Meadors Steps Down at UNCP; Jenkins Named Interim Chancellor

Dr. Charles Jenkins, former provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs, was named interim chancellor of The University of North Carolina at Pembroke effective July 1.

UNC President Erskine Bowles made the announcement on Monday, June 22. Dr. Jenkins succeeds Dr. Allen C. Meadors who stepped down after 10 years to take the top job at the University of Central Arkansas, his alma mater.

In announcing Jenkins’ appointment, President Bowles said: “During his 38 years of service to UNC Pembroke, Charles Jenkins has distinguished himself as a top-notch academic administrator and teacher.

“He has unmatched knowledge of UNCP and the surrounding region, and he has earned the trust and respect of his faculty colleagues, the students, the local community, and other key campus constituencies,” Bowles continued. “UNCP will be in very capable hands during the search for a permanent chancellor.”

Dr. Jenkins has served UNCP in many capacities since 1971 with 26 years in senior administrative posts.

“I see this as another opportunity to serve UNC Pembroke, which greatly affects this region and the state,” Dr. Jenkins said. “There is much work to do, and I hope that I can be of service in a smooth transition to a permanent chancellor.

“I look forward to working with the students, faculty, staff and all UNCP’s constituencies,” he said.

Dr. Breeden Blackwell, chair of UNCP’s Board of Trustees, said Dr. Jenkins’ experience will be invaluable at this time.

“I am pleased with President Bowles’ selection of Dr. Charles R. Jenkins as Interim Chancellor for the University, effective July 1, 2009,” Dr. Blackwell said. “Dr. Jenkins’ loyalty to the University is evident through his years of service to our campus. The Board of Trustees will soon begin its important task to replace Allen C. Meadors and Dr. Jenkins’ proven leadership will be important during this transitional time.”

From faculty member to provost and vice chancellor, Dr. Jenkins also worked in the positions of academic dean, director of admissions and director of student teaching. He was named Professor Emeritus in 2007 and continues to teach in the School of Education’s graduate program in school administration.

The University achieved many milestones during Dr. Jenkins’ tenure, including Comprehensive I status after launching a broad range of successful master’s degree programs. The designation allowed for significant increases in faculty salaries.

The Teaching Fellows Program, Chancellor’s Scholars (now the Esther Maynor Honors College), the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and 15 master’s degree programs were launched during Dr. Jenkins’ tenure.

“The things we did were accomplished with the help of many good people, and that is the approach we will take this year,” Dr. Jenkins said.

He was the first person at UNCP to hold the title of provost. Dr. Jenkins has worked in support of the University, higher education and the surrounding communities.

He served as a commissioner for the Commission on Colleges for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and was former president of the N.C. Association of Academic Officers.

A resident of Laurinburg, N.C., he served on the Board of Directors of Scotland County Memorial Hospital and served two years as chair. He was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by the governor.

Dr. Jenkins was named Volunteer of the Year by the Laurinburg-Scotland Area Chamber of Commerce for his work last summer on its national accreditation. He is a past president of the Pembroke Area Chamber of Commerce.

A Rockingham, N.C., native, Dr. Jenkins earned Bachelor and Master of Arts in Education degrees from East Carolina University and a doctorate in educational administration from Duke University. He is married to Karen Gibson Jenkins.