UNCW announces next College of Health and Human Services dean

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - The University of North Carolina Wilmington announced its next College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) dean on Wednesday, May 31.

According to the announcement from the university, Dr. Jack C. Watson II has been selected for the position and will assume the responsibilities of the role on Monday, June 26.

“Dr. Watson joins UNCW with 16 years of administrative experience and an extensive background in leadership development. This month he is completing a year-long fellowship with the American Council on Education at the University of Kentucky, a rigorous, comprehensive leadership program for higher education administrators. From 2019-22 he served as dean of West Virginia University’s College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences. He previously served as associate dean, assistant dean and chair of the Department of Sport Sciences,” states the university in an announcement.

As dean of CHHS, Dr. Watson will oversee 4,500 undergraduate and graduate students, as well as more than 300 faculty. He will serve as the college’s chief academic and administrative officer, overseeing the School of Health and Applied Human Sciences, the School of Nursing and the School of Social Work.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Watson to the College of Health and Human Services and our Seahawk community,” said Provost James J. Winebrake. “The robust work of CHHS faculty, staff and leadership has established the college’s recognized position across the state as a dynamic resource for collaborations and meeting the health and human services workforce demands. I look forward to Dr. Watson strengthening this legacy. Under his leadership, I know opportunities will continue to thrive for CHHS to have positive impacts on the health and quality of life of individuals, families and communities in our state and beyond.”

Dr. Watson will succeed Interim Dean Justine Reel and former Founding Dean Charles J. Hardy.

“Dr. Watson has achieved numerous notable accomplishments in his various administrative roles,” UNCW adds. “These include leading a college that engaged with 44 of the 55 counties in the state of West Virginia on community programming; implementing college structural and strategic changes that led to significantly increased revenue; co-leading a merger of two colleges over a 13-month span; increasing student success indicators; and creating several academic programs at the undergraduate and graduate level. He is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant with the Association for Applied Sport Psychology.

“Dr. Watson holds a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology with a concentration in Sport Psychology and post-doctoral respecialization in Counseling and School Psychology from Florida State University. He received a Master of Science in Sport Behavior from West Virginia University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Virginia. He has worked in higher education since 1998.”

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