Lee H. Roberts

Roberts was born to journalists Steven and Cokie Roberts. His mother was the daughter of Hale and Lindy Boggs. He grew up in Washington, D.C.{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}} He is married to Liza Roberts, a journalist and founding editor of Walter Magazine.{{cite web | url=https://waltermagazine.com/about/ | title=About WALTER Magazine }}

Roberts received a Bachelor of Arts with a major in political science from Duke University in 1990 and a Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University in 1994.{{Cite web |last=Hudson |first=Susan|date=2023-12-15 |title=Former state budget director named interim chancellor {{!}} UNC-Chapel Hill |url=https://www.unc.edu/posts/2023/12/15/former-state-budget-director-named-interim-chancellor/ |access-date=2023-12-15 |publisher=University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |language=en-US}}

Roberts spent 30 years working in the finance industry. He was a partner at Cherokee Investment Partners and spent nine years with Morgan Stanley, where, among other projects, he helped guide financing for the $1.6 billion Africa ONE fiber network, the $2.2 billion Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, and the $5 billion World Trade Center site redevelopment.{{cite web | url=https://www.theassemblync.com/business/unc-chancellor-lee-roberts-bald-head-island-ferry/ | title=Lee Roberts' Island Dreams | date=August 15, 2024 }} He then became managing director of Piedmont Community Bank Holdings.{{Cite web |title=Lee Roberts |url=https://sites.duke.edu/nclf/lee-roberts/ |access-date=2023-12-15 |publisher=North Carolina Leadership Forum |language=en-US}} From 2014 to 2016, he was the budget director for North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory., where his office oversaw more than $40 billion in spending.{{cite web | url=https://ballotpedia.org/North_Carolina_state_budget_and_finances#:~:text=The%20total%20estimated%20government%20spending,year%202016%20was%20%2444.4%20billion.&text=Per%2Dcapita%20figures%20are%20calculated,United%20States%20Census%20Bureau%20estimates | title=North Carolina state budget and finances }} He then{{When|date=October 2024}} founded SharpVue Capital, a private investment firm in Raleigh. From 2019 until 2024, he taught budgeting as an adjunct instructor in the Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy.{{Cite web |title=Lee Roberts Named Interim Chancellor at UNC-Chapel Hill – UNC System |url=https://www.northcarolina.edu/news/lee-roberts-named-interim-chancellor-at-unc-chapel-hill/ |access-date=2023-12-15 |website=www.northcarolina.edu|date=December 15, 2023 }}

Since 2019, Roberts has served on the corporate board of Variety Wholesalers, a retail-store company owned by Art Pope, a prominent conservative donor.{{Cite web |title=Interim Chancellor Lee Roberts assures connection to conservative donor's company is nonpartisan |url=https://www.dailytarheel.com/article/2024/02/university-interim-chancellor-lee-roberts-assures-connection-to-conservative-donors-company-is-nonpartisan |access-date=2024-04-09 |website=Daily Tar Heel |language=en-US}}

From 2021 to 2024,{{Cite web |title=Duke alumnus Lee Roberts elected chancellor of UNC-Chapel Hill following controversial interim term |url=https://www.dukechronicle.com/article/2024/08/duke-university-lee-roberts-unc-chapel-hill-chancellor-trinity-alumnus-sanford-school-interim-role-controversy-encampment-protest-financial-ties-art-pope-carolina |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=DukeCronicle.com |language=en-US}} Roberts served as a member of the UNC System Board of Governors and chair of its budget committee.{{Cite web |date=2023-12-15 |title=UNC names Duke grad Lee Roberts interim chancellor |url=https://www.wral.com/story/unc-names-duke-grad-lee-roberts-interim-chancellor/21195862/ |access-date=2023-12-15 |publisher=WRAL |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Hudson |first=Susan |date=2023-12-15 |title=Former state budget director named interim chancellor {{!}} UNC-Chapel Hill |url=https://www.unc.edu/posts/2023/12/15/former-state-budget-director-named-interim-chancellor/ |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=unc.edu |language=en-US}}

On December 15, 2023, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill announced that Roberts would succeed then chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz (who left to serve as the president of Michigan State University) as the interim chancellor of UNC-Chapel Hill. Roberts described his motivation as stemming from a "family tradition of public service" and his deep commitment to North Carolina, which he first moved to at age 17.

On August 9, 2024, the UNC System Board of Governors appointed Roberts as the 13th chancellor and 31st leader of UNC-Chapel Hill after serving 7 months as interim chancellor. The selection process for Roberts' appointment faced criticism from members of the student body.{{Cite web |title=Op-ed: UNC deserves better, Lee Roberts ain't it. |url=https://www.dailytarheel.com/article/2024/01/opinion-oped-lee-roberts |access-date=2024-04-09 |website=Daily Tar Heel |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Editorial: The Editorial Board does not approve of Lee Roberts' chancellorship |url=https://www.dailytarheel.com/article/2024/08/opinion-editorial-lee-roberts-election |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=dailytarheel.com |language=en-US |archive-date=September 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240925141948/https://www.dailytarheel.com/article/2024/08/opinion-editorial-lee-roberts-election |url-status=live }}

File:Lee Roberts TransparUNCy Teach-In.jpg

On January 12, 2024, a coalition of student groups published an op-ed titled "UNC deserves better, Lee Roberts ain't it" on the university's student newspaper The Daily Tar Heel. The article highlighted Roberts' lack of experience in educational administration and actions during his tenure as state budget director that were perceived as contrary to the interests of higher education and inclusivity.

A month later, in February 2024, another op-ed was published by five UNC students titled "'Nonpartisan' Lee Roberts receives income from far-right megadonor's company" highlighting a conflict between his claimed commitment nonpartisanship and his financial ties to conservative donor Art Pope.{{Cite web |title=Op-ed: "Nonpartisan" Lee Roberts receives income from far-right megadonor's company |url=https://www.dailytarheel.com/article/2024/02/opinion-oped-lee-roberts-follow-up |access-date=2024-04-09 |website=dailytarheel.com|language=en-US}} Following this publication, Roberts stated in an interview that he would not be taking income from his board position on Art Pope's company Variety Wholesalers during his time as interim chancellor, and that serving on a corporate board has no bearing on his nonpartisanship.

In early April 2024, a student group was formed in opposition to Roberts' chancellorship, TransparUNCy.{{Cite web |last=Killian |first=Joe |date=2024-04-02 |title=At UNC-Chapel Hill, interim chancellor selection attracts growing student opposition • NC Newsline |url=https://ncnewsline.com/2024/04/02/at-unc-chapel-hill-interim-chancellor-selection-attracts-growing-student-opposition/ |access-date=2024-04-09 |website=NC Newsline |language=en-US}} Alexander Denza, a UNC student activist and TransparUNCy organizer, questioned the motivations behind accelerated timeline of the search, which was initially expected to conclude by the end of the year.{{Cite news |last=Martin |first=Emmy |date=July 24, 2024 |title=Forums nixed for UNC chancellor search, reversing plans to get feedback in fall |url=https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/education/article290316024.html |work=The News & Observer}} Denza characterized the rapid narrowing of candidates from a broad pool to a final selection within a few weeks as "rigged".{{Cite web |title=Lee Roberts elected as next UNC-Chapel Hill chancellor |url=https://www.dailytarheel.com/article/2024/08/university-chancellor-breaking |access-date=2024-08-09 |website=dailytarheel.com |language=en-US}} At a TransparUNCy meeting session in April 2024, Roberts made an appearance where he reaffirmed his commitment to nonpartisanship to the crowd.{{Cite web |title=Interim Chancellor Lee Roberts speaks at TransparUNCy teach-in |url=https://www.dailytarheel.com/article/2024/04/university-transparuncy-roberts |access-date=2024-04-09 |website=dailytarheel.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Killian |first=Joe |date=2024-04-11 |title=UNC-Chapel Hill Trustees could begin to defund DEI efforts|url=https://ncnewsline.com/2024/04/11/unc-chapel-hill-trustees-could-begin-to-defund-dei-efforts/ |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=NC Newsline |language=en-US}}

On May 11 during the 2024 Spring Commencement Ceremony, Roberts was met with boos by the audience during his speech after saying, "Carolina doesn't belong to you." He continued on to say "It sure doesn't belong to me. It doesn't belong to any one person or group."{{Cite web |title=Livestream |url=https://commencement.unc.edu/livestream/ |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=UNC-Chapel Hill Commencement |language=en-US}} During the ceremony, students walked towards the stage holding Palestinian flags and were escorted out by the police.{{Cite web |title=Students, faculty and community members protest for Palestine throughout school year |url=https://www.dailytarheel.com/article/2024/05/university-protest-summary#:~:text=On%20May%2011,%20the%20day,the%20Triangle%20Gaza%20Solidarity%20Encampment.&text=A%20pro-Palestine%20protester%20leads,Saturday,%20May%2011,%202024. |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=dailytarheel.com |language=en-US}}

Amid the 2024 Spring Commencement Ceremony, a Pro-Palestine student-led protest occurred at the South Building on Campus. One student leader called the protest "The People's Graduation," "to commemorate suspended seniors who were involved in the Triangle Gaza Solidarity Encampment." As part of this protest, red paint was poured on the steps of the South Building and red handprints were pressed on the outside of the building.

Two photoshopped images depicting Lee Roberts in a confederate army uniform standing in front of a confederate flag were taped to the doors of the South Building. A handwritten poster on the doors contained the words, "Lee Roberts is a pig. On a monumental & historic day, our chancellor has shown his true colors. Rather than support the student body, he supports genocide. He shuts down the Campus Y, brutalizes peaceful protestors on a power trip, & becomes a symbol of hate, tyranny, & oppression. His despicable actions humiliate our school, its students, & its values. In no world is he fit to lead. F--- Lee Roberts & everything he stands for."{{Cite web |title=Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/justincookphoto/p/C62Ca3dvOwR/?hl=en&img_index=1 |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=www.instagram.com}}{{Cite news |last1=Hubbard |first1=Kathryn |last2=Roy |first2=Amalia |last3=Overton |first3=Rodney |date=May 11, 2024 |title=Pro-Palestine protesters deface South Building at UNC |url=https://www.cbs17.com/news/local-news/orange-county-news/pro-palestine-protestors-deface-wilson-library-at-unc-with-paint/ |access-date=February 19, 2025 |work=CBS 17}} Another protestor wrote "Lee Roberts is a fascist" in black marker on the window of the building.{{Cite web |last=Mion |first=Landon |date=2024-05-12 |title=Anti-Israel demonstrators gather at UNC-Chapel Hill Chancellor's office, smear red paint on building |url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/anti-israel-demonstrators-gather-unc-chapel-hill-chancellors-office-smear-red-paint-building |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=Fox News |language=en-US}}

Faculty members also expressed concerns regarding his chancellorship. Sue Estroff, a member of the UNC Faculty Executive Committee, stated weeks before the official appointment of Roberts, "I fear that the chancellor search is already over, and I don't have a lot of confidence in the process." Roberts was condemned by nearly 900 faculty and staff members in a joint letter, which criticized creating a "militarized and unsafe climate" on campus.{{Cite web |last=Gretzinger |first=Erin |date=2024-08-08 |title=What Lee Roberts' Interim Months Tell Us About How He'll Lead UNC-Chapel Hill |url=https://www.theassemblync.com/education/higher-education/lee-roberts-chancellor-search-unc-chapel-hill/ |access-date=2024-11-05 |website=The Assembly NC |language=en-US}}

On December 9, 2024, 8-time Super Bowl winning coach Bill Belichick appeared on The Pat McAfee Show and responded to rumors he was being considered for the UNC head coaching job: "I've had the opportunity to talk to Chancellor Roberts, and we've had a couple of good conversations. So we'll see how it goes."{{cite web | url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5981833/2024/12/09/bill-belichick-unc-football-pat-mcaffee-comments/ | title=Bill Belichick confirms UNC talks, makes pitch for FBS job: 'It would be an NFL program at a college level' | work=The New York Times | last1=Merola | first1=Lauren | last2=Graff | first2=Chad | date=December 10, 2024 }} Two days later on December 11, 2024, Roberts and Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham announced that Belichick had been hired on a five year contract. Speaking to WUNC, Board of Trustees member Jennifer Lloyd said of Roberts, "He has shown bold leadership. This was his process, at the end of the day, working closely with Bubba and other members of the committee... but Chancellor Roberts deserves virtually all of the credit, ultimately, for taking this risk and making this commitment."{{cite web | url=https://www.wunc.org/sports/2024-12-12/bill-belichick-unc-chapel-hill-football-college-nil-trustees | title=By hiring Bill Belichick, UNC-Chapel Hill goes 'all-in' on football as college athletics shift | date=December 13, 2024 }}

Early in the second Trump administration, on January 24, 2025, Roberts attended a Faculty Council Meeting at which he was asked by Allison Schlobohm (then-clinical associate professor of management and corporate communication at the UNC business school) how the university would respond to changes in immigration law. "I would just like to know," Schlobohm said, "if we're asked to identify undocumented students, what will we say?" Roberts replied: "If we're asked by law enforcement, we're going to comply with any requests from law enforcement about that or anything else."{{cite news |last1=Dean |first1=Korie |title=UNC-Chapel Hill will 'comply' if ICE seeks students on campus, chancellor says |url=https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/education/article299119765.html |access-date=22 May 2025 |publisher=News & Observer |date=January 24, 2025}}{{Cite news |date=2025 |title=UNC-Chapel Hill will 'comply' if ICE seeks students on campus, chancellor says |url=https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/education/article299119765.html |work=News and Observer}}

Approximately 150 students and staff gathered to protest Roberts' response to the question outside of the South Building on February 5, 2025. The protest was organized, in part, by TransparUNCy. It featured music and cultural heritage celebrations from Mexico and Central America.{{Cite web |title='It's really unity': Students, staff gather to protest Chancellor's ICE compliance |url=https://www.dailytarheel.com/article/2025/02/university-ice-compliance-protest |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=dailytarheel.com |language=en-US}} In her column titled "For UNC, institutional neutrality is complicity with Trump and ICE" in The Daily Tar Heel, student journalist Maggie Mead referred to Lee Roberts' response as "reprehensible."{{Cite web |title=Column: For UNC, institutional neutrality is complicity with Trump and ICE |url=https://www.dailytarheel.com/article/2025/02/opinion-column-university-ice-institutional-neutrality |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=dailytarheel.com |language=en-US}}

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Category:American financial businesspeople

Category:Living people

Category:University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill faculty

Category:Duke University alumni

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Lee

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