Governor Roy Cooper has created a bi-partisan advisory commission that will offer recommendations on how to diversify North Carolina’s public university governing boards.
The Commission on the Future of Public Universities in North Carolina will be co-chaired by Republican Margaret Spellings and Democrat Tom Ross. Both are former U.N.C. System presidents.
Spellings was also secretary of education during the George W. Bush administration.
"Our public universities especially must be places where every person feels welcome, heard and represented," she said.
Currently, the 24-member Board of Governors includes just six women and four people of color.
The Republican-led General Assembly has full authority on appointments.
