UNC Provost Still To Step Down This Summer Amidst Admin Restructuring

CHAPEL HILL – It was rumored that UNC Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Bruce Carney might delay his stepping down due to the impending administrative changeover, but he says the plan to go back to teaching as of this summer is still in the works.

Carney has served as the University’s second in command since July 1, 2009. From that date until March 26, 2010 he held the position on an interim role until taking it on as a permanent role. During his time in that position, the University has been at the center of investigations including the academic scandal of the African and Afro-American Studies Department, an NCAA investigation that resulted in the firing of UNC’s head football coach and multiple athletic department resignations, and eventually the resignation of Chancellor Holden Thorp.

Carney says he’s confident that the University is at a place now where it can start to move on.

“Once we have the new chancellor in place…I don’t think they’ll completely go silent, but I think we can move past them and move on,” Carney says.

While scandal has been at the center of attention, that’s not all that University officials have to keep track of. The provost is also the chair of the budget committee and is responsible for leading the academic mission and overseeing academic administration.

One hire that Carney recently played a major role in was that of the director for the Academic Support Program for Student Athletes. After a national search, he says Florida Atlantic University’s Michelle Brown was by far the best fit.

“We had three excellent candidates show up for interviews,” Carney says. “She won the competition. She’s going to be an outstanding director.”

Brown will report to Carney’s successor when she takes the position May 6. Previously that role was a part of the College of Arts and Sciences.

The search for UNC’s next provost is underway just as the search is for its next chancellor. Dean of the School of Nursing and Alumni Distinguished Professor at UNC, Dr. Kristen Swanson is chairing the search committee for the provost position. She and 20 other members began the search in February.

Just as the Chancellor Search Committee submits a list of finalists to System President Tom Ross, the Provost Search Committee will submit finalists to the new chancellor. The appointment of the new provost is expected to occur some time this spring.

To see the provost search announcement, click here.

To see the provost search committee leadership statement, click here.