Hodge-Penn Named Interim Research Vice Chancellor

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (May 15, 2024) – An experienced administrator with a 20-year history in research management across four public and private universities has been named interim vice chancellor for Research at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University effective July 1, campus leaders announced today.

Melissa Hodge-Penn, Ed.D., has served as assistant vice chancellor for research at North Carolina A&T over the past one and-a-half years. In her new role as interim vice chancellor, she replaces Eric Muth, who recently accepted an appointment as Ohio University’s vice president for research and creative activity.

Prior to joining A&T in 2023, Hodge-Penn served for five years as assistant vice chancellor for Research at the University of Mississippi. She held prior administrative research roles at Georgia State University and Emory University, as well.

Hodge-Penn holds a doctoral degree in higher education leadership from the University of Mississippi, a master’s in counseling and human relations from Liberty and a B.A. in psychology from Grambling. She is also a graduate of the Georgia State University Executive Leadership Academy for Women.

Research is booming at A&T. External research grants and sponsored program support has grown by $85 million over the past four years, totaling $147.4 million in fiscal year 2023. Research expenditures have likewise grown significantly as the university pursues the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education’s top designation for doctoral research universities, R1-Very High Research Activity.

The university has built a reputation for expertise in autonomous vehicles, nanoscale materials, bioengineering, advanced manufacturing, race-based inequity in delivery of health care and education, advanced training in clean energy and more.

A&T will conduct a search in the near future for the permanent vice chancellor for the Division of Research, formerly the Division of Research and Economic Development.