Meet the Cabinet
Dr. Robert Burrus – Dean of the Cameron School of Business
Burrus became Dean in 2015. Within the school there are three academic departments and four reporting units.
Cameron School of Business
Burrus is a Professor in the Department of Economics and Finance. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Virginia.
Dr. Stephanie Caulder – Dean of the College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts
Caulder was appointed Founding Dean in 2023. She is an accomplished musician with 25 years of administrative experience. As Dean, Caulder leads the support of 16 departments housed in the college and efforts towards achieving excellence in teaching, research, scholarship, artistic achievement and service.
COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES, SOCIAL SCIENCES, AND THE ARTS
Caulder holds a Doctor of Music in Oboe Performance from Florida State University.
Dr. Cynthia Demetriou – Associate Provost for Student Engagement, Enrollment and Retention
Demetriou joined UNCW in 2021. As Associate Provost she provides comprehensive leadership for the student recruitment, undergraduate admissions operations and graduate admissions processing; registrar operations; financial aid and scholarships; student advising; student retention; student-athlete support services; and military-affiliated student support functions. Within the SEER there are nine reporting units: Admissions, Military Affairs, Registrar, Scholarships & Financial Aid, Student Athlete Support Services, Student Success & Retention, Student Success Data & Research, Transfer Partnerships, and Center for Academic Advising.
Learn more about Student Engagement, Enrollment and Retention
Demetriou holds a Ph.D. in Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Dr. Chris Finelli – Associate Provost for Graduate, Continuing and Lifelong Education, and Dean of the Graduate School
Finelli was appointed Dean in 2019. Finelli actively works with the Provost and Deans in strategic planning for Academic Affairs as it relates to graduate education and lifelong learning. He provides oversight for all graduate academics and fiscal responsibilities, including growing graduate enrollments to support the university’s R2 designation of “Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity”. Within the functional area, there are three reporting units: Graduate School, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), and Office of Continuing & Professional Education (CPE).
learn more about graduate, continuing and lifelong education
Finelli is a Professor in the Department of Biology and Marine Biology. He holds a Ph.D. in Marine Science from the University of South Carolina.
Dr. Kenneth “Ken” Halanych – Executive Director of the Center for Marine Science
Halanych joined UNCW in 2021. As Executive Director, he serves as the leader and chief advocate for the university’s coastal and marine sciences, and oversees the programs and facilities housed in the center, including MARBIONC, the Shellfish Research Hatchery and Finfish Mariculture Program. The Center has nine reporting units.
Center for marine science
Halanych is a Professor in the Department of Biology and Marine Biology. He holds a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from the University of Texas at Austin.
Dr. Lucy Holman – Associate Provost for Teaching, Learning and Library Services, and Dean of UNCW Library
Holman has led library services since 2018. Within the Teaching, Learning and Library Services functional area, there are three reporting units: UNCW Library, Distance Education & E-Learning and Center for Teaching Excellence.
LEARN MORE ABOUT TEACHING, LEARNING AND LIBRARY SERVICES
Holman holds a Ph.D. in Communications Design from the University of Baltimore, and a master’s in Library Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Dr. Tracy Linderholm – Dean for the Watson College of Education
Linderholm was named Dean in 2024. In the college, Linderholm leads the support of three academic departments and numerous offices, and oversees curriculum and program development, strategic planning, accreditation and assessment, budget administration, and more.
WATSON COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
Linderholm holds a Ph.D. in Educational Pscychology from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, and a master's in Psychology from California State University Sacramento.
Dr. Andy Mauk – Associate Provost for Institutional Research and Planning
Mauk was named Associate Provost in 2017. In this role he directs the university’s data collection, reporting and analysis functions, and oversees internal and external reporting. He also engages in the university’s strategy around data management and governance, academic space planning, and institutional strategy. His team is responsible for leading the university’s work with accreditation and assessment. Within Institutional Research and Planning, there are three reporting units: Institutional Research & Analytics, Institutional Effectiveness, and Space Planning & Management.
Learn more about Institutional Research and Planning
Mauk holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education and certificate in Institutional Research from Florida State University.
Dr. Carol McNulty – Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education and Faculty Affairs
McNulty was named Associate Provost in 2021. In her role, she supports faculty development, retention, and mentorship; assists the Faculty Senate; coordinates and facilitates promotions and tenure; provides oversight to the Office of Faculty Affairs, the Center for Faculty Leadership, the Honors College, the Center for the Support of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships (CSURF), and more; and leads development and implementation of new undergraduate programs. She has also served as Interim Dean for the Watson College of Education.
LEARN MORE ABOUT UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION AND FACULTY AFFAIRS
McNulty is an Associate Professor in the Department of Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle, Literacy, & Special Education. She holds a Ph.D. in Elementary Education.
Dr. Justine Reel – Interim Associate Provost for Research and Innovation
Reel serves as the interim chief research officer and leads the campus research and innovation enterprise. She also serves as the President of the UNCW Research Foundation. Within the Research and Innovation function area there are seven reporting units: Research Development Office (RDO), Sponsored Programs & Research Compliance (SPARC), Research Integrity Office (RIO), Office of Innovation & Commercialization (OIC), Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CIE), Institute for Interdisciplinary Identity Sciences (I3S), and Quality Enhancement for Nonprofit Organizations (QENO).
Learn more about Research and Innovation
Reel is a Professor in the School of Health and Applied Human Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. in Exercise and Sport Science from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
Matthew Rish – Associate Provost for Administration and Resource Management
Rish was named Associate Provost in 2024. He serves as a senior advisor, collaborates in the division's priorities and activities, and facilitates divisional strategies in the areas of administration, finance, budget, personnel, and communications.
DIVISIONAL OPERATIONS
Rish holds an MBA in Business Administration from Cleveland State University and an executive certificate from Vanderbilt Law School
Dr. Ronald Vetter – Dean of the College of Science and Engineering
Vetter was named Founding Dean in 2023. A UNCW faculty member for 28 years, Vetter entered the role with decades of administrative and leadership experience. He leads the support of nine academic units and efforts towards achieving excellence in teaching, research, scholarship and service within the College of Science and Engineering.
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
Vetter holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Minnesota.
Dr. Jack Watson – Dean of the College of Health and Human Services
Watson was named Dean in 2023. He oversees strategic planning, meeting enrollment targets, budget administration, curriculum and program development in the college. The college is home to three professional schools focused on improving health and quality of life for individuals, families and communities.
COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Watson holds a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from Florida State University.
Dr. Michael Wilhelm – Associate Provost for Global Partnerships and International Education
Wilhelm was appointed Associate Provost in 2015. He is responsible for implementing an international student recruitment plan, overseeing education abroad programs, establishing and maintaining partnerships with foreign academic institutions and providing English language opportunities for the university community. The Global Partnerships and International Education function area has three reporting units: Education Abroad, International Students & Scholars, and the English Language Center (ELC).
Learn more about Global Partnerships and International Education
Wilhelm holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of North Carolina Wilmington.
