Former Gov. Jim Hunt
Former North Carolina Gov. Jim Hunt worked with UNC President-Elect Margaret Spellings when she was an education advisor for then-Gov. George W. Bush of Texas in the late 1990s. The two states were in a friendly competition to see which could raise test scores fastest – especially among low-income students.
Hunt also worked with Spellings when she was the U.S. Secretary of Education in the Bush Administration. He served with her in 2005-06 on the Commission on the Future of Higher Education. Hunt shared his view of Spellings with the Higher Education Works Foundation:
“She is a believer in public education at all levels and supports strong efforts to achieve excellence.
“I have told her how much we in North Carolina cherish our University of North Carolina system, and that we want it to be the best state system in America. That will require strong financial support. She has assured me that she is committed to that future for our system.”
U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis
“Secretary Spellings is an extremely qualified individual who has the experience needed to lead the UNC System into the next era of distinction. The UNC System stands head and shoulders above its peers worldwide, and Secretary Spellings has proven she possesses the level of determined leadership required to tackle the challenges that face higher education today. Secretary Spellings’ commitment to college affordability, accessibility, and accountability is precisely the right set of priorities that will allow our university system to thrive.”1
U.S. Sen. Richard Burr
“Margaret Spellings will make an outstanding president of the University of North Carolina system. Her years of commitment to college access and completion, particularly for traditionally underserved populations, and knowledge of the nexus between graduate success and job placement rank her amongst our country’s best education leaders. Spellings also understands how to navigate Washington’s regulatory environment which continues to impose greater burdens on higher education systems across the country. I commend the members (of the Board of Governors) for their diligence and commitment to finding the best candidate.”2
Former UNC President Erskine Bowles
“Secretary Spellings is competent and capable…. She cares deeply about access, affordability, quality and accountability. She’s managed something very big; she’s managed in a public environment; she has experience dealing with the press and a legislative body. And she has great people skills. While she will face many doubters, there’s no reason to expect she can’t be a successful leader of North Carolina’s greatest public asset. I certainly plan to help her in any way asked.”
2Ibid.
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