Lifelong Learning

Learning is lifelong and extends beyond the classroom. Our lecture series events are open to the public at no charge and often include community Q&A. We can also bring Lifelong Learning events to your community, please email chess-events@charlotte.edu for details.

Search for College events on the campus calendar.

Personally Speaking  

The Personally Speaking series offers an eclectic range of in-depth research discussions from CHESS faculty in partnership with the J. Murrey Atkins Library. Each speaker is peer-selected to present their recently published research, focusing especially on their personal interests and motivations for studying the topic. Every evening is also a unique opportunity to network and discuss the topic with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and other community members during a light reception preceding the event. Offered four times a year.

Witness in Residence Initiative

The Anabel Aliaga-Buchenau Witness in Residence Initiative hosts speakers who share their lived experiences pertaining to human rights and social justice in the United States and globally. Presentations to one or more of CHESS’ themed course(s) encourage students to examine multiple viewpoints of the issue. Generally offered twice a year.

Constitution Day and Citizenship Day

Each year, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte joins organizations across the nation by recognizing Constitution Day & Citizenship Day with a special presentation for students and community members. The federal holiday was formally established in 2005, to recognize the signing of the US Constitution on September 17, 1787, in Philadelphia, PA. It is an extension of the original holiday, Citizenship Day, which was signed by President Harry S. Truman in 1952 and other state-level observances before that.

Talking Policy in the Queen City

Talking Policy in the Queen City is a perennial event organized by the Public Policy graduate program to encourage campus and local community members to learn and ask questions about important urban issues. The event brings together University faculty and regional government officials to promote respectful discussions in an open and honest environment. The annual event includes a poster session, which allows graduate students to present the interdisciplinary nature of their work related to the topic.

Loy H. Witherspoon Lectures

The Loy H. Witherspoon Lecture Series is organized by faculty of the Department of Religious Studies to honor their colleague Loy H. Witherspoon, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy and Religious Studies. Dr. Witherspoon offered twenty years of distinguished service to UNC Charlotte and the series honoring him is also the oldest and most prestigious endowed lecture series at UNC Charlotte. Even after retiring as Professor Emeritus, Dr. Witherspoon continued to teach UNC Charlotte students.