N.C. Central gets new chancellor

CHAPEL HILL -- Indiana University administrator Charlie Nelms is the new chancellor at N.C. Central University.

The UNC system's Board of Governors this morning approved the hiring of Nelms, who is currently Indiana's vice president for institutional development and student affairs. He replaces James Ammons, who leaves the Durham campus after six years for the presidency at Florida A & M University.

Nelms is a longtime university administrator with two previous stints as a campus leader, serving at various times as chancellor of the University of Michigan - Flint and Indiana University East, the latter a fast-growing commuter campus.

He has also turned down offers to lead at least three other institutions - Grambling University, Florida A & M University and Tennessee State University, said Cressie Thigpen, who chaired the search committee.

UNC system President Erskine Bowles, who selected Nelms from three finalists, could barely contain his glee Friday.

"I am delighted!" he said. "I am thrilled. This is great!"

At Indiana, Nelms has been tasked with a number of broad initiatives, such as increasing financial aid and boosting minority enrollment at Indiana's main campus in Bloomington.

A native of Arkansas, Nelms has long expressed an interest in leading a historically black university, colleagues said this week.

Nelms will attend a noon reception today at NCCU's student union.