Harold L. Martin, Sr., chancellor emeritus at North Carolina A&T State University, has been awarded the Peter McPherson Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU). The prize recognizes individuals who have dedicated their careers to the service and leadership of public and land-grant universities.
In 2009, Dr. Martin was appointed chancellor of North Carolina A&T State University, making him the first alumnus to lead the HBCU. He was president for 15 academic years, which at the time, made him the longest actively serving leader within the University of North Carolina System. During his long tenure, he oversaw substantial growth in enrollment. Since 2014, NCA&T has been the country’s largest HBCU.
Dr. Matin’s career with NCA&T began as a faculty member in the College of Engineering. He steadily rose through the ranks of academia, becoming department chair, dean of the college, and vice chancellor for academic affairs. In 2000, he was named chancellor of Winston-Salem State University, an HBCU in North Carolina. He led the institution for six years, before being named senior vice president of academic affairs for the UNC System in 2006. He also served as president of the APLU from 2006 to 2022.
Dr. Martin earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering at North Carolina A&T State University. He holds a Ph.D. from Virginia Tech.