Appalachian State University, a constituent member of the
University of North Carolina System, is actively seeking its next
chancellor, who with a strategic vision will lead App State in
support of its mission and commitment to educational access and
excellence, working to advance the university's status as a premier
academic institution and an innovator in higher education. A full
leadership profile can be found here:
https://chancellor.appstate.edu/search/_documents/Chancellor-Search-Leadership-Prospectus-2024.pdf
The Role of the Chancellor
The Chancellor reports to the UNC System President and executes the
policies established by the UNC Board of Governors and the App
State Board of Trustees. As the chief executive of the institution,
the Chancellor is responsible for all institutional operations,
including administrative, academic, financial, student affairs,
advancement, athletics and alumni affairs, and ensuring that the
institution's affairs are carried out consistent with federal and
state law and university policy. The Chancellor works closely with
UNC Board of Governors, the President and UNC System leaders, and
the App State Board of Trustees to ensure alignment between the
institution's strategic initiatives and the UNC System strategic
plan. The Chancellor has overall responsibilities to strengthen
existing institutional initiatives and foster new initiatives to
ensure sustainability and forward progress toward successfully
advancing the university's mission. The Chancellor will serve as
the public face of the university, providing leadership across its
campuses and being an active and contributing leader within the
community, across North Carolina, among other higher education
institutions and across the nation.
Desired Qualifications and Characteristics
Strategic vision. Universities are sprawling, decentralized
organizations, and there is always a wealth of promising ideas
competing for attention and resources. Being strategic and
disciplined about areas of strength and investment giving the
institution a sense of focus and identity is crucial for
progress.
A clear devotion to the mission of public higher education.
Founded as a teacher training school, App State has always embodied
the best of public service and commitment to uplifting its region.
An effective leader must continue to prioritize access and
opportunity for the people of North Carolina.
A relentless focus on student success. Access is only meaningful
if it leads to opportunity, and App State has an impressive record
of graduating students on time and into promising careers. A
far-sighted chancellor must sharpen that focus in a fast-changing
economy and during a time of increased skepticism toward the value
of college.
An appreciation for App State's mountain heritage and its role in
the region. This university is proudly rooted in the mountains and
is a catalyst for art, education, sports and culture in North
Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains. Honoring that identity and
celebrating it to the wider world is a key responsibility of any
App State leader.
A commitment to responsible growth. Boone is a fast-growing town,
and App State is a big part of its appeal. A collegial,
collaborative relationship with the community is essential for
maintaining a thriving environment for students and residents
alike.
A statewide perspective. Being part of the UNC System means
making decisions not just in the best interest of an individual
institution, but with the needs and interests of the entire state
in mind. An effective chancellor finds ways to expand and improve
within the broad priorities of the UNC System and public higher
education.
Honesty and integrity. Earning and keeping trust, especially in
an environment of competing interests and ideas, is vital in
leading such an open and collaborative institution, and it demands
the highest level of personal integrity, honesty and
transparency.
Comfort with high-profile accountability. Public higher education
is a lively enterprise, with a lot of stakeholders and inevitable
controversies over big decisions. A confident leader will welcome
that scrutiny as a sign of healthy interest in the state's public
universities.
Fiscal prudence and operational expertise. Sound financial
management and operational efficiency are critical to serving the
university's many goals.
A commitment to academic excellence, academic freedom and freedom
of expression. The university's mission of teaching, research and
service depends on scholarly excellence and the freedom of the
faculty to pursue knowledge without fear or favor. We must also
ensure that all members of the campus community are free to engage
in open dialogue and civil discourse. A chancellor must be ready to
defend those core principles.
In addition, the ideal candidate will possess an earned terminal
degree or equivalent leadership experience, demonstrate a depth of
understanding and appreciation for higher education, and have a
proven track record of successful leadership, management and
resource development at a major university or similarly situated
and complex organization.
Key Areas of Focus
Student-centered culture. Maintain a commitment to teaching and
personal relationships by prioritizing student success and the
faculty's role in fostering a supportive learning environment.
Ensure that every decision enhances the educational experience and
supports the academic, social and personal growth of
students.
Transparent, intentional and open communication. Explain
decisions clearly and consistently, involve stakeholders in the
decision- making process and be accountable for the outcomes.
Advocacy. Support faculty and staff recruitment and retention by
advocating for better compensation, professional development
opportunities and working conditions, particularly considering the
cost of living in Boone and growing administrative demands. Serve
as a strong advocate for App State, particularly in securing
funding from the state, private donors and other external
resources. Represent the university on all fronts with gravitas and
integrity.
Local and regional engagement. Build and maintain strong ties
with the local community and bridge the gap between the university
and surrounding communities by fostering partnerships that benefit
both.
Alumni relations. Strengthen alumni engagement and communications
with respect to the strategic objectives of the university.
Preservation of Appalachian State University's identity and
values. Respect and build upon App State's unique identity, history
and culture, and ensure that new initiatives align with the
university's core mission, rather than a generic or external
vision. Continue to foster the arts, research, academic and
athletic programming.
Deliberate and strategic growth. Align the university's growth
with strategic initiatives and regional objectives. Ensure that
expansion does not compromise the university's mission or strain
the resources of the local community.
Visibility and empathy. Serve as an empathic leader who is
approachable, personable and authentic. Demonstrate a sincere
understanding of the challenges faced by all different types of
students, faculty and staff.
About Appalachian State University
Appalachian State University celebrates 125 years of education
leadership in 2024. A thriving institution, the university honors
its founding commitment to educational access and excellence and
its rural mountain heritage through teaching, research and service.
As a premier public institution, App State shapes students into
globally minded, responsible members of society who engage with and
actively contribute to their communities.
With campuses located in the Blue Ridge Mountains and Catawba
Valley, App State enrolls more than 21,000 students at its Boone
and Hickory campuses and online, has a low student-to-faculty ratio
and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors. The
university also operates the Appalachian State University Academy
at Middle Fork, a literacy-focused lab school in Walkertown, NC,
that serves approximately 274 students in kindergarten through
fifth grade.
App State is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and
Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate, master's,
educational specialist, and doctorate degrees.
Application Procedure for Candidates
Individuals interested in being considered for the Chancellorship
of Appalachian State University must submit a letter of interest
and a curriculum vitae/resume to chancellorsearch@northcarolina.edu.
Review of application materials will begin immediately and continue
until the position is filled. Candidates will be notified before
references are contacted.
Under North Carolina law, the names and personal information of
candidates remain confidential throughout the search process and
beyond.
For other questions, contact Lynn Duffy, senior associate vice
president for leadership development and talent acquisition, UNC
System Office, at lsduffy@northcarolina.edu.
For more information about the search process, please visit the
Appalachian State University chancellor search website at https://chancellor.appstate.edu/search/.
EEO Statement
Appalachian State University is committed to providing equal
opportunity in education and employment to all applicants, students
and employees. App State does not discriminate in access to its
educational programs or activities, or with respect to hiring or
the terms and conditions of employment, on the basis of age, color,
disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic
information, national origin, political affiliation, race,
religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation or veteran
status. App State actively promotes diversity among students and
employees.