The UNC Charlotte 49er Alumni Campus Employees (ACE) Network recognized three exceptional alumni employees and one student during its 2026 ACE Awards ceremony held on September 28 at the Popp Martin Student Union, as part of the Niner Nation Week festivities. Honorees included Tonya Bates, Shannon Homesley, and Suzanne Voigt, along with junior Levi Truong, who received the 49er ACE Scholarship.
Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber praised the award recipients, stating, “Our ACE honorees represent the very best of UNC Charlotte. They bring their talent, their dedication and their Niner spirit to work every day, and our campus is stronger because of them.” She emphasized their commitment to serving students and supporting their colleagues as indicative of what it means to choose Charlotte.
Amazing ACE Award Recipient
The Amazing ACE Award recognizes alumni who exemplify the core values of UNC Charlotte. This year, Tonya Bates, a three-time alumna and first-generation college graduate, received the honor. Bates is an associate teaching professor in biological sciences, focusing on student success and evidence-based teaching techniques. Her contributions to the university have been acknowledged with several prestigious awards, including the Award for Teaching Excellence and the Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award. Bates co-directs the Klein College of Science Educational Innovation Center and uses her own educational journey to inform her teaching philosophy, which is inspired by mentors who nurtured her interest in microbiology.
ACE Milestone Award Honorees
Shannon Homesley and Suzanne Voigt were awarded the ACE Milestone Award, celebrating their decade or more of service to the university. Homesley, who has been part of Niner Nation since 2008, serves as the executive assistant to the provost. In this role, she manages the daily operations of the Provost’s Office, ensuring smooth functioning by coordinating major projects and communications. Her previous experience in Legal Affairs and the Controller’s Office has equipped her with a broad institutional knowledge that her colleagues rely upon. Homesley is also an ambassador for Niner Nation Gives and has balanced her career with academic pursuits, earning a master’s degree in English while working full-time.
Suzanne Voigt, a program manager within the Career Center, leads initiatives to incorporate career development into academic programs. She oversees high-impact training sessions and classroom engagement efforts, connecting students to valuable career opportunities. Voigt also teaches a course on Strategic Career Preparation for graduate students and co-leads an annual study abroad program focused on global career branding and professional development.
49er ACE Scholarship Recipient
Levi Truong was honored with the 49er ACE Scholarship, which is designed to support student employees and is funded by alumni campus employees. Truong is a junior studying accounting and management information systems in the Belk College of Business. He works as a library assistant and as a captioned media intern in the Office of Accessibility and Accommodation. Expressing his gratitude, Truong stated, “I am incredibly humbled and deeply grateful to receive the 49er ACE Scholarship. This support means so much more to me than just financial assistance; it is a true encouragement that motivates me to work harder every single day.”
Source: UNC Charlotte
