Juliet V. Spencer

Juliet Spencer

Juliet V. Spencer, Ph.D., serves as Dean of the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences at the College of Charleston. She is an accomplished academic leader and scientist with extensive experience leading multidisciplinary STEM programs, advancing research excellence, and developing collaborative partnerships that expand opportunities for students, faculty, and the broader community.

Before joining the College of Charleston, Spencer served as Interim Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences at Texas Woman's University, where she led the university's largest academic college, serving approximately 3,700 students across more than 50 undergraduate and graduate programs. She previously served as Director of the School of the Sciences and Chair of the Department of Biology, providing strategic leadership for academic planning, enrollment growth, faculty development, budgeting, fundraising, and research initiatives.

Throughout her career, Spencer has championed interdisciplinary education and experiential learning, helping launch new academic programs, strengthen undergraduate research, expand workforce development initiatives, and build partnerships with community colleges, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and industry. She has secured more than $7 million in external funding supporting student success, scientific research, workforce preparation, and STEM education.

An internationally recognized virologist, Spencer's research explores how viruses manipulate the immune system and contribute to human disease, with current work examining the role of human cytomegalovirus in cancer progression. Her laboratory has been continuously supported through competitive federal funding, and her research has resulted in numerous peer-reviewed publications, invited presentations, patents, and national collaborations.

Spencer is deeply committed to creating opportunities that prepare students for meaningful careers while addressing important scientific and societal challenges. She believes that hands-on learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and strong community partnerships are essential to educating the next generation of scientists and environmental leaders.

As Dean, Spencer is focused on strengthening the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences' nationally recognized programs while expanding research, innovation, and community engagement. She is committed to building partnerships across the Charleston region - including with government agencies, industry, nonprofit organizations, and environmental and marine science organizations - to create new opportunities for student success, faculty scholarship, philanthropy, and regional impact. She believes the College of Charleston's unique location provides unparalleled opportunities for students and faculty to engage with the coastal environment while helping address challenges in environmental sustainability, public health, and scientific discovery.

Education

2022: MBA, Business Administration, Texas Woman’s University, Denton, TX

Emphasis: Women in Leadership

1998: PhD, Microbiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

Dissertation title: Structure and Assembly of the Herpes Simplex Virus

1993: BS, Biotechnology, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA

Career Highlights

Led the formation of a unified School of the Sciences through the merger of multiple departments, establishing shared governance structures, leadership teams, and strategic priorities

Developed interdisciplinary undergraduate programs in Environmental Science and Environmental Chemistry collaboratively with faculty and informed by external stakeholders

Secured more than $7 million in federal, state, and foundation funding supporting research, workforce development, and student success in STEM fields.

Expanded experiential learning through support for undergraduate research and internships

Built partnerships with community colleges, government agencies, nonprofits, and industry to support research, workforce pathways, and regional engagement

Strengthened research capacity through infrastructure investment, faculty mentoring, and interdisciplinary initiatives

Honors & Awards

2009 Ellen Weaver Award for Mentoring Women in Science, Association of Women in Science

1999 Parker B. Francis Fellowship in Pulmonary Research

1998 NIH Training Grant Fellowship in Immunology

1997 Graduate Student Alumni Dissertation Fellowship, University of Virginia

1993 The Salisbury Prize, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

1992 The Two Towers Award for Theory and Practice, Worcester Polytechnic Institute