Lee Roberts Appointed Chancellor of UNC

— After months of speculation, Lee Roberts has been appointed as the 13th chancellor of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The University of North Carolina Board of Governors approved Roberts' appointment on Friday, following his tenure as interim chancellor since December. UNC System President Peter Hans emphasized the need for "fresh eyes" to navigate the university through challenging times in higher education. Roberts, who previously served on the UNC Board of Governors since 2021, has faced significant challenges during his interim leadership, notably during campus protests related to the Gaza conflict that led to multiple arrests. His predecessor, Kevin Guskiewicz, left the chancellorship in January to take on the presidency at Michigan State University. The search for a new chancellor was conducted under a systemwide policy that maintains confidentiality, preventing public access to candidate identities. The search committee, led by Laurie Wilder of Parker Executive Search, highlighted the competitive nature of the current academic leadership landscape, with many top universities conducting their own searches in recent years. This "war for talent" has made it crucial for institutions to consider a diverse range of candidates, including those with backgrounds in academia, corporate sectors, and military service. Wilder noted that effective leadership can come from various pathways, challenging traditional notions of what constitutes a suitable candidate for such roles.