A former chancellor at Winston-Salem State University has been named the top executive at North Carolina A&T
State University.
"There is no doubt in my mind that Harold Martin is absolutely the right person to lead N.C A&T today and in the years to come," said UNC System President Erskine Bowles.
Martin was selected Friday by the University of North Carolina Board of Governors, which oversees the 16-campus university system of which A&T is a part.
Martin is an alumnus of the university he will lead and a former chancellor at neighboring Winston-Salem State University for six years. Martin has been senior vice president for academic affairs at the UNC system office in Chapel Hill.
Martin begins his new job June 8 and, on Friday, said one of his top agenda items is to bring in more money to the school from sources other than the state.
"The resources of this institution have been impacted significantly by the economy," he said. "Raising additional funds to diversity those resource are necessary to maintain the quality of what we do here."
Martin replaces Stanley Battle, who announced his resignation in February for family and personal reasons.
He said the university must do a better job of reaching out to alumni, something he's confident he can do as a graduate of the school.
"I don't believe there will be as much anxiety about trust, which I think is critical to a part of the need to communicate effectively and engage with individuals," Martin said.
Martin also said he wants to address campus safety immediately, a concern for many students.
"People get robbed here all the time, like we're out in the neighborhood on the streets, but we're on a college campus," said student William Taylor Jr. "We should feel safe."
Martin said he did not apply for the chancellor position two years ago, but felt compelled to this time.
"(The) time is right. ... It's good to be home," he said.
"There is no doubt in my mind that Harold Martin is absolutely the right person to lead N.C A&T today and in the years to come," said UNC System President Erskine Bowles.
Martin was selected Friday by the University of North Carolina Board of Governors, which oversees the 16-campus university system of which A&T is a part.
Martin is an alumnus of the university he will lead and a former chancellor at neighboring Winston-Salem State University for six years. Martin has been senior vice president for academic affairs at the UNC system office in Chapel Hill.
Martin begins his new job June 8 and, on Friday, said one of his top agenda items is to bring in more money to the school from sources other than the state.
"The resources of this institution have been impacted significantly by the economy," he said. "Raising additional funds to diversity those resource are necessary to maintain the quality of what we do here."
Martin replaces Stanley Battle, who announced his resignation in February for family and personal reasons.
He said the university must do a better job of reaching out to alumni, something he's confident he can do as a graduate of the school.
"I don't believe there will be as much anxiety about trust, which I think is critical to a part of the need to communicate effectively and engage with individuals," Martin said.
Martin also said he wants to address campus safety immediately, a concern for many students.
"People get robbed here all the time, like we're out in the neighborhood on the streets, but we're on a college campus," said student William Taylor Jr. "We should feel safe."
Martin said he did not apply for the chancellor position two years ago, but felt compelled to this time.
"(The) time is right. ... It's good to be home," he said.
