Research and creative inquiry are essential components of WCU’s mission to offer engaged and experiential learning opportunities to improve lives, engage the region, increase knowledge, and enhance the economy and community of western North Carolina and beyond.
The Research Council was established in 2018 to promote and assess the university’s support and engagement of academic research and creative scholarship activities.
This includes stimulating, organizing, and supporting academic research, scholarship, and creative works for faculty and students across disciplines.
Associate Provost |
Carmen Huffman (Co-Chair) |
Ongoing |
Graduate School and Research, Dean |
Jeff Lawson (Co-Chair) |
Ongoing |
Faculty Senate Representative |
David de Jong |
2022-2025 |
Faculty Senate Representative |
Heather Rimes |
2023-2026 |
Faculty Senate Representative |
Cyndy Caravelis |
2024-2027 |
BCFPA |
Christina Reitz |
2024-2027 |
CAS |
Amanda Storm |
2024-2027 |
CEAP |
Jess Weiler |
2023-2026 |
CET |
SungJoon Suk |
2024-2026 |
CHHS |
Ann Hallyburton |
2024-2027 |
COB |
Heidi Grappendorf |
2024-2027 |
Provost Appointment |
John Hildreth |
2024-2027 |
Honors College, Dean |
Jill Granger (Ex-officio) |
Ongoing |
Library, Dean |
Chuck Thomas (Ex-officio) |
Ongoing |
Research Administration, Director |
Kloo Hansen (Ex-officio) |
Ongoing |
Research Programs Coordinator |
Suzanne Melton (Ex-officio) |
Ongoing |
Office of Assessment, Director |
Karen Price (Ex-officio) |
Ongoing |
As teacher-scholars, Western Carolina University's faculty and staff are active in research, scholarship, and creative inquiry to generate new knowledge and creative works, craft learning opportunities for students, and further the institution's mission to improve lives, engages the region, and enhance the economy and community of western North Carolina and beyond.
Our Research Vision is to enhance the lives of our students and the region as the hub of new knowledge generation, creative work production, and innovation in western North Carolina.
Research Council resources include Research Council meeting minutes and subcommittee documents. (requires WCU login)