Born: Dec. 8, 1948Experience: chancellor, University of Michigan, George Mason University and University of South Florida Favorite food: pepperoni pizza and lamb chopsMotto: “Everyday improvement is necessary.”

In his second year as chancellor of N.C. A&T State University, James Carmichael Renick continues to express the importance of meeting the needs of students as well as faculty. His lifetime goal, and tentative goal here at A&T, is to provide students with all and any information that they want and need to know.

Q: What do the students at North Carolina mean to you?A: The students are why I’m here. I love the students at A&T, and I am going to ensure that I do all within my power to make their education here at A&T great.

Q: What are some of your concerns about A&T?A: I would really like for A&T to be a part of the community, even becoming more global. Reaching out to people nationally and internationally. I would like to see the process of accommodating students tighten up, and we can do that by listening to what the students feel the problems are. Attracting students to A&T is something we need to continue to do.Among other things, I really want to establish A&T as more than just a school of engineering, but as a school of many talents, so to speak. A&T has a lot to offer, that’s why I’m here. It’s a university students should be proud of in all areas.

Q: When students and faculty see James Carmichael Renick what should they see?A: I want them to see somebody who cares deeply about the students and the institution. I want them to see someone who cares about how A&T is represented, how it will be represented, and how it is currently represented. It’s time for us to start thinking forward.

Q: What do you view as society’s biggest problem today?A: It’s hard to say, but I think that misunderstanding is a really big problem, and I say that because when we don’t understand something or someone we tend to shut down and put up all the guards, instead of asking about it to get understanding. The fact that so many prisons are being built is a very big problem. Rather than building so many institutions that are costing us citizens thousands of dollars each year, government should implement some plan to enrich areas that are poverty-stricken. Q: What are some of the future plans you have for North Carolina A&T?A: One of the biggest plans that we are really trying, and I feel are going to be successful in doing, is having a new degree program for the school of business. In the future the school of business will have a master’s program. It’s something that is needed. We have a great deal of students in the school of business so a master’s degree program is needed.Some of the closer plans for A&T include the new cafeteria, the student union, which is nearing completion, the fitness and wellness center and the parking lot. All these things will make A&T a better university.

Q: How would you describe your relationship with the faculty and staff at A&T?A: I have a good relationship with the faculty and staff at A&T. I try to have meetings with them every month, because I am sure they have issues they want faced just as the students do. I really try to make myself available not only to the students but faculty as well. I think we have a great faculty, and I enjoy working with them.

Q: What are your plans to give the faculty raises?A: My desire is to see the faculty and staff get paid what they deserve. I would love to just come out and give everyone raises, but you and I both know that isn’t possible. I’m constantly asking all the time for our faculty’s pay to be increased, but I don’t control that. I’m a firm supporter of faculty getting paid for the hard work they do. It’s a legislative process, something I really have no control over, but I am working hard to give the faculty what they deserve.

Q: What do you feel your responsibilities as chancellor of N.C. Carolina A&T are?A: I have a responsibility to set a certain tone for this institution. When people see me they should be able to tell what kind of university A&T is. My responsibilities are great, it isn’t just one thing that I am responsible for. So it’s hard for me to just sit here and narrow it down to one. No responsibility is greater than the other. Being chancellor of a university isn’t just a walk in the park. You really cannot be timid. You have to definitely be a go-getter.

Q: What is your greatest accomplishment?A: Becoming chancellor of N.C. A&T is by far my greatest accomplishment. I am where I want to be. 20 years ago I set a goal for myself and I have reached that goal. I am a happy man. There’s nothing else I want to do. My job is hard, but I love it.

Q: When you say to others that you are the chancellor of North Carolina A&T State University what exactly are you saying? In other words what does A&T mean to you?A: Pride. A university that has a rich history, a university that has unlimited possibilities and a university that stands out beyond the rest.