Hardy named vice provost for student affairs at ECU
GREENVILLE, N.C. — Virginia Hardy, a veteran leader in academic and student affairs at East Carolina University, has been named vice provost for student affairs, effective Jan. 1.
Hardy joined the university in 1993 as a student counselor in the Brody School of Medicine., and she is now senior associate dean for academic affairs at the medical school, a position she has held since 2005. She was the university’s interim chief diversity officer from 2006 to 2008, and she has taught in the medical school since 2000.
Virginia Hardy
Marilyn Sheerer, provost and senior vice chancellor for academic and student affairs, said in announcing the appointment: “Virginia Hardy is an accomplished educator and leader who is known and respected across the campus and throughout the community. She is extraordinarily committed to the university and its students, and I look forward to working with her as we enhance the student experience at ECU.”
Chancellor Steve Ballard said, “Great leaders are essential to the success of higher education, and in Virginia Hardy, we have an exceptional leader. She will be a member of the university’s Executive Council, and she will be a mentor, teacher and example to our students.”
David Brody, chair of the ECU Board of Trustees, said, “Dr. Hardy is exceptionally well-qualified for this position. She brings to the job the right combination of experience and teamwork, and she has the full confidence of the Board as well the university administration. I have worked with her and know her to be an enthusiastic, engaged leader who relates well with students.”
Hardy said, “It is an honor to be selected for this position. Students have been my primary focus all of my professional life and I am excited to join the excellent leadership team in Academic and Student Affairs.”
She holds a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a master’s in counselor education from ECU and a doctorate in counselor education from North Carolina State University. Before joining ECU, she was a teacher and assistant principal at Wellcome Middle School in Greenville.
She has served on numerous university committees and is a frequent presenter at professional meetings. In addition, she is active in the Greenville community, where her activities have included membership on the Pitt Community College Board of Trustees, the board of the Red Cross of Pitt County, the Greenville Utilities Board of Commissioners, and the board of the Pitt County Board of Education Foundation. She was the moderator at the City of Greenville Crime Summit last month.