In the Media

Niner Engineer breaks barriers, champions women in engineering
Juliana Somuah, a Ph.D. student in Infrastructure and Environmental Systems at UNC Charlotte, is breaking stereotypes as an award-winning advocate for women in engineering who grew up in challenging Accra neighborhoods and overcame gender-based limitations in Ghana’s engineering sector. To read the full article, visit Ghana News Agency.

Charlotte co-hosts webinar on Asheville’s water recovery after Hurricane Helene
UNC Charlotte researchers and the N.C. Collaboratory hosted a webinar with Asheville water officials to discuss the city’s recovery after Hurricane Helene left residents without drinking water for 53 days. Officials shared how they used emergency chlorination measures, rapid infrastructure repairs with federal agency support, and transparent public communication to restore service following one of […]

Charlotte launches new construction engineering degree
Starting fall 2026, UNC Charlotte will offer a new construction engineering degree that bridges the gap between building site work and design plans, preparing graduates for high-demand careers. The program addresses a critical need for qualified workers who can connect blueprints with real-world projects in North Carolina’s growing construction sector. Approved by the UNC Board […]

Lansing’s Bridge to Recovery Partners with Niner Engineers to Rebuild Hurricane-Damaged Infrastructure
Lansing’s Bridge to Recovery has developed an innovative partnership with UNC Charlotte’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering to address the critical shortage of engineers needed for safe bridge construction in Ashe County. Professor Shen-En Chen leads student teams who travel regularly to the area, designing bridges that withstand 25-year floods and support emergency vehicle […]

Professor’s Bridge Design Course Aids Helene Recovery
Dr. Shen-en Chen, civil engineering professor, created a bridge design course connecting students with Hurricane Helene recovery efforts in western North Carolina. Working with Charlotte alumna Emily Davis ’12 and the nonprofit Lansing’s Bridge to Recovery, Chen’s initiative helps rebuild critical infrastructure while providing hands-on learning opportunities for engineering students. Read the full article at […]

Niner Engineer Named a Top Woman in HVAC
Bhavana Depuru Guru, controls engineering technical team leader at Trane Technologies and graduate of UNC Charlotte’s MS in Applied Energy and Electromechanical Systems program, was recognized by ACHR News as one of the 2025 Top Women in HVAC. Her work directly supports Trane’s Gigaton Challenge, aiming to reduce 1 billion metric tons of CO2 emissions […]

Honeywell invests $10 million into UNC Charlotte to expand STEM workforce development and innovation
UNC Charlotte and Honeywell announced a $10 million investment to expand STEM workforce development and innovation in the Charlotte region. The partnership will fund 48 scholarships over the next decade, with the inaugural 2025 Honeywell Scholars including three students from the William States Lee College of Engineering. Read the announcement in The Charlotte Observer. Coverage […]

Charlotte featured in Online Engineering Programs
William States Lee College of Engineering is featured in Online Engineering Programs for its Fire & Safety Engineering Technology (B.S.) and Engineering Management (M.S.) degrees. Brett Tempest, associate dean for academic affairs and associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, is highlighted as a leading expert in the field, particularly for advancing concrete and masonry […]

Cabarrus County and Charlotte partner on cross-country course
Cabarrus County is partnering with UNC Charlotte and the local CVB to explore a new cross-country course at Frank Liske Park. Charlotte’s William States Lee College of Engineering will assist with feasibility studies and course design. To read the article, visit Citizen Portal.

Fab Foundation showcases Super Fab Lab
The Fab Foundation highlights Charlotte’s Super Fab Lab for “growing the global Fab Lab network” and being the first public university in the United States to establish a Super Fab Lab.