Williams Baptist University has promoted Dr. Charlotte Wheeless and Dr. Chris Hair into new leadership roles in academics. Wheeless is now serving as division chair of professional studies, while Hair has taken on the role of assistant dean of institutional effectiveness. 

Wheeless, who also serves as the LaDelle Moody Chair of Teacher Education and professor of education at WBU, has been a member of the Williams faculty since 2009. A 1994 graduate of the Williams Teacher Education Program, she holds a B.S.E. from Williams, as well as an M.Ed. and an Ed.D. from Grand Canyon University. She is a national board certified teacher in early adolescent science.

Wheeless has been instrumental in guiding the Williams Teacher Education Program to national recognition, including WTEP’s selection as one of only 21 higher education institutions to receive the 2023 Frank Murray Leadership Recognition for Continuous Improvement from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). 

With more than 31 years of experience in education, Wheeless trains teachers across Arkansas and internationally each summer, having served educators in North America, Asia, and Africa. She is an advocate for professional involvement, serving as president of the Arkansas Deans Association and higher education director for the Arkansas Science Teachers Association.

Hair has served at Williams since 2020 as chair of the Division of Arts & Sciences and chair of the Department of English & Communications. He holds the rank of professor. His appointment as assistant dean of institutional effectiveness reflects his extensive experience in academic leadership, assessment, accreditation and program development across multiple institutions.

Hair earned his Ph.D. in English from the University of Kentucky in 2005, specializing in British renaissance literature with a particular focus on the seventeenth century and the works of John Milton. He also holds an M.A. and B.A. in English from Baylor University.

With nearly three decades of classroom experience, Hair has taught a wide range of courses in composition, literature, Shakespeare, drama, world literature, advanced writing, technical writing, and cultural engagement. During his administrative career, he has led curriculum redesigns, strengthened honors and general education programs, expanded concurrent credit offerings and built partnerships with classical education programs in Oklahoma, Texas and Arkansas. 

Wheeless and Hair began serving in their new roles in the fall semester of this year.

“Dr. Wheeless and Dr. Hair have already demonstrated exceptional leadership in their new roles this academic year,” said WBU President Dr. Stan Norman. “We are pleased to formally acknowledge their appointments and the vital work they continue to do. Their leadership strengthens our academic programs and advances our mission of cultivating Christ-centered leaders.”