Housing and Residence Life
Hines Reflects on Camaraderie, Growth of University Over Two-Plus Decades at Charlotte
By Wyatt Crosher, Assistant Director of Communications for Student Affairs
UNC Charlotte has experienced plenty of change over the past 21 years, but one thing that’s remained constant is Carla Hines, who is the current associate director for administration in Housing and Residence Life.
Hines has been on campus, and in HRL, for each of those years, and her hard work for the University earned Hines the Niner Legacy Award at last spring’s Student Affairs End-of-Year Awards.
“I'll be honest, I was totally shocked when I won,” Hines said, “I am wired to work hard and really don’t do it for recognition. I know they appreciate everything that I do and they have supported me throughout many things. But it was just really, really touching to receive that public recognition.”
New York to New Beginnings
Hines first came to the University after a stint working in human resources for a health care corporation in New York. When she was ready for a move, she considered Atlanta, but ultimately landed on Charlotte with her partner’s family living in the city. With prior experience in admissions at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and a tip from a friend in Charlotte’s athletics department at the time, Hines joined the University.
Hines first was hired to help Charlotte launch a new online housing assignment system. Now, her day-to-day responsibilities include overseeing student assignments and occupancy for all 17 residence halls, managing HRL’s front desk operations and often becoming “the problem solver or complaint resolver” for students with questions.
Much like how her responsibilities have varied, Hines has experienced first-hand the continued development of the University. A lot of that has come with the buildings that populate this campus, something Hines is honored to have played a part in.
“This is a beautiful campus, and I'm not just saying this because I work in housing,” Hines said. “I'm the most proud of the housing that we offer. Wilson Hall is absolutely gorgeous as a traditional (hall). We have a variety of suites, apartments and sorority/independent housing in Greek Village.I think we have the broadest menu of housing options of any of the North Carolina schools. We have a little bit for everybody.”
‘That is What Has Kept Me Here for 21 Years’
As much as the buildings themselves have changed, Hines has also seen a shift in the mentality of Charlotte students along with them.
“Starting in 2025-26, we're moving to a mandatory live-on-campus requirement for first-year students. That's a significant change,” she said. “We went from a place where we've had to make sure that we're always filling our beds to the last couple of years, when we've had to turn away some people. That's astonishing. It shows you that students are very interested in coming to UNC Charlotte, but also very interested in living on campus.”
It is a significant change, but not one Hines will see unfold as a member of HRL. Hines plans to retire on March 1, 2025, ending her tenure of more than two decades at the University. It’s a decision that has come with a lot of reflection on what she has enjoyed most about her time on campus.
One area that stands out for Hines is the openness to share ideas and unique perspectives without the fear of rejection or criticism.
“In our division, we have a culture that no idea is a bad idea until you have the data to prove it's a bad idea. We’re open to trying things,” she said. “It's very welcoming of new ways of thinking and different ways of looking at things. Open dialogue is encouraged to come up with a better solution.”
The other core piece Hines will look back on fondly is her relationships within HRL, and the department’s constant ability to roll with the punches regardless of the situation.
“We have risen to the challenge no matter what has been tossed our way. In the past, we have navigated challenges such as on-campus housing during the initial COVID outbreak. We are currently hosting students from UNC Asheville impacted by horrific conditions due to Hurricane Helene, but we have risen to the challenge no matter what has been tossed our way,” Hines said. “We don't stop. We just keep going and figure out how we can make this work.
“That is what has kept me here for 21 years, because it’s an environment where everybody rolls up their sleeves rather than making excuses. I enjoy and thrive working in an environment like that.”
Hines will leave the University this spring in a much different place than it was in when she arrived. She leaves with a Niner Legacy award to signify her 20-plus years of creating a legacy of excellence, supporting student success and providing outstanding contributions to the division and the University.
But Hines also wants it known that it took more than her work alone to make her HRL experience an impactful one.
“It takes a village here. This is not a Carla Hines show,” Hines said. “It's a big production. This is a great team. As I'm leaving it, I will miss this team tremendously. They have been a part of my life through the thick and thin, health issues and everything else. They've always stood by my side and we always work hard together. That's why I will miss them.”