North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, commonly known as “Aggieland,” is situated roughly nine blocks east of downtown Greensboro, North Carolina. This city, home to approximately 284,816 residents, is one of the three key urban centers that form the Greensboro-Winston-Salem-High Point Combined Statistical Area (CSA), also recognized as the Piedmont Triad region.

The university’s development began in 1893 with a 14-acre (5.7 ha) land donation. Today, this higher education institution spans over 200 acres (80 ha) and includes 123 buildings, comprising 28 academic structures, 15 student residences, and various athletic and support facilities. Additionally, the campus features a 600-acre (240 ha) working farm and two research parks covering a total of 150 acres (60 ha). The main boundaries are defined by East Bessemer Street to the north, East Market Street to the south, North O’Henry Boulevard (U.S. Route 220/U.S. 29/U.S. 70) to the east, North Dudley Street to the west, and East Lindsay Street to the northeast. The primary entrance is at East Market Street and North Benbow Road.

A portion of the current campus is part of the Agricultural and Technical College of North Carolina Historic District, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. Covering 10.1 acres (4.1 ha), this district is located along the university’s western edge and includes five Colonial Revival and Classical Revival-style buildings, the institution’s oldest standing structures.

As student enrollment has increased, this historically Black college has expanded its facilities. Notably, the Student Center, a 150,000-square-foot complex, serves as a hub for student organizations, dining, gaming areas, and event spaces. In 2018, construction began on the $90-million Harold L. Martin Sr. Engineering Research and Innovation Complex, which aims to enhance the teaching and research capabilities of the university’s esteemed College of Engineering.

University Galleries

Located in the James B. Dudley Memorial Building, the University Galleries house the Mattye Reed African Heritage and H. Clinton Taylor Collections. Established in the late 1960s, the Reed African Heritage Collection highlights both historical and contemporary African and Caribbean art, with approximately 3,500 artifacts from over 35 nations. Named after its first curator, Mattye Reed, the collection was developed through donations from her network of friends and colleagues. The Taylor Collection, named after the university’s art department founder, features rotating exhibitions from African-American artists, as well as student and faculty works.

Sustainability Initiatives

As part of the University of North Carolina System, this educational institution contributes to the system’s $227 million annual energy expenditure. In 2009, the UNC Board of Governors introduced sustainability policies to advance environmental responsibility within North Carolina’s higher education institutions.

Since 2003, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University has reduced energy consumption by 21%. Research conducted by the university indicates that energy efficiency initiatives within its 123 buildings have saved enough power to supply 760 households annually. During the 2011–12 fiscal year, energy conservation efforts resulted in a 32.5 billion BTU reduction, saving approximately $386,274. Under the Strategic Energy Plan, the university has implemented measures such as comprehensive energy audits, a retro-commissioning process for existing buildings, lighting retrofits, and the development of green network strategies.

In the field of green construction, this technical university is working on policies to incorporate sustainable building practices in future projects. As of 2015, four green building initiatives were in progress. The Proctor School of Education Building integrates a green roof system to mitigate stormwater runoff and lower summer cooling demands. The Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering (JSNN) Building, situated at the off-campus Joint Millennial Campus, achieved LEED Gold certification in 2013. The university also developed an environmentally friendly student center and, in 2015, opened a LEED Silver-certified student health center, its first entirely green facility.

Due to its commitment to sustainability, this historically Black college and university ranked 10th among 301 institutions from 61 countries in the 2013 Universitas Indonesia (UI) GreenMetric World University Sustainability Ranking. Additionally, it secured 5th place among 164 institutions in the Campus Setting (Urban) category and 9th among 224 institutions in the Comprehensive Higher Education category.

North Carolina A&T is one of 16 public universities that constitute the University of North Carolina System. As a constituent institution of the UNC System, N.C. A&T is governed by a Board of Governors and administered by a president. The 24 voting members of the board are elected by the state general assembly for four-year terms. The current president of the UNC system is Peter Hans.

Each of the UNC campuses is headed by a chancellor who is chosen by the board of governors on the president’s nomination and is responsible to the president. The current chancellor of N.C. A&T is James R. Martin II who was elected, following the retirement of his predecessor Harold L. Martin.

In the UNC System, each university has its own board of trustees. N.C. A&T’s board of trustees consists of eight members elected by the board of governors and four members appointed by the governor, as well as the president of the student body, who serves as an ex officio member.

The 2017-2018 expenditures totaled $288 million. The state of North Carolina provided $99 million of support in appropriations and other aid. Tuition, fees, sales, and services provided an additional $100 million. N.C. A&T received $95 million from contracts and grants, with $57 million of that earmarked for student financial aid. Other sources of income for the university include gifts, income from investments. As of 2018, the university endowment was valued at just over $57 million.