The search committee includes representatives of the WCU Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, administration and students, as well as alumni and community members. The committee includes one non-voting member from the University of North Carolina Board of Governors — David Powers, who serves as the board’s liaison to WCU.

Alison Morrison-Shetlar, who currently is serving as provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at WCU, will assume the role of acting chancellor on Jan. 1, 2018. Belcher plans to go on medical leave effective Dec. 31. He has served as chancellor since 2011.

The search committee will recommend finalists to the full WCU Board of Trustees. The board must then recommend three finalists to UNC President Margaret Spellings, who will recommend one candidate to the UNC Board of Governors for approval.