After 14 years at the helm, N.C. State University Chancellor Randy Woodson announced Thursday he will retire at the end of the coming academic year. 

Woodson led the university through a period of expansion and building on campus, and through the COVID pandemic. The university endowment grew from $350 million in 2010 to $2.2 billion today. Retention and graduation rates increased and the university's researchers brought in record amounts in grants.  

What You Need To Know

  • N.C. State University Chancellor Randy Woodson plans to resign after the next academic year after 15 years

  •  He led the university through a time of expansion and the COVID pandemic

  • The UNC System will begin a search for a new chancellor for N.C. State soon

  • The system is already searching for a new chancellor to lead UNC-Chapel Hill

"For 14 years, Randy Woodson has perfectly captured the pragmatic brilliance of NC State," said UNC System President Peter Hans. "Like the university he leads, Randy is sharp, good-natured, and eager to get things done for North Carolina. It's made him a great colleague and one of the most effective leaders in this state."

Woodson's announcement comes during a time of big changes at the top of UNC System schools. In recent months, new chancellors have been announced for North Carolina Central University, North Carolina A&T University and Winston-Salem State University. 

The system's other flagship institution, UNC-Chapel Hill, is already searching for a new chancellor.

In a video released on social media, Woodson said he told the university's board of trustees Thursday that he plans to retire when his contract expires on June 30, 2025.

"Serving the people of North Carolina as your chancellor has been the greatest honor of my professional life," Woodson said. "N.C. State and the broader Raleigh and North Carolina community has truly become a home."

"This university is so special, and made so by the people who work and study here," he said. 

The UNC System will appoint a search committee soon to find a new chancellor for N.C. State. 

“Randy Woodson has been an exceptional chancellor for NC State,” said Provost Warwick Arden. “During his leadership NC State has increased significantly in student graduation rates, extramural grant activity and research, and development activity with completion of a very successful campaign and dramatic growth of the endowment."

"Our national rankings have soared resulting in greater national visibility and greatly increased student applications, at both the undergraduate and graduate level," Arden said.