Vol. 7 No.3 • November 2013 A newsletter from the Office of Parent and Family Services Homecoming 2013 A first-ever homecoming centered around football makes history and establishes new tradition Moore said winning the title begins your freshman year and encouraged students have to get involved and become familiar with the community. Kelly, a junior psychology major, said the award meant a great deal to her because it was voted on by students and not the University staff. She’s spent much of her time as a Niner getting to know as many of her classmates as she could. There are no official requirements that come with the crown this year, but organizers plan to implement duties in the future for Mr. and Ms. UNC Charlotte. The experience from ap- plying, campaigning and to winning was un- forgettable for both candidates. Moore and Kelly had some advice for any- one who ever plans on running for Mr. or Ms. UNC Charlotte. “Make sure you are working toward the per- son that people think of as being a well-round- ed, ideal student,” Kelly said. “Definitely get “Homecoming has everything to do with ners and special performances. The number Homecoming, continued on page 2 school spirit and community belonging,” said of people who attended the event exceeded Judith Rowles, Associate Director of Student expectations. The school spirit and unity of Activities for Programs. “When I think of Niner Nation was a heartwarming experience homecoming, I think of an actual homecom- for Mrs. Rowles. During the pep rally, students — CONTENTS — ing for alumni and [current] students, deepen- were able to make customized car flags, play a ing the roots for their home away from home.” trivia game and take snapshots inside our pho- Student Feature . 3 Rowles and her student committee, along to booth. Free pizza was served while Cheer Editorial . 3 with athletics and the alumni association, Nation and Tantrum Dance Troop performed. planned UNC Charlotte’s Inaugural Charlotte The Charlotte 49ers took on UNC Pem- Department Feature . 4 49er Football Homecoming. Events started broke Saturday, and although we didn’t come Parent Feature . 5 Thursday night, Oct. 10 with comedians Nick out with a victory, it was still a great day to be Swardson and David Koechner. Swardson has part of the Niner Nation family. Students tail- Academic Affairs Corner . 6 played a number of roles in movies and tele- gated before the game and we crowned Carlo Transitions . 7 vision, most recently starring in the comedy Moore and Ashley Kelly as Mr. and Ms. UNC “Grown Ups 2” as Nick. Koechner has ap- Charlotte. Dean of Students Representation . 8 peared in shows like The Office as the loathed Moore, a senior psychology major and soci- Todd Packer and as Champ Kind in the film ology minor, said winning the title was a surreal Safety and Security . 8 “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.” experience and an honor for him. Parent Resource Corner . 9 The comedy show stared at 8:00 PM in the “When you think of the title, you think student union multipurpose room, and was a of the face of UNC Charlotte,” he said. Not Development . 9 huge hit. someone that people just know of but some- Important Dates and Upcoming Events . 10 The lights parade and pep rally began at 6:30 one that is active [in the community], has high the following night and included floats, ban- morals, and endorses scholarship and service.” PAGE 1 Relatively Speaking The newsletter from the Office of Parent and Family Services Homecoming continued from page 1 involved and do things outside of your comfort zone. If it scares you, you should probably do it!” Moore echoed that sentiment. “Freshmen, start now and get involved even if you aren’t a freshmen it’s never too late,” he said. “I didn’t want to run at first but friends encouraged me too. Pressure makes diamonds.” — Jadora Ross Carlo Moore and Ashley Kelly were voted “Mr. and Ms. UNC Charlotte.” Homecoming committee at the Homecoming comedy show Homecoming light parade at the Student Union PAGE 2 Relatively Speaking The newsletter from the Office of Parent and Family Services STUDENT FEATURE Patricia Olivieri-Herrera: Passionate for Others Patricia Olivieri-Herrera is very passionate about lotte community,” she said. “The Latino population helping people and dreams of serving other cultures. is vastly growing, and it’s important that educational A sophomore and triple major, she believes the La- institutions understand and provide for the Latino tino community needs a strong advocate, and voice, population.” and Patricia provide that. Olivieri-Herrera also remains very involved in Olivieri-Herrera is one of two children and was other extracurricular activities. She’s a member of born in Puerto Rico to Mexican-Puerto Rican par- Sigma Alpha Lambda, a leadership and honors or- ents. They provided her with a warm-hearted en- ganization. She also works as an on-air personality vironment and moved the family to North Caro- for LALEY 101.1-FM in Raleigh, a radio station that lina when she was 6 years old. The family settled in caters to the Latino population. There she hosts a Durham, where she attended Hillside High School. weekly talk show about public affairs affecting her College being the next step, Patricia decisively chose community. She also volunteers at SAFE Alliance in UNC Charlotte. She did not want to be too far from Charlotte, a nonprofit organization designed to help the triangle area and she knew Charlotte had a fast those suffering from domestic violence, sexual vio- growing Latino population. “The Latino lence and child abuse. She hopes to visit Cuba with UNCC was the perfect fit. population is the Latin American studies department to further She’s majoring in Spanish, Latin American studies understand Cuban society and culture during an al- and communications. Olivieri-Herrera is bilingual vastly growing, ternative spring break trip. and knew majoring in Spanish would solidify her and it’s important She said she learned to balance her very busy proficiency. She intends to be an advocate for hu- that educational schedule in high school where she took AP classes. man rights and rural sustainability in Latin America. She entered UNC Charlotte with 12 college cred- “The Spanish department and Latin Studies de- institutions its — awarded through those advanced placement partment work well together, so it’s not too hard to understand and classes — which let her enroll in 3000 level courses have a double major in those two,” she said. Study- provide for the as a freshman. “While I’m in school, I understand ing communications will help her learn new ways to that academics are a priority and thankfully I can convey her message. After undergrad, she hopes to Latino population.” also foster my professional development by working join the Peace Corps in Latin America, earn a mas- on campus,” she said. ter’s degree in diplomacy, and become a foreign service office for the Carlos Mendez, her boss at the Latino student services office, said U.S. Department of State to represent the American government in Olivieri-Herrera is a hard worker who wants to make a difference in Latin America. her community. Olivieri-Herrera serves as a student coordinator for Latino student “Patricia is a student coordinator and serves as an academic liaison services under the leadership of assistant director Carlos Mendez. She within the office,” he said. “From the moment she was hired, she hit focuses on academic initiatives for Latino students on campus. She the ground running and not only proposed some good ideas but also helped create a lecture series for the office. This fall Mexican Deputy took it upon herself to see the ideas through. She is very reliable when Consul General Cynthia-Prida Bravo spoke to an audience of sixty it comes to her work and whenever she decides to take on a task; I people and started a conversation about the important of diplomacy. know I can confidently depend on her to give her best. The office re- “The lecture series aims to raise awareness and inspire,” Olivieri- cently hosted Ms. Cynthia Prida-Bravo, the Mexican Deputy Consul Herrera said. “As the office continues to grow and we have more re- General, for La Charla Lecture Series which was a huge success, and sources made available, we hope to be able to impact not only our that was because Patricia planned and organized the entire event. I am campus but the surrounding community as well.” extremely proud of what she’s been able to accomplish so far this year, She believes the work she’s doing with the Latino student services is and I look forward to seeing the great things she’ll do in the future.” vitally important. “I think it caters to a need on campus and the Char- – Chase Propst EDITORIAL Bring on the Break! • Encourage your students to begin leave any valuables behind in their preparing for final exams. Exam week apartments or dorms and to throw away November means many things on UNC is just days after they return from the any perishable food if they plan to be Charlotte’s campus: the leaves change on the break. gone for an extended period of time. trees; the weather gets cooler; the days get • Talk to your students about their plans shorter; and it means there are only have a for winter break: Will they be – Christina Nesbit few more weeks of school before finals start! getting a seasonal job? Will they Soon, parents will be expecting their stu- stay at school until the holidays? dents home for Thanksgiving.