Kevin Howell Returns Home: NC State’s First Black Student Body President Becomes University Chancellor

He’s breaking barriers — again.

Nearly 40 years after making history as North Carolina State University’s first Black student body president, Kevin Howell has come full circle. In a unanimous decision, the UNC System Board of Governors voted to appoint Howell as the next chancellor of NC State, marking a milestone moment in the university’s 137-year history (The News & Observer).

Standing before a crowd that erupted in applause at Talley Student Union, Howell opened his acceptance speech with heartfelt gratitude:

“It’s good to be home at NC State,” he said, drawing a standing ovation from students, alumni, and faculty members.

Officially assuming the role on May 5, 2025, Howell’s appointment is more than a professional triumph — it’s a symbolic return for a man whose personal story mirrors the evolution of the university itself.

UNC System President Peter Hans praised Howell as “the personification of what makes NC State extraordinary — a place where a talented young man from Cleveland County can find a home, break barriers as the first-ever Black student body president, and then devote his life to the service and uplift of public education” (WRAL News).

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A Career Rooted in Service and Strategy

Howell’s academic foundation is a reflection of North Carolina’s educational excellence. He earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from NC State before obtaining a law degree from UNC-Chapel Hill. But instead of following a traditional academic path, Howell carved out a two-decade career at the intersection of policy, education, and public leadership.

He began his professional journey serving as a liaison to the North Carolina General Assembly under Governors Jim Hunt and Mike Easley, where he became known for his bipartisan approach and deep understanding of higher education policy (The Chronicle of Higher Education). Later, as chief external affairs officer for UNC Health and the UNC School of Medicine, Howell led initiatives that strengthened relationships with government agencies and helped attract funding for health research and innovation.

Outgoing Chancellor Randy Woodson, who served NC State for 14 years, praised Howell’s vision and leadership:

“Over the years, Kevin has built an incredible team and coordinated the university’s relations with local and federal leaders,” Woodson said in 2024. “He’s helped forge partnerships and drive economic investments that have had a lasting impact on our university and our state.”

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Leading Through Innovation and Inclusion

In 2019, NC State — under Howell’s guidance — earned the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities’ top national award for economic development, a recognition Howell likened to “winning a national championship.” The award celebrated NC State’s commitment to using education as a driver of innovation and economic empowerment (APLU.org).

But Howell’s return as chancellor comes during a complex era for higher education. Across the nation, universities are grappling with political polarization, declining state funding, debates over diversity programs, and mounting student debt (The Associated Press).

Howell has vowed to lead with balance and resilience.

“I pledge to be the right person, at the right time, for this university — for many years to come,” he told the NC State community. “Our challenges are real, but so is our resolve.”

President Hans echoed that confidence:

“The Wolfpack is ready to run in this new and formidable age,” he said. “Change is accelerating, and Kevin Howell is the leader who can guide NC State forward with clarity, courage, and compassion.”

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From Student Trailblazer to Transformational Leader

For many in the NC State community, Howell’s appointment represents a full-circle moment of representation and progress. When he was first elected student body president in 1987, he not only broke a racial barrier — he also helped reshape campus culture and student advocacy.

Howell’s story, as The News & Observer notes, is “a living testament to persistence, purpose, and the promise of public education.” His leadership style blends the pragmatism of a policy expert with the heart of a community builder.

“NC State’s greatest innovation,” President Hans said, “is the melding of practical wisdom and academic expertise in the service of the public good. And Kevin Howell is the embodiment of that.”

As Howell steps into his new role, he inherits a university at the forefront of research, innovation, and public engagement — one that now, under his leadership, aims to become a national model for inclusive excellence.

In the words of Howell himself:

“I’ve always believed that the power of NC State lies in its people — in their determination to think and do. Together, we will write the next chapter of this great university’s story.”

And with that, the Wolfpack’s next era begins — one defined by history, hope, and homecoming.