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UNCW Magazine

Welcome to UNCW Magazine, your go-to source for captivating stories and updates about our vibrant coastal community. Published biannually by the Office of University Relations, our magazine is crafted for the curious minds of UNCW alumni, staff, and friends.

Our content is inspired by various sources, including ongoing conversations with alumni, university leaders, faculty, and students. We strive to capture the intellectual pulse of our campus, bringing you the stories that matter most. Dive in and stay connected with the heart and soul of UNCW!

Fall 2025 Issue

About the Photo Above

Shine Bright, Seahawks

HawkFest made its dazzling debut this fall, featuring carnival games, mechanical rides, food trucks, live entertainment and a drone light show as part of UNCWelcome, a six-week series of signature events that are uniquely UNCW.

Chancellor Volety eats ice cream outside Boombalatti's opening on campus

Greetings from the Chancellor

In this issue, we celebrate the remarkable achievements of our students, the nationally respected research led by our faculty, and the dedication of our staff, who have encouraged and inspired generations of Seahawks.

Message from Chancellor Volety
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Arden Ganse ’26

Arden Ganse ’26 didn't think she'd follow her brother to become a Seahawk, but her growing interest in coastal sciences made UNCW a perfect match.

Arden Ganse ’26

16,131

Undergraduate Students (Up 5.7%)

3,764

Graduate Students (Up 4.7%)

3,100+

Degrees Awarded (May 2025)

2025 Student Enrollment Surges

3,109

New Undergraduate First Year Students (Up 12.9%)

2,034

New Undergraduate Transfer Students (Up 8.1%)

500+

International Students (89 Countries Represented)

UNCW shattered enrollment records, welcoming 19,895 students this fall. This milestone reflects UNCW’s growing reputation for academic excellence and student success.

17:1

Student/Faculty Ratio

27

Average Undergraduate Class Size

260+

Student Organizations

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UNCW Dedicates Sayed Hall Following Historic Gift

UNCW’s Education Building has a new name — Sayed Hall. University officials named the building in honor of Dr. Yousry Sayed and his wife, Linda ’78, ’85M.

UNCW Dedicates Sayed Hall Following Historic Gift

Show & Teal

${newsImageAlt} Local Flavor Lands on Campus Boombalatti’s and Central Perch bring community connection to the UNCW campus, making the Seahawk dining experience even better. Local Flavor Lands on Campus
${newsImageAlt} UNCW Introduces Career Focused AI Certificate Program In Fall 2025, UNCW is introducing a certificate program available to all undergraduate students in Artificial Intelligence Literacy to ensure they become career-ready graduates. UNCW Introduces Career Focused AI Certificate Program
${newsImageAlt} Starship Technologies Lands at UNCW UNCW is excited to announce an innovative partnership with Starship Technologies and Grubhub, which brings a fleet of autonomous delivery robots to campus this fall. Starship Technologies Lands at UNCW

Healthy Hawks Take Flight with New Wellbeing Office

Since its launch earlier this year, Office of Student Wellbeing (OSW) has quickly become a central resource for student wellness, education and peer engagement. Under the leadership of inaugural director Denise Keary, the office now houses a wide range of support services, including the university’s Healthy Hawks initiatives. 

Office of Student Wellbeing
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Erin L. Williamson ’25

As the current director of student involvement and leadership in the Department of Campus Life, Erin Williamson ’25 and her team are responsible for UNCWelcome, the Involvement Carnival and the annual Cornerstone Awards.

Erin L. Williamson ’25

UNCW Partners with Novant On Nursing Pipeline Program

UNCW and Novant have launched the VITALS Program to prepare incoming students for careers in nursing and help address the healthcare workforce shortage in NC.

UNCW Partners with Novant On Nursing Pipeline Program

Students Explore Careers at CHHS Summer Camps

This summer, the College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) and its partners hosted a series of camps for middle and high school students designed to ignite interest in healthcare careers.

Students Explore Careers at CHHS Summer Camps
Taylor O'Brien poses with a soccer ball in the stands

Taylor O’Brien ’26

For many student-athletes, balancing academics and athletics is a demanding journey. For Taylor O’Brien ’26, a senior captain on the UNCW women’s soccer team, that journey has also included a deep commitment to community service, a core value of UNCW Athletics.

Taylor O’Brien ’26

Global Ties Strengthen at X-Culture Symposium

The Cameron School of Business continued its commitment to global business education by participating in the X-Culture Global Business Week in Vaasa, Finland.

Global Ties Strengthen at X-Culture Symposium
More UNCW News

The Coast Is Calling

In this special feature, we dive into what makes UNCW the state’s coastal university. From its nickname to nationally recognized programs, oceanographic research and coastal preservation efforts, read about all the ways the university’s setting shapes its lifestyle, fuels its academic mission and drives its lasting impact — on campus, in the community and beyond.

MarineQuest instructor talks to a young student on the marsh
Exploring UNCW’s Coastal Identity Through People, Programs, Places and Partnerships

Like an anchor, land to sea, UNCW lies in the heart of Wilmington, which has the distinct advantage of being located between the Atlantic Ocean and Cape Fear River. Students, faculty and staff have the pleasure of working, studying and living by the water. Touted for its beauty, the campus has been the filming location for the shows and movies Dawson’s Creek, One Tree Hill, Iron Man 3, The Summer I Turned Pretty and more.

Capitalizing on its location, UNCW’s academic mission is tied to its natural setting. The university has nationally recognized programs in marine biology, oceanography, coastal engineering and environmental sciences. Programs, such as anthropology, history and public administration, immerse students in hands-on research and community partnerships that explore the culture and history of coastal life. From preserving maritime heritage to shaping sustainable coastal development and policies, these programs turn Wilmington and surrounding communities into a living classroom where Seahawks make a real impact. 

There are boundless opportunities for learning, discovery and innovation here. UNCW conducts research on coastal sustainability, climate change, severe weather and marine conservation — issues impacting our state and the world. Faculty and students collaborate with neighboring towns, regional partners, and national and global organizations to address these issues. UNCW’s world-class Center for Marine Science, CREST Research Park and Aquaculture Facility are hubs for advancing marine science and the Blue Economy.

The coast touches every aspect of Seahawk life, from academics to athletics, recreation and the arts. More than just geography, our local landscape is woven into our identity and vision for the future.

Rowers Reunite: Alumni, Student Clubs Connect The UNCW Rowing Club is one of the university’s longest-standing student organizations and maintains a strong alumni presence dedicated to supporting current students and fostering connections among past members. Rowers Reunite: Alumni, Student Clubs Connect
UNC-‘Sea’-W: Advancing Turtle Conservation, Education and Outreach UNCW graduate researchers Caroline VanDuzer and Jamie Clark are exploring sea turtle biology to gain insights into how rising temperatures affect ocean ecology. UNC-‘Sea’-W: Advancing Turtle Conservation, Education and Outreach
TEAL-SHIPS Cruise Advances Hurricane Forecasting The UNCW-led TEAL-SHIPS collaborative research project deployed drifter instruments during its recent offshore cruise, capturing data ahead of Hurricane Erin. TEAL-SHIPS Cruise Advances Hurricane Forecasting

Kaylee Luchansky

Kaylee Luchansky spent her summer examining the use of native zooplankton to repair the ecosystem of one of North Carolina’s most popular lakes, Jordan Lake.

Kaylee Luchansky

Jarrod Covington ’10

Shortly after graduation, Jarrod Covington ’10 took over Wrightsville SUP, a business that offers kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals and more.

Jarrod Covington ’10
BLUEECO - UNCW’s Blue Economy Index is the first to track ocean-based economic activity, offering investors insights at the intersection of finance, innovation and sustainability.
Documentary filmmakers at work Project Takes Student Storytellers ‘Down East’ Undergraduate students spent a week on Harker’s Island producing "Tales from the Mariners: Core Sound Documentaries," an anthology of 12 films that captures NC’s Down East coastal communities. Down East Storytellers
Ocean Innovation Conference A Hub for Ocean Innovation: Entrepreneurship, Sustainability and the Blue Economy In October, UNCW hosted the third annual Ocean Innovation Conference, bringing together researchers, entrepreneurs, students and community members to explore bold ideas for ocean sustainability. Ocean Innovation Conference
MarineQuest students MarineQuest: A Legacy of Coastal Learning For over 45 years, MarineQuest has immersed K-12 students in the rich marine ecosystems of coastal North Carolina to build leaders, inspire futures and fuel UNCW’s mission and solidify its place as the state’s coastal university. MarineQuest
Oysters, Effort and Outcomes: Town of St. James Coastal Impact Since 2005

41

Shoreline Build Events

42,500+

Marsh Grass Seedlings Planted

1,000+

Meters of Shoreline Protected

Celebrating 20 Years of Community Engagement

UNCW and the Town of St. James celebrate 20 years of partnership for shoreline preservation.

Celebrating 20 Years of Community Engagement

Center for Marine Science Celebrates 25 Years

Nestled among the live oaks along the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway about six miles from UNCW’s main campus, the Center for Marine Science celebrated 25 years at its waterfront location in 2025.

Center for Marine Science

 

CMS is home to a 900-foot pier, a fleet of research vessels and state-of-the-art facilities that support groundbreaking work in applied marine science, especially in the areas of biotechnology and drug discovery, mariculture and living resources, and coastal monitoring and technology. A new 73-foot research vessel — equipped with advanced labs and sonar systems — is under construction, poised to expand the center's reach from Virginia to Florida. With a mission rooted in research, education and outreach, the Center continues to shape the future of marine science — one tide, one discovery, one partnership at a time.

Alumni Class Notes February-July 2025

Updates on personal and career accomplishments and achievements of UNCW alumni

Alumni Class Notes February-July 2025

Zandra Harris Pinnix ’95

As an assistant professor at Guilford College, Zandra Harris Pinnix ’95 uses her passion and experience to build pathways for students from all walks of life. 

Zandra Harris Pinnix ’95

UNCW Alums Bring Innovation Through Oyster Farming

Conor and Alyssa MacNair transformed a shared passion for sustainability into a thriving shellfish farm nestled in the salty waters of Topsail Sound.

UNCW Alums Bring Innovation Through Oyster Farming

In Memoriam: February-July 2025

Saying goodbye and remembering UNCW alumni and friends we lost February-July 2025

In Memoriam: February-July 2025
crowd at basketball game holds up letters reading GO SEAHAWKS

Homecoming ’26

Homecoming is on the horizon: February 9-15. A week of celebrations, Seahawk pride and a little love for the place you call home. The coast is calling you back!

Find out more about Homecoming

Message from the Chancellor

Dear Seahawk Community,

North Carolina’s coastal university is calling — and there’s no better time to answer than now.

UNCW has inspired generations of Seahawks to dive into higher education for 78 years. From alumni who first explored campus decades ago to current students who recently joined our community, our university brings tradition and innovation together. In this issue of UNCW Magazine, we celebrate the remarkable achievements of our students, the nationally respected research led by our faculty, and the dedication of our staff, who have encouraged and inspired generations of Seahawks.

UNCW magazine fall 2025

Our strong community partnerships, from collaborations with locally owned businesses like Boombalatti’s to expanding opportunities for healthcare professionals, reflect the meaningful connections between UNCW and the region we serve. Seahawk leaders like student-athlete Taylor O’Brien ’26 and MarineQuest Director Erin Moran ’11, ’14M give back to our community. Check out the wide-ranging ways our students, faculty and staff combine old-fashioned teamwork with modern technology to explore our environment in the “Coast is Calling” features. These stories — each one anchored by shared purpose — reveal how UNCW’s coastal identity continues to inspire waves of discovery and change.

As we look ahead to Homecoming 2026, I invite alumni and friends to return to the nest. Reconnect with classmates and colleagues, relive cherished memories and rediscover the energy that makes UNCW so special. If you can’t make it back to campus in person, there are countless ways to stay involved. Mentor a student, share your story, support a program you love and wear your teal with pride.

The coast isn’t just our location; it’s part of who we are. When you feel the sand in your shoes, smell the salty air and see the Cape Fear River rolling through Wilmington toward the sea, you will know you are home at UNCW.

Aswani K. Volety
Chancellor

Recent past issues of UNCW Magazine
Spring 2025
Fall 2024
Spring/Summer 2024