Malin Pereira has been appointed dean of the Honors College, effective July 1. She currently serves as executive director of the college. The creation of a new deanship and change in reporting structure recognizes the role of honors programming in the University’s strategic plan, as the college’s goal is to recruit, nurture and retain world-class, diverse undergraduates to the University.
The Honors College was established in 2003 to encompass the array of honors programs across the institution and to house its largest core interdisciplinary honors program, University Honors. Today, there are more than 800 honors students on campus.
“The University has offered honors programming for more than 50 years, but it was the establishment of the Honors College 19 years ago that really accelerated the expansion of the intensive academic experiences that both challenge and support students,” said Provost Joan F. Lorden. “The broad suite of disciplinary and interdisciplinary programs that make up the Honors College today has grown exponentially and has thrived under Dr. Pereira’s leadership. Her vision for the college’s future will be instrumental in creating unique opportunities for high-achieving students at UNC Charlotte.”
Pereira came to UNC Charlotte in 1992 and has spent her entire 30-year academic career at the University, including serving as the executive director of the Honors College since 2012. She is a professor of English and affiliate faculty member for the Department of Africana Studies and the Women’s and Gender Studies Program.
Among Pereira’s achievements in her decade leading the Honors College are the establishment of various scholarships, including three full-ride, merit scholarship programs, two tuition and fees merit and need-based scholarships, and awarding an additional $600,000 annually to honors students; driving tremendous growth in honors enrollment (a 100% increase since 2013) and diversity (a 152% increase in Black and biracial honors students); an increase to 29 discipline-based honors programs; and the identification, advisement and endorsement of students for national/international competitive awards and fellowships.
“Building the Honors College has been a joy these past 10 years,” said Pereira. “Support from honors faculty, honors program directors, the Honors Council and our dedicated, talented staff has been central to everything we have accomplished. The Honors College is ready to play its role in ‘shaping what's next’ for the University through the recruitment of highly motivated undergraduates and providing them opportunities for academic distinction.”
Pereira’s past roles at the University include chair of the English Department, interim chair of the Department of Africana Studies and learning community founder and coordinator and undergraduate coordinator of the English Department. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Pereira completed a bachelor’s degree in English and psychology with a minor in African American Studies and a master’s degree and doctorate in English.
Quick Facts about the Honors College
- 828 honors students
- 30 honors programs, including a core interdisciplinary University Honors Program and 29 discipline-based programs in college and departments
- 7 staff, 3 faculty fellows, 29 program directors and student interns
- Albert, Crown and Martin Scholars full-ride merit scholarship programs; Johnson and Freeman Scholars, tuition and fees scholarships
- Competitive fellowships and pre-health professions advising for all University students