UNC System Selects Peter Hans as New President

The University of North Carolina System selected Peter Hans as its newest president during its Board of Governors meeting on Friday.

The board shared the news Friday morning after convening in closed session to hear a report from its presidential search committee. Hans, who is currently serving as the president of the North Carolina Community College System, is named after a year-long presidential search delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. The news comes after the search committee met in-person on Wednesday to conduct candidate interviews.

“Peter has long distinguished himself as a visionary leader who not only understands, but who is leading the charge for the future of higher education,” said UNC Board of Governors Chair Randy Ramsey, who also served as co-chair of the search committee, in a release. “We believe there is no one better suited to lead our university system into the future—even if the future may be very different than the one we all thought it would be six months ago. We are delighted to have Peter Hans as our new president and look forward to the transition process.”

Hans is well-versed with the UNC System, having previously served on the Board of Governors in 2003, 2007 and 2011. He also led the board as chair from 2012 to 2014. In addition, Hans also served a six-year term on the State Board of Community Colleges, where he was vice chair.

During a media availability following his naming as president-elect, Hans emphasized the system’s need to address feedback given by families, employers and even the world during the presidential search.

“The traditions of higher education are rich and meaningful,” he said, “and yet, we must avoid resting on our laurels. We remain rooted in our core mission to discover, create, transmit and apply knowledge, but to serve our students and our citizens, the university of the people must embrace change. I accept this joyful responsibility during a difficult time. I do so because I love this university and all it stands for.”

The UNC System had been searching for a permanent solution to the role of president since Margaret Spellings resigned from the position in 2019 after three years in the position. Dr. Bill Roper has served in the interim, but expressed his desire in September to not seek the permanent position and extended his tenure as COVID-19 caused delays in the search process.

“It has been a real honor to serve for the last year and a half,” Roper said at the media availability, “but it’s time. I’m delighted my dear friend Peter Hans will be the next president.”

Hans is a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill with bachelors degree in political science and a masters degree of liberal arts in extension studies from Harvard University. He will assume the position of president effective August 1, 2020.

Photo via the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

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