Dr. Jay A. Mancini (‘77), was a devoted friend to UNC Greensboro and the School of Health and Human Sciences. Throughout his life, he remained committed to advancing family science, mentoring future scholars, and investing in student success.
After earning his Ph.D. from UNCG in Child Development and Family Relations (HDFS), Mancini built a dedicated career as a researcher, educator, and leader in the family science field. He received millions of dollars in research funding and wrote more than 200 publications.
“Dr. Mancini was the ultimate scholar and gentleman. He spent his life studying, writing about, and fostering family, including lifespan human development, building community capacity, military family support systems, and psychological well-being,” said Dr. Carl Mattacola, dean of the School of Health and Human Sciences.
Mancini was the inaugural recipient of the School of Health and Human Sciences’ Dean’s Award for Excellence. The award is given at the dean’s discretion to honor alumni, former staff or faculty, or friends of the school for exceptional service, scholarship, or other exemplary contributions to the mission and advancement of HHS and UNCG.
Upon receiving the award, Mancini reflected on arriving at UNCG as a graduate student for the first time. “When I landed here and stood in long lines for my fall classes, I felt satisfaction for being admitted, but an equal amount of fear…” he recalled.
He credited several UNCG faculty members with influencing both his personal and professional journey, including Dr. Dennis Orthner, Dr. Hyman Rodman, Dr. James Watson, Dr. Garrett Lange, Dr. Rebecca Smith, Dr. Vira Kivett, Dr. Helen Canaday, Dr. Bud Rallings, and Dr. David Pratto. Mancini was overwhelmed by the care and support these faculty members showed their graduate students. He later would be known for extending that same support to students throughout his career.
Although widely recognized for his scholarly contributions, Mancini was equally committed to supporting and investing in generations of Spartans. In 2008, he established the Jay A. Mancini Graduate Award fund in the department of Human Development and Family Studies, to help graduate students pursue research and professional development opportunities, including workshops and conference travel and the HDFS Graduate Student Colloquium Series.
Although he passed away on Oct.10, 2024, his legacy lives on through the students, faculty, and programs he cared deeply about.
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