The Kenan Institute awards Faculty Leadership Grants each year to faculty members at UNCSA. The grants provide UNCSA faculty the opportunity to develop and implement innovative ideas that advance creative learning on campus and beyond.

Spirit Award recipients are chosen by filmmakers, film industry leaders and film lovers who are voting members of Film Independent

Drama alumna Rebecca Naomi-Jones, who stars in Broadway's reimagined "Oklahoma!" is nominated for a Grammy, and Music alumna Jessica McJunkins performed on Beyonce's nominated music film.