Provost Monica Terrell Leach to Deliver Fayetteville State University’s December Commencement Address
Leach will address graduates on Dec. 12 as she prepares to conclude her tenure as the university’s chief academic officer.
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Monica Terrell Leach, Ed.D., provost and senior vice chancellor for Academic Affairs, will serve as the keynote speaker for the Winter 2025 Commencement Ceremony. The event is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 12, at 10 a.m. in the Felton J. Capel Arena.
Leach’s selection as keynote speaker comes as she prepares to retire on Dec. 31. Her forthcoming retirement was preceded by a campus-wide reception on Nov. 21, which honored her more than 34 years of distinguished service in higher education.
“Dr. Leach has been one of the most consequential academic leaders in Fayetteville State University’s modern history, and she has truly been an inspiration for our entire Bronco community,” said Chancellor Darell T. Allison. “Her thoughtful leadership, deep commitment, and heartfelt devotion to our students are undeniable.” He continued, “Monica’s impact is visible in every way: in our record enrollment, our rising academic standards, and in the countless lives she has touched. Thus, honoring her in this fashion, I believe, is a wonderful way for us to provide the most appropriate punctuation mark to her more than three decades of stellar service within the UNC System.”
In response to the Chancellor’s praise, Leach expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to deliver the commencement address.
“Being chosen as the December Commencement Speaker is truly the honor of a lifetime,” she said. “I am humbled to stand with our graduates and their families at such a meaningful milestone. This moment represents my enduring love for our Broncos and my deep commitment to academic excellence and to supporting the faculty and staff who nurture their success.”
As chief academic officer, Leach led all undergraduate support services and key university units. Under her leadership, enrollment reached a record high of more than 7,600 students, including first-time freshmen, adult learners, military-affiliated students, and transfer students. Her influence extended beyond enrollment. During her tenure, FSU also achieved its highest retention rate since 2014, rising to 78%.
Building on these achievements, since 2021, Leach has further strengthened the university’s academic profile by launching six new degree programs: Public Health, Sport and Fitness Management, Cybersecurity, Materials Sciences and Manufacturing, Supply Chain Management and Technology, and Construction Management.
Additionally, Leach guided the university through a successful 10-year reaffirmation process with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, resulting in zero findings. As she prepares to address the graduating class, Leach shared the themes she hopes will resonate long after the ceremony.
“Graduation isn’t the end of learning,” she said. “It’s the beginning of learning on your own terms. The future will demand new skills, new perspectives, and new courage, and those who thrive will be the ones willing to keep growing, unlearning, and relearning.”
Reflecting on her tenure at Fayetteville State, Leach added, “While I am grateful for many milestones, my greatest accomplishment at Fayetteville State has been keeping a relentless focus on our students. As I transition into this next chapter, I remain committed to strengthening, supporting, and elevating higher education for generations to come.”
Leach’s distinguished career in higher education spans several institutions. She joined FSU after serving as senior associate vice chancellor for Enrollment Management and Academic Affairs at North Carolina Central University, following 18 years at North Carolina State University and four years at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Her professional involvement extends beyond campus. Leach is a member of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Advisory Committee on Academic Innovation and Transformation, serves as faculty for the Academy for New Provosts, and was recognized in City View’s Faces of Fayetteville. She is also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
For more information about this event, please visit the Winter Commencement website.