Howell Takes the Helm
The newest leader of the Wolfpack, Chancellor Kevin Howell took the reins of the state’s largest university on Monday, becoming the third NC State graduate to lead his alma mater. Howell plans a quiet transition between now and when students return in August for the beginning of the fall semester.
Kevin Howell’s (’88) journey from his hometown of Shelby to his adopted home in Raleigh began anew on Monday morning when he took the helm of North Carolina’s largest university — and his beloved alma mater — as its 15th top leader.
Howell began his term as chancellor with a passionate message to all of campus that was released within moments of his arrival in his new office.
Dressed for Success
Chancellor Kevin Howell puts on his Think and Do lapel pin.
“The students, faculty and staff that keep this place and our mission moving forward day after day here in Raleigh, across the state and beyond,” Howell wrote. “That’s why I’ll be spending the first few months of my time as chancellor listening and learning about our opportunities, challenges and goals from you and our extended Wolfpack family, friends and stakeholders.”
As is his habit, Howell has arrived early and stayed late at Holladay Hall, reserving his first week as chancellor for closed-door meetings with members of his leadership Cabinet and other direct-report administrators.
He also made time to visit the General Assembly in downtown Raleigh, where he spent much of his first tenure at NC State as the assistant to the chancellor for external affairs (2006-16) and his second as the vice chancellor for external affairs, partnerships and economic development (2018-23).
What has blown me away more than anything is the kindness of everyone, even those that don’t know me yet.
Though he’s had little free time, he did have lunch one day at a Hillsborough Street restaurant operated by a former NC State student body president — a position Howell held from 1987 to 1988 before earning his degree in political science.
“What has blown me away more than anything is the kindness of everyone, even those that don’t know me yet,” Howell said on Wednesday. “It shows me that we are truly the university for the people, and those people are eager to see NC State — and me — succeed.”
On Wednesday, Howell visited with many of the faculty and staff he now leads at events related to Our Extraordinary Pack Employee Appreciation Week, greeting faculty and staff on main and Centennial campuses.
As he begins to prepare for his second week of leadership, Howell will maintain a quiet schedule of hard work, assessing the future needs of the campus he inherited from Chancellor Randy Woodson, who officially retired after 15 years of service. Woodson’s final event was Saturday’s spring commencement, where he conferred more than 7,000 undergraduate and advanced degrees to the class of ’25.
The change in leadership was seamless and smooth, as Howell had already been introduced as Woodson’s successor in March at Talley Student Union and has spent more than two decades of his student and professional careers at NC State.
Next on Howell’s summer agenda is continued meetings with members of the Legislature and university community, completing his staff, attending his first Atlantic Coast Conference meetings and visiting NC State outposts in various parts of the state.
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