News & Updates
Explore recent news stories, interviews, and media features highlighting the work of VPC faculty and trainees. Our initiatives and research are regularly featured in local and national media, providing insight into the critical role we play in violence prevention.
The UNC Charlotte Violence Prevention Center is featured in Inside Charlotte for our partnership with Atrium Health’s Project BOOST, a hospital-based violence intervention program. Through this collaboration, the VPC, Atrium Health, and the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute are working together to connect and use cross-sector data to better understand intervention outcomes and strengthen community safety […]
Dr. Natalie Riccuitti, Core VPC Faculty, has been awarded a K01 Mentored Research Scientist Development Award from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Dr. Riccuitti’s project—“Determining Community Readiness to Change Adverse Childhood Experiences and Improve Community-Wide Prevention and Intervention”—will examine how communities assess readiness, mobilize partnerships, and strengthen coordinated efforts to reduce Adverse […]
We at the VPC are pleased to announce the launch of a continuing education training partnership with the South Piedmont Area Health Education Center (AHEC). This regional partnership will meet healthcare workforce skills training needs throughout North Carolina, the United States, and beyond. This is truly an exciting development that will grow the impact of […]
Dr. Annelise Mennicke, Associate Professor in the School of Social Work and Associate Director of Research at the UNC Charlotte Violence Prevention Center, has been appointed to the Board of Scientific Counselors for the CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. In this role, Dr. Mennicke will contribute to advancing research, programs, and strategic […]
Dr. Alexander, Director of the UNC Charlotte Violence Prevention Center, was featured in a WFAE article exploring the factors contributing to the increase in youth crime in Charlotte. In the interview, Dr. Alexander discusses how contextual elements such as social media, access to firearms, and a lack of positive mentorship opportunities are influencing this troubling […]
Dr. Janne Gaub, a faculty member at the UNC Charlotte Violence Prevention Center, was featured in a recent WSOC-TV article discussing the rigorous process of reviewing police body-worn camera footage. Drawing from her expertise in criminal justice, Dr. Gaub highlighted the extensive time and effort required to analyze footage, particularly in complex investigations such as […]
Dr. Apryl Alexander, Director of the UNC Charlotte Violence Prevention Center, shared evidence-based best practices for addressing youth crime and violence with the Housing, Safety, & Community Committee of the Charlotte City Council. Her recommendations focused on community-driven solutions and preventive strategies to reduce youth involvement in crime. A recap of the meeting is available […]
Ava Peters, a graduate research assistant at the UNC Charlotte Violence Prevention Center, recently contributed an op-ed to The Charlotte Observer discussing the UNC System’s reconsideration of ACT and SAT requirements for admissions. In her thought-provoking piece, Ava explores the implications of standardized testing on equity and access to higher education, advocating for policies that […]
Dr. Meagan Zarwell and PhD student Jesse Elkins from the UNC Charlotte Violence Prevention Center co-authored a compelling op-ed in The Charlotte Observer emphasizing the urgent need for STI prevention through comprehensive sex education in North Carolina. Their piece highlights the importance of equipping young people with accurate information and resources to make informed decisions […]
Ava Peters, a graduate research assistant at the UNC Charlotte Violence Prevention Center, recently authored an op-ed in the Citizen Times advocating for the extension of voting rights to incarcerated individuals. In her article, Ava makes a compelling case for how including these populations in the democratic process can create a more equitable and representative […]
Dr. Apryl Alexander, Director of the UNC Charlotte Violence Prevention Center, appeared on a recent episode of CrimeFeed with Nancy Grace to discuss the troubling trend of violence during Black Friday shopping events. Drawing from her expertise, Dr. Alexander provided insights into the underlying causes of these incidents and strategies to promote safer shopping experiences. […]
The International Association for Correctional and Forensic Psychology (IACFP) recently featured Dr. Rob Cramer and colleagues’ 2022 article on self-directed violence (SDV) in correctional settings, published in Psychological Services. Their work introduces a public health solution to address SDV: the Core Competency Model for Corrections (CCM for Corrections), an educational program designed for correctional mental […]