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Dr. Jesse Peters appointed dean of Honors College

This fall a record freshmen class of 31 students greeted new University Honors College (UHC) Dean Jesse Peters.

The largest class for the four-year-old Honors College also brought some outstanding SAT scores.

Dr. Peters, who joined the faculty of the English, Theatre and Languages Department in 1999, was appointed dean of the University Honors College this summer by Meadors.

“It’s vital for the University to have a leader who is known as an outstanding scholar and teacher to provide continuing leadership for the Honors College," said Chancellor Meadors. "Dr. Peters brings proven leadership and an intense commitment to academic quality to this position."

The Honors College was founded in 2001 to promote scholarly growth and personal development of outstanding students, who are provided personal enrichment opportunities and an enhanced curriculum. Dr. Peters said he would like to see Honors College students become leaders on and off campus.

“I am really going to push student involvement with the campus and the world,” he said. “I would like to see honors students participating in cultural events, student leadership and community service.”

“I also would like to see our students take advantage of opportunities to study and travel abroad,” Dr. Peters said. “That kind of experience can really change someone’s life.”

The Honors Council, comprised of faculty and administrators, advises the college. Dr. Peters said he would like to take campus participation in the UHC one additional step further.

“I want to explore the idea of establishing an honors faculty the way we have Graduate School Faculty,” he said. “This would ensure that we have faculty interested in the development of curriculum that would enhance the program.”

Dr. Peters said recruitment also figures into his plan for the Honors College.

“I would like to raise admissions standards while at the same time maintain a good flow of applicants,” he said. “Part of that will be a big recruiting effort. I want to travel throughout North Carolina and meet with high school students.”

Inheriting a sound program is part of the reason Dr. Peters is confident that he can build on the program and raise standards.

“Picking up from the Chancellor’s Scholars program, Dr. Carolyn Thompson established a solid program as founding dean of the college,” he said. “I know I can’t do it all in a semester, but I am honored to be selected for the job, and I will do my best. The main thing is to ensure that the students have the best experience possible.”

One of UNCP’s most popular professors, Dr. Peters was chair of the Faculty Senate 2004-05. He also chaired the Campus Appeals Board 2004-2005.
He is a contributing editor of Pembroke Magazine, UNCP’s 37-year-old literary journal and will be guest editing the 2006 issue. It will be a special issue focused on Native American literature.

A graduate of Emory University, Dr. Peters received a Master of Arts degree and Ph.D. from the University of New Mexico. His specialty areas are Native American and Modern literature.

For more information about the University Honors College, please call 910.521.6841 or email honors@uncp.edu.

UHC students are selected on the basis of class rank, grades, SAT scores and other activities. Current UNCP students may also apply. Honors students must maintain a 3.0 grade point average and complete a thesis or research project to graduate with honors.

Updated: Thursday, September 7, 2006

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