NORFOLK, Va. – After more than three years of leading the southeastern Virginia-based historically Black institution, Norfolk State University President Dr. Carolyn W. Meyers is stepping down from her post on June 30.
The university announced her resignation Monday. Rector Edward L. Hamm Jr. said the board of visitors has known about Meyers’ planned departure since Nov. 9, but agreed to her request to delay the public announcement.
The 63-year-old Meyers has been president of the historically Black university with nearly 7,000 students since 2006. She is in the fourth year of a five-year contract.
The Virginian-Pilot reported earlier this week that Norfolk-area community leaders were surprised by Monday’s announcement and some expressed their dismay with seeing Meyers leave before the end of her tenure.
Norfolk Councilman Paul R. Riddick, whose ward includes some of the neighborhoods around Norfolk State, told the Virginian-Pilot he had enjoyed working with Meyers on community projects.”I admired her as a president, and I hope the best for her,” Riddick told the Norfolk-based newspaper.
Meyers told the board she planned to pursue other interests before learning that she did not get the top post at Morgan State University in Baltimore. She had been named a finalist in November.
Hamm said the search for her replacement will begin by the board’s next meeting in March.
