When UNC Asheville Chancellor Kimberly van Noort was appointed to lead the university in 2024, she stepped into significant challenges.
The university faced a roughly 25% enrollment decline over the last five years and has grappled with a deficit of approximately $6 million dollars from two years ago.
Most recently, UNCA has been in a nearly year-long dispute with some Asheville residents over its plans to develop about 45 acres of forest on the university’s south campus. That area is part of 210 acres the UNC System Board of Governors designated in 2021 as the Millennial Campus. The designation allows the university to develop the property to enhance research, teaching, and the economic development of the region.
In addition to the 45 acres of forest, the campus includes the Sherrill Center properties, as well as the building housing the Kimmel Arena.
BPR’s Jose Sandoval spoke with van Noort about a variety of topics including:
- Integrating the university’s interests to align with the larger Asheville community's goals.
- Enhancing the student experience on campus through the development.
- Addressing criticism from advocacy groups about the plans and concerns.
- Improving communication with the community about the properties.
You can listen to their conversation – which has been edited for time and clarity – by clicking the LISTEN button below the headline.
