Chancellor Search 2023 | UNC Asheville

Chancellor Search Launched

The search for the next chancellor of the University of North Carolina Asheville began on June 28. University of North Carolina System President Peter Hans and University of North Carolina Asheville Board of Trustees Interim Chair Roger Aiken announced the formation of a 13-member committee to conduct the process.

“I’m confident we’ll see a strong pool of candidates to lead UNC Asheville, a mission-driven institution with a deep commitment to the liberal arts,” Hans said. “The members of this committee have a strong devotion to public higher education and UNC Asheville’s unique mission. I appreciate Roger Aiken answering my call to serve as chair of the committee.”

“The committee is composed of accomplished individuals who will bring energy and dedication to an important task ahead – identifying the best candidates to advance the work of our great university,” said Aiken, who will lead the group. “I’m enormously grateful to them for being willing to invest their time and talent in this process, and I look forward to our collaboration and engagement with the broader campus community.”

Read the full news release here.

Search Advisory Committee Kickoff
- July 24, 2023
Constituent Listening Sessions
- Mid August 2023
Leadership Profile finalized
- Late August 2023
Advertise and Invite Applications
- Late August 2023
Applicant Screening/ 1st round selection
- September – October 2023
Candidate Initial Interviews and Campus Visits
- October 2023
Search Advisory Committee recommends candidates to UNCA Board of Trustees
- October – November 2023
UNCA Board of Trustees recommends candidates to UNC System President
- November 2023
President Evaluation of Finalists
- November 2023
Recommendation to and election by UNC Board of Governors
- November-December 2023
New Chancellor begins
- January 2024

UPDATES:

July 24, 2023

Kick Off Meeting – The Search Advisory Committee met on-campus for the Chancellor Search kickoff meeting where UNC System President, Peter Hans, conveyed the charge to the committee and the Search Firm provided an overview of the search process.

Read the “Charge to the Search Advisory Committee”

July 24 – August 25, 2023

Feedback Survey – Faculty, staff, students, community members, alumni, and friends of the University were invited to share their thoughts on priorities for advancing the University; strengths of UNC Asheville; and the leadership characteristics / qualifications for our next Chancellor.

August 18 & August 22, 2023

Listening Sessions – There were a total of eight sessions offered virtually and in-person for faculty, staff, students, community members, and alumni.

August 28, 2023

Leadership Statement – The leadership statement with information about UNC Asheville and information for applicants is now available.

Read the Leadership Statement

September 22, 2023

Update from the Chancellor Search Advisory Committee

The Chancellor Search Advisory Committee has moved into the most time-intensive phase, as we begin to evaluate candidate applications based on the qualifications described in the leadership statement. Read More

October 2023

Candidate Interview Process – The Search Advisory Committee reviewed 131 applications for Chancellor and selected/interviewed eight candidates in a set of first round interviews. From those eight, the committee selected four candidates to advance to on-campus interviews. The four candidates met with university leadership, trustees, faculty, staff, students, community leaders, donors/friends of the University, and members of our Foundation, Athletics, and Alumni Boards.

UNC Asheville Search Advisory Committee

Roger Aiken

Chair, Search Advisory Committee
Chair, UNC Asheville Board of Trustees
Managing Director, Aiken, Meyer, Whatley Private Wealth Management Group, Wells Fargo Advisors