Weiss Urban Livability Program

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Charles and Shirley Weiss

See pictures from the 15th anniversary celebration

Check out what the 07-08 fellows are doing on the Weiss Fellows Blog

The Program

Charles and Shirley Weiss, retired professors of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill began an innovative program in 1992 designed to improve communities through interdisciplinary exploration of the concept of “urban livability.” Their active involvement with the arts, education, and civic organizations, coupled with extensive world travel, convinced the Weisses that a multi-faceted, interdisciplinary approach is essential to improving the quality of life in contemporary communities. Believing that graduate students are an invaluable resource for the future, the Weisses created a program that centers on the support and nurturing of graduate students.

The Weiss Urban Livability Program promotes talented graduate students pursuing scholarly and practical improvements in urban livability. The one-year fellowship provides additional financial support to students who have been accepted into one of the many graduate programs at UNC from which Weiss Fellows are routinely selected.

The Weiss Urban Livability Program offers students numerous opportunities for professional support and growth. In addition, the fellowship lends students access to the Weiss Urban Livability Library Collection, which includes over 300 volumes on the topics ranging from the architecture of the city to the history of the environmental movement in the United States. This collection is composed of volumes donated generously by the Weisses, both retired professors of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Fellows also have the opportunity through the ongoing Weiss seminar series to meet regularly with individuals from the campus and wider community who study and work on a daily basis with problems relating to urban livability. A unique aspect of the program is the Community Project, which is designed by fellows over the course of the year to positively impact some aspect of urban livability in their own community.

The Legacy of the Weiss Program

The Weiss Fellowship has guided graduate students toward numerous careers serving the community. Some former fellows are now city managers, public health doctors, water and sanitation engineers, community development leaders, transportation planners, social workers, and teachers. When asked how the fellowship impacted their lives, fellows remember:

“I identify the Weiss Fellowship as one of the great achievements of my life. It has given me an opportunity to learn about issues of urban livability and things that touch your heart.”

“Interacting with the Weisses themselves and learning about the breadth and depth of their interests and accomplishments made me believe in the impact that individuals can have.”

“Being a Weiss Fellow reinforced the idea of using environmental knowledge to positively affect the human condition.”

About ten fellowships are awarded annually to new graduate students in a variety of disciplines at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The Fellows receive mentoring from accomplished faculty of the University and a senior graduate fellow, and meet regularly to interact and collaborate on contemporary community issues.

List of 2006-2007 Speakers

The 2007-2008 Fellows (and departments)

*Indicates Senior Fellow

Bios of the 2007-2008 Weiss Fellows

Archive of former fellows and their community projects.

Community Projects

fellows embarking on community project

One of the key components of the Weiss Urban Livability Program is the call for Fellows to design and carry out a project that will positively impact the surrounding community. The project component of the program differs considerably from many “service requirements” associated with other programs on campus. More than simply providing benefit to the community, this project is intended to foster academic growth and leadership in the participants, to take advantage of their skills as scholars from a wide range of fields, and to forge lasting relationships, both among Fellows, and within the broader community. Over the years, projects have represented the diversity that is the hallmark of the Weiss Urban Livability Program.

Check out what the 2007-2008 fellows are doing on the Weiss Fellows Blog.

Archive of former Weiss fellows community projects.

Weiss Urban Livability Library Collection

The Weisses’ personal collection of books, monographs, articles, and memorabilia related to urban livability stimulates and enlightens the Fellows and others interested in making a difference in community life. Currently housed in the Center for Urban and Regional Studies, this collection provides the Weiss Fellows and others access to invaluable resources related to urban livability.

The Weiss Faculty Board

The Weiss Program is administered through the assistance of a board composed of faculty from a wide range of graduate departments. These individuals help to mentor fellows and are responsible for selecting the fellows each year.

Interested Applicants

Former Weiss fellows have specialized in disciplines as diverse as Studio Art, Religious Studies, Maternal and Child Health, and City and Regional Planning. The fellowship is open to students in any discipline, but applicants’ research and career interests should ultimately address issues of urban livability. Candidates must be nominated by their graduate programs. The Weiss fellowship board selects about ten recipients each year from the campus-wide nominations. For more information, please contact the admission officer in the graduate department to which you are applying.