CHAPEL HILL — UNC System President Peter Hans named Lee H. Roberts to be interim chancellor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in a press statement on Friday, Dec. 15.
He will assume the role following the departure of current Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz, who is stepping down after five years to depart for Michigan State University.
Roberts will assume the role beginning on Jan. 12, 2024.
“Lee Roberts is a patient leader, a generous listener, and someone raised with the values of public service,” Hans said in the announcement. “He knows how to find common ground on challenging issues, and he brings out the best in everyone around him. He’s deeply committed to the university, and I’m excited to work alongside him in supporting the great work happening at Carolina.”
A longtime executive with a record of public service in North Carolina, Roberts has worked for former Gov. Pat McCrory as state budget director from 2014-2016 and is the co-founder and managing partner of SharpVue Capital, a North Carolina-based investment firm.
“Public higher education is one of North Carolina’s greatest strengths, and I’m honored to play a role in serving the nation’s first and finest public university,” Roberts said in a statement. “Chancellor Guskiewicz and his team have done extraordinary work, and I’m excited to continue supporting the dedicated scholars, staff, and students at Carolina.”
Roberts has served on the UNC Board of Governors since 2021 and also has served previously on the State Board of Community Colleges, the State Banking Commission, the Board of Visitors at Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy, and the Golden LEAF Foundation Board.
Roberts said later in an introductory interview with university media his motivation to accept the position comes from a “family tradition of public service” and a deep commitment to a state became home at the age of 17.
“If you care about higher education, if you care about the future of the state, and if you care about public service, you have to care about what happens at Carolina. We don’t have a more important institution in the state,” said Roberts.
He is son of the late Cokie Roberts, a longtime political reporter and analyst for NPR, PBS and ABC News. His father, Steven Roberts, worked several national media outlets including The New York Times.
“I know that Lee is committed to the state of North Carolina and the important role of public higher education,” Chancellor Guskiewicz said of the announcement. “I look forward to working with him during our transition. He will build on the incredible work underway by our world-class faculty, dedicated staff, curious students and passionate alumni.”
The UNC System said a full, nationwide search with active participation from faculty, staff, alumni, students and the broader community for the permanent chancellor’s role will be launched in the coming months.
“I’m looking forward to that process and to hearing from so many people committed to Carolina’s future,” Hans said. “It’s an extraordinary institution, and its best days are ahead.”
Roberts and his wife, Liza, live in Raleigh and they have three children. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Duke University and his law degree from Georgetown University.
