About the College of Humanities, Social Sciences, & the Arts

The CHSSA Research Award recognizes a faculty member who has completed significant research achievements in their discipline over the last three years at UNCW and whose research demonstrates significant impact on UNCW, the broader academic community, and society.  

• 2025-2026: Edzordzi Agbozo

The CHSSA Service Award recognizes a faculty member who has demonstrated exceptional service that significantly benefits the college, university, or community. 

• 2025-2026: Max Lydy
• 2024-2025: Colleen Reilly

The CHSSA Teaching Excellence Award recognizes a faculty member who as demonstrated exceptional teaching abilities that significantly enhanced student learning and engagement over the past three to five years.  

• 2025-2026: Michelle Manning
• 2024-2025: Abigail Upshaw

The CHSSA Staff Award recognizes and celebrates a staff member whose contributions and impact far exceed the expectations of their role.

• 2025-2026: Roxanne Aikey

• 2024-2025: Maggie Bannon

News Highlights

• Seahawks Shine Among WILMA's 2025 Women to Watch
• To Cannes and Beyond
• Coordinator Boosts Japanese Cultural Exchange at UNCW
• Art Alum Returns to Wilmington for Solo Exhibit
• Criminal Justice Expo Builds Connections with Regional Agencies
• Putting the Facts First
• Project Takes Student Storytellers Down East
• Diana Ashe Selected as 2026 BOG Teaching Award Recipient
• Thesis Takes Art History Major to Vatican
• CHSSA Connect Launches Student Mentorship Network

Research Highlights

• Theatre Faculty Appear in Amazon Prime Show
• Hudson Adds to Historic Narrative Through Roman Pottery
• Fried Fruit: A Window into Wilmington's Experimental Art Scene
• Ancient DNA Lab Uncovers Clues About the Past
• Studying the Human Impact of Digital Design
• Castagno Revisits Grand Opera House
• Daidone, Lidster Expand Linguistic Research
• Grad AI Research Sets Stage for NASA Internship
• Rethinking Music Education in Rural America
• Seahawk-Authored Books for Summer
• See CHSSA research by the numbers >

Advancement and Scholarships

The following scholarships were launched in the 2025-2026 academic year:

• Wagenseller Family Scholarship in Theatre: Retiring professor Ed Wagenseller ’92 and his wife, Melissa ’92 launched this scholarship to help current and future Seahawks take to the stage. Made possible with support from Seahawks Give.

News Highlights

• Cultural Touchstone Celebrates Milestone Anniversary
• UNCW Students Go to Washington
• Clyde Edgerton Signs Off from UNCW
• Gessner Named Kenan Distinguished Professor
• Music and Theatre Departments Collaborate for Head Over Heels
• UNCW Students Earn Prestigious Awards to Study in Oman
• Moore Retires from UNCW
• Commercial by UNCW Alum to Air During Super Bowl
• CHSSA Recognizes Recipients of New College Awards
• Local Internships Forge International Connections

Research Highlights

• Waity Selected as RTI University Scholar
• Daidone Wins Fulbright Research Award
• See CHSSA research by the numbers >

Advancement and Scholarships

During Homecoming, the Department of Communication Studies dedicated its new Applied Learning Classroom, made possible by the Tom and Mimi Cunningham Support Fund for Communication Studies.

The classroom is equipped with state-of-the-art podcasting equipment, a smart board, pod seating, and huddle spaces that collectively provide a professional and engaging environment for students in the applied learning program, Pier601, to host client meetings, brainstorming sessions, and record their podcasts. The classroom also serves as a learning space for students across the communication studies curriculum. 

Learn More

The following scholarships were launched in the 2024-2025 academic year:

• Doug Cameron Memorial Scholarship in Film: the first endowed scholarship in Film Studies, created by Charles and Pat Cameron in memory of their son. Made possible with support from Seahawks Give.
• Bolduc/Kirscher Award in Media Production: an endowed scholarship for Communication Studies students who are out to make a serious impact through their work. Made possible with support from Seahawks Give.
• Sally Edgerton Fellowship in Creative Writing
• Sampson Broughton Scholarship in Communication Studies
• Charlotte Wessell Public History Travel Fund