The governing Board of the University of North Carolina has selected the new chancellor for North Carolina’s largest public university by enrollment as it prepares for change following the retirement of its longstanding leader. Kevin Howell has been appointed as the next chancellor of North Carolina State University, marking a historical moment as he becomes the first Black individual to hold this position since the university was founded 138 years ago.
This decision was made during Tuesday’s meeting of the university’s governing board. Howell will replace Randy Woodson, who has been at the helm since 2010 and ranks among the university system’s longest-serving chancellors. Presently, Howell is the chief external affairs officer for the University of North Carolina School of Medicine and UNC Health. His past roles within NC State include vice chancellor for external affairs, partnerships, and economic development. As an undergraduate at NC State, he served as the student body president.
“Having personal experience, I know that successful diplomacy during challenging times necessitates patience, humility, and genuine respect for differing opinions,” said UNC System President Peter Hans during the meeting. “Kevin Howell embodies these qualities abundantly.” Howell’s tenure as chancellor will commence on May 5, with a salary set at $600,000.
Woodson publicly announced his planned retirement last July during the university trustees’ meeting, aligning with the conclusion of his current contract this summer. At 67, Woodson expressed that the timing felt appropriate to transition out of the chancellorship.
Throughout Woodson’s tenure, the university has seen significant growth in graduation and retention rates, along with an increase in research funding. The student body grew to over 38,000 as of Fall 2024. “I am satisfied to leave the institution in better shape than when I started, and also confident that my successor, Howell, has ample opportunities for growth at NC State,” said Woodson after announcing his departure.
Howell will face numerous challenges upon taking office this summer, especially amidst a period of national uncertainty in higher education as institutions prepare for potential large-scale funding cuts from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). As an R1 research institution, the highest category within the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, NC State received over $48 million from the NIH in the last fiscal year. Preliminary budget challenges recently led NC State to suspend most hiring processes, including faculty recruitment, as announced in a February memo by Warwick Arden, the executive vice chancellor. The timeline for lifting this hiring freeze has not been disclosed.