for Academic Affairs, was named interim chancellor of the
University effective July 1.
UNC President Erskine Bowles made the announce-
ment on June 22. Dr. Jenkins succeeds Dr. Allen C. Me-
adors 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.
"Dr. Jenkins 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 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 perma-
nent chancellor.
"I look forward to working with the students, faculty,
staff and all UNCP's constituencies," he said.
Dr. Breeden Blackwell, then-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 ser-
vice 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 pro-
"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 pro-
vost. 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. As-
sociation of Academic Officers.
A resident of Laurinburg, N.C., Dr. Jenkins 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 Lau-
rinburg-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 Bach-
elor and Master of Arts in Education degrees from East
Carolina University and a doctorate in educational ad-
ministration from Duke University. He is married to Karen
Gibson Jenkins.
knowledge of UNCP and the
surrounding region."