Ferrell Named Vice Chancellor for Information Technology Services and CIO

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (March 6, 2026) – A senior higher education executive with extensive experience in information technology leadership and academic administration has been appointed North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University’s vice chancellor for Information Technology and its chief information officer, Chancellor James R. Martin II announced today.

Maurice A. Ferrell ‘19, Ph.D., serves as deputy chief operating officer for technology and enterprise data for the University of North Carolina System. The North Carolina A&T alumnus brings nearly 30 years of progressive leadership expertise in using technology to improve student success and operational efficiency while leading cross-functional teams. He begins work in his new role May 1.

“Dr. Ferrell’s leadership and experience will accelerate our efforts to expand AI fluency throughout our university and to harness our significant investments in leading technologies, such as high-performance computing, to fuel research preeminence and strengthen our Research 1 trajectory,” said Martin, referencing A&T’s pursuit of the Carnegie Classifications’ top designation for research universities.

At A&T, Ferrell will oversee the Division of Information Technology Services, which supports the university’s digital experience and performance across numerous platforms. Its teams manage and support a wide range of services, including learning technologies, classroom tools, campus systems, network access and cybersecurity, working continuously to keep them reliable, secure and easy to use as the university grows and evolves.

“North Carolina A&T has a powerful legacy of innovation and impact, and I’m honored to join the Aggie community,” said Ferrell. “I look forward to partnering across campus to strengthen our digital environment, support student success, advance research and help sustain the university’s continued growth.”

Before being promoted into his current position with the UNC System, Ferrell was its vice president for technology and chief information officer from 2022 to 2024. He previously worked for UNC-Chapel Hill, beginning in 2009 as assistant director of the Center for Public Technology at the School of Government before becoming assistant dean for IT and chief information officer for the university in 2019 and then associate dean for information management for the university in 2021.

Ferrell started his career in higher education as a network analyst for Danville, Virginia, Public Schools for four years before serving as their manager of information systems technology for three years. He then joined the Institute for Advanced Learning & Research in Danville as chief information officer, serving for six years.

An Army veteran of Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Ferrell graduated cum laude with an A.S. in information systems technology-networking from Danville Community College before earning a B.A. in business administration from Averett University as a Pinnacle Award Recipient.

He completed an MBA at Liberty University and earned his Ph.D. in leadership studies from North Carolina A&T.

Ferrell has served on the Danville Regional Foundation Board, Mid-Atlantic Broadband Communities Corp., MCNC Advisory Council, Southern Piedmont Technology Council and board of directors of the Danville/Pittsylvania Chamber of Commerce, Goodwill Industries in Danville and Boys and Girls Club in Danville.

Ferrell comes to A&T along with several other new vice chancellors for Strategic Partnerships and Economic Development, Research, University Advancement and Business and Finance, as well as a new provost and executive vice chancellor of Academic Affairs announced earlier this week, as the university accelerates execution of its ambitious strategic vision.