Hampton, Va.(October 31, 2025) — Hampton University announces the appointment of Scott Challener, Ph.D., as Dean of the Graduate College, marking a significant investment in the University’s commitment to expanding graduate education, strengthening research capacity, and preparing leaders for a global economy. Dr. Challener, who joined Hampton in 2021, brings a record of innovative program development, faculty collaboration, and student advocacy.
“Graduate education at Hampton is rooted in advocacy, support, and opportunity,” said Dr. Challener. “This year will be defined by collaboration across campus to strengthen the graduate experience, expand student support services, and build pathways for postgraduate success.”
Strategic Vision for the Future
Dr. Challener earned his Ph.D. in Literatures in English from Rutgers University; M.A. in Spanish from Middlebury College; M.F.A. in Poetry from Warren Wilson College; and B.A. in English, Religion, and Classics from the University of Rochester. Before joining Hampton, he served as Visiting Assistant Professor of English and American Studies at William & Mary.
Under Dr. Challener’s leadership, the Graduate College has already launched several strategic initiatives, including a Graduate Alumni Referral Program in partnership with Alumni Affairs and Advancement; a new Homecoming alumni mixer for graduate-level Pirates; and the development of a comprehensive resource platform to support graduate students with career services, financial aid, wellness, writing support, professional development, and financial literacy tools.
An Expanding Graduate Portfolio
Hampton will also introduce four new graduate programs this academic year, aligned with workforce demand and strategic priorities:
- Master of Science in Engineering Entrepreneurship, in collaboration with Northeastern University and the University of Houston
- Master of Science in Marine and Environmental Science
- Accelerated Master of Science in Entrepreneurship and Innovation
- Graduate Certificate in Sport Leadership, developed with Hampton Athletics
“These programs reflect where we’re headed — toward future-focused graduate education that pairs academic rigor with real-world application,” said Dr. Challener. He will also work closely with the Office of Advancement to expand graduate scholarships as Hampton prepares to launch its capital campaign.
Balancing Leadership and Impact through Scholarship
Dr. Challener maintains an active scholarly and creative footprint. His recent peer-reviewed chapter examining the relationship between social media, print culture, and poetry in Puerto Rican and Latinx diasporic communities appears in Expressive Networks: Poetry and Platform Cultures (Amherst College Press, June 2025), now available open-access. On November 1, he will debut a folio in Poetry magazine highlighting the work of renowned D.C. poet E. Ethelbert Miller — marking Miller’s first appearance in print in the nation’s leading poetry publication.
His forthcoming scholarly chapter, “Teaching the Mexican Revolution in the American Literature Survey,” will be published in Teaching the Mexican Revolution (MLA Options for Teaching, Spring 2026). His research interests include twentieth- and twenty-first-century U.S., Latinx, and Latin American fiction and poetry, hemispheric studies, modernism in English and Spanish, decolonial theory, and poetics.
“Graduate education at Hampton University fuels discovery, leadership, and service,” said Hampton University Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. Betty Stewart. “Dr. Challener exemplifies the intellectual rigor, vision, and dedication required to elevate our Graduate College. His commitment to scholarship, collaboration, and student success aligns with Hampton’s mission to prepare graduates who innovate with purpose and lead with character.”
ABOUT HAMPTON UNIVERSITY
Hampton University is a prestigious Carnegie R2-designated research institution, nationally acclaimed for pioneering work in atmospheric science, cancer treatment, and cybersecurity. With an annual economic impact of $530 million across the region and the Commonwealth of Virginia, Hampton stands as a powerful engine of innovation, workforce development, and inclusive economic growth.
Consistently recognized for academic excellence and transformative outcomes, Hampton was recently named one of the “Best Colleges in America” by Money Magazine and honored as the “Best Private College” by Coastal Virginia Magazine.
Founded in 1868, Hampton University is a proud, close-knit community of scholars, representing 44 states and 32 territories. With a legacy rooted in empowerment and education, the university is committed to nurturing intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and global citizenship — preparing students to lead with purpose and integrity in an ever-changing world. Learn more at: www.hamptonu.edu
For media inquiries, please contact Richelle Payne in the Office of University Relations at 757-727-5253 or richelle.payne@hamptonu.edu.
