The Pine Needle

Dr. Charles F. Harrington is UNCP's new provost
and vice chancellor for academic affairs

Charles F. Harrington, Ph.D., is UNCP's new provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs pending approval by the UNC Board of Governors.

Chancellor Allen C. Meadors said on Aug. 1 that Dr. Harrington will assume his new duties on Aug. 15.

Dr. Harrington has been assistant vice president for academic affairs at University of Southern Indiana at Evansville since 2000.

"I'm stoked," Dr. Harrington told The Pine Needle on Aug. 1 from his office at Southern Indiana, where he also is associate professor of business statistics in the Department of Economics and Finance.

Goals. "My near term goal is to develop a working relationship with administrators and the chancellor and to continue the good relationship the office of provost has developed with the faculty senate," Dr. Harrington said. He also said he plans to carefully study the university master and academic plan, "meet the folks," and receive student input.

"I was impressed with how intimate everyone was with one another on my visit, and I'm looking forward to becoming a part of the family," the new provost said. "I want to hear what everyone has to say."

"Dr. Harrington will do a fantastic job for UNCP," Chancellor Meadors said.

Philosophy. One of three candidates for provost, Dr. Harrington was interviewed by faculty, staff, students and administrators on July 20. During his visit to UNCP, he said he believes in shared governance, open communication and the importance of faculty and student retention.

"I wanted to know what the community felt, so I stood out in front of the Super Wal-Mart in Lumberton," Dr. Harrington said. "Everyone I talked to responded with tremendous pride. Two individuals referred to UNCP as our university," he recalled.

"Dr. Harrington has done a fine job in two positions here," said Dr. H. Ray Hoops, president of the University of Southern Indiana. "I feel absolutely confident he'll do a fine job for UNCP."

Dr. Harrington was director of institutional research and assessment at University of Southern Indiana from 1995-2000. He had been assistant director of budget and research services and coordinator of institutional research at the State University of West Georgia from 1990-1995.

Education. His Ph.D. in higher education was awarded by Ohio University at Athens. His dissertation was entitled Characteristics, Roles, and Functions of Academic Department Chairpersons.

Dr. Harrington's M.S. from Drexel University at Philadelphia was in non-profit management. His B.A. was earned at Ohio University where he majored in philosophy and minored in mathematics.

Chancellor Meadors said, "The provost search committee led by Dean (Thomas) Leach did a fantastic job in narrowing down over 55 candidates to three. All three were impressive."

Dr. Harrington and his spouse, Kelly, have three daughters: Emma, 14; Abbey, 12; and Claire, 9. They will be here Aug. 4-5 to prepare for their move.

UNCP began its search for a new provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs after the spring 2005 semester when Dr. Roger G. Brown left to become chancellor of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga on July 1.

Dr. Charles F. Harrington's curriculum vitae:

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