UNC System President Peter Hans has appointed Lee Roberts to be the interim chancellor at UNC-Chapel Hill.
Roberts replaces Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz, who is leaving UNC-Chapel Hill to become the president at Michigan State University.
鈥淧ublic higher education is one of North Carolina鈥檚 greatest strengths, and I鈥檓 honored to play a role in serving the nation鈥檚 first and finest public university,鈥� Roberts said in a statement announcing his appointment. 鈥淐hancellor Guskiewicz and his team have done extraordinary work, and I鈥檓 excited to continue supporting the dedicated scholars, staff, and students at Carolina.鈥�
Who is Lee Roberts?
Before Hans鈥� announcement, Roberts was a member of the UNC System鈥檚 Board of Governors.
He served on two committees 鈥� as the chair of the budget and finance committee and the secretary of the audit, risk management and compliance committee. He鈥檇 been serving in the role since 2021 and .
In order to accept the interim position, Roberts had to resign from his seat on the board.
鈥淟ee Roberts is a patient leader, a generous listener, and someone raised with the values of public service,鈥� Hans said in the statement. 鈥淗e knows how to find common ground on challenging issues, and he brings out the best in everyone around him. He鈥檚 deeply committed to the university, and I鈥檓 excited to work alongside him in supporting the great work happening at Carolina.鈥�
Roberts has never held a position in academia, other than serving as an adjunct instructor at Duke University鈥檚 Sanford School of Public Policy. That lack of higher education experience has raised from some on UNC-Chapel Hill鈥檚 .
Roberts' experience in public life began when he served as the budget director for former Republican Governor Pat McCrory from 2014 to 2016, following fellow Board of Governors member Art Pope. Roberts has also served on the State Board of Community Colleges, the State Banking Commission, the Board of Visitors at Duke University鈥檚 Sanford School of Public Policy, and the Golden LEAF Foundation Board.
Roberts is a 1990 graduate of Duke University and has earned a law degree from Georgetown.
He is the son of .
Roberts will begin serving as interim chancellor after Guskiewicz鈥� tenure ends on January 12.
According to the UNC System announcement, a full nationwide search for a permanent chancellor will launch in the coming months.
"I'm looking forward to that process and to hearing from so many people committed to Carolina鈥檚 future,鈥� Hans said in the statement. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an extraordinary institution, and its best days are ahead.鈥�
