UNCW Names Robert T. Burrus Jr. Interim Provost and VC for Academic Affairs

Robert T. Burrus Jr., dean of the UNCW Cameron School of Business, has been named interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, the university announced today. His appointment, effective July 7, will continue until the position is filled on a permanent basis.    

Burrus, a veteran academic leader with more than a decade of experience as dean, will replace Dr. James J. Winebrake, who recently accepted a new role as president of Coastal Carolina University. Burrus, a member of the UNCW faculty since 1998, has served in multiple leadership roles at UNCW, including chair of the Department of Economics and Finance and associate dean for undergraduate programs. He holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in Economics from the University of Virginia and a B.S. from Wake Forest University. In addition, he completed the UNC System’s Executive Leadership Program in 2024. Burrus, a native of Kinston, N.C., has a keen interest in supporting academic achievement and economic development in southeastern North Carolina. 

“Rob Burrus has built a legacy of excellence at the Cameron School through applied learning programs, meaningful mentoring experiences, and employer engagement,” said Chancellor Aswani K. Volety. “We collaborated on initiatives when we were both deans at UNCW, and I welcome the opportunity to work closely with him again. Rob’s commitment to student success, faculty scholarship and research, and campus-community collaboration makes him the right leader to steward our academic mission during this important transition.” 

The Cameron School of Business prepares students to succeed after graduation by guiding them through an academic pipeline that includes rigorous coursework, internships, study abroad experiences, executive mentoring, consulting projects, and business competitions, all designed to build their professional skills and personal confidence. Under the leadership of Dean Burrus, the CSB has achieved successful AACSB accreditation reviews and introduced a number of innovative academic offerings, including multiple new online graduate programs and certificates, a joint B.S. in Cybersecurity with the College of Science and Engineering, and several new undergraduate concentrations in areas such as supply chain management, fintech, business analytics, and real estate finance. He also led the creation of new minors in business, accounting, and cybersecurity. 
 
During his tenure, the school’s enrollment has increased by over 50 percent and full-time faculty and staff have grown to meet this increased demand. In addition, Burrus helped oversee the launch of a new Center for Sales Excellence and Customer Delight and a new Center for Cybersecurity Defense Education, helped elevate the school into the Top 100 undergraduate business school rankings, and played a key role in securing a $10 million gift to name the Congdon School of Supply Chain, Business Analytics, and Information Systems.   

“I’m grateful to Chancellor Volety for this opportunity to serve as interim provost,” Burrus said. “I’m committed to partnering with colleagues across the university to ensure our students thrive - academically, personally, and professionally - through meaningful learning experiences, scholarship and research opportunities, and community connections.” 

Dr. David Mautz, chair of the Department of Accounting and Business Law, has been appointed to serve as interim dean of the Cameron School of Business. The university plans to conduct a national search for the permanent position of provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. Dr. Christine Reed Davis, vice chancellor for student affairs, will lead the search committee. As plans take shape, the university will share additional information throughout the upcoming academic year.