Fayetteville State University Chancellor Honored by N.C. Justice Center

The center recognized Anderson "for his years of extraordinary advocacy for and commitment to social justice, inclusive community engagement, and educational opportunities."


The North Carolina Justice Center is one of the state's preeminent voices for economic and social justice. As a leading progressive research and advocacy organization, the center's mission is to eliminate poverty in North Carolina by ensuring that every household in the state has access to the resources, services and fair treatment it needs to achieve economic security.

To make opportunity and prosperity for all a reality, the center works toward:

• Jobs that are safe, pay a living wage, and provide benefits
• Access to quality and affordable health care
• Quality public education for every child
• Consumer protections from abusive practices
• Safe and affordable housing
• Public investments that expand opportunities for economic security
• A fair and stable revenue system that adequately funds public investments while fairly distributing tax responsibility
• Fair treatment for everyone in North Carolina - regardless of race, ethnicity, country of origin, religion, disability, sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation

In addition to serving as Chancellor, Anderson is a Professor of Psychology at FSU. He is in his 11th year in this position. He is committed to making FSU a world-class university of choice through advanced technology, new cutting-edge academic programs, state of the art classroom buildings and residence halls, expanded partnerships with the community and educational institutions, globalism, student success, community service, and professional development for faculty, staff and students.

Anderson's tenure at FSU saw the institution increase its physical stature with some of the most modern and attractive buildings to be found on a college campus. He also initiated the launch and successful completion of the largest fund-raising campaign in the institution's history. "The Campaign for Fayetteville State University: From a Proud Legacy to a 21st Century," raised nearly $27 million.

Before coming to FSU, he served as the University of Albany's Vice President for Student Success and Vice Provost for Institutional Assessment and Diversity.

Raised in Washington, D.C, Anderson majored in psychology at Villanova University in Pennsylvania, graduating in 1970. He later earned a doctoral degree in the field (1980) from Cornell University in New York. Early in his career, Chancellor Anderson chaired the Department of Psychology at Xavier University in New Orleans (1976-1983) before joining the Indiana University of Pennsylvania as a professor of psychology.

In 1992, he began an 11-year tenure as Vice Provost for Undergraduate Affairs at North Carolina State University. In that role, he was credited with leading a revision of the general education curriculum, as well as the development of the First Year College, the Honors Programs, the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning, the Minority Engineering Program, and the North Carolina State Diversity Initiative, among others.

In 2003, Chancellor Anderson was recruited to Texas A&M University, a major land-grant institution serving more than 46,000 students, as Vice President and Associate Provost for Institutional Assessment and Diversity. He held that post until joining the University at Albany in 2005.

About Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville State University is a constituent institution of The University of North Carolina and the second-oldest public institution of higher education in the state, having been founded in 1867. FSU offers degrees at the baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral levels. With more than 6,300 students, Fayetteville State University is among the most diverse institutions in the nation. Chancellor James A. Anderson is the 11th chief executive officer.  To learn more about Fayetteville State University, visit https://www.uncfsu.edu.