St. Augustine, Fla. -- Flagler College has hired Alan Woolfolk, Ph.D., to serve as dean of academic affairs.

Woolfolk, currently associate provost and professor of sociology at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, starts work at Flagler in January. He brings a rich academic background to his new role. In addition to a 35-year teaching career, Woolfolk has led a variety of programs to improve faculty development, curriculum and campus culture.

“Flagler has been exceptionally well managed financially, developed many strong programs, been very successful in recruiting students and generally exhibited what I would call an entrepreneurial spirit,” Woolfolk said. “When I visited the campus, I detected a sense of commitment and enthusiasm among the faculty, staff and students.  I intend to work very closely with all three groups to see if we can find ways to make a strong academic program even stronger.”

Woolfolk holds doctorate and master’s degrees in sociology from University of Pennsylvania and another master’s degree in political science from the University of Oregon. He also has a bachelor’s degree in economics from University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Finance and Commerce.

He has received a variety of awards and grants, including National Endowment for the Humanities fellowships. He has also edited two books and several social science journals, and more than 50 of his own articles, essays and reviews have appeared in a wide range of publications.

Woolfolk said he was drawn to Flagler’s growth and innovative programs. As he put it, “Flagler is clearly a college on its way up with remarkable potential."