College of Charleston names Juliet Spencer dean

The College of Charleston has appointed Juliet Spencer as the new dean of its School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, effective April 21.

Spencer joins the college from Texas Woman’s University, where she served as interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and held prior leadership roles as director of the School of the Sciences and chair of the biology department. A microbiologist by training, her academic credentials include a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia, an MBA focused on women in leadership, and a Bachelor of Science in biotechnology from Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

A nationally recognized advocate for student outcomes, Spencer was recently honored with the 2025 Outstanding Support of Student Success by an Administrator Award from the National Organization for Student Success, according to a news release. As a principal investigator, she has secured more than $7 million in external funding to support research in virus-host interactions, immune modulation, and cancer biology, while also advancing inclusive, student-centered research environments.

The College of Charleston says her appointment reflects a broader institutional focus on aligning STEM education in a liberal arts school with workforce needs, strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration, and expanding opportunities for undergraduate research and student success.