North Carolina A&T State University Appoints TaJuan R. Wilson as Vice Chancellor & Chief of Staff

TaJuan R. Wilson, Ed.D., a respected higher education leader with 20 years of broad experience across institutional strategy, governance and executive leadership, has been appointed vice chancellor and chief of staff for North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Chancellor James R. Martin II announced today.

Wilson will serve as a principal advisor to Martin and as a member of the Chancellor’s Cabinet. In this role, he will lead the coordination of executive priorities, enhance cross-divisional collaboration and support decision-making that advances the university’s mission, performance and long-term trajectory. 

“Dr. Wilson brings exceptional integrity and a rare breadth of experience shaped by work across nearly every sector of higher education,” said Martin. “He has supported and advised hundreds of senior leaders and governing boards, giving him a deep understanding of the unique opportunities and challenges facing institutions today. 

“His systems-oriented approach, combined with a proven ability to lead and align organizations during periods of significant growth and transformation, positions him to be an invaluable partner as we continue to advance our trajectory and expand our impact.” 

Wilson’s career reflects a sustained focus on advancing teams, strengthening institutional effectiveness and aligning operations with strategic priorities. He has held senior leadership roles across higher education and brings extensive experience working alongside chancellors, presidents, executive leadership teams, and governing boards to navigate complex institutional environments. 

During his tenure at Georgia Southern University, Wilson led campus-wide strategy and accountability efforts focused on strengthening institutional culture, expanding access and opportunity and driving measurable progress in student and organizational outcomes. He has also held leadership and faculty roles at the Medical University of South Carolina, University of Iowa, and Missouri State University, and has served in higher education leadership roles in Wyoming and Arkansas. 

Across each institution, his work centered on building systems and strategies that improve institutional results while strengthening organizational performance. 

Throughout his career, Wilson has developed a uniquely comprehensive perspective shaped by experience across a wide range of institutional types, including research-intensive universities, Big Ten and AAU institutions, large public universities, regional publics, community colleges and academic health science centers. He has worked closely with a wide array of leadership teams, including academic deans, department chairs and administrative leaders across every facet of the academic enterprise, leading strategic planning efforts that align academic priorities with institutional goals. 

His work has also included meaningful partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Ivy League institutions and land-grant universities, giving him a broad and nuanced understanding of the diverse missions, governance structures and strategic priorities that define higher education today. 

In addition to campus-based leadership, Wilson has provided executive-level advisory support to higher education institutions nationwide. In this capacity, he has worked with presidents, chancellors and governing boards on leadership strategy, executive recruitment and organizational alignment, supporting institutions in identifying and positioning leaders to meet evolving priorities and navigate complex governance landscapes. 

As vice chancellor and chief of staff, Wilson will oversee executive operations within the Office of the Chancellor, ensuring alignment among senior leaders and advancing initiatives tied to the university’s strategic priorities. His portfolio will focus on strengthening communication, improving operational coordination and reinforcing a culture of accountability, collaboration and performance. 

“North Carolina A&T stands as a national leader in higher education and a powerful model for global impact where access, world-class research, excellence and innovation converge to transform lives and communities,” said Wilson. “I am honored to join an institution with such a rich legacy and bold trajectory, and I look forward to working alongside Chancellor Martin and every Aggie as we continue to elevate our impact, strengthen alignment and advance outcomes that position A&T for continued national prominence and global leadership.” 

A proud first-generation college graduate and Arkansas native, Wilson has built his career at the intersection of leadership, access and opportunity. His work reflects a sustained commitment to expanding pathways for students, professional staff, faculty, alumni, and community partners, strengthening institutions, and developing leaders across higher education. He is a former school board leader and the founder of a scholarship foundation dedicated to expanding access to higher education, alleviating financial barriers for first-generation students and helping them persist through degree completion. 

Wilson holds a doctor of education in Higher Education Administration and Instructional Leadership from Lindenwood University, a master of public administration with an emphasis in government and nonprofit management, a master of science in leadership and human resources development from Louisiana State University and a bachelor of arts in political science from Ouachita Baptist University. He has also completed executive education at Cornell University, Yale University, Stanford University and Vanderbilt University Law School, with a focus on higher education law, leadership development, executive coaching, and organizational culture. 

Wilson will officially assume his duties on April 20.