Dr. Stephanie B. Caulder has been named the founding dean of the College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts (CHSSA) at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, the university announced today.
Dr. Caulder comes to the university with nearly 25 years of administrative experience, including most recently as the dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Radford University in Virginia. She previously served as the chairperson, assistant chairperson, and coordinator of graduate studies in the music department at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, as well as the associate director for the University of North Carolina Greensboro Community Music School.
Dr. Caulder was named UNCW’s founding dean for CHSSA after a nationwide search. The university announced in April that two new colleges – CHSSA and the College of Science and Engineering (CSE) – will emerge from the current College of Arts and Sciences on July 1.
“We are excited to welcome Dr. Caulder, a Wilmington native, back to our area and into the UNCW community,” said Provost James J. Winebrake. “Dr. Caulder’s experience in academic leadership, program development and creative research will serve our new college well in establishing a strong foundation. Her passion for promoting inclusion and access is critical for engaging the community and enhancing our students’ success. I look forward to Dr. Caulder’s innovative approaches that will highlight and advance the efforts of our distinguished CHSSA faculty, staff and students.”
Dr. Caulder is an accomplished musician with a Doctor of Music in Oboe Performance from Florida State University and a Master of Music in Multiple Woodwind Performance from the University of North Carolina Greensboro. She has received invitations to perform across the United States and around the world. This summer, she will travel as an artist and presenter to the International Double Reed Society Conference in Bangkok, Thailand.
“I am honored to have been selected as the founding dean of the College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts,” Dr. Caulder said. “The disciplines represented within the new college all speak to being human in important ways and have a unique ability to foster imagination, innovation and a sense of belonging. I appreciate that Chancellor Volety and Provost Winebrake have put their trust in me, and I am excited to work alongside our excellent leadership team, faculty and staff in continuing to transform the lives of our students. Having been born and raised in Wilmington, it is extra special for me to return after nearly 30 years and help give back to the place I call home.”
Dr. Caulder’s focus and experience in strategic alignment of priorities and resources will support the college during its formative years and beyond as the university implements a new strategic plan.
UNCW’s College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts will open July 1 as a college focused on supporting and expanding the vibrant programs and outreach within its operations. The college will house 16 departments and units. Dedicated leadership will support faculty and staff in creating and enhancing dynamic, engaging student opportunities.
Dr. Caulder will act in her capacity as founding dean as the university transitions into an expansion of its academic core with a five-college structure. She will lead the CHSSA community in achieving UNCW’s pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, scholarship, artistic achievement and service. Dr. Caulder will assume her new role on July 26, 2023.
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