Dr. S. Keith Hargrove, Sr. is a former engineering dean with industry experience and served at three HBCUs
RALEIGH, N.C. – Dr. S. Keith Hargrove, immediate past provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Tuskegee University, was elected chancellor of Elizabeth City State University today by the University of North Carolina Board of Governors.
University of North Carolina System President Peter Hans recommended Hargrove, a former engineering professor, dean and seasoned leader with experience at three historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). At Elizabeth City State, he will lead a university with more than 2,200 students in northeastern North Carolina. Hargrove will begin the role on June 15, succeeding Interim Chancellor Catherine Edmonds and former Chancellor Karrie Dixon, who now leads North Carolina Central University.
“During his time as provost at the prestigious Tuskegee University, Dr. Hargrove oversaw a strategic planning process that focused on growing enrollment, improving the student experience, and supporting faculty development,” Hans said. “His appreciation of the close link between academic performance and operational excellence helped drive an increase in enrollment and graduation rates, which will be key priorities for ECSU’s next leader. In the proud tradition of the Tuskegee Airmen, he developed an aviation program there and launched an innovative data science effort – both promising areas for Elizabeth City State.”
The election on Thursday followed a five-month national search that attracted more than 50 candidates, including three finalists. The Elizabeth City State Board of Trustees endorsed finalists for the position, forwarding candidates identified by a search advisory committee made up of faculty, staff, students, alumni, trustees and UNC System leaders. During the process, the committee conducted an online survey and hosted several listening sessions with students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members.
Dr. Stephanie D. Johnson, chair of the ECSU Board of Trustees and chair of the search advisory committee, said: “Dr. Hargrove’s deep commitment to institutional leadership, along with his academic and business experience, made him a standout. He has the vision and discipline to take our university to the next level, and we are more than thrilled to welcome Dr. Hargrove to Elizabeth City State University.”
As chief academic officer at Tuskegee beginning in 2022, Hargrove began the implementation of a five-year strategic plan, increasing enrollment by 10% and lifting graduation rates.
From 2009 to 2021, he was dean of the College of Engineering at Tennessee State University (TSU) and led TSU’s Interdisciplinary Graduate Engineering Research Institute, a research unit of the university. From 2002 to 2009, he was chair and professor at Morgan State University’s Department of Industrial, Manufacturing and Information Engineering. Previously, he was a faculty member at Tuskegee. He has research lab experience in the private sector and government and spent two years as a manufacturing engineer and supervisor at General Electric. Hargrove completed the HBCU Executive Leadership Institute and was a Harvard Fellow in the Administrative Fellowship Program.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at Tennessee State University, a master’s in engineering from Missouri University of Science and Technology, a doctorate in industrial and manufacturing engineering at the University of Iowa, and a master’s in business administration from Tennessee State. He also completed a post-doc at the University of Michigan.
“Throughout my career in higher education, I have been a strong proponent of student achievement,” Hargrove said. “I am excited to lead Elizabeth City State University with a focus on academic excellence and success, fiscal and leadership stability, and a vision for growth and elevated reputation.”
Board of Governors Chair Wendy Murphy said Hargrove’s track record of academic leadership at three universities provides a strong foundation for his role at Elizabeth City State.
“He has risen in his career at three well-known HBCUs, improving the student experience and achieving results for those institutions,” she said. “We look forward to seeing similar outcomes at Elizabeth City State.”