Chancellor Harold L. Martin, Sr., the esteemed leader who has presided over North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University for the past 15 years, announced his forthcoming retirement. This news marks the end of an era, as Chancellor Martin, now 71 years old, has achieved numerous milestones and accolades during his transformative 14-year tenure.

As the longest-serving chancellor within the expansive 17-campus University of North Carolina System and among the 107 historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the United States, Chancellor Martin has undeniably left an indelible mark on both his alma mater and the field of higher education. He holds the distinction of being the first NCAT Grad to lead North Carolina A&T, a testament to his deep-rooted connection with the institution.

Chancellor Martin's exemplary leadership has garnered recognition on both the state and national stages. TIME magazine profiled him as a thought leader in higher education, and he received the prestigious Thurgood Marshall College Fund's national Education Leader Award. He also earned a well-deserved spot on the EBONY Power 100 list.

Chancellor Martin's retirement will take effect at the conclusion of the 2023-24 academic year, ushering in a new era for North Carolina A&T. The university will embark on a national search to identify his successor, with further details to be disclosed in the near future.

University of North Carolina System President Peter Hans expressed heartfelt admiration for Chancellor Martin's contributions, describing him as a brilliant thinker, a disciplined leader, and an inspiration to students and colleagues across the UNC System. Under Chancellor Martin's visionary guidance, North Carolina A&T has emerged as a powerhouse of research, an economic force, and a source of life-changing opportunities, solidifying its status as a leading institution in American higher education.

HBCU Grad Chancellor Martin's academic journey began at North Carolina A&T, where he earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in electrical engineering before completing his Ph.D. at Virginia Tech. During his undergraduate years, he shared the campus with NASA astronaut Ronald McNair. Chancellor Martin embarked on his career in academia as a member of the NCA&T College of Engineering faculty, eventually ascending to positions of department chair, dean of the college, and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs. His illustrious career continued with his first chancellorship at Winston-Salem State University in 2000, followed by his role as senior vice president of Academic Affairs for the UNC System in 2006.

In his capacity as the UNC System's chief academic officer, Chancellor Martin gained invaluable insight into the intricacies of higher education policies and politics across the 17 campuses of the system. His appointment as the chancellor of NCA&T in 2009 was met with unanimous approval, and he officially assumed the position in May of that year.

Over his remarkable 35-year career within the UNC System, Chancellor Martin championed affordable and accessible public higher education, played an instrumental role in establishing North Carolina A&T as the nation's largest HBCU, and solidified the institution's reputation as an education and research leader in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Chancellor Martin's visionary leadership at A&T has yielded an impressive list of achievements:

NCA&T's rapid growth as one of the fastest-growing universities in the nation
Substantial enrollment increases, with NCA&T becoming the largest HBCU in America
Enhanced academic performance, exemplified by first-year students entering with an average GPA of 3.75 and out-of-state applicants with an average GPA of 4.1.
Critical groundwork laid for NCA&T's development, including securing recurring funds, establishing the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering, and contributing to the Harold L. Martin Sr. Engineering Research and Innovation complex.
Substantial growth in research and sponsored programs contracts and grants, reaching a record $147.4 million in FY2023.
A significant boost to NCA&T's economic impact, which has grown from $978 million to a staggering $2.4 billion

Outgoing NCA&T Board of Trustees Chair Hilda Pinnix-Ragland praised Chancellor Martin's legacy as a steadfast, ambitious, and wise leader who continually challenged the university to excel. As a NCA&T alumna herself, she highlighted his lifelong dedication to the institution and the enduring impact he will have on generations of Aggies.

In a heartfelt letter to the campus community, Chancellor Martin expressed gratitude to colleagues, alumni, and supporters for their unwavering dedication to NCA&T's remarkable ascent over the past 14 years. As he looks ahead to his remaining eight months as chancellor and the retirement that follows, he and his wife Davida Martin eagerly anticipate a future filled with family, travel and adventure.

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