Press release that went out on Feb 17, 2006:North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Chancellor James Carmichael Renick announced he has accepted the position of senior vice president for programs and research at the American Council on Education (ACE) in Washington, D.C., effective June 1.
Renick has served as chancellor and professor of political science at N.C. A&T since July 1999. Prior to A&T, Renick was chancellor and professor at the University of Michigan-Dearborn.
In addition, Renick announced that Dr. Carolyn W. Meyers, A&T provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, was tapped today as the next president of Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Va.
UNC President Erskine Bowles said of Renick's decision: "Since taking the helm in 1999, Chancellor Renick has propelled A&T to new levels of growth and academic prominence. While part of Jim's legacy will certainly be A&T's transformation to a doctoral research-intensive institution, he also has overseen phenomenal growth in capital construction and fund raising, strengthened relationships and partnerships with area colleges and universities- particularly UNC-Greensboro - and sharpened the campus' focus on preparing students for the jobs of tomorrow. In short, he has raised the bar for administrative leadership across this University. This is a loss for A&T and the entire state."A&T Board of Trustees Chair, Dr. Velma Speight-Buford, offered Renick congratulations: "He has provided exemplary leadership for N.C. A&T and will be missed, however, I know this is an excellent opportunity for Chancellor Renick to pursue his dream at a different level in higher education."
As senior vice president for programs and research (formerly programs and analysis), Renick will be responsible for working with senior program staff to develop an integrated, visionary, and focused program agenda for ACE that reflects the Council’s strategic priorities as it works to respond to the changing demands on campus leaders. Recognized for his success in a number of areas including access and opportunity, Renick will provide strategic leadership in the areas of Diversity and Access; Leadership and Institutional Effectiveness; International Initiatives; and Lifelong Learning.
“I am extremely pleased to have a professional of Dr. Renick’s caliber join the Council in this important position,” said ACE President David Ward.
Founded in 1918, ACE is the major coordinating body for all the nation's higher education institutions, representing more than 1,600 college and university presidents, and more than 200 related associations, nationwide. It seeks to provide leadership and a unifying voice on key higher education issues and influence public policy through advocacy, research, and program initiatives.
Renick earned a bachelor’s degree from Central State University in Ohio, where he was inducted into the Donald K. Anthony Achievement Hall of Fame in 1993. He earned an MSW degree from Kansas University, and a Ph.D. in public administration from Florida State University. Renick is also a former ACE Fellow.
"The last seven years have been the highlight of my professional life," Renick said. "N.C. A&T is a very special place in the constellation of American higher education.
"I will always consider myself a proud Aggie!"
In regards to his new role at ACE, Renick said: "I'm looking forward to being a part of the ACE leadership team and furthering the important mission of the Council."
Renick serves on numerous national boards including the National Council for Science and the Environment and on the Presidential Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Locally, Renick has served on the Greater Greensboro Merchants Association where he chaired the Board; Greater Greensboro Area Chamber of Commerce; United Way of Greater Greensboro; N.C. Board of Science and Technology; and International Civil Rights Center & Museum. He received the Leadership Medal awarded by the Greater Greensboro Area Chamber of Commerce and has been cited as one of the “50 Most Influential People in the Triad” by the Business Journal.
He has consulted nationally and internationally on leadership and higher education. In 1985, Renick established the Executive Fellows program at the University of South Florida, serving as the founding educational chair and director of the public administration program. Most recently, he is a founding member of the Millennium Leadership Institute of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities - a program designed to increase the number of university presidents/chancellors of color.
Numerous professional journals have published his research including the Social Science Quarterly, Personnel Journal, State Government, Metropolitan Universities, and Public Personnel Management Journal. His achievements have brought him numerous awards including the American Association for Higher Education Black Caucus' Exemplary Award for Public Service, the University of Michigan President's Medallion, and Faculty of the Year.
***The A&T Board of Trustees will form a search committee to locate a successor to Chancellor Renick. Once its search is completed, the Board of Trustees will forward the names of finalists to President Bowles for consideration. The new chancellor, upon nomination by the President, must be elected by the UNC Board of Governors, the policy-making body of the 16-campus University of North Carolina.
Located in Greensboro with an enrollment over 11,000 students, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, is a doctoral research-intensive institution. N.C. A&T aspires to be the premier interdisciplinary-centered university in America that builds on its comparative advantages in engineering, technology, agriculture, and business; a strong civil rights legacy; and status
as an 1890 land-grant institution. Ranked third in the UNC System in terms of research funding, A&T will celebrate its 115th anniversary in March. For more information, visit
www.ncat.edu.