Guskiewicz named chancellor of UNC-Chapel Hill

"Carolina has been my home for almost 25 years, and I am grateful for this opportunity to serve every member of our community," he said in a statement. "My vision for Carolina is that we will move forward into the future with boldness and confidence because our work is vital for the people of our state, the nation and the world. There is no institution in the world that is more capable of changing the future than our nation’s first public university. I am committed to championing our community, fighting for our values and demonstrating that we make a difference in the lives of all North Carolinians."

Guskiewicz has already faced difficulties during his 10 months as interim chancellor, including a questionable deal to resolve a dispute over a controversial Confederate monument and criticism from federal investigators over the way UNC-Chapel Hill handles campus sexual assaults.

Guskiewicz said in statements responding to protests and the legal threat that the deal ensures Silent Sam won't return to campus, that UNC-Chapel Hill now needs to move forward, and the Board of Governors needs to ensure the Sons of Confederate Veterans doesn't use any of the $2.5 million to promote a historical view that casts the Confederate cause in a good light.

Ashton Martin, UNC-Chapel Hill's student body president, said the campus is "fraught with tensions" over the Silent Sam deal and urged Guskiewicz to confront the school's racial history and take a stance against racism.

Almost as if answering the challenge, Guskiewicz announced during his introductory speech a $5 million commitment to fund the university's new Commission on History, Race and A Way Forward, as well as diversity training and public safety efforts.

"We do have work to do," he said.

Guskiewicz didn't release details of the final federal report until last month, when he focused on steps the campus was taking to upgrade campus safety.

UNC officials said he also has been "instrumental in shaping Carolina's new strategic plan" in recent months and relaunched the Tar Heel Bus Tour with 90 faculty and campus leaders, demonstrating the school's commitment to the state.

"Over the past 10 months, Dr. Guskiewicz has guided this university with a stable and sure hand. He is deeply committed to our university and its mission, prioritizing student success, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and addressing the critical needs of North Carolina and the world," Richard Stevens, chairman of the UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees, said in a statement.

Prior to serving as interim chancellor, Guskiewicz served three years as dean of the university's College of Arts & Sciences. He also serves as co-director of the Matthew Gfeller Sport-Related Traumatic Brain Injury Research Center, where he is a nationally recognized expert on sport-related concussions.

In 2011, he received the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship – often called a "genius grant" – for his innovative work on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of sport-related concussions. In 2013, Time magazine named him a Game Changer, one of 18 "innovators and problem-solvers that are inspiring change in America."

"Kevin Guskiewicz possesses the leadership qualities needed to take Carolina forward: strength, poise, humility, vision, the strong proficiency to listen and the ability to bring people together," UNC Interim President Dr. Bill Roper said in a statement. "Throughout his distinguished career in higher education, Kevin has demonstrated a sustained track record of success. I have the utmost confidence that UNC-Chapel Hill will continue to flourish and prosper under his continued leadership."