James Winebrake will begin his tenure as the president of Coastal Carolina University on Monday, July 7.

He will be the fourth president of the university, which was founded as Coastal Carolina Junior College in 1954.

“It is a tremendous honor to be selected as Coastal Carolina University’s next president,” said Winebrake. “The foundation of Teal Nation is strong, and I am eager to reach new heights as we build on the progress already made. With historic enrollment growth and remarkable academic achievements, it is an exciting time to be a Chanticleer.”

He replaces Michael Benson who left to take the job as president of West Virginia University. A monthslong exhaustive search led by a 22-member Presidential Advisory Committee was held to replace Benson with the decision to hire Winebrake made in early June.

“Faculty, staff, students and members of the public have been involved in the search process through meetings and listening sessions with our Presidential Advisory Committee and the search firm, Funk and Associates,” Ashley Holloway, CCU’s associate vice president of university marketing and communications, wrote in response to an e-mail requesting information about the hiring process. “In addition, faculty, staff, students and the public [were] members of the Presidential Search Advisory Committee.”

Winebrake most recently served as provost and vice chancellor of academic affairs at the University of North Carolina Wilmington since 2020. During his tenure, the College of Arts and Sciences branched off into two new colleges, enrollment and retention grew at UNCW and two new academic programs were approved, according to a UNCW press release.

“Provost Winebrake’s steadfast leadership, innovative problem-solving, and deep commitment to academic excellence will make him a tremendous asset to Coastal Carolina,” UNCW Chancellor Aswani K. Volety said. “He leaves a lasting legacy at UNCW, and we wish him continued success in this new role. Once a Seahawk, always a Seahawk—soar high, soar far, soar together!”