North Carolina Central University (NCCU) has named Catherine Edmonds, Ed.D., as chief of staff after a competitive, national search. She begins at NCCU on May 1, 2022.
Dr. Edmonds will advise, support, coordinate and collaborate on initiatives for NCCU’s Chancellor Dr. Johnson O. Akinleye. She will provide leadership and direction for change management initiatives, project management and program development on behalf of Chancellor Akinleye, as well as plan and direct all administrative, financial and operational activities for the Office of the Chancellor. Dr. Edmonds will work with and serve on NCCU’s Executive Leadership team and represent Chancellor Akinleye in select internal and external interactions with staff, faculty, committees, government representatives and community leaders.
A distinguished leader, Dr. Edmonds comes to NCCU with almost 30 years of experience, including numerous leadership roles in primary, secondary and higher education. Currently, Dr. Edmonds serves as deputy state superintendent for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. In this senior leadership position, she works closely with the State Superintendent and the senior leadership team. She leads and partners with relevant stakeholders to ensure the public education system is positioned to achieve equitable academic outcomes for all students in North Carolina. Dr. Edmonds also leads statewide efforts related to diversity, equity and outreach; provides leadership to increase effectiveness in promoting equity and inclusion statewide; oversees the implementation of the state’s equity plan; and serves as the state’s leader for equity goals. She also supports schools, public school units and Regional Education Service Alliances in program and policy implementation and offers support and leadership to schools.
Prior to joining the Department of Public Instruction, Dr. Edmonds served as a local district superintendent for Bertie County Schools and Elizabeth City Pasquotank public schools. She was also director for Educational Leadership and Development and state director of the Principal Fellows Program for the University of North Carolina System. Additionally, Dr. Edmonds has served as director and executive coach for the Aspiring School Improvement Grant Leaders Academy Fellows at North Carolina State University. Dr. Edmonds began her career with Granville County Schools before being named program director with the North Carolina New Schools Project and an instructional improvement officer for Guilford County Schools.
Dr. Edmonds serves on several boards and committees, including the NC Public School Forum Advisory Board, Cognia Accreditation Commission Appeals Committee and Friday Institute for Education Innovation.
Dr. Edmonds earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from North Carolina A&T State University, a Master of School Administration in Educational Leadership from North Carolina State University and an Ed.D. in Educational Administration from North Carolina State University.
