Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber

LET’S CONNECT.

Known as North Carolina’s urban research university, UNC Charlotte leverages its location in the state’s largest city to offer internationally competitive programs of research and creative activity, exemplary undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, and a focused set of community engagement initiatives. The University achieved R1 status in February 2025.
UNC Charlotte maintains a particular commitment to addressing the cultural, economic, educational, environmental, health and social needs of the greater Charlotte region.
With a student population of more than 31,000 (a 14% increase in enrollment over past 10 years), it is the third-largest institution in the 17-member University of North Carolina System. Its diverse student body, 33% of whom are first-generation college students, comes from 49 states and 99 countries.
One of the top 10 fastest-rising universities in the nation, Charlotte has climbed 76 spots in the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings since 2020 and currently sits at #81 among public universities. The university also is the only public university in North Carolina to rank among U.S. News’ “Most Innovative Schools,” ranking No. 45 overall.

An academic with a background in city and regional planning, Gaber was named by Education Dive one of five higher education leaders to watch in 2018 and beyond.
Prior to her arrival at UNC Charlotte, Gaber served for five years as the President of the University of Toledo, where she was nationally recognized for her efforts to increase enrollment, improve graduation and retention rates, keep education affordable, increase research funding, improve connection to the surrounding metro region and make the campus environment diverse and inclusive.
Prior to Toledo, Gaber served as provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Arkansas.
She has also been an interim provost at Auburn University and a faculty member and administrator for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Gaber earned an A.B. in Economics and Urban Studies at Occidental College.
She received an M.P.L. in Urban Planning from the University of Southern California and a Ph.D. from Cornell University in City & Regional Planning.
Dr. Gaber is the proud mother of three children: Allison, Peter and Jen (dec.).

Gaber is the author of articles on regional and urban planning, public policy and the social dynamics that affect community decision-making and is also the co-author of a book on planning research methods.
In 2024, Gaber was named to The Charlotte Business Journal’s Power 100, which recognized the region’s top innovators.
Gaber received the Career Mastered Distinguished Leadership Award in 2022 and was named by The Charlotte Business Journal as one of the Most Admired CEOs of 2021.
She has been named to the Business North Carolina Power List for four consecutive years beginning in 2021, and in 2020 received the YWCA Northwest Ohio Milestone Award for women’s leadership.
She has served on multiple NCAA committees and is a member of the American Athletic Conference Executive Committee.
Deeply engaged in community and regional activities, she is a member of the Leading on Opportunity Council, the Charlotte Executive Leadership Council, Women Executives, and the International Women’s Forum – Carolinas.

Officially the first woman to serve as chancellor of UNC Charlotte, Gaber follows the trail blazed by founding educator Bonnie Cone, who led the institution from 1946-66 through several stages of growth.