Finn Sansom ’26, on right, sharing words of gratitude for Michael Acosta, a teaching associate professor in the UNC Department of Communication.
Sixty-three honorees representing thirty-two departments and entities at UNC–Chapel Hill were recognized at the Faculty Appreciation Luncheon hosted by the Morehead-Cain Foundation on February 6.
Graduating seniors in the Morehead-Cain Class of 2026 nominated faculty and staff members who made a significant impact on their academic experience, professional development, and personal growth at Carolina. The fourth annual luncheon provided an opportunity for scholars to formally thank the educators, advisors, and mentors who supported them throughout their undergraduate years.
Many tributes emphasized the role faculty played in helping scholars develop perspective and confidence. Finn Sansom ’26 recognized Michael Acosta, teaching associate professor in the UNC Department of Communication, for challenging how he defines success.
“Professor Acosta helped me see that I’d been measuring my life against other people’s success rather than asking what matters to me. He is a teacher of life,” Finn said.
Scholars also highlighted mentors who provided consistent encouragement and care. Flavia Nunez Ludeiro ’26 honored Shimul Melwani, professor of organizational behavior at the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, for the support she offered throughout her time on campus.
“Walking inside Dr. Melwani’s office is like stepping into comfort. My college experience would not be the same without her,” Flavia said.
Others spoke about faculty who influenced how they approached decisions beyond the classroom. Lauryn Taylor ’26 reflected on the impact of Livis Freeman, distinguished associate professor of sports communication and assistant dean for course management and staffing at the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media.
“He taught me to chase passion over security,” Lauryn said. “He made me feel okay wanting something different from my peers or from the version of myself I once imagined.”
View photos from the event, held at the Carolina Inn on the campus of UNC–Chapel Hill.
2026 Faculty and Staff Honorees from UNC–Chapel Hill
- Michael Acosta, teaching associate professor, Department of Communication
- Kelly Alexander, assistant professor and George B. Tindall Fellow, Department of American Studies
- Alice Ammerman, Mildred Kaufman Distinguished Professor, Department of Nutrition; director, Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health
- Joshua Beaver, teaching associate professor, Department of Chemistry
- Mike Beeler, clinical assistant professor of operations, UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School
- Dori Brady, Phillips Ambassadors Program director, Study Abroad Office
- Samantha Buckner, associate director, Carolina Global Food Program, UNC College of Arts and Sciences (Global Affairs)
- Karl Castillo, professor, Department of Earth, Marine, and Environmental Sciences
- Jessica Cohen, associate professor, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience
- Tim Crothers, adjunct instructor, UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media
- Paul Cuadros, associate professor, UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media
- Emily Curtin, teaching assistant professor, Department of Anthropology
- Jemilia Davis, program director, Human and Organizational Leadership Development (HOLD), and clinical assistant professor, UNC School of Education
- Julianne Davis, postdoctoral teaching and research associate, Department of Earth, Marine, and Environmental Sciences
- Patrick Davison, professor, UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media
- Tim Flood, clinical associate professor of management and corporate communication, UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School
- Jade Fostvedt, teaching assistant professor, Department of Chemistry
- Livis Freeman, distinguished associate professor of sports communication and assistant dean for course management and staffing, UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media
- Paul Friga, clinical professor of strategy and entrepreneurship, UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School
- Daniel Gitterman, Duncan MacRae ’09 and Rebecca Kyle MacRae Professor of Public Policy, Department of Public Policy
- William Goldsmith, teaching associate professor, Department of Public Policy
- Rachel Woodson Goode, associate professor and Wallace Kuralt Early Career Distinguished Scholar, UNC School of Social Work and UNC Nutrition Research Institute
- Clark Gray, professor, Department of Geography and Environment
- David Greer, senior director of community advancement, Morehead-Cain Foundation
- Carmen Gutierrez, assistant professor, Department of Public Policy
- Bradley Hammer, teaching professor, Department of English and Comparative Literature
- Brad Hendricks, associate professor of accounting, UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School
- Morgan Hoke, assistant professor, Department of Anthropology
- Sharon Holland, department chair and Townsend Ludington Distinguished Professor, Department of American Studies
- Devin Hubbard, teaching associate professor, Lampe Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering
- Kennita Johnson, director of community and engagement and assistant professor, Lampe Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering
- Andrew Kant, co-executive director, NC TraCS Institute
- Steven King, associate professor, UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media
- Mike Kris, teaching professor, Department of Music
- Anna Krome-Lukens, director of experiential education and teaching associate professor, Department of Public Policy
- Claudia Kubowicz Malhotra, clinical professor of marketing, UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School
- Erin Marcinowski, director of internships and alumni engagement, Honors Carolina
- Ketan Mayer-Patel, professor, Department of Computer Science
- Wayne McDonnell, teaching assistant professor, Department of Exercise and Sport Science
- Benjamin Meier, professor, Department of Public Policy
- Shimul Melwani, professor of organizational behavior, Sarah Graham Kenan Scholar, and associate dean of the undergraduate business program, UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School
- Jeff Mittelstadt, professor, UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School
- Alexandra Nowlan, teaching assistant professor, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience
- Michal Osterweil, teaching professor and director of internships, Department of Global Studies
- Tamlin Pavelsky, Kenan Distinguished Professor, Department of Earth, Marine, and Environmental Sciences
- David Penn, director of psychological services, Department of Psychiatry
- Madison Perry, executive director, North Carolina Study Center
- Gary Pielak, Kenan Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, Department of Chemistry
- Yuliana Rodriguez, clinical associate professor and senior honors thesis program director, UNC School of Education
- Bryce Ross, graduate teaching fellow, Department of Communication
- Joaquin Rubalcaba, director of undergraduate studies and associate professor, Department of Public Policy
- Hooper Schultz, doctoral student, Department of History
- Gidi Shemer, teaching professor and advisor, Department of Biology
- Melanie Studer, assistant professor and director of undergraduate studies, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health
- Marcela Torres-Cervantes, associate director, Carolina Latinx Center
- Tracy Triggs-Matthews, associate director, Ackerman Center for Excellence in Sustainability, UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School
- Jeanette Tyson, adjunct instructor, UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media
- Karl Umble, associate professor, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health
- Geetha Vaidyanathan, teaching professor, Department of Economics
- Ben Waterhouse, professor; faculty director, Office of Distinguished Scholarships; associate chair, Department of History
- Morris Weinberger, adjunct professor, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health
- Jennifer Weinberger-Wolf, teaching associate professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy
- Erinn Whitaker, professor of the practice, Department of Peace, War, and Defense
Riley Jo Holland ’26, on left, with Jemilia Davis, program director of Human and Organizational Leadership Development and a clinical assistant professor in the UNC School of Education.
