Alumni Campus Employees Recognized with 49er ACE Awards
The UNC Charlotte 49er Alumni Campus Employees (ACE) Network bestowed its 2025 ACE Awards to two outstanding alumni employees, Natalie Huie ’14 and Sejal Foxx ’08 Ph.D., and its 49er ACE Scholarship to Ana Krstanovic ’25, a current student in the Master of Public Administration program. All three were recognized at an appreciation luncheon Monday, Oct. 13, in the Popp Martin Student Union as part of Niner Niner Week celebrations.
“We are fortunate to have more than 1,000 alumni campus employees here at Charlotte, which is pretty remarkable,” said Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber. “Our alumni colleagues are among our strongest ambassadors. Your choice reflects loyalty, belief in our mission and a prime example of what a UNC Charlotte education makes possible.”
The Amazing ACE Award: Natalie Huie ’14
The Amazing ACE Award is a recognition reserved for those who embody the very heart of UNC Charlotte — individuals who live out the University’s vision, demonstrate steadfast loyalty to their teams and communities and radiate Niner Nation pride in all they do, both on and off campus.
Huie has dedicated more than 12 years to UNC Charlotte, leaving an indelible mark through her adaptability, leadership and unwavering commitment to the University’s growth and spirit. In her current role as associate director of college alumni engagement, Huie crafts meaningful experiences that connect alumni, faculty and staff to their Niner roots. Her previous roles, leading annual giving initiatives like Giving Tuesday and Niner Nation Gives and serving as assistant director of The Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte Center City, highlight her ability to build bridges between campus and community and inspire generosity across the board.
In 2019, Huie founded the 49er Alumni Campus Employee Network, creating a vibrant space for alumni employees to engage, volunteer and grow professionally. As the group’s inaugural chair, she helped launch the 49er ACE Scholarship, further cementing her legacy of giving back. Huie has held numerous alumni leadership roles and continues to serve as a donor and volunteer, championing both her alma mater and the greater Charlotte community. Her contributions have earned her accolades including the Golden Nugget Award, the 10 Under Ten Award and a spot on Elevate Lifestyle’s 30 Under 30 Future Business Leaders of Charlotte.
The ACE Milestone Award: Sejal Foxx ’08 Ph.D.
The ACE Milestone Award is an accolade reserved for alumni campus employees who have dedicated 10 or more years of service to UNC Charlotte and have truly made being a 49er not just a role, but a way of life.
Foxx serves as professor and chair of the Department of Counseling in the Cato College of Education and is the visionary founder and director of the University’s Urban School Counseling Collaborative — a thriving hub for doctoral students and school counselor educators.
A nationally recognized scholar, educator and mentor, Foxx has worked across disciplines to secure more than $4.2 million in additional funding from the U.S. Department of Education and the National Science Foundation. She has authored more than 40 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters and books and currently serves as chair of the International Registry of Counsellor Education Programs. In 2015, she was named Counselor Educator of the Year by the North Carolina School Counselors Association. Earlier this year, she received the 2025 Harshini V. de Silva Graduate Mentor Award.
49er ACE Scholarship: Ana Krstanovic ’25
The 49er ACE Scholarship supports student employees and is endowed with the help of many alumni campus employees.
Krstanovic earned a bachelor’s degree in communication studies, graduating magna cum laude, with honors, last May. After interning with UNC Charlotte’s Office of Emergency Management during the summer, she is a graduate teaching assistant in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration in the College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences.
About the 49er ACE Network
The 49er ACE Network includes UNC Charlotte alums who serve the University as faculty and staff members. Its purpose is to create a platform for alumni employees to engage, volunteer and grow professionally. Its mission is to encourage participation and the 49er spirit in alumni employees of all ages, divisions and professions.
Want to get involved with the 49er ACE Network? Reach out to Alex Bakirdgi, assistant director of affinity engagement at abakirdgi@charlotte.edu