Chancellor Mitchelson: A bit of personal news

ECU Athletics recognized Interim Chancellor Mitchelson during the football team’s last game of the season on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020. (Photos by Houston McCullough)

Serving East Carolina University as interim chancellor is a humbling experience. A pandemic was not in the picture when I accepted the position more than a year ago, and I am grateful for the help and support I have received from Pirate Nation during these difficult months.

After 42 years in higher education, I plan to retire at the end of June. After the naming of our new chancellor I will help with the transition, teach another intro to geography class this spring, and move into retirement.

The mission of ECU to serve this region is what brought me here more than 20 years ago and I could have never dreamed that I would finish my career leading this great university. It is an opportunity experienced by few people. I am grateful and appreciative for the chance to serve.

During my tenure at ECU, I’ve been a professor and department chair then provost before becoming the interim chancellor. I worked alongside and taught very talented and brilliant people through the years which made me a better teacher and leader.

The support of my family has been crucial to my success, so I am very happy to devote more time to my wife, children and grandchildren.

As we move forward, remember to be good to one another.

No matter where the future takes me, I will always be a Pirate!

— RonM

Ron Mitchelson
Interim Chancellor