From Scholars to Alumni: Spotlighting the Excellence of Our Spring 2026 Graduates
As Spring Commencement concludes, the Graduate School would like to honor the graduate students who represented our institution and drove the research and innovation that define UNC Charlotte’s impact. Each graduate has demonstrated exceptional progress that reflects Charlotte’s values, embodying excellence and delivering solutions that resonate at the local, national, and global levels.
Jennifer Adelhardt
Appointed as the class speaker for the Doctoral Hooding Commencement, Jennifer Adelhardt has made a substantial impact on campus as both a doctoral student in business administration and an adjunct faculty member at the Belk College of Business. She has actively engaged in campus life as a Graduate Life Fellow for the Thomas L. Reynolds Center for Graduate Life and Learning, serving as a liaison to her fellow graduate students.
Taking the stage with gratitude for UNC Charlotte, Adelhardt delivered a message emphasizing curiosity and community, informed by her decades of corporate experience. Her message encourages graduates to depart with a renewed sense of wonder and an understanding that success is never a solitary pursuit.
Kaitlin Klotz
Kaitlin Klotz served as the bell ringer at the doctoral hooding ceremony and graduated with a Ph.D. in biology, specializing in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology, from Klein College of Science.
During her doctoral studies, she was a Graduate Life Fellow and mentored undergraduate students. Klotz also played an active role in the Graduate and Professional Student Government, serving first as chief of staff and then as president for the 2024-25 academic year. Her contributions earned her a Chancellor’s Award at last year’s University Honors and Awards ceremony.
With this being her third degree from Charlotte, Klotz has undergone a significant journey of service, mentorship, and dedication to enhancing the graduate Niner community, just as this community has supported her.
Shailesh Kumar
Shailesh Kumar was the bell ringer for the Master’s and Graduate Certificate commencement and graduated with a Master of Science in Computer Science from the College of Computing and Informatics. He has made significant contributions on campus: serving as a graduate life ambassador for the Thomas L. Reynolds Center for Graduate Life and Learning, a Niner Aux Guide for Auxiliary Services, and earning a Legacy Award last spring. Kumar restructured the Graduate Life Ambassador program, expanding it to over 100 ambassadors for the 2025-26 academic year.
A highlight of his time at Charlotte was having his paneer butter masala chosen for Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber’s holiday dinner, which he felt embodied the Niner spirit. During his time at Charlotte, Kumar built meaningful connections that enriched his experience, highlighting the strong sense of community at Charlotte.