Office of Undergraduate Education

Director, Communication Across the Curriculum

Walter Beale, Ph.D.

Walter Beale joined the Department of English at UNCG in 1971, after receiving the Ph.D. in English from the University of Michigan. He served as Head of the English Department from 1988-1990, and then as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences from 1990-2002. At the end of his deanship, he was given a very large party. He is proud to have been one of the founders of Writing Across the Curriculum in the College of Arts and Sciences—a program so successful that it was subsequently extended across the University and incorporated into the CAC program. Walter has directed this program since 2002, and he considers this his happiest assignment at UNCG.

Exec. Director, NC A+ Schools Program

Gerry Howell, MAE, M.Ed., BFA

Gerry Howell has been the Executive Director of the A+ Schools Program since 2004, a year after the Program came to UNCG. She was instrumental in creating the A+ Schools Program at the Kenan Institute for the Arts, and served as the Program and Professional Development Director from 1994 until 2004. Prior to her work with the A+ Schools Program, Gerry worked with the Greensboro and Guilford School Systems developing and directing programs for K-12 high-risk students. She has also worked as a family therapist, and has training and experience with process consultation, systems theory, group processes and organizational change. She has over 40 years experience in the arts and education both in the public and private sectors, including owning and operating an architectural art glass and design business for 12 years.

Director, Lloyd International Honors College

Jerry Pubantz, Ph.D.

Director, University Teaching & Learning Center

Dr. Ray Purdom

Dr. Purdom joined UNCG in 1996 and has been involved in higher education for over 37 years. He has a B.S. in physics from Duke University, and an M.S. and a PhD in physics from Purdue University. Before coming to UNCG, he held various positions at Kentucky Wesleyan College including Professor of Physics, Dean of the College and Interim President. During the 1994-95 academic year, he was Deans Fellow at the Council of Independent Colleges in Washington, DC. He currently serves on the Board of the University of North Carolina Teaching and Learning with Technology Collaborative and chairs the UNC Professional Development Portal Oversight Committee. He is also Editor of the MERLOT Teaching and Technology Discipline and Conference Director of the Lilly South Conference on College and University Teaching.

Director, Ione Grogan College

John Sopper, M.A.

John Sopper is a teacher, mentor and administrator with 20 years of experience in Higher Education. John received his Master of Arts Degree from Princeton University in 1986 and taught at Loyola University in Chicago before he joined the Religious Studies Department at UNCG as a Lecturer in 1988. In addition to teaching, John is the Director of Ione Grogan College, a residential learning community program at UNCG that supports student success by bringing faculty mentors together with small groups of students who share similar academic interests and career goals. Through his work with Grogan College and as chair of UNCG’s Living and Learning Program Council, John has been a leader in developing innovative and effective programs that highlight academic engagement, personal growth, leadership, cultural enrichment, entrepreneurship and community service. Committed to excellence in education and life long learning, John has served on numerous campus and community committees and participates in national and international conferences on undergraduate education.

Director, Assesment Center

Steve Zerwas, Ph.D.

In 1971, Steve earned a B.A. History from Maryville College in St. Louis, Missouri. He earned his M.A. in Counseling and Student Development from the University of Iowa in 1982, and his Ph.D. in Counseling and Student Development in 1989. Dr. Zerwas has presented numerous national workshops and conference presentation at ACPA on Implementing the Student Learning Imperative and Assessment. He developed Microsoft Access Applications to track and assess student services activities. His office was recognized with a commendation from the Council on Colleges while at Old Dominion University. He was a member of the team which developed Module III of the Mid Level Managers Modules. Dr. Zerwas has worked as a consultant on topics including Student Learning Objectives, Assessment Database development and Assessment Strategies. Dr. Zerwas is interested in developing applications to simplify the assessment process. The products include Student Learning Objective Wizard, Content Analysis Software, and Assessment Databases

Director, Residential College   

Fran Arndt, Ph.D.

Director, Cornelia Strong College

Anne Barton, M.A.

Administrative Mgr. for Budget and Personnel

Pat Joyner

Executive Assistant

Lee Odom