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Appalachian State University Chancellor
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Position Number: 5609341
Location: Boone, NC
Position Type: Presidents and Chancellors

Appalachian State University Chancellor

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.

Points of Contact

Confidential inquiries, nominations and applications should be directed via electronic mail to chancellorsearch@northcarolina.edu.

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.