The University of North Carolina System has announced the 2023 Faculty Fellows, who will spend one year researching teaching methods and best practices. The fellows are Jennifer Dalton from Appalachian State University, Jeff Lawson from Western Carolina University, and Nigel Pierce from North Carolina Central University. Pierce is also a Faculty Fellow at the UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute.

"I am extremely honored to be named one of three UNC System Faculty Fellows for 2023," says Pierce. "The UNC System Fellowship offers an opportunity to collaborate with many outstanding leaders and scholars across systems. I am humbled to be recognized as the first North Carolina Central University faculty member to receive this appointment since the program’s inception in 2016. I look forward to bringing a unique perspective as we address challenges in public higher education. I believe my colleagues and I will offer innovative ideas that will reap results for all students in North Carolina."

"I am extremely honored to be named one of three UNC System Faculty Fellows for 2023 ... I look forward to bringing a unique perspective as we address challenges in public higher education. I believe my colleagues and I will offer innovative ideas that will reap results for all students in North Carolina."

Founded in 2016, the UNC Faculty Fellowship Program engages faculty in issues related to academic affairs, offering mentorship and learning opportunities and promoting the effectiveness of the System and its constituent institutions. The fellowship also provides experience navigating state and national challenges in public higher education.

The work of the 2023 Faculty Fellows will focus on how the pandemic accelerated shifts in teaching and learning practices, particularly the digital transformation of higher education within the context of culture, workforce and technology.

The 2023 Faculty Fellows will collaborate closely, reviewing literature around culturally relevant and open teaching methods. They also will connect with other faculty around the System, documenting and sharing best practices. The System Office hopes to present these findings during academic conferences in 2023 and 2024.

For the full story, visit the UNC System press release.