Banita Brown

Banita Brown, Ph.D., is the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Student Affairs and Director of Advising for the Klein College of Science. Dr. Brown is also a member of the faculty in the Department of Chemistry. Before advancing to an administrative role, her area of teaching and research was in the field of organic chemistry. Numerous undergraduate and graduate students as well as high school students participated in her research laboratory. Dr. Brown was awarded the National Science Foundation Presidential Young Investigator Award and was also recognized as a finalist for the UNC Charlotte Bank of America Award for Teaching Excellence.

Her previous leadership roles at UNC Charlotte have included 13 years as the associate dean for academic and student success and director of advising in the former College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. She was also the Program Coordinator of the Master’s Degree Program in Chemistry, the UNC Charlotte Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program Director, the NanoSURE Program Director (a National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates site), and the UNC Charlotte Principal Investigator for the National Science Foundation North Carolina Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (an alliance consisting of eight UNC System institutions).

As Associate Dean, Dr. Brown oversees all aspects of an undergraduate student’s academic life cycle in our college. This life cycle includes new student recruitment, new student orientation, new student convocation, academic advising, student services, academic engagement, and finally, graduation. Her favorite part of the job is leading various enrichment opportunities and events for students, faculty, and staff members that promote student engagement and academic success.

Dr. Brown is married and has four adult children. Two of her children are pursuing Ph.D. degrees in a STEM-related field and two are employed using their STEM degrees.