Office of President

Meet President Kirk E. Peterson

Dr. Peterson earned the Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Tennessee in 2000, along with a Master of Science degree in education with a major in mental health counseling, and holds a second Master of Science degree in education with a major in sports psychology earned in 1996. In 1994, he received the Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from University of Wisconsin-La-Crosse.

He is no stranger to Chowan University, for he served as a faculty and staff member from 2004-2010. During these years, he served as the Chair of the Department of Health and Physical Education, as the founding Dean of the Graduate school, and as Associate Provost.

Dr. Peterson also has experience as Senior Vice President and Interim President followed by President at Urbana University in Ohio. After facilitating a successful merger of Urbana, saving the university from absolute closure, Dr. Peterson became superintendent of two private schools in Ohio. His breadth of experience as both faculty and administrator in higher, secondary, and elementary education uniquely prepares him to lead Chowan University.

Part of Dr. Peterson's vision for Chowan is to continue the effort to recruit and retain students as well as growing and improving the physical plant. He has a desire to work with the faculty to bring in innovative academic programs and work closely with the students to gauge their feelings and listen to their needs.

He and his wife, Rachel, are the parents of three sons: Caleb, Cody, and Justin.

President's Office Hours for Students

President Peterson invites Chowan University students to meet during office hours. Meetings can be with individual students or in groups of as many as three. Beginning in the fall semester, available times and a sign-up form will be available.

Office hour requests will be accepted in the order in which they arrive after approval from the Office. Therefore, a sign-up does not guarantee each student a time slot in the session. The Office of the President will confirm meetings through an email calendar invitation.

To ensure that as many students as possible have the opportunity to speak with the president, meetings will be limited to 15 minutes. Four 15-minute meetings will take place during each one-hour block, and students who are approved for the session will meet in the order in which they arrive.

All meetings will take place in the President’s Office on the second floor of the McDowell Columns Building.

Please use the form to sign up and provide a topic(s) you would like to discuss. Any matters that may be better handled by deans or other university officials (such as grade disputes, funding requests, or individuals seeking redress) will be redirected as appropriate.

President Peterson welcomes discussions of your ideas, perceptions, and experiences as a Chowan University student.

Hear from Dr. Peterson

"My family and I are thrilled to return to Murfreesboro and Chowan University. We are eager to become reacquainted with members of the Chowan community, faculty, and staff and to become acquainted with those members we have yet to meet. Our family is blessed beyond measure to serve a remarkable university, its talented faculty, its dedicated staff, and its most important constituents: the students.

I am eager to begin work with a devoted staff, expert faculty, talented senior team, and remarkable Board of Trustees. As Luke 12:48 states, "To whom much is given, much will be required." As a University community, we will always be reminded that we have been given a tremendous opportunity in educating and mentoring our students. Also, we are expected to assist in the intellectual, physical, mental, social, and most importantly, spiritual development and maturation of students. So as you can see, we have been given much and much is expected of us."

-Presidential Announcement, February 2018

Today, I stand in front of you with a little gray hair, high hopes, realistic and audacious dreams. I am humbled; I am energetic; I know that Chowan is family – and family is everything. We have the heart to embrace the past and the courage to look into the future. I have faith in our staff, faculty, and administrators; and we all have Faith in the Future of our students! I am thankful that the Board of Trustees has chosen me to lead Chowan University into the future. I accept the honorable position of President of this great University. IT IS GOOD TO BE HOME!

-Presidential Inauguration, April 2019