Dr. John Roberson, Campbell University’s executive vice president and chief operating officer and a 1980 Campbell alumnus, announced he will step down from his administrative role at the end of the academic year in May to join the University’s faculty full time.
Campbell President Dr. J. Bradley Creed presented Roberson’s request to the Board of Trustees on Jan. 14, as the board accepted the notice and awarded Roberson a sabbatical to recognize his 34 years of service and leadership.
“I cannot say enough good things about John Roberson. He’s just had an amazing career here,” Creed said. “I was extremely pleased when I was able to persuade him to sign on this role in 2016. He has been absolutely essential to this University.”
In addition to his Campbell degree, Roberson is a 1983 graduate of the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and he earned his Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration from North Carolina State University in 1997. His professional career at Campbell began in 1989, where he served for seven years as assistant vice president for alumni relations and assistant to the president. He stepped away from Campbell from 1997 to 2005 to serve as an executive with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, and returned to Campbell as vice president of marketing and planning.
In 2008, Roberson was named vice president for enrollment management and marketing and three years later was tapped to be vice president for enrollment management and assistant to the president. In 2013, he became the founding dean of Adult & Online Education. He was named executive vice president in 2016 and added the role of chief operating officer in 2023.
Roberson approached Creed last August about his interest in returning to the faculty full time. In his initial conversation with the president, he said a milestone birthday (he had recently turned 65) and the birth of his first grandchild led him to think about his future. Following his sabbatical, Roberson will join the faculty of the School of Education & Human Sciences at Campbell to explore and develop online academic program pathways to prepare students for careers in higher education administration.
Creed added that Roberson’s decision comes before the naming of Campbell’s sixth president, expected this year.
“This decision is not directed at anyone. It’s a decision about what’s best for John at this point in his life. And this isn’t good bye. He is going to be around teaching, creating academic programming and lending his expertise to the provost.”
In addition to teaching, Roberson will take on the role of special assistant to Provost Dr. Michael Adams. There he will serve as a strategic thought partner, assist with complex administrative tasks, facilitate communication with various stakeholders and will coordinate and lead special projects. The position will provide significant support as Campbell begins the transition from Creed — who will retire in June — to the next president.
“Dr. Roberson’s decades of experience in higher education, and specifically at Campbell University, will be an extremely valuable resource to advance special projects and explore academic program opportunities,” said Adams.