The College of Arts and Sciences at University of North Carolina Wilmington has named Aswani Volety as its new dean, according to a Tuesday university news release.

Volety will take over on July 1.

Volety, appointed following a nationwide search, according to the news release, follows David Cordle in the role.

Cordle left last summer to become provost and vice president for academic affairs at Emporia State University in Emporia, Kan. Stephen McNamee, a professor of sociology and criminology at UNCW, has served as interim dean since June 1, the release stated.
 
Volety himself comes to UNCW from an interim dean position at Florida Gulf Coast University’s College of Arts and Sciences. He is also the director of that university’s Vester Marine and Environmental Sciences Field Station.

“We look forward to having Aswani join us as the dean of UNCW’s largest college,” UNCW chancellor Gary Miller said in the release. “His distinguished career and research background align well with the needs of the College of Arts and Sciences. Aswani’s strong leadership skills are a vital asset and will greatly contribute to the continued growth and success of the college and the university as a whole.”

Since becoming interim dean in Florida more than a year ago, Volety has served as the college’s chief academic, fiscal and administrative officer, the news release stated.

In his new role, Volety will provide leadership and vision for the college and be responsible for overseeing curriculum and program development, accreditation and assessment, faculty and staff matters, budget administration, academic facilities planning and use, strategic planning for the college and fundraising and resource development initiatives, according to the release

Volety was a professor and chairman of Florida Gulf Coast University’s Department of Marine and Ecological Sciences.

His research expertise includes shellfish diseases, physiology, immunopathology, toxicology and management and restoration of shellfish habitat, the release stated. He has been funded by various federal, state and private agencies such as the National Research Council, National Science Foundation, Environmental Protection agency, Sea Grant, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration.

Volety graduated from the College of William and Mary with a doctorate in marine science. He received his master’s degree in zoology with a specialization in marine biology and his Bachelor of Science degree from Andhra University in India, the news release stated. Volety also earned a graduate certificate in management development from the Graduate School of Education at Harvard University.