PEMBROKE, NC – Dr. Zoe Woodell Locklear, provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, announces today her retirement from the university effective June 30, 2017.
Locklear assumed her current role in September 2015 after serving as interim provost for five months. “Without question, Dr. Locklear’s tenure as provost has been a resounding success,” Chancellor Robin Gary Cummings remarked. “In a short time she has successfully established an academic leadership team marked by incredible talent.”
Dr. Locklear had considered retirement as early as 2012, yet continued to serve her alma mater when called upon by both Chancellor Kyle Carter and Chancellor Cummings. “It has been a true honor and privilege to serve UNCP over these many years as a professor and administrator,” said Dr. Locklear. “It is because I have worked with wonderful colleagues and outstanding students that I postponed retirement — it’s been a real joy coming to work every day knowing that I had such a great work environment.”
Dr. Locklear is credited with the reorganization of multiple campus departments to better align operations with the university’s mission, vision and values. In recent months, the Center for Student Success was launched, establishing a collective effort centered on maximizing success of students, academic performance and retention. The expansion of key academic partnerships that enable students to pursue pathways toward successful careers were forged under Dr. Locklear’s leadership. Her legacy will include an assurance agreement with East Carolina University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program; a 3-plus-2 dual degree program with North Carolina State University’s College of Engineering; and an anticipated agreement between UNCP and N.C. State’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
“Until her successor is named, Dr. Locklear will remain fully engaged as provost, advancing our collective goal of maximizing student success,” adds Cummings. “I extend my heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Locklear for her selfless sacrifice to our university.”
Chancellor Cummings will announce the process by which a nationwide search for highly qualified candidates will be established by late September after gathering input from campus and community leaders.