UNCG Main Street Fellows

06/08/2026

Weekly episode of Research T at the G, listeners in Greensboro can tune into 103.1 FM WUAG or listen online at Home | WUAG 103.1 at UNCG

Kista Mansell is an Academic Professional - Assistant Professor in Interior Architecture at UNC Greensboro where she serves as the Historic Preservation Programs Coordinator, and Director of the Main Street Fellows Program. 

Her professional and academic work focuses on how design, preservation, and community engagement can support the revitalization of historic places. In addition to leading design projects for North Carolina Main Street communities, she teaches hands-on preservation courses where students learn traditional building crafts and investigate historic materials, construction methods, and repair techniques. Through this combination of teaching, fieldwork, and community partnerships, Kista helps connect academic knowledge with practical solutions for preserving and adapting historic buildings.

Undergrad student James Cappola will join us.  He just graduated (BFA Interior Architecture, Minor in Historic Preservation, Main Street Fellow) and spent the last 2 years in my classes.

06/04/2026

Just finished up this design for a new coffee shop in Goldsboro. We’re proposing a reconstruction of the period storefront and the possible introduction of folding windows to connect the inside to the sidewalk.

06/01/2026

05/28/2026

VLOG 2: Hitting the streets of Tarboro for our walking audit — noticing details, meeting locals, and learning what makes this district unique. Real insight happens on the ground.

05/22/2026

Vlog 1: First Day as a UNCG Main Street Fellow
Kicked things off exploring downtown with the team—learning, connecting, and getting a feel for the community we’ll be working in.

05/18/2026

Introducing our Summer 2026 Main Street Fellows
We can’t wait for you to meet this incredible group—stay tuned!

04/21/2026

Designing something meaningful for our space, for our designs, and for the people in it. 😊
Coming soon, stay tuned! 👀

04/17/2026

Join us and the UNCG historic preservation minors in exploring the historic Empire Hotel in Salisbury, NC before its transformation where original details, forgotten spaces, and new construction collide! 🔨✍️

04/16/2026

We could not be prouder of our very own Liz Parham winning the national Mary Means Leadership Award! 🎊🎉

Along with Ron Frantz and Trey Sherwood, Parham has been awarded for Main Street America’s top honor recognizing individuals who demonstrate outstanding leadership in the field of comprehensive preservation-based economic development and commercial district revitalization.

Under Parham’s leadership, the NC Main Street & Rural Planning Center has expanded its reach and impact, providing strategic planning, technical assistance, training, and grant opportunities to 81 designated Main Street communities across the state. Since she became director, public and private investment in North Carolina’s Main Street communities has grown from $2.25 billion to more than $6 billion, demonstrating the transformative power of coordinated downtown revitalization.

Congratulations again to the amazing Liz Parham for this deserved, prestigious award! 🎉🎊