Chancellor’s Letter

Dear Niner Nation,

The 2023-24 academic year brought many successes to celebrate. During the year, the region and nation took notice as the University continued its rise to become one of the nation’s next preeminent public research universities. 

With our growing academic reputation, rising research enterprise, athletics championships, growing partnerships and impactful cultural offerings, great things are happening at Charlotte. 

Every member of Niner Nation had a role in our success over the past year and should have a sense of pride in what we have accomplished and where we are going. 

As we look back over the 2023-24 academic year, there’s much for us to celebrate. Here are just a few highlights:

  • Record-breaking student success: Through intentional efforts, we set records for enrollment, retention, four-year graduation rate and for the number of degrees awarded.
  • Rising research: With rising research expenditures and record doctoral graduates, The Chronicle of Higher Education has projected that Charlotte will be classified as a Carnegie R1, or top-tier, research university in early 2025.
  • Growing academic powerhouse: Charlotte has achieved a spot among U.S. News & World Report’s Top 100 public universities, at No. 96. Overall, Charlotte leaped 41 spots over the previous year, and is one of the fastest rising U.S. national universities. 
  • Fundraising success: Thanks to the generosity of our faculty, staff, students, alumni, friends and community partners, Charlotte raised more than $60 million for the third consecutive year. We also had the most successful #NinerNationGives campaign in University history. 
  • Championship athletics: Throughout the year, our foes in the American Athletic Conference took notice as the Charlotte 49ers won five conference championships and had its best-ever finish in the Learfield Directors’ Cup.

What is happening here is happening only at Charlotte. 

Please watch our year-in-review video and spend some time on our annual report website for a more complete picture of our incredible progress over the past 365 days. Go Niners!  

Sincerely,

Sharon L. Gaber
Chancellor