing scale and reach of Charlotte’s research enterprise, from energy and artificial intelligence to health, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity and other fields critical to our region and nation.

Growing philanthropic support: In just its second year, the For the Love of Charlotte campaign surpassed $427 million toward its $500 million goal, providing resources that expand student opportunity, advance research and strengthen the University for generations to come.

A clear path forward: This year, we refreshed UNC Charlotte’s strategic plan to guide our work over the next five years. It builds on the progress already underway while setting our sights even higher as we work to accelerate Charlotte’s ascent to national distinction.

Each of these accomplishments is important on its own. Together, they show what The Difference is Charlotte means in practice: expanding opportunity, pursuing ambitious ideas, responding to the needs of our region and delivering results that matter.

That difference is rooted in our people and in our connection to one of the nation’s fastest-growing cities. It is also what gives me confidence in what comes next.

I invite you to watch our 2025-26 impact report video. There is much to celebrate, and even more ahead.

Thank you for being part of Niner Nation.

Go Niners!

Sharon L. Gaber
Chancellor