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With unanimous vote, UNC system names new president

Peter Hans, who for the last two years has led the North Carolina Community College System, was elected Friday as the next president of the University of North Carolina system.

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CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Peter Hans, who for the last two years has led the North Carolina Community College System, was elected Friday as the next president of the University of North Carolina system.

The UNC Board of Governors met Friday for almost an hour in closed session before holding the public vote in which Hans was approved unanimously. He takes the helm Aug. 1.

In a round of comments before the vote, members of the Board of Governors had high praise for Hans' long career in education and politics and his ability to unite the UNC system.

"Peter has long distinguished himself as a visionary leader who not only understands, but who is leading the charge for the future of higher education," board Chairman Randy Ramsey, who also served as co-chair of the search committee, said in a statement. "We believe there is no one better suited to lead our university system into the future – even if the future may be very different than the one we all thought it would be six months ago. We are delighted to have Peter Hans as our new president and look forward to the transition process."

Hans was elected following a year-long national search. He is a former Board of Governors chairman, having served three terms on the board, and he was an adviser to former UNC President Margaret Spellings, who resigned in 2018 after months of friction with Board of Governors leadership.

"Peter Hans has done tremendous work as president of the N.C. Community College System, and he’s the right choice for UNC system president," Gov. Roy Cooper, House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger said in a joint statement. "That we all agree on Peter is a testament to the respect he commands as an able, competent leader.

"The UNC system is a shining example of quality, affordable public education. It bears responsibility for North Carolina’s competitive and skilled workforce. We’re confident Peter will continue to build on the system’s centuries of success," the three state leaders said.

Under Hans’ leadership, enrollment in North Carolina community colleges climbed 4.4 percent – the first increase in nearly a decade – last fall, with 53 of the 58 colleges reporting increases. Working hand in hand with the business community's support, community colleges received state funding for short-term workforce training in high-demand fields, a much-needed information technology upgrade and an expansion of the career coach program in high schools.

The community college system serves about 700,000 students, making it the third-largest system of higher education in the U.S.

"The university system is very fortunate to have Peter Hans as its next president," Bill McBrayer, vice chair of the State Board of Community Colleges, said in a statement. "He is a strategic, visionary and compassionate leader who has guided our community colleges with great success."

While Hans chaired the Board of Governors, the UNC system and the community college system signed a comprehensive agreement streamlining the transfer of credits for students moving from community colleges to UNC campuses.

Hans will succeed Interim President Dr. Bill Roper, who has headed the 17-campus system since early 2019, following Spellings' departure.

"Peter Hans passionately believes that North Carolina’s future depends on education, and he has a long track record of uniting people and institutions in pursuit of shared goals," Roper said in a statement. "I am confident that, with today’s decision, great things are ahead for the UNC system and for our great state."

"Whether as a trusted adviser to me at the UNC system or as president of the N.C. community colleges, Peter has worked tirelessly to improve student achievement, enhance educational access and ensure college affordability for all students," Spellings said in a statement. "I wish Peter the greatest success as he takes the helm of the system during this critical time."

Hans grew up in Southport on North Carolina's coast and Hendersonville in the mountains. He earned a bachelor's degree from UNC-Chapel Hill and a master's degree from Harvard University.

He previously served as senior policy adviser to former U.S. Sen. Lauch Faircloth, then-Congressman Richard Burr and U.S. Senate candidate Elizabeth Dole. Hans and former Lt. Gov. Dennis Wicker built a government relations practice at several regional law firms, counseling companies on public affairs, including clients in the health care, technology, retail and manufacturing sectors.

"Public education has been the cornerstone of my life and helped shape my years of public service," Hans said in a statement. "My goal is to make higher education more affordable for more North Carolinians so we can extend opportunity to all of her citizens."

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