UNC leadership announced Tuesday Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Bob Blouin will be stepping down from his position at the end of 2021.

Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz revealed the news in a message to the campus community Tuesday afternoon, saying Blouin would be leaving the role he’s served in since 2017.

“A well-respected educator, innovator, researcher and administrator, Bob has been a source of unwavering support for the University, guiding some of our most important and challenging work,” wrote Guskiewicz. “Every day, he has conducted his role with the utmost dignity and respect for his administrative colleagues, faculty associates, students and community partners. Bob goes the extra mile in everything he does and is routinely the first person in South Building and the last one to leave each day. I am grateful for his steadfast support and passion for Carolina’s mission to serve our state, nation and the world.”

Blouin, who is the university’s 15th provost in its history, will resume his work as the Vaughn and Nancy Bryson Distinguished Professor in the Eshelman School of Pharmacy following the change.

During his tenure as provost, Blouin oversaw UNC’s academic programming and led planning for some of the university’s bigger recent projects. Recently, the provost helped coordinate the university’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, constructing the Carolina Together Roadmap to bring students onto campus for the fall 2020 semester and implementing changes to improve safety in the current spring semester. Additionally, Blouin helped direct the development of Carolina’s strategic plan, titled Carolina Next: Innovations for Public Good. Approved in January 2020, the plan identifies eight strategic initiatives UNC aims to achieve through integration in academic settings and action across campus.

Before being named provost, Blouin served as dean of the Eshelman School of Pharmacy for nearly 14 years. Prior to his arrival at Carolina, he served a faculty member and administrator at the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy from 1978 to 2003.

In his message on Tuesday, Guskiewicz said a new executive vice chancellor and provost will likely be named in the late fall. The university will name a search committee and conduct a nationwide search beginning later in May.

Photo via Jon Gardiner/UNC-Chapel Hill.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.

Related Stories
‹
Read Kevin Guskiewicz's Letter to UNC As He Leaves for Michigan State
Friday marked the final day for UNC Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz, as he leaves Chapel Hill to assume the presidency at Michigan State.
UNC To Follow County Guidance When Dropping Mask Mandate
Editor’s note: The Orange County government announced at its March 1 meeting its mask mandate will be lifted March 7.  UNC leadership announced in a school-wide message Friday that it will follow Orange County Health Department leadership on indoor mask mandates. While other counties across the state are lifting their mask mandates, the Orange County […]
UNC Reports 1,000 COVID-19 Cases to Start Spring Semester
As UNC began its first day of classes Monday, the Carolina Together COVID-19 dashboard showed more than 1,000 cases of COVID-19 in the campus community.
UNC Names Astrophysicist Chris Clemens as Next Provost
The University of North Carolina announced its selection of the 16th provost in school history on Thursday night. Chris Clemens, an astrophysicist who has worked at the university since 1998, was selected and approved by the UNC Board of Trustees to be the university’s next executive vice chancellor and provost following a months-long search. “I […]
UNC Encourages COVID-19 Testing; 190 Student Cases Since Aug. 18
Despite vigorous COVID-19 protocol and high vaccination status, COVID-19 cases at UNC continue to rise.
UNC Reports COVID Cluster at Avery Residence Hall
Officials say five cases are associated with the COVID-19 cluster at Avery Residence Hall, UNC's first cluster since classes began this week.
First COVID-19 Cluster Identified at UNC for 2021-22 Academic Year
UPDATE: On Friday, August 13, the Orange County Health Department confirmed to 97.9 The Hill this cluster of COVID-19 cases is linked to an outdoor event. UNC has announced its first COVID-19 cluster for the 2021-22 academic year, exactly one week before classes are set to begin on August 18. According to a Carolina Together […]
UNC Leadership Looks Ahead to a 'Normal' Fall Semester
After more than a year of remote learning, UNC is looking ahead to a “traditional” fall semester. With rigorous COVID-19 precautions and more students having received their vaccine, university leaders said they look forward to welcoming students back on campus.
UNC Prepares To Vaccinate Students On Campus Starting Next Week
UNC is moving up its vaccination timeline for students following increased supply and news that all North Carolinians will become eligible for their shot on April 7, no matter the group.
UNC, Chapel Hill Leaders Discourage Gathering Ahead of UNC-Duke Game
Ahead of the UNC - Duke basketball game on Saturday, university and Chapel Hill officials are asking the campus community to abstain from Franklin Street celebrations if the Tar Heels see another win.
›