Good evening, Wolfpack,

As we close out the fiscal year, I want to express my gratitude to all faculty and staff for your amazing work fulfilling our mission during the 2025-2026 academic year. What a tremendous year my first as your chancellor has been, and we are just getting started. I’m excited about the work ahead as we come together to set the standard for a 21st-century land-grant university. Educating students, conducting impactful research and engaging in meaningful service changes the lives of people throughout our state, across the nation and around the world.

Earlier today the North Carolina General Assembly gave final approval to the state’s new spending plan. The bill now heads to Governor Josh Stein’s desk, where he has 10 days to sign it into law, veto it and send it back to the legislature, or allow it to become law without his signature. I am pleased to share that the proposed budget reinforces the immense value and impact of our collective work here in Raleigh and beyond. I am tremendously grateful for the extraordinary support of the North Carolina General Assembly and their commitment to our mission and future success. The legislature’s investment in our students, faculty, staff, programs and facilities is critical to moving our university forward. 

I’d like to highlight some of these key investments in our university’s operating budget: 

• $21 million in recurring funding and $14 million in nonrecurring funding to support our recent enrollment growth.
• $20 million to support the work of the Commercial Leap Ahead for Wide Bandgap Semiconductors (CLAWS) Hub. 
• $5 million in recurring funding for the “Engineering North Carolina’s Future” initiative to support our continued expansion of the College of Engineering to meet the state’s workforce needs. 
• $4.5 million in recurring funding and $735,000 in nonrecurring funding for the maintenance and operation of the new Integrative Sciences Building (Woodson Hall) and the Apiculture Facility located at the Lake Wheeler Road Field Laboratory.
• $3 million for athletics department support from sports wagering receipts in fiscal year (FY) 26-27 and $5.8 million in FY 27-28.
• $2 million to support agricultural education in middle and high school programs through the North Carolina Future Farmers of America.
• $810,000 in recurring and $2.7 million in nonrecurring support for the NC Food Innovation Lab in Kannapolis. 

The legislature also made substantial commitments to our capital needs:

• $185 million for the demolition and reconstruction of Poe Hall.
• $70 million for the construction of the College of Veterinary Medicine Large Animal Hospital, a $120 million total project for which NC State is providing $50 million as a match for the state’s investment. 
• $20 million to accelerate the design and construction of the Engineering Classroom Building, a $200 million project previously authorized by the 2023 budget bill.
• $13 million to support the planning for a new advanced nuclear research and test reactor at NC State, a follow-on from the $3 million previously provided for a feasibility study.
• $5 million in additional planning funds for a new Poole College of Management building.
• $48 million for phase 2 of Dabney Hall renovations.
• $56.7 million for phase 2 of Polk Hall renovations.
• $10 million for phase 2 of Mann Hall renovations. 

I’m also happy to share that the budget includes a 3% across-the-board salary increase for our hardworking faculty and staff, effective July 1, 2026, along with a one-time bonus of $1,750 if you earn $65,000 or less per year, or a $1,000 one-time bonus if your annual salary exceeds $65,000. Sworn law enforcement officers are set to receive a 13% total salary increase. 

The state’s generous investment confirms our elected leaders’ confidence in NC State and our collective ability to educate students and the future workforce, and to produce vital work that supports our state’s economic growth. So again, thank you, Wolfpack, for your commitment to our great university and state and for all that you do to make NC State a remarkable place to think and do.  

Wishing you a safe and enjoyable 250th Independence Day.

Go Pack!

Kevin Howell
Chancellor