Nicole Winget named dean of Adult & Online Education

March 27, 2024

Nicole Winget has been named dean of Campbell University's Adult & Online Education program, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Dr. Michael Adams announced today. Winget had served as interim dean since Aug. 1.

[Link]Nicole Winget joined Campbell University in 2015.

A graduate of Ohio Northern University College of Law in 2009, Winget started her career as an attorney while also teaching at Ohio Northern, Ohio State University and Rhodes State College. She has been a member of the U.S. Navy for 20-plus years, starting as an enlisted information technology specialist and completing tours in Kuwait and Afghanistan. She is now a lieutenant commander, assigned to NORTHCOM, and her awards include the Joint Service Commendation Medal and the Navy Commendation Medal.

Nicole Winget joined Campbell University's staff in 2015 and has held roles including professor of homeland security and criminal justice, as well as assistant dean in Adult & Online Education for student life and military campuses. She has also taken on additional roles such as mock trial coach and fitness instructor on campus.

As dean of Adult & Online Education, she takes over a program that currently ranks in the Top 25 percent of schools in the nation for its online bachelor's programs, according to the most recent rankings by U.S. News & World Report. AOE also ranks consistently high for "Best Online Bachelor's Programs for Veterans" and "Best Online Bachelor's in Business Programs." The program also serves the military community by operating a campus on both Fort Liberty and Camp Lejeune military posts.

The program also oversees Campbell University's Second Chance Initiative, which seeks to reduce prison recidivism rates by providing degree programs for incarcerated and recently incarcerated individuals in North Carolina. The program at Sampson Correctional Institution in Clinton, North Carolina, recently graduated its first four-year bachelor's degree cohort and has expanded to include Anson Correctional Institution (a women's prison in Polkton) and a re-entry program for recently released women in Wake County.

Winget called her year as an interim dean a "learning experience" that has prepared her for the permanent role.

"I'm very thankful for the support and kindness Campbell has shown me and all of us who are learning the ropes," she said. "There were challenges in this past year, but that only reminded me of how Campbell pulls together and learns in order to get the job done."

The ever-changing "non-traditional" education landscape and the competition with other programs to attract and enroll students are consistent challenges for any AOE program, she said, but Winget points to her staff and her support system when expressing a positive outlook for the future.

"I'm very excited about this position and the people I work with," she said. "I'll sing it from the rafters - the support this University has given to me and my team is second to none. I'm proud and honored to be in this position, and I'm glad that my work is having a positive impact on Campbell University."

Adams said he is confident Winget can lead Campbell's AOE program while the definition of what a "non-traditional student" continues to evolve.

"She has already displayed a skill for administration and leadership during her interim period, and I look forward to working with her moving forward," Adams said.

Academics & OutcomesSecond Chance InitiativeCamp LejeuneFort LibertyRaleighAdult & Online EducationFaculty & Staff