New Superintendent
Dr. Rodney Trice Appointed Superintendent of
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
“Partnership is a great way to describe my leadership approach. Open, accessible, transparent.”
The Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS) Board of Education is proud to announce the unanimous appointment of Dr. Rodney N. Trice as the next Superintendent of CHCCS.
Dr. Trice, who currently serves as the district’s Deputy Superintendent for Teaching & Learning, Systemic Equity and Engagement, brings more than 27 years of distinguished experience in local and state-level educational leadership, with a steadfast commitment to student success, staff and family relationships, and community engagement. His appointment as Superintendent is effective July 1, succeeding Dr. Nyah D. Hamlett, who has served in the role since 2021.
“It's deeply meaningful to have the honor of serving my community,” said Trice, who has lived in Chapel Hill for nearly 18 years. “This community has shaped my children. It’s shaped the careers of my wife and I. So I view the superintendency as a way to continue giving back to the community I’ve proudly called home for nearly two decades.”
“Dr. Trice’s genuine and heartfelt dedication to Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools is what stood out,” said Board of Education Chair Dr. George Griffin. “Dr. Trice is invested here, and he is highly regarded both professionally and personally. That, combined with his experience, accolades, preparation and performance, made Dr. Trice the ideal choice to be the next Superintendent.”
Dr. Trice returned to CHCCS as Chief Equity and Engagement Officer in 2021 and was promoted to Deputy Superintendent in 2022. This, after a seven-year stint in the Wake County Public School System as Assistant Superintendent for Equity Affairs. Prior to WCPSS, Trice worked in CHCCS as the Executive Director for Curriculum, Instruction and Technology, and later as Associate Superintendent for Student & Social Services and Equity Oversight. Combined, he has served as a leader in CHCCS for 12+ years. Previous experiences include serving as a policy advisor for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, an associate principal in Orange County Schools, and as a classroom science teacher, department chair and director in Detroit, where he began his career in education.
When asked what can be expected of him as Superintendent, Trice said, “Someone who is approachable, open and transparent - and who’s ready to roll up their sleeves and be a full partner in tackling challenges. If our system isn’t working for a student, a family or a teacher, I want them to feel comfortable reaching out and saying, ‘Rodney, this isn’t working.’ People can expect me to listen deeply and work collaboratively to find real solutions that move us forward.”
Dr. Trice has earned multiple statewide honors for his commitment to equity, innovation and instructional excellence in public education. In April 2025, he received the Dr. Samuel Houston Jr. Leadership Award from the North Carolina School Superintendents’ Association, recognizing outstanding graduates of the Aspiring Superintendent Program. He was also honored with the 2024 Dr. Frances Jones Trailblazer Award by the North Carolina Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development for his forward-thinking leadership in teaching and learning. In 2020, Dr. Trice received the Distinguished Leadership Alumni Award from the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Education for his sustained contributions to the field. These recognitions reflect Dr. Trice’s unwavering dedication to transformative leadership and student success across North Carolina.
Dr. Trice emerged as the leading candidate from a pool of 37 applicants, representing 14 states/territories. Prior to interviewing candidates, the Board was guided by 6,700+ responses and comments from staff, family, student and community surveys earlier this year. A summary of survey results has been posted to the CHCCS website since April.
Dr. Trice earned his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, his Masters in Educational Leadership from the University of Detroit Mercy, and his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Morehouse College.
Dr. Trice credits his parents, both of whom were classroom teachers, for instilling his profound and deep respect for educators. He and his wife, Kenya, reside in Chapel Hill, where they have lived since 2007. They are the parents of two daughters, one who has graduated from CHCCS and one who is currently in high school. He counts photography, gardening and rooting for the Detroit Lions among the hobbies that make him smile…most of the time.
What’s Next? A swearing-in ceremony will be scheduled in the near future. After that, Dr. Trice expects to host informal summer meet-and-greets. Details will be communicated as soon as possible. A more formal listening tour can be expected this fall as staff and families return for the 2025-26 school year.
Updated June 5
