New FSU leader has local ties

CHAPEL HILL -- A psychology professor with ties to the Triangle was hired Friday as Fayetteville State University's new chancellor.

James Anderson, 59, was chosen in part on the prodding of two other UNC system chancellors who know him: N.C. State University's James Oblinger and N.C. Central's Charlie Nelms. Currently a psychology professor at the University at Albany, Anderson spent 11 years as a vice provost at NCSU, from 1992 to 2003; he led a curriculum revision, among other initiatives.

"This is a wondrous moment for me," Anderson said Friday after being elected by the UNC system Board of Governors. "This is the culmination of my personal and professional experience. I will validate the faith you have placed in me today."

A Washington native, Anderson has degrees from Villanova and Cornell universities. His academic road has had many twists and turns: He has taught psychology at Xavier University in New Orleans, Indiana University of Pennsylvania and at Albany, and has held administrative posts at NCSU, Texas A&M and Albany, where from 2005 to 2007 he was vice president for student success and vice provost for institutional assessment and diversity.

Last month, he was the keynote speaker for Nelms' week of inaugural activities at NCCU. He spoke about diversity and globalization, a theme he has written about extensively.

UNC President Erskine Bowles said Anderson's experience at NCSU helped his candidacy.

"We're not just hiring a great resume," Bowles said. "We're hiring somebody we know to join our team. He knows who we are and what we are."

Anderson follows former FSU Chancellor T.J. Bryan, who resigned last year before the release of a disastrous audit of the university's finances.