June 30, 2025
Dear UNCW Community:
With the celebration of spring commencement and the end of another academic year behind us, summer gives us a moment to catch our breath, to appreciate our unique location as North Carolina’s coastal university, and to begin welcoming our newest students and their families to campus for orientation. The incoming class is taking shape – we expect another year of strong enrollment – and demand for on-campus housing remains high. Our new students and their families are excited to join the Seahawk community.
Summer also often serves as a time for transitions in higher education. UNCW recently announced that James J. Winebrake, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, has accepted the role of president at Coastal Carolina University. He leaves a lasting legacy at UNCW, including record enrollment growth and retention rates, two new colleges and expansion of the research enterprise. I look forward to announcing an interim provost in early July.
I also want to welcome a new Chief of Staff to my team in the Chancellor’s Office. Michael Wilhelm brings a wealth of institutional knowledge, strategic insight and a deep commitment to UNCW’s mission from his previous position as associate provost for Global Partnerships and International Education.
UNCW’s longstanding expertise in the marine sciences continues to generate regionally relevant and globally important information about our natural world. A recent study led by Assistant Professor of Biology and Marine Biology Matthew McLean explores what makes a coral reef appear beautiful to the public, an issue that has become increasingly important for both conservation and economic value of such ecosystems. Blake Ushijima, assistant professor in the same department, co-authored a groundbreaking study revealing that a bacterial probiotic can slow the spread of disease in wild corals, a discovery that could help transform how coral reefs are protected.
Our outstanding faculty also continue to inspire and mentor the next generation of scientists. Three undergraduate UNCW students have been selected among the 130 Ernest F. Hollings undergraduate scholars for the class of 2025. UNCW is tied with Duke University for the most Hollings Scholars in North Carolina, showing our consistent work preparing students for futures in the marine sciences.
The university’s focus on beneficial partnerships, both at home and abroad, stays strong. In June, UNCW hosted a community event at Discovery Hall to present progress on the New Hanover Healthcare Career Partnership (NHHCP). UNCW also recently extended a long-standing partnership with the Chongqing University of Arts and Sciences.
We also welcomed alumni and friends to Wilmington to celebrate 25 years of the Center for Marine Science, honor our 2025 Distinguished Award recipients and support alumni-owned businesses. The Alumni Association’s second annual Weekend in Wilmington continues to create opportunities to bring Seahawks together. As we acknowledge what makes UNCW shine, I look forward to expanding our sturdy foundation and soaring far in the future.
Yours in Seahawk spirit,
Aswani K. Volety
Chancellor
