Dr. Jennifer Gerz-Escandón and Dr. Hoi Ning Ngai will begin their work at The Graduate School on Sept. 18
The Graduate School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is very pleased to announce that Dr. Jennifer Gerz-Escandón has been selected as associate dean for interdisciplinary education and fellowship programs, and Dr. Hoi Ning Ngai has been selected as associate dean for student affairs. Both begin their work at The Graduate School on Sept. 18.
Their appointments were the result of highly competitive search processes, and I am confident that Dr. Gerz-Escandón and Dr. Ngai will provide strong leadership toward The Graduate School’s support of a diverse and talented graduate student body that makes up almost 30 percent of the overall student population. We welcome their strong professional experience in many facets of student success and their demonstrated commitment to collaborating with faculty, staff, students and academic programs.
Dr. Gerz-Escandón previously served as director of National Scholarships and Fellowships in the Honors College at Georgia State University. Within this role, she focused on helping honors undergraduates and alumni prepare for competitive scholarships – such as the Rhodes, Truman, Marshall, Fulbright and Goldwater – and other competitive programs.
Within her 15 years of administrative leadership within higher education, Dr. Gerz-Escandón has also served in the roles of chair and associate professor within the International Relations Program, and director of the Center for International Programs and Services (all within Lynn University).
She received her bachelor’s degree in government from Georgetown University, and her master’s degree and doctorate in international relations from the University of Miami.
Dr. Ngai previously served as dean of academic advising and support within Kenyon College’s Academic Affairs Division. Within this role, she worked extensively with students, faculty and staff toward supporting academic integrity, student accessibility and support services, faculty mentorship, national fellowships and scholarships, and academic advising. She also worked collaboratively to develop communication channels for most effectively sharing academic policies and procedures.
Within her 13 years of administrative leadership within higher education, Dr. Ngai also served as associate director of academic affairs and advising within the Undergraduate Division of the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School.
She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Dartmouth College and her master’s degree and doctorate in higher education from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Both Dr. Gerz-Escandón and Dr. Ngai have shared perspectives on graduate education that emphasize the essential contributions graduate students provide to Carolina and the importance of the supportive community of faculty, staff and other students in enabling our students to achieve their highest level of success.
Please join me in welcoming Dr. Gerz-Escandón and Dr. Ngai to The Graduate School and to Carolina.
Steve Matson
Dean, The Graduate School