NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY

GREENSBORO, NC – North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Chancellor Stanley F. Battle announced his resignation today due to family and personal reasons, effective June 30. He has shared his decision with UNC President Erskine Bowles.

"This has been a remarkable experience for Judy and me. We deeply appreciate the opportunity the Aggie family and the UNC System afforded us to help bright young minds grow, develop and prepare for a competitive global environment.”

Battle, a tenured member of the N.C. A&T faculty, author and civic activist, assumed the role of A&T chancellor on July 1, 2007. He is the 11th chancellor/president to serve at the helm of the historically black, land-grant, high research activity university since its inception in 1891. During his tenure as chancellor, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to students, focused on admitting academically strong students while providing opportunities to all, and saw the School of Nursing transition from probation to full accreditation. From a fiscal standpoint during Battle's administration, A&T's audit findings declined from 13 to three with none related to fraud or abuse, and he led A&T to financial stability during serious economic downturn while strengthening the Division of Development and University Relations, resulting in increased fund-raising.

Since Battle’s arrival, he has realigned A&T’s academic excellence. In the fall of 2008, A&T was the first Historically Black College or University (HBCU) to receive the prestigious Engineering Research Center (ERC) grant awarded by the National Science Foundation, a cornerstone award of $18 million over five years with a 10-year life span.

Under Battle’s leadership, A&T focused on preparing a globally competent student and also supported the College of Engineering through the ERC and a strong natural science emphasis. A&T is the nation’s leading producer of African American undergraduates in engineering and in psychology.
Battle also maintained outstanding academics in liberal arts, education, nursing, agriculture, business, fine arts, technology, engineering, and graduate studies. He continued to support the unique partnership with the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) through the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering (JSNN) and continued educational partnerships with Guilford Technical Community College (GTCC).

In his first year, Battle implemented Dowdy Scholars, a four year scholarship program for outstanding scholars with grade point averages ranging from 3.2 to 4.0. He proposed The Cosby Kids initiative, a joint effort with GTCC, tracking fourth, sixth, and eighth graders through high school to prepare them to enroll in college by supporting math, reading comprehension and science. Battle signed a Memorandum of Agreement with GTCC for students not quite prepared to enter A&T.

During his installation, he performed in a music concert with his twin brother and raised $22,000 in scholarship funds for A&T students in the arts. Prior to joining A&T, Battle served as president of Coppin State University with an increase of $300 million in capital support from the state and a 50 percent increase in operating support and the successful transformation of the Coppin/Rosemont Initiative and the Coppin Academy.
Battle has also earned academic administrative experience working as vice chancellor for academic and multicultural affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and as associate vice president of academic affairs at Eastern Connecticut State University. He has four academic degrees: a bachelor's degree in sociology from Springfield College, a Master's in Social Work (MSW) from University of Connecticut, a Master's in Public Health (MPH) from University of Pittsburgh, and a Ph.D. in Social Welfare Policy from the University of Pittsburgh.
He has authored 10 books and over 50 refereed journal articles and serves as editor of Health & Social Policy Journal. A native of Springfield, MA, Battle is also an accomplished singer and fitness buff. He and his wife, Judith Rozie-Battle, are the parents of a daughter, Ashley Lynn.