The Chancellor's Note: February 2026

Dear UNCSA Community,

February is always incredibly busy at UNCSA, and this year is no exception. From exciting performances to connecting with alumni around the world, from new releases on UNCSA Media to new podcasts, and from working with industry partners to academic milestones, the vibe is energized and positive!  

First up, I’m thrilled to share some excellent news: The SACSCOC On-Site Committee has recommended UNCSA for reaffirmation of accreditation for the next 10 years, with full compliance on all 72 standards and zero recommendations. This is a major milestone that affirms the strength, quality and integrity of our academics. While the final vote comes in December, this is an exceptional outcome and a powerful endorsement of who we are. Thank you to the more than 60 faculty and staff who led this effort, and to every student, faculty and staff member whose daily work and artistry make UNCSA so strong.

In an inspirational account of how a degree at UNCSA sets you up for success in your career, I encourage you to listen to the next episode of our podcast, “The Arts & Everything,” exploring what a “big break” really means for working artists and what it takes to sustain a long-term creative career. In “The Arts & The Big Break,” I speak with School of Drama alumni Anna Camp (“Pitch Perfect,” “Mad Men”) and Krys Marshall (“For All Mankind,” “Paradise”) about the preparation, persistence and personal conviction behind the moments that appear, from the outside, to be overnight success. Conversations like this remind me why I care so deeply about arts training. Talent matters. But preparation, perseverance and purpose matter just as much.

That’s why what we do here is so important. Take alumnus William “Will” Gyves, who just won the 2026 Prix de Lausanne, one of the most prestigious dance competitions in the world. After spending most of a decade at UNCSA in the High School Dance and Preparatory Dance programs, Will is now studying at the Zurich Ballet Academy, a result of winning a scholarship at the 2023 Prix de Lausanne. Will was coached and mentored by Dance faculty member Misha Tchoupakov through the 2023 Prix. And Misha was there earlier this month to see his former student win it all. What an achievement!

Awards often are a great indicator of our connection to the industry, which is one of our main priorities at UNCSA. Earlier this month, I had an amazing time connecting with colleagues and alumni at the 2026 Film Independent Spirit Awards to celebrate the power of independent film and our incredible alumni network that helps fuel it.

It was especially meaningful to reconnect with UNCSA alumni whose work was represented across nominated and award-winning projects. From "A Little Prayer" to "Train Dreams" to "A Man on the Inside," the impact of our alumni — including Angus MacLachlan, Anna Camp, Will Janowitz, Stephen McKinley Henderson and so many more — was unmistakable.

And thanks to an industry partnership initiated by Dean and former principal dancer Endalyn T. Outlaw with the Dance Theatre of Harlem, more than 30 of our students are now in Paris for the revitalized production of “Firebird” this week. This, and so many of our industry partnerships, would not be possible without funding and programmatic support by the Thomas S. Kenan Institute for the Arts (Kenan Arts), which is connecting students to professional companies, artists and experiences all throughout the world.

UNCSA Media, our mission-driven media publishing arm, will release “Poptimism,” a new album by Vesna Duo that reimagines pop, rock and indie favorites for piano and percussion, on March 1. Conceived as a mixtape of music that has lived in their headphones for several decades, “Poptimism” reflects the shared listening history of Vesna Duo members Liana Pailodze Harron (piano) and UNCSA School of Music faculty member Ksenija Komljenović (percussion). The release will be available on all major streaming platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music.

So much of what we do here at UNCSA — and part of our legacy from our very inception — is thanks to generous donors, large and small. March 25-26 brings what’s become an annual tradition: Days of Giving. It’s a nod to the two-day “Dial for Dollars” phone-a-thon in 1964 that brought UNCSA to Winston-Salem. High School Visual Arts students have created incredible designs for the Second Annual Pickle Sock Design Challenge. Donate more than $100 to the UNCSA Fund during Days of Giving, and you’ll receive a pair!

In closing, I want to recognize the hard work, incredible talent and dedication of all of our students, faculty and staff as our performance season gets back on track after the snow. There’s so much to look forward to. Be sure not to miss the Visual Arts Thesis Exhibition, Feb. 21-March 15; “Cyrano de Bergerac” and Winter Dance, both opening Feb. 26; the spring Panorama screening, on Feb. 27; the UNCSA Symphony Orchestra concert, on Feb. 28; the Vesna Duo, on March 1; the Spring Chamber Music Festival, March 17-21; and “The Moors,” March 19-28.

The momentum is real, and the best is still ahead. Thank you for being part of what makes UNCSA extraordinary!

Sincerely,

Brian Cole 
Chancellor