North Carolina Central University Chancellor Debra Saunders-White is taking a medical leave of absence.

Saunders-White has been undergoing treatment for cancer and officials with the UNC System say she requested the leave “in order to fully focus her energies on her treatment.”

Saunders-White has been leading NCCU since 2013 after her tenure as the United States deputy assistant secretary for higher education programs.

UNC System President Margaret Spellings announced Monday that NCCU provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs Johnson O. Akinleye will serve as the acting chancellor effective immediately.

Spellings released a statement announcing the decision:

“I wholeheartedly support Chancellor Saunders-White’s decision to direct her complete attention to treatment, and NCCU is fortunate that Provost Akinleye has agreed to assume even greater responsibilities while she is on medical leave. Given his extensive administrative experience, he is exceptionally well qualified to assume oversight of the campus. The university will be in very good hands, and I am grateful that he has accepted this important assignment.”

Akinleye has served as the NCCU chief academic officer since January 2014.

Under the leadership of Saunders-White, NCCU was named HBCU of the Year in July.

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