Dr. James J. Winebrake has served as Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at UNCW since 2020. Dr. Winebrake works with the university's faculty, staff, and students to advance education and scholarship across a broad portfolio of degree programs, research centers, international education, and community engagement activities.
The division houses five academic colleges, seven functional areas, the Center for Marine Science, and a divisional operations wing. More than 1,300 faculty and staff members are employed within the division.
Dr. Winebrake has earned international-recognition for his research related to transportation and the environment, and he has received numerous awards for excellence in teaching and research throughout his career, including the Madison Scholar Award and the Outstanding Teacher Award while serving as a faculty member at James Madison University (1995-2002); and the Rochester Institute of Technology’s (RIT) Trustees Scholar Award in recognition of his scholarly contributions in the energy and environmental fields while at RIT (2002-2020).
He also received RIT's Edwina Award for his significant contributions to advancing gender diversity and inclusion. Nationally, Winebrake was recognized as a National Associate of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in 2020.
Prior to joining UNCW as Provost, Winebrake served in several leadership roles: dean of the College of Liberal Arts (RIT) from 2011-20; professor and chair of the Department of Public Policy (RIT) from 2002-11; associate professor of integrated science and technology (JMU) from 1995-2002; and physical scientist and policy specialist (U.S. Department of Energy) from 1993-95.
Dr. Winebrake holds a Ph.D. in Energy Management and Policy (University of Pennsylvania), an M.S. in Technology and Policy (M.I.T.), and a B.S. in Physics (Lafayette College). He is a professor in the Department of Public and International Affairs at UNCW.