WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. —Winston-Salem State University Chancellor Donald Reaves will step down after seven years in the post, but he’s not leaving the university.
Reaves told students, staff and media Friday afternoon that he’s stepping down effective Dec. 31 to become a full-time political science professor at WSSU. Reaves made the announcement in the student activities center named after him.
Reaves, 67, has been WSSU’s chancellor since August 2007 and has been in higher education for nearly 40 years. He came to Winston-Salem after a seven-year stint at the University of Chicago and a 14-year stay at Brown University.
Reaves said he’s been in discussions with UNC System officials since late 2012 about returning to the classroom. He said his proudest accomplishments as chancellor were improving the curriculum and nearly doubling the student graduation rate.
