NC State alum Kevin Howell named new chancellor to lead Wolfpack Nation
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Kevin Howell, the current chief external affairs officer at UNC Health, was named the new chancellor of NC State, the UNC Board of Governors announced Tuesday.
Howell, an NC State alum, will begin his new role on May 5. Previously, he served as vice chancellor for external affairs, partnerships and economic development at NC State from 2018 to 2023, among other positions.
"This university shaped my life in profound and generous ways, and I am honored for the chance to lead my alma mater," he said. "NC State is a brilliant and inspiring place, just like the state we serve. There are exciting days ahead for the Pack, and I'm ready to make a difference."
Howell will be the first graduate to lead the university since 1998.
Howell was recommended by University of North Carolina System President Peter Hans after a national search attracted over 75 candidates. Howell will succeed Chancellor Randy Woodson, who will retire in June after 15 years.
"Kevin Howell is a born leader with a long record of service to North Carolina, the UNC System and NC State University," Hans said. "His deep relationships across the state have helped drive investment and growth. I am confident that he will strengthen NC State's role as a frontier research university, keeping North Carolina competitive in the most important fields of our future."
Watch Full Ceremony: New NCSU Chancellor Kevin Howell
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A native of Shelby, N.C., Howell received his bachelor's degree in political science from NC State in 1988 and served as student body president during his senior year. He earned his law degree from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and later served as a legal clerk on the N.C. Court of Appeals.
Kevin Howell was NC State's first Black student body president.
Howell served as NC State's assistant to the chancellor for external affairs from 2006 to 2016. In that role, he directed the university's legislative strategy and served as legislative liaison to state and local government agencies and elected leaders.
Before coming to NC State in 2006, Howell served as legislative liaison for two N.C. governors and worked for the N.C. Bar Association as director of governmental affairs.
Howell currently serves on the executive committee of the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce as former board chair; the executive committee of myFutureNC, a non-profit that seeks to have 2 million North Carolinians hold an industry-valued credential or postsecondary degree by 2030; and the executive committee of the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities' Commission on Economic & Community Engagement.
Howell also serves on the board of directors for the North Carolina Symphony and the UNC Law School Foundation. He is a member of the advisory board for NC State's Friday Institute for Educational Innovation
He's chief of external affairs for UNC Health and UNC School of Medicine, Howell leads the development and implementation of strategies shaping public policy and legislation for a healthcare system with 19 hospitals, more than 900 clinics, 3,000 physicians and more than 40,000 employees. He cultivates relationships with government officials and stakeholders to advance UNC Health initiatives and directs philanthropy, institutional strategic branding, marketing, communications, and corporate and community affairs to ensure alignment with organizational goals.
Before joining UNC Health, Howell served as NC State's vice chancellor for external affairs, partnerships and economic development from 2018 to 2023. In that role, Howell managed units tasked with partnerships, economic development, the Small Business and Technology Development Center, state and local relations, and federal affairs. He led a strategic focus to build and manage relationships and economic partnerships to enhance local and global engagement to create new jobs and investments for the state of North Carolina.
