January 14, 2021
Dear NCCU Community:
Happy New Year and welcome to the spring 2021 semester! I am hopeful the holiday break provided each of you and your families with an opportunity to rest and recharge. I would like to extend a special welcome to all spring Eagles, as well as all new faculty and staff.
Despite the rapid changes that COVID-19 challenged us to make in our personal lives and at North Carolina Central University, we were vigilant in maintaining a healthy campus community throughout the fall 2020 semester. I am especially grateful for the ongoing work done by the COVID-19 Task Force. Our students demonstrated a commitment to ensuring that their well-being and health were top priorities. (Read an article featuring Student Government Association President KeShaun Coleman and Dr. Mari Ross-Alexander, assistance vice chancellor for health and wellness in Student Affairs, that was featured in the Washington Post here.) While we hosted our 136th Commencement exercises virtually for the second time in our history, we successfully awarded 642 degrees to our newest alumni who are now poised to lead in their respective industries.
Students have moved in and classes began on January 11. We will continue to operate under the same protocols, guidelines, policies and community standards that were established in the fall semester. I implore you to continue adhering to local, state and federal public health guidelines and actively practice the three “w’s” both on and off campus. We remain in close communication with Durham County Health Department officials and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and receive daily updates regarding COVID-19.
Together, we will “Protect the Nest.” For more information, please visit www.nccu.edu/coronavirus.
In Truth and Service,
Johnson O. Akinleye, Ph.D.
Chancellor
