Moore Retires from UNCW

Over the course of her career at UNCW, Dr. Kemille Moore has left a legacy as a steadfast and devoted advocate for faculty and students alike.

Her retirement at the end of the month closes out 33 years of advancing academic excellence in a variety of administrative roles, extending her expertise and guidance to so many across the campus community.

Moore moved cross-country from Washington with her husband, Chris, to take a position as an art history professor at UNCW in 1991. She served as chair of the Department of Art and Theatre from 1998 to 2002, the start of a dedicated career of leadership at the university.

She then became dean of the General College and led its growth and transition into the University College, where she worked until 2012. There, her team built up innovative support programs for first-year students in the Synergy Common Reading Program and Cornerstone Learning Communities.

In 2014, Moore took on the role of associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences — the first hire that Chancellor Aswani Volety made as dean of the college. She served briefly as interim dean of CAS in 2021 and became senior associate dean of the College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts after it split from CAS.

Colleagues from Moore’s various roles, assembled to celebrate her retirement earlier this month, praised her strong work ethic, patience, problem-solving skills, optimism and open communication.

“What’s so wonderful is seeing people you hired and sort of mentored really come into their own and achieve things that make a difference to an institution,” she said, recognizing and thanking several of those in attendance.

For many, she has been a pioneer and tireless teambuilder in educational development. For some, she’s provided pivotal personal support and empowerment.

“She has touched countless lives inside and outside of the classroom over the years, providing vision for new programs and initiatives, and been a mentor to so many faculty, staff, and administrators, including myself,” said CHSSA Founding Dean Dr. Stephanie Caulder.