About Chancellor Volety

Aswani K. Volety, an experienced leader in higher education with deeply rooted connections to UNCW, has served as the university's seventh chancellor since July 1, 2022. He brings experience to UNCW as a faculty member, researcher and administrator.

Since Chancellor Volety's arrival, UNCW launched the Soar Higher Strategic Plan, a 10-year living document that emphasizes people, programs, places and priorities in a way that aligns with the university's core values. UNCW also implemented a new master plan to advance and support the university's progress. According to a 2024 economic impact study, UNCW provides a $3.2 billion economic boost to North Carolina. UNCW earned the 2026 Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement, a national designation recognizing extraordinary engagement through teaching, research and service.

With Chancellor Volety's guidance, the university has enhanced academic opportunities and support services for students; increased enrollment to nearly 19,900 students; received the largest philanthropic gift in UNCW history at $25 million; strengthened regional, national and international partnerships; won conference sports championships; and completed its largest-ever philanthropic campaign, raising more than $136 million. Under Chancellor Volety's leadership, UNCW received permission from the UNC Board of Governors in spring 2026 to begin planning the first public university medical school considered in North Carolina in more than 50 years.

Volety previously served as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Elon University, dean of the former College of Arts and Sciences at UNCW and the executive director of the UNCW Center for Marine Science. He also held roles at Florida Gulf Coast University as professor of marine science, director of Vester Marine Field Station, and later served as interim dean for the FGCU's College of Arts and Sciences.

Chancellor Volety graduated from the College of William & Mary with a doctorate in marine science. He received a master's degree in zoology with a specialization in marine biology and a bachelor's degree from Andhra University in India. He also earned graduate certificates in management development as well as management and leadership in education from the Graduate School of Education at Harvard University. He is the recipient of a Fulbright Fellowship to France and a graduate of the American Association for State Colleges and Universities' Millennium Leadership Initiative. He is a past president of the National Shellfisheries Association and currently serves on the boards of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and the North Carolina Biotechnology Center. Chancellor Volety and his wife, Ai Ning Loh, have two young adult daughters, Uma and Mia.