New UNC college system chancellors and presidents for 2025

This collection of stories profiles new leaders appointed as chancellors and presidents across University of North Carolina institutions for 2025.

One story introduces Heather Norris as the new chancellor at Appalachian State University, reflecting her experience guiding the campus through major events. Another highlights Kevin Howell, who becomes the first Black chancellor at NC State, after previously serving as its first Black student body president.

A separate article covers Keith Hargrove joining Elizabeth City State University, emphasizing his experience at several historically Black universities. Readers also meet James Martin, who will lead NC A&T as the country's largest HBCU, and learn about Lee Roberts, UNC-Chapel Hill’s new chancellor with a financial background. Additional updates mention search committees forming at Appalachian State and system-wide leadership trends

Read the stories below.

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James Martin is introduced Friday, June 21, 2024, as the 13th chancellor of North Carolina A&T State University.

NO. 1: NEW CHANCELLOR ANNOUNCED FOR NC A&T. HERE’S WHO WILL LEAD THE COUNTRY’S LARGEST HBCU.

With a research background in risk engineering and earthquake science, he comes to A&T from the University of Pittsburgh. | Published June 21, 2024 | Read Full Story by Korie Dean

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Sen. Deanna Ballard speaks during the N.C. Senate Education Committee meeting in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, July 21, 2021. By Ethan Hyman

NO. 2: DEAN’S LIST: FORMER STATE SENATOR TAPPED TO LEAD APP STATE CHANCELLOR SEARCH COMMITTEE

Learn more in The N&O’s higher education news roundup about who will be tasked with finding Appalachian State University’s next leader. | Published July 3, 2024 | Read Full Story by Korie Dean

UNC system president Peter Hans (right) installs new UNC Chapel Hill chancellor Lee Roberts during a ceremony on campus, Friday, October 11, 2024. By Kaitlin McKeown

NO. 3: LEE ROBERTS TAKES OATH AS UNC CHANCELLOR. BUILDING TRUST IS STILL A WORK IN PROGRESS.

The senate of the Graduate and Professional Student Government passed a vote of no-confidence against Lee Roberts days before he was set to be installed as chancellor. | Published October 11, 2024 | Read Full Story by Korie Dean

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Dean’s List is a weekly newsletter about higher education from The News & Observer and reporter Korie Dean.

NO. 4: DEAN’S LIST: WELCOME TO 2025. WHAT’S ON THE HORIZON IN HIGHER EDUCATION THIS YEAR?

Learn more in The N&O’s higher education newsletter about policies and changes that might be coming to higher education in 2025. | Published January 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Korie Dean

Hulburt Norris is the interim chancellor of Appalachian State University.

NO. 5: APPALACHIAN STATE HAS A NEW CHANCELLOR. SHE’S ALREADY LED THE SCHOOL THROUGH HELENE

The new Appalachian State University chancellor knows the university “from top to bottom,” the UNC System president says. | Published February 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Korie Dean

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Kevin Howell, an N.C. State alumnus and longtime N.C. State and UNC System administrator, is congratulated by N.C. State Chancellor Randy Woodson before being formally announced as the university’s next chancellor during a ceremony at Talley Student Union on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. By Travis Long

NO. 6: HE WAS NC STATE’S FIRST BLACK STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT. NOW, HE’LL SERVE AS CHANCELLOR.

Kevin Howell will replace Randy Woodson, who will retire after 15 years as chancellor. | Published March 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Korie Dean

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Keith Hargrove will be the next chancellor of Elizabeth City State University.

NO. 7: ELIZABETH CITY STATE CHANCELLOR NAMED. WHY HIS HBCU PEDIGREE MADE HIM TOP PICK

ECSU’s new leader most recently held a high-ranking position at Tuskegee University. | Published May 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Korie Dean

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.