Taylor Faulkner ’19 honored with UNC Charlotte’s prestigious 10 Under Ten award
Taylor Faulkner ’19, a proud alumna of Cato College of Education, has been named one of UNC Charlotte’s 2025 10 Under Ten Award recipients. The annual celebration, held Thursday, Feb. 19, in the Popp Martin Student Union, recognizes ten exceptional graduates from the past decade who demonstrate professional excellence, leadership and a commitment to service.
Faulkner serves as a program director in UNC Charlotte’s School of Professional Studies, where she collaborates with faculty, staff and community partners to design professional development programs that strengthen the region’s workforce and expand lifelong learning opportunities. Previously, she led the University’s Camps on Campus program, overseeing its growth, mentoring student employees and broadening youth engagement. She also launched the program’s first crowdfunding initiative, increasing access for families across the region to high‑quality summer learning experiences.
Her career began in Charlotte‑Mecklenburg Schools as a first‑grade teacher, where she cultivated her passion for educational access and continuous improvement — values that continue to shape her work today. Faulkner is currently pursuing a master’s degree in higher education administration at Appalachian State University.
Each year, the UNC Charlotte GOLD Alumni Network selects ten graduates who exemplify the University’s mission through their achievements, volunteerism and philanthropic impact.
2025 10 Under Ten Honorees
- Bilkis Banu ’21 Ph.D., William States Lee College of Engineering
- Mukulika Bose ’22 Ph.D., Klein College of Science
- Kalin Devone ’15, College of Arts + Architecture
- Taylor Faulkner ’19, Cato College of Education
- Kaitlyn Linscheid ’20, College of Arts + Architecture
- Austin McNeill ’18, Belk College of Business
- Nkosi Muse ’17, College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences
- Jeffrey Powell ’18 M.S., Klein College of Science
- Fernando Mayoral Ramírez ’18 MBA, Belk College of Business
- C. Emmanuel Wright ’21, College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences