Biography
Dr. James Coleman
Professor of Biology and Director of Graduate Studies
University of North Carolina – Greensboro
1400 Spring Garden Street
Greensboro, NC 27412
Dr. Jim Coleman is a professor and director of graduate studies at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He is a plant physiological ecologist with expertise in organismal and ecosystem science. He has over 25 years of experience as a senior administrator in higher education, including former vice president for research, provost and dean, dedicated to the transformational mission of higher education and improving institutions. Coleman is also a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
His teaching career in the biology department allows him to interact with students in important ways: helping students through issues with mental wellness, helping students with their challenges in and outside the classroom, and getting students excited about ecology and evolution. Being open about being on the autism spectrum, Coleman stresses that mental illness/challenges must not be stigmatized. He shares that neurodiverse traits need to be considered in how universities think about an inclusive environment.
He has a bachelor's degree in forestry (concentration in forest pathology) with high distinction from the University of Maine (1982). He graduated from Yale University in 1987 with a doctorate in forestry and environmental studies.