Dr. Zablotsky earned a Bachelor of Science in Individual and Family Studies from the Pennsylvania State University in 1980 and a Master of Arts in Social Science from the State University of New York in 1984. After working in long term care for several years, she earned a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Maryland in 1990. Before joining the faculty at UNC Charlotte in 1992, Dr. Zablotsky worked as a social science analyst at the National Institute on Aging (National Institutes of Health) and Post Doctoral Research Associate at the Andrus Gerontology Center (University of Southern California). Her research has focused on aging, health care, and the impact of HIV/AIDS on midlife and older Americans. Before joining the Levine Scholars Program she was Associate Dean of Student Support in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences and Interim Chair of the Department of Sociology. She is currently a board member of BRIDGES Academic Leadership for Women in North Carolina.
Before joining the Levine Scholars Program, Zack worked in Undergraduate Admissions at Charlotte for over eight years, most recently serving as an Associate Director. He has worked in higher education for over thirteen years at public and private institutions allowing him to serve as a resource for students from college exploration to matriculation. He completed his undergraduate degree at UNC Charlotte. What he enjoys most is connecting with prospective scholars/students as they transition from high school to college and representing a university that has had a major impact on his life.
Tiffany Wilson joined the Levine Scholars Program in 2022. Prior to joining the Levine Scholars Program, Tiffany worked as an Academic Advisor in the Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Science Department at UNC Charlotte. Tiffany earned her Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Kent State University. She also earned a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Counseling from Kent State University. Tiffany is currently working on her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education at UNC Charlotte. Her goal is to continue to support students in achieving their educational, career, and personal goals.
Heather Smith, Ph.D. is the Levine Scholars Program Faculty Fellow supporting civic engagement, research, and study abroad. She is also a professor of Geography and the Ph.D. Program Director, as well as the Director of the CLAS Urban Studies Minor. A Morehead Scholar, she earned her undergraduate degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduate degrees in Canada. Dr. Smith’s research focuses on globalization, urban restructuring, immigrant settlement and socio-spatial inequality. She is the recipient of the 2014 Provost’s Faculty Award for Community Engagement and the 2017 Harshini V. De Silva Graduate Mentor Award. Dr. Smith is also the incoming Faculty Director of the Levine Scholars program.
Tonderai Mushipe joined the Levine Scholars Program in 2021 and provides broad-based support in office management, budgeting, student services, and recruitment. Tonderai earned both his Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Master’s in Public Administration at UNC Charlotte. He is also working on his Ph.D. in Urban Geography from UNC Charlotte. His doctoral work includes community-based research assessing how residents of traditionally lower-middle-class neighborhoods were responding to the opening of the light-rail extension in Charlotte. Tonderai has also been heavily involved in peer mentorship and student leadership at UNC Charlotte, previously serving as the President of the Graduate and Professional Student Government. He enjoys helping students find their paths and carve their own niches both inside and outside of class.
Carlette Smith joined the Levine Scholars Program in 2022 as the Business Services Coordinator. Carlette earned her Bachelor of Business Administration-Management from Brenau University, Gainesville, Georgia in 2005. She spent 18 years in corporate with a manufacturing company, moving with the company to the Charlotte area in 2010. Carlette believes that business is really about relationships and she welcomes the new relationships she will make as Business Services Coordinator.
Blake Marlowe is a graduate assistant for the Levine Scholars Program and provides support in seminars, civic engagement projects, and undergraduate research. She earned her Bachelors in History with a minor in German at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is currently pursuing her Masters in History at University of North Carolina at Charlotte and hopes to become a professor in the future. In her free time, Blake loves to walk her dog, Riggins, hang out with friends and family, play video games, hike, and travel.