Dr. James Hupp has built a long and successful career in the national and international academic communities, most recently as Founding Dean and Professor of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery of the School of Dental Medicine at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. Dr. Hupp publishes journal articles, chapters, and books on leadership, medical, and dental topics. He is also the senior editor of the Contemporary Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery textbook, which is published in more than 10 languages and is rated as the world's most widely used text on the subject.

Dr. James R. Hupp previously served as Dean at the University of Mississippi. During his leadership tenure at the University of Mississippi Dental School, his innovations increased minority enrollment, brought women into leadership roles for the first time, began successful funding raising efforts to improve school facilities and create minority scholarships, and improved the school's programs within a very constrained budget.

Prior to his contributions at the University of Mississippi, Dr. James Hupp held leadership positions at the University of Maryland, the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey, the University of Connecticut, and Vanderbilt. In each position, Dr. Hupp was recognized for his collaborative leadership style, focused on growing research, and paid attention to faculty development.