The University of North Carolina Board of Governors has announced the new chancellor of Western Carolina University. Kelli R. Brown, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Georgia College & State University, will serve as the 12th chancellor of the University.
The search for a new chancellor has been ongoing since 2017 when Chancellor David Orr Belcher stepped down for medical reasons. He passed away in summer of 2018. On Saturday, April 27, the Fine and Performing Arts College will be officially dedicated to the late Chancellor.
This has been the second round performed by the search committee. It was relaunched after the search fell apart last July.
Brown will assume her new duties on July 1.
“Being selected as the 12th chancellor of this incredible institution is the opportunity of a lifetime. I am impressed by the university’s passionate focus on student success and its ongoing commitment to access while also delivering the absolute highest quality education,” says Brown in a press release. “I am inspired by WCU’s efforts to prepare students for life through experiential education and career preparation – especially students from the western region that this university was founded to serve.”
Brown became a professor and provost at Georgia College & State University in 2013. In July 2016, she was appointed interim president of Valdosta State and became president of the school in January 2017. She then returned to Georgia College as provost and senior vice president for academic affairs.
Alison Morrison-Shetlar, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, has been serving as interim chancellor of Western Carolina since 2017.
Brown will be formally introduced on campus as the new chancellor on Monday, April 29, in the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center at 3pm.
