2023 Faculty Election
Christian Lentz
Running for: Administrative Board of the Library: Social Sciences
- Associate Professor of Geography & Adjunct Associate Professor of History
- Geography, College of Arts and Sciences
- Appointed: 2011
- Ph.D., Cornell University
- Candidate Website
UNC Service
Carolina Asia Center: Interim Director (spr 2020), Faculty Advisory Committee (2014-present)
Food for All: Steering Committee Member (2015-18)
Bringing Southeast Asia Home: Principal Investigator (2022-present)
Vietnamese Student Association: Faculty Advisor (2015-present)
Southeast Asia Student Association: Faculty Advisor (2013-present)
Decolonization in the Global South Carolina Seminar: Convenor (2017-present)
In addition to the above service to UNC, I have also served the department of Geography in various capacities, including chairing its Information Committee (2018-22).
Candidate Statement
I firmly believe that the library stands close to the heart of any research university. First as a student and now as a scholar and teacher, I have long relied on the books, articles, documents, and other resources held and shared by UNC Library. Simply put, I could not have followed this career path without its assistance. I have also seen many changes over this 17-year period, from replacing the reference section with worktables, the movement of journals into the stacks, and the profusion of materials available online. I cheer changes that expand the number of resources held as well as access to them. However, I am deeply concerned about budget cuts, rising journal costs, and other pressures that limit what UNC Library can and should do. Thus, it is my priority to safeguard the library and advocate forcefully on its behalf.
