Spellings elected president of the University of North Carolina
Margaret Spellings, president of the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas and former U.S. Secretary of Education, was elected president of the 17-campus University of North Carolina during a special meeting of the UNC Board of Governors Oct. 23.
Ann Goodnight and Therence Pickett, co-vice chairs of the 11-member search committee charged with bringing finalists to the full board for consideration, delivered the group’s unanimous recommendation. Spellings, 57, will take office March 1, 2016, succeeding Thomas Ross, who is stepping down in January after five years in the post.
“Given her stature, proven intellect, skill set and passion for education, Margaret Spellings is perfectly positioned to lead the UNC system into the future,” said Search Committee Chair Joan McNeill, who was out of the country and unable to attend the Oct. 23 meeting.
Spellings has served as president of the George W. Bush Presidential Center since 2013. In that role, she oversees the operations of the former U.S. president’s foundation, public policy institute, and, in collaboration with the National Archives and Records Administration, his presidential library and museum.
Born in Ann Arbor, Mich., Spellings spent much of her childhood in Houston. She is a 1979 graduate of the University of Houston, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in political science. She also received an honorary doctorate and Distinguished Alumna Award from the university in 2006.