Peter Hans

Peter Hans is the seventh president of the University of North Carolina System. A first-generation college graduate, he seeks to provide accessible, affordable, high-quality educational opportunities for all.

Before his election in 2020, he served as the ninth president of the North Carolina Community College System. During his tenure, the system increased visibility, enrollment, completion rates, public funding, private support and business partnerships.

Hans was elected by the state legislature to the State Board of Community Colleges (1997-2003) and UNC Board of Governors (2003-2015), where he was chosen by peers for leadership roles and fought to streamline the transfer of student credits.

Previously, he served as senior policy adviser to three members of the U.S. Senate, counseled the private sector on public affairs at one of the state’s largest law firms and supported UNC System President Margaret Spellings on key initiatives.

Hans earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master of Liberal Arts in extension studies from Harvard University.