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UNC Pembroke alumna and former Board of Trustees Chair Kellie Blue has been elected chair of the University of North Carolina Board of Governors, becoming one of the highest-ranking leaders in the UNC System.

Blue, a Pembroke native and longtime public servant, has served on the UNC Board of Governors since 2017 and most recently served as vice chair. A 1993 graduate of UNCP with a degree in accounting, Blue currently serves as county manager for Robeson County.

鈥淜ellie Blue鈥檚 election as chair is a tremendous honor for her and a proud moment for our county and region and certainly, the entire BraveNation community,鈥� said Chancellor Robin Gary Cummings. 鈥淭hroughout her career, she has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to expanding opportunity, strengthening communities and advancing public higher education across North Carolina.

鈥淚 am confident the UNC System will continue to benefit from her vision, integrity and deep understanding of the transformative power of education for all students,鈥� Cummings said.

Blue said the appointment represents both a professional milestone and a deeply personal moment tied to the university that helped shape her life and career.

鈥淪erving as chair of the UNC Board of Governors is both humbling and deeply personal for me,鈥� Blue said. 鈥淯NC Pembroke helped shape who I am 鈥� not only professionally, but personally. To now have the opportunity to help lead the entire UNC System as a graduate of UNCP and a Robeson County native means a great deal.鈥�

Blue has built a distinguished career in public service and has remained deeply connected to the surrounding region through decades of civic, educational and community leadership. Her service has included roles on the Southeastern Regional Mental Health Board, Civic Federal Credit Union Board of Directors and the UNCP Foundation Board.

UNCP Board of Trustees Chair Ed Brooks said Blue鈥檚 breadth of leadership experience and connection to the university uniquely position her for the role.

鈥淗aving a UNCP alumna serving as chair of the Board of Governors brings firsthand experience and observations of the inner workings of education at regional institutions like UNC Pembroke to the table in every conversation,鈥� Brooks said. 鈥淎t the same time, having served in so many different capacities gives her a unique perspective not only from a fiscal responsibility and stewardship standpoint, but also from a leadership perspective. She has honed her leadership skills over many years, and it is only going to be a great thing for the UNC System.

Blue said her leadership philosophy has been shaped by a lifelong commitment to service and community connection.

鈥淕rowing up in Robeson County taught me the importance of hard work and service to others,鈥� Blue said. 鈥淚 learned the value of connection and leadership through service. I鈥檝e always believed that if you make a commitment, you do it with excellence and give your very best.鈥�

Blue will officially assume her duties as chair on July 1 and serve a two-year term in the leadership role.