Office of the Chancellor
Each constituent institution of the University of North Carolina System is headed by a chancellor who is the chief executive officer for their institution. The chancellor is responsible for carrying out the policies of the UNC System’s Board of Governors and the Fayetteville State University Board of Trustees. The chancellor has wide discretion related to decision-making on administrative, personnel, academic, and budget matters. The Office of the Chancellor provides administrative, organizational, strategic, and compliance services to advance the university’s strategic priorities.
About FSU Chancellor Darrell T. Allison
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- Division of Academic Affairs
- Division of Business and Finance
- Division of External Affairs and Military Relations
- Division of Student Affairs
- Division of University Advancement
- Division of Information Technology Services
- Division of Legal, Audit, Risk and Compliance
- Department of Athletics
- Office of Communications
Samantha McKenzie Holmes
Vice Chancellor and Chief of Staff
With 30 years’ combined experience in higher education within the University of North Carolina System and in the communications industry, Samantha McKenzie Holmes serves as vice chancellor and chief of staff for Fayetteville State University. In her role, she works closely with the Chancellor and the cabinet members to manage the overall operations of FSU, while also providing oversight for the Office of Strategic Communication and the Department of Human Resources. Holmes is responsible for facilitating the advancement of university’s key initiatives and improving administrative functions. She also serves as the University’s crisis communications spokesperson.
Prior to FSU, she served as the Director of Marketing Communications for the UNC System and on the Board of Governors Historically Minority-serving Institutions committee and the Racial Equity Task Force as the communications lead. While at the UNC System, she managed a $1M NC Promise marketing campaign and served on the crisis planning team for HBCUs during the Covid-19 outbreak. Holmes previously worked at North Carolina Central University (2015-17) and North Carolina A&T State University (2005-2014).
She is a member of the NC ACE Women’s Network and the HBCU Outreach Advisory Committee for the NC Department of Transportation. Holmes earned a master’s degree in Strategic Public Relations from George Washington University and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Norfolk State University.
Dr. Sonja Brown Leach
Interim Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Dr. Sonja M. Brown is a seasoned academic leader, scholar, and communication expert with more than two decades of experience advancing institutional excellence across public, private, and international higher education. She currently serves as the Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic & Faculty Affairs at Fayetteville State University, where she is a key strategic advisor to the Senior Vice Chancellor and Provost. In this role, she oversees faculty development and online education, leads policy development and implementation, manages student and faculty grievance processes, and directs all faculty personnel action proceedings.
Dr. Brown’s administrative career spans a distinguished set of leadership appointments. Most recently, she served as Dean and Associate Professor in the College of Media and Mass Communication at the American University in the Emirates, providing academic leadership for undergraduate programs in mass communication and public relations, accreditation oversight, and institutional operations at a diverse, globally focused university in Dubai. Prior to that, she held executive roles as Vice President for Academic Affairs at Great Basin College, Dean of Instruction and Student Services and Dean of Career & Technical Education at Palo Verde College, and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs & Chief Retention Officer at Medaille University. Across these institutions, she led online and post-traditional education, workforce and technical education initiatives, academic support services, faculty development, student retention strategies, and regional community partnerships.
A communication scholar by training, Dr. Brown previously served as Department Chair and Tenured Associate Professor of Communication at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, where she provided leadership for two academic units, oversaw curriculum design and assessment, guided faculty recruitment and development, and supported student success through advising, experiential learning initiatives, and program review. She also held faculty and administrative appointments at SUNY Empire State College, where she advanced student retention initiatives, community partnerships, and strategic planning efforts across multiple regional sites.
Dr. Brown is an accomplished author and editor whose scholarship explores media representation, race, gender, mentorship, and the experiences of women of color in academic and professional spaces. She has published extensively in books, journals, and edited volumes, including Media Psychology, Communication Research Reports, Quarterly Journal of Speech, and multiple edited collections focusing on identity and social media.
She has completed numerous prestigious leadership development programs, including the University of North Carolina Executive Leadership Institute, the HERS Administrative Leadership Institute, the ACE Department Leadership Academy, and the RP Group Leading from the Middle Academy. Her professional recognitions include the SUNY Explorations in Diversity and Academic Excellence Award, NCA Outstanding Book Award, UAH Excellence in Teaching Award, and the NCA Outstanding Dissertation Award.
Dr. Brown earned her Ph.D. in Interpersonal Communication & Media Studies from the University of Georgia, and her M.A. and B.A. in Speech Communication from California State University, Fresno.
Across every role, Dr. Brown is known for her commitment to equity, access, innovative academic policy, faculty success, and student-centered leadership. Her career reflects a deep dedication to developing thriving academic communities and fostering institutional cultures that support learning, research, and public purpose.
Anthony Bennett
Director of Athletics
Mr. Bennett has 15 years of managerial experience as an athletics administrator at the collegiate level. Prior to his appointment at FSU, he served as Associate Athletic Director at Winston-Salem State University (WSSU). At WSSU, Mr. Bennett provided oversight of 12 athletic programs, five support programs, and a $4 million athletic budget. Bennett is no stranger to FSU athletics. For five years, he served as Assistant Director for Operations and Athletic Compliance. His duties included oversight of the day-to-day operations of the FSU Athletic Department, coordinating logistics for 10 athletic and special events sponsored by the FSU Athletics Department, and supervision of the sports information staff, athletic trainers, and student academic support staff. He also served as the liaison for FSU and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) regarding compliance issues, eligibility, and certification concerns. Mr. Bennett is currently responsible for 12 varsity sports programs and more than 20 coaches and assistants. Other duties will include oversight of the department's fiscal resources, insuring compliance with all relevant institutional, CIAA, UNC system and NCAA rules and regulations; and developing, implementing, and continuously updating the Strategic Plan for the department.
Athletics
Wesley Fountain
Vice Chancellor for External Affairs and Military Relations
Mr. Fountain has served at FSU since 2010 in a variety of capacities from government relations assistant to director of constituent relations to his current role as AVC for Community Relations and Economic Partnerships. At every level, Mr. Fountain has excelled, whether at the community level, state government affairs and when forming and leveraging economic partnerships around development. Through his expertise and diligence, Wesley has been a tremendous asset in supporting the university’s priorities in every way,” says Chancellor Darrell T. Allison. “In light of recent and historic fortunes for this university, this new division’s responsibilities have grown exponentially and has caused me to refocus and provide the necessary resources needed to invest in additional personnel toward FSU’s overall expansion.
External Affairs And Military Relations
Wanda L. Jenkins
Vice Chancellor for Legal, Audit, Risk, and Compliance
Ms. Jenkins currently leads the Division of Legal, Audit, Risk and Compliance where she is responsible for managing the legal, safety, ethical and compliance needs of FSU. Ms. Jenkins has over 30 years of experience as a university attorney. She began her service with FSU as the University Legal Counsel and previously served as the Associate University Counsel at North Carolina State University. Ms. Jenkins also served as a Financial Analyst at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York and as a Business Officer at North Carolina State University.
Division of Legal, Audit, Risk and Compliance
Dr. Juanette Council
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Dr. Council has risen through the ranks at Fayetteville State University and has over 30 years of progressively increasing experience in supervision of student affairs departments; development of co-curricular programs and budget management. While at FSU, she has served as the Drug Education and Prevention Coordinator, Director of Student Activities & Student Center, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and as Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs since 2003. As Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs she has served as a key member of the Student Affairs senior leadership team, provided strategic management and coordination of services, programming and procedures directly impacting the student experience. A student advocate, Dr. Council was selected as FSU Employee of the Year in 2018 for her dedicated service to the university.
Division of Student Affairs
Omar Bell
Vice Chancellor for University Advancement
A seasoned advancement professional, Bell comes to FSU with a wealth of experience in education as well as institutional fundraising. Bell will provide a concrete vision to develop and accomplish the short- and long-term goals of the Division of University Advancement; provide leadership in areas such as soliciting principal and major gifts, annual giving, planned giving, corporate and foundation relations, alumni relations, gift processing and acknowledgements, and prospect research; lead the efforts in a campaign to increase the university’s endowment; and serve as the Executive Director of the University Foundation.
Division of University Advancement
Kenny Spayd
Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration and CFO
Kenny Spayd is the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, is a member of FSU's senior leadership team, and works directly with the Chancellor of the University and the senior leadership team. The position serves as the Chief Financial Officer of the university. Mr. Spayd is responsible for ensuring the fiscal and administrative integrity of the university and overseeing all university financial and accounting practices. Prior to FSU, Mr. Spayd served as the Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Finance at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke where he was responsible for managing the financial operations of the University. He has also served as the University Controller at UNCP as well spending nearly six years an auditor with the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor.
Dr. Hector M. Molina
Chief Operations Officer
Dr. Molina is the inaugural COO who will lead Information Technology, Human Resources, Facilities Management and Auxiliary and Business Services, ensuring operational excellence, financial stewardship, and a commitment to innovation and efficiency. Prior to his arrival to FSU, Dr. Molina served at East Carolina University for seven years as the Deputy Chief Information Officer. Throughout Dr. Molina’s career, he has gained the respect of his peers as a highly esteemed senior administrator with stellar communication skills, cross-functional teaming capabilities, and building client relationships systems. In addition to this vast knowledge, he has utilized his expertise toward overseeing the technology procurement processes, compliance, data security, physical security, as well as standards and practices areas. As a US Marine Corps veteran, Dr. Molina served as ITTS/Telecommunications supervisor. He has served as an adjunct professor at institutions such as Sanford-Brown College and the University of Louisiana at Monroe. He has also authored articles on IT governance and other topics within higher education.
Division of Information Technology Services
Dr. Pamela Baldwin
Vice Chancellor for Strategic Enrollment and Student Success
Dr. Pamela Baldwin is the Vice Chancellor for Strategic Enrollment and Student Success at Fayetteville State University, a position she has held since July 2024. With over 25 years of experience in education, Dr. Baldwin has dedicated her career to advancing student success and innovation in learning environments.
Beginning her career as a science teacher at White Oak High School in Jacksonville, North Carolina, Dr. Baldwin quickly recognized her passion for making a broader impact. She advanced through increasingly leadership roles, serving as Assistant Principal, Principal, and Director of Teaching and Learning across North Carolina public school systems. She also held positions as Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction with Scotland County Schools and as Superintendent with both Asheville City Schools and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools.
At FSU, Dr. Baldwin oversees enrollment management and student success initiatives, working collaboratively across campus to create seamless pathways for students from admission through graduation. Her strategic vision aligns with FSU's commitment to remaining an affordable institution while supporting students in obtaining their degrees in four years or less. While Baldwin leads the enrollment strategy, FSU continues to experience increases in first-time freshmen enrollment, retention, and total enrollment.
She has a B.S. in Biology from George Mason University, a Master of School Administration from East Carolina University, and a Doctor of Education from the University of North Carolina Wilmington.
Division of Strategic Enrollment and Student Success
Samantha McKenzie Holmes, Vice Chancellor and Chief of Staff
(910) 672-1141
smhargrove@uncfsu.edu
Gregory McElveen, Associate Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives
(910) 672-1994
gmcelvee@uncfsu.edu
Bethany Mathis, Executive Assistant to the Chief of Staff
(910) 672-1141
bmathis@uncfsu.edu
Sheron Johnson Wright, Events Manager
(910) 672-2049
events@uncfsu.edu