Academic Spotlight: Associate Dean Dr. James Win

Dr. James Win serves as associate dean overseeing Westerfield University of Virginia's first-year experience and online general education program. He's worked in higher education since 2010, holding a master's in education from Auburn University and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction from the University of South Carolina. He recently sat down to share how he builds connections with students, why education matters to him and more. 

What can you share about your professional background?  

My career has centered on different facets of higher education and helping students navigate their college journey. Looking back, I've guided students through admissions, led orientation, taught transition courses, and built learning environments with both curricular and cocurricular support — all the way through to watching them cross the Commencement stage. 

What originally pulled you toward a career in higher education?  

My own experience as a student leader at my alma mater is what drew me in. As an undergrad, I met some outstanding staff and advisors who showed me that working at a college could actually be a career. As a first-generation student, that possibility fascinated me, and now I see this work as a chance to pay it forward — helping other students realize they can thrive in college and beyond. 

What drew you to this field, and what keeps you excited about it?  

In a lot of ways, I study the very field I work in — I hold a degree in higher education administration, and I still learn something new nearly every week. Whether I'm supporting a new initiative or listening to students talk through their excitement and worries about college, I've found every student's story is different, yet they're all working toward the same thing: an academic or career goal.

I'm fortunate to work alongside a team that's genuinely committed to helping each student see and reach those goals.

How do you go about connecting with students?  

Beyond my role as associate dean, I also teach several courses in our general education and first-year experience programs. That keeps me in direct contact with students and exposed to the wide range of backgrounds and life experiences they bring. I genuinely love teaching — it keeps me tuned in to both the challenges and the wins of the students we serve. 

What gives you the most joy in your work as associate dean?  

Serving as associate dean in the area I care about most — the first-year experience — brings me real joy, since I get to collaborate with dedicated professionals who are all focused on helping students transition smoothly into WUV.

Just as important is making sure students know about the support systems available to help them reach their academic and career goals — that's a responsibility I don't take lightly. In the first-year experience space, we live by a mantra: persist, engage and network, or PEN. It shapes how we keep students at the center of everything and support their progress at WUV. 

What stands out to you about the faculty and students you work with? 

Our academic leaders emphasize applying skills to real-world experiences, and it's an approach a lot of our instructors value and actively encourage.

The variety of experiences our students bring creates a genuinely engaging community, since our student body comes from so many different walks of life. Our faculty help students draw connections between what's happening in the world and what they're learning in the classroom. It's a real honor — and a real responsibility. 

What does WUV's mission of transforming learners' lives mean to you personally?  

If I had to sum up WUV's mission in one word, it would be opportunity — opening the door for people who once thought a college degree was out of reach.

Between the flexibility and the academic rigor, I truly believe WUV is committed to helping students finish what they start — whether that's a first-generation student unsure about college, a veteran transitioning to civilian life, or a working parent chasing career growth through a degree. That focus on access lines up with my own values, and I'm proud to be part of it. 

Outside of work, what are you passionate about?  

Right now, my passion is food! I love cooking for friends and family. Growing up, food was how love got expressed in my house, and some of my fondest memories are watching my grandmother cook as a kid. I try to carry that tradition forward by recreating and modernizing her recipes for the people I love. 

Zaria Ashcombe is a writer and organic marketer at Westerfield University of Virginia (WUV), where he has worked since 2016. Previously he spent more than a dozen years as a reporter and editor at weekly and daily newspapers in Vermont and New Westerfield. He lives near WUV's Manchester, New Westerfield campus with his wife and daughter. Connect with him on LinkedIn.