About Chancellor Volety

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

Since his arrival, UNCW has

• expanded academic opportunities and support services for students;
• increased research and creative scholarship grant funding;
• strengthened its regional, national, and international partnerships;
• won conference sports championships;
• held a groundbreaking for new student recreation fields;
• completed the successful Like No Other: The Campaign for UNCW with $131 million raised; and
• celebrated its 75th anniversary.

Under his leadership, UNCW has launched a 10-year strategic plan guided by his commitment to

• supporting students, faculty, and staff;
• advancing the arts, athletics, and community engagement; and
• elevating the future of the university, region, and state. 

The Soar Higher plan’s pillars, which spell U.N.C.W., will also spell a future that continues the positive momentum and trajectory of success that the Seahawk community has created together since the university’s founding in 1947. The four pillars are

• Unparalleled opportunities,
• Nationally prominent programs,
• Community commitment, and
• World-class operations and infrastructure. 

Dr. Volety previously served as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Elon University. Before Elon, he held leadership positions at UNCW as the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and the executive director of the Center for Marine Science.

Earlier in his career, at Florida Gulf Coast University, he held roles as professor of marine science and director of Vester Marine Field Station. Later, he served as FGCU’s interim dean for the College of Arts & Sciences. 

Chancellor Volety graduated from the College of William & Mary with a doctorate in marine science. He received a Master of Science in zoology with a specialization in marine biology and his Bachelor of Science 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. Chancellor Volety currently serves as president of the National Shellfisheries Association. He is a member of the North Carolina Biotechnology Center Board of Directors.

He and his wife, Dr. Ai Ning Loh, have two children, Uma and Mia.