WELCOMING CHANCELLOR VOLETY HOME

“EVERYTHING ALIGNED.”

New Chancellor Aswani K. Volety is thrilled to be home.

By Venita Jenkins

Because of his passion for research and teaching, Dr. Aswani K. Volety turned down numerous opportunities to take on leadership roles during his academic career. However, mentors saw his potential. “Sometimes in life, people recognize that you have certain attributes and qualities. They will tap you on your shoulder, ask you questions that make you think and push you in directions that will open doors.” He first joined the university in 2014 as the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, a position he held for five years before accepting the job as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Elon University in Elon, NC. In July 2022, he returned “home.” Becoming chancellor of an institution he loved was an “opportunity of a lifetime,” said Dr. Volety.

Sweat Equity

“This role allows me to give back to an institution that has given and taught me so much,” he said. “I have an emotional connection with UNCW. I started several programs in the College of Arts and Sciences in collaboration with faculty and staff. There's a lot of sweat equity invested into the institution. There's also the familiarity with the place and the people. It seemed like everything was aligned.” A contributing factor in his decision to return to UNCW is the faculty’s and staff's passion and pride for the university. “They make this a great place,” he said. “They are dedicated and passionate working with students, helping ensure that engaged learning is a part of our DNA. While we are a regional institution, the aspirations are beyond. The research conducted by faculty, staff and students exceeds far beyond this region, the state and the nation. Another thing I love about UNCW is the healthy balance between teaching, scholarship and service.”

During his time as CAS dean, Dr. Volety guided the implementation of several innovative programs, expanded the number of experiential learning opportunities, funded faculty professional development initiatives and increased the college’s fundraising efforts. Through his collaborative efforts with the Chancellor's Office and the Division for University Advancement, Dr. Volety secured a $5 million gift from Quality Chemical Laboratories in 2018, the largest corporate donation in UNCW's history at the time. Dr. Volety is spending the first six months of his tenure learning about the institution from the perspective of its top leader, as UNCW has grown and evolved since he left in 2019. “I knew the institution in a different capacity and a different time,” he explained. “I have changed over the last three years, and so has UNCW. I need to understand the institution, what we’re doing and why we’re doing those things.” Shortly after arriving on campus in July, Dr. Volety spent time visiting with students, faculty and staff to hear their goals and aspirations for UNCW. His listening sessions also included the broader community and business leaders. The region has shifted from an agriculture and tourism-based economy to more tourism and knowledgebased, said Dr. Volety, and it’s important to learn how UNCW can support the changing economy. “We need to make sure that we are creating programs that meet the region’s economic needs. That means starting new programs like allied health, analytics, computer science and cybersecurity,” he continued. “How can we serve the region’s economic needs and create community engagement opportunities for its citizens?” Providing constituents a seat at the table to discuss UNCW’s future is important to the chancellor. He described his leadership style as “participatory governance,” where he will seek broad feedback. His decisions will be driven by the best interest of the students, faculty and staff who are “the life of the institution,” he said. Dr. Volety will also draw from his broad experience as a faculty member and scientist. “It’s good for me to consider these multiple perspectives, coupled with my experiences, and make decisions in the institution’s best interests,” said Dr. Volety. “I always give the reasons behind my decisions. I hope that even if you disagree with the decision at the end of the day, we appreciate each other's perspective.” Being a parent of teenage daughters also gives Dr. Volety insight into the needs of students and their parents. “I have a sense of what they are going through,” he said. “I’m more understanding and empathetic.”

Humble Beginnings

Dr. Volety came from modest means. He and his brother grew up in a one-room house in the port city of Visakhapatnam, India. The room served as the bedroom, sitting room and study. He began his education at age two and finished high school at 15, obtaining his bachelor’s (at 18) and his master’s degree in zoology from Andhra University in India (at 20), and his Ph.D. from the College of William & Mary in Virginia.. He intended to follow in his aunt's footsteps to become a medical doctor, but missed the medical entrance exam by a single point. “As a first-generation student who comes from a low-income family, what made a difference in my life was my education and the support of my family, friends and mentors,” he said. “Doors were opened for me. It didn’t just change my life; it changed the trajectory of my family. My kids can dream of possibilities because of the education my wife and I had and the opportunities we were given by this great country. That’s what education does.” Dr. Volety began his academic career in 1999 as an assistant professor of marine science at Florida Gulf Coast University. He spent 15 years there as a prominent researcher and educator. Former Florida Gulf Coast President Wilson G. Bradshaw was among Dr. Volety's mentors who encouraged him to take on leadership roles. He became a department chair, director of the Vester Marine and Environmental Sciences Field Station, and later interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “President Bradshaw and Provost Ron Toll mentored me and wanted me to stay at Florida Gulf Coast, but I felt it was time for someone else to take the place to the next level. I applied to UNCW as the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and it was a great fit given my marine science background and the university’s student-centered focus,” said Dr. Volety.

Measuring Success

The excitement of making a difference is what drives Dr. Volety each day. “I want to make sure every student at UNCW has opportunities and experiences similar to those that made a difference in my life,” he said. Dr. Volety turns to his hobbies – gardening and cooking – to relax and process his day. Those activities, along with spending time with his family, help him stay grounded. “I have to balance multiple perspectives and competing interests, but at the end of the day, I don’t take anything personally and I don’t take it home,” he said. “I’m dealing with these things as the person in the position. When I go home, I’m a dad, I’m a husband, and so I want to be present.” Dr. Volety noted he doesn’t measure success by his achievements but by how he and others equip students with the skills they need to achieve their dreams. “Every student who works with me, I tell them, ‘I measure my success based on your success. I don't want you to be like me; I want you to be better than me.’”

About Chancellor Aswani K. Volety

 Former Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Elon University

 Former Dean of UNCW’s renowned College of Arts & Sciences and the Executive Director of the Center for Marine Science

 Recipient of a Fulbright Fellowship to France

Family: Wife, UNCW Associate Professor of Oceanography Dr. Ai Ning Loh, and two children, Uma and Mia

What’s on his playlist: Various podcasts, including “Hidden Brain” and “A History of the World in 100 Objects”

Books: Anything from mystery to macroeconomics and geopolitics

Hobbies: Cooking and gardening

Learn more about Chancellor Volety at uncw.edu/meetchancellor-volety