UNC Greensboro has appointed Dr. Kimberly “Kim” Petersen as the next dean of Lloyd International Honors College, following an internal search. Petersen, who has served as interim dean since August 2025, will assume the permanent role on Feb. 1.
“Dr. Petersen’s experience across teaching, research, and academic leadership has prepared her exceptionally well to serve as dean of Lloyd International Honors College,” said Alan Boyette, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor. “Her time as interim dean, combined with her leadership of undergraduate research initiatives and her long-standing commitment to student mentorship, gives her a deep understanding of how to create meaningful, transformative educational experiences. She brings vision and practical experience to this role, and we are fortunate to have her lead the Honors College forward.”
Prior to her role as interim dean, Petersen served as faculty director of the Office of Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creativity beginning in 2024. She has been a member of the UNCG faculty since 2011 in the Department of Chemistry, where she achieved the rank of professor in 2024.
“Lloyd International Honors College has long been a catalyst to ignite and nurture future success stories,” Petersen said. “Our students are the light of hope in an ever-changing world, and it’s a privilege to support our endeavors as dean.”
Widely recognized for transforming the undergraduate experience in organic chemistry, Petersen has reimagined one of the most demanding courses in the sciences through an approach grounded in connection, inclusion, opportunity, and engagement. She has developed innovative instructional strategies that make complex concepts accessible, including interactive molecular modeling, online instructional resources, and virtual journal clubs that foster critical thinking and student independence.
In recognition of her exceptional teaching, she received the 2025 UNC Board of Governors Excellence in Teaching Award.
In her research laboratory, Dr. Petersen mentors undergraduate scholars who regularly advance to graduate programs in science, medicine, and pharmacy. Many of her students have earned nationally competitive honors, including National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships and Goldwater Scholarships. Her leadership has also played a pivotal role in advancing STEM education at UNCG, including her involvement with the NIH-funded Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) and Undergraduate Research training Initiative for Student Enhancement (U-RISE) programs, which support students from underrepresented backgrounds and have positioned the University as a national leader in undergraduate STEM training.
Dr. Petersen’s commitment to inclusive excellence, student-centered leadership, and academic innovation makes her exceptionally well suited to lead Lloyd International Honors College as it continues to expand its impact at UNCG.
