Isom Named Chief Audit Officer

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (Aug. 10, 2026) – North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University has tapped a seasoned audit and accounting professional with extensive history in senior private sector and public, higher educational settings to serve as its new chief audit officer (CAO), school leaders announced today.

Rod Isom, a Certified Internal Control Auditor, begins work Aug. 17. He will lead the internal audit function and provide independent assessments of financial, operational, compliance and technology related practices and internal controls to mitigate risk and fraud.

As CAO, Isom will also be responsible for collaborating with North Carolina A&T’s board and executive leadership to develop and execute a dynamic, risk-based audit strategy aligned with the university’s strategic plan and goals.

“As we continue to enhance financial processes at North Carolina A&T, we are delighted to bring on a CAO of Rod’s experience to serve our complex university’s many audit needs,” said Chancellor James R. Martin II. “His background within the University of North Carolina System and with private organizations has prepared him well for the challenges of a large and growing organization.”

Isom most recently served as chief audit officer for Winston-Salem State University (and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts), where he has worked for the past 12 years, serving as an internal auditor, audit manager and interim chief audit, risk and compliance officer before moving into the senior role in 2023. He has served on university’s strategic planning teams and managed implementation efforts for new Global Internal Audit Standards, which took effect last year.

Prior to Winston-Salem State, he worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers, one of the Big Four accounting firms, as an external auditor and previously as a divisional internal auditor for the Salvation Army’s North and South Carolina Divisional Headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina. His work consisted of ensuring the accuracy of financial-related records and evaluating the effectiveness of internal controls.

Isom holds a MAcc from Liberty University and earned a B.S. in business administration with a concentration in accounting from Presbyterian College in South Carolina. He is also a graduate of the UNC Executive Leadership Institute.

Among numerous leadership positions, Isom has served as president and vice president of the University of North Carolina Auditors Association.