Meet Teresa Petty: Dean of University College

Teresa Petty is UNC Charlotte’s associate provost for undergraduate education and dean of University College. Her expertise, coupled with her leadership experience and prior work in building relationships with colleagues across colleges, is advancing the success of the University’s undergraduate students. Her tenure as dean began July 1. Previously, she served as senior associate dean and professor in the Cato College of Education. She joined UNC Charlotte in 2005.

Get to know Petty through the questions below, asked by Julian Garcia, a senior communications major and intern in the Office of University Communications.

What attracted you to UNC Charlotte specifically?

What attracted me to UNC Charlotte was the people. After 20 years here, I can say the students, staff, faculty and leaders all contribute to making this a warm and welcoming environment. Before this, I was a high school teacher in Randolph County, outside of Greensboro, and then worked at Guilford College, a small liberal arts school. The transition to UNC Charlotte offered a much more diverse experience and greater opportunities, and I’ve seen it grow tremendously over the years.

What three words do you believe best define your leadership style?

I’m very collaborative — I believe in involving others in decision-making and gathering diverse perspectives. Inclusivity is key; it’s important to consider the voices of those affected by our decisions. I’m also strategic, focusing on setting clear goals, planning how to achieve them and measuring the impact along the way.

What’s the best piece of professional or personal advice you have received?

The best professional advice I’ve received is to communicate consistently, clearly and frequently.

You are headed to a deserted island. You can take a food, a drink, a book, a song and a movie. What are they and why?

If I had to choose a book, I’d pick a survival guide — something practical that tells me which plants are safe to eat and how to start a fire. I get wanting entertainment, but if I’m on a deserted island, I want to be prepared. For a drink, I’d definitely need caffeine but not too much sugar. As for food, I’d crave something sugary to keep my spirits up. When it comes to movies, I’m all about comedies — something light and entertaining to help me relax and laugh.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I love exercising and spending time outdoors.