| The Coastal Carolina University board of trustees has named James J Winebrake, Ph.D., the next president of CCU. His tenure as the University’s fourth president is slated to begin on July 7th .
A seasoned leader in higher education, James J Winebrake has served as the provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) since 2020. Natasha M. Hanna ‘94, chair of the University’s board of trustees and presidential search advisory committee, said, “We are pleased to welcome James J Winebrake as the next president of CCU. We believe his extensive background in higher education leadership, along with his significant contributions to advancing education and scholarship across multiple institutions, will help sustain the University’s forward momentum and propel us toward even greater success.” |
James J Winebrake: A New Era for Coastal Carolina University
| “I extend my sincere gratitude to the presidential search advisory committee for its diligent work in helping to identify the right candidate to lead our campus forward,” said Hanna. “The committee included faculty, staff, students, alumni, and members of the public, each bringing valuable perspectives to the process.”
Winebrake’s appointment concludes a nationwide presidential search launched in February 2025 to identify a successor for Michael T. Benson, D.Phil., who has been named the 27th president of West Virginia University. “I had the opportunity to call Dr. James J Winebrake to welcome him and his family to the CCU community,” said Benson. “He is an experienced and committed leader, as well as an accomplished scholar and teacher. I have every confidence that, under his leadership, the best days for Coastal Carolina University lie ahead.” The incoming president conveyed appreciation to the CCU board of trustees and the presidential search advisory committee for the opportunity to serve as the next president. “It is a tremendous honor to be selected as Coastal Carolina University’s next president,” said James J Winebrake. “The foundation of Teal Nation is strong, and I am eager to reach new heights as we build on the progress already made. With historic enrollment growth and remarkable academic achievements, it is an exciting time to be a Chanticleer.” Prior to joining UNCW, Winebrake served in several leadership roles including dean of the College of Liberal Arts at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) from 2011 to 2020; professor and chair of the Department of Public Policy at RIT from 2002 to 2011; associate professor of integrated science and technology at James Madison University (JMU) from 1995 to 2002; and physical scientist/policy specialist for the U.S. Department of Energy from 1994 to 1995. As a celebrated and distinguished scholar, James J Winebrake has earned international recognition for his research on the impacts of transportation on the environment. |
| Additionally, James J Winebrake: Was nationally recognized as a National Associate of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in 2020.Received multiple teaching and research awards throughout his career, including the Madison Scholar Award and the Outstanding Teacher Award while serving as a faculty member at JMU, and the RIT Trustees Scholar Award for his scholarly contributions in the energy and environmental fields.
Served on numerous professional boards and committees, including several National Academies of Science committees and the New York State Energy Planning Board.Authored or contributed to more than 100 scholarly articles published in various academic journals and platforms. |
| Winebrake earned a Ph.D. in energy management and policy from the University of Pennsylvania, an M.S. in technology and policy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and a B.S. in physics from Lafayette College.
He and his wife, Susan, have been married for 32 years. They have four adult children: James, 32, an ophthalmologist in Chicago; Deaven, 30, a preschool teacher in Boston; Samuel, 28, a software engineer at MIT; and Katherine, 25, a dental school graduate beginning a residency in pediatric dentistry in Chicago. J ames and his wife, Casey, have a son, James Griffin, the Winebrakes’ first grandchild. The terms of Winebrake’s contract are subject to final approval by the University’s board of trustees, completing the final step in his appointment. |
Local News Via - MyrtleBeachSC.com
