Chancellor Anthony Graham
Dr. Anthony Graham serves as the Chancellor of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, bringing to the role a distinguished track record of visionary leadership, transformative academic innovation, and a lifelong commitment to equity and excellence in education.
Prior to his appointment at UAPB, Dr. Graham served as Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (2018–2023) and Interim Chancellor (2023–2024) at Winston-Salem State University in North Carolina. Before these appointments, he was Dean of the College of Education and a tenured Full Professor at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University where he advanced initiatives to increase teacher diversity and expand community engagement.
Dr. Graham holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Teaching with a concentration in Multicultural Education and a master’s degree in Secondary English Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He earned his bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in mathematics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is a proud graduate of Kinston High School in Kinston, NC. He began his career as a high school English teacher in Greensboro—an experience that continues to shape his student-centered leadership philosophy.
As a scholar, Dr. Graham focuses on the educational experiences of Black male students across K–20 settings, including how their academic and cultural identities are shaped by educational environments. His research explores effective pedagogical strategies, teacher identity, and culturally relevant instruction. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and co-authored a book, and served as managing editor of The Negro Educational Review, one of the nation’s historic academic journals.
Dr. Graham has secured over $25 million in competitive grant funding from agencies such as the U.S. Department of Education, the National Science Foundation, and the Lumina Foundation. These grants have supported initiatives to diversify the teaching workforce, expand educational access, and strengthen student support, particularly for students of color and those in underserved communities. Among his notable projects are the NSF-funded North Carolina A&Teach STEM Scholars Program, the Adult Connections and Continuing Education Student Success (ACCESS) Program, and multiple U.S. Department of Education–funded teacher residency programs.
Deeply committed to student development and community uplift, Dr. Graham has launched impactful programs such as the Brother-2-Brother Mentoring Program, the Charles Hamilton Houston Summer Leadership Institute for Adolescent African American Boys, and the Scholarship Search and College Admission Conference for Minority Students. His work consistently centers students’ well-being, identity development, and long-term success.
Dr. Graham’s leadership extends well beyond the university. He chaired former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper’s DRIVE Task Force (Developing a Representative and Inclusive Vision for Education) and co-chaired the UNC System’s Educator Preparation Advisory Group. He has served on multiple boards and commissions, including Deans For Impact, the North Carolina PEPSC Commission, CAEP, Goodwill Industries, and Senior Services of Northwest North Carolina.
His contributions have earned wide recognition. He received the 2023 LIFT Innovators Award from North Carolina State University’s Leadership Institute for Future Teachers, was named one of the Piedmont Triad Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” leaders, and received the Sarah Herbin Award from the Black Child Development Institute. Nationally, he has been honored as a “Young Leader on the Move” by the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs and as one of the “Top Young Executives and Professionals in the U.S.” by Empire Corporation.
An in-demand speaker, Dr. Graham brings passion and purpose to every stage. He has delivered keynote addresses at national conferences, Founders’ Day celebrations, and commencements focused on optimism, servant leadership, critical consciousness, and the belief that education is the most powerful lever for individual and societal transformation.
A member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Dr. Graham is proud to lead UAPB into a bold new chapter grounded in excellence, access, and innovation.