WCU NARROWS SEARCH.

• Position: STATEWIDE: West

After more than a year without a permanent chief. Western Carolina University expects to name a new chancellor by May. In February, a small group of candidates visited the Cullowhee campus to meet with students, faculty, staff, administrators, alumni and regional members of the UNC System Board of Governors. The search committee planned to narrow the list to three finalists by the end of February. Campus trustees will evaluate the finalists, then submit recommendations to interim UNC System President Bill Roper. He then nominates a finalist to the board.

David Belcher, who was chancellor from 2011-17, died of cancer last June. A new chancellor was almost selected in July, but the UNC governors declined to vote on the three finalists. The matter gained widespread attention after a board member, Raleigh lobbyist Tom...