The Institute of Politics’ Board of Trustees has as its primary function the development of a culture of sustainability in the Institute’s leadership and operations. By helping to steward the Institute’s finances and broaden the network of support that exists for the important work of civic engagement in North Carolina, the Board of Trustees forms an essential part of ensuring that we are able to remain as an impactful presence on campus.
Bernard Bell
Member, Board of Trustees
Bell serves as the Executive Director of the Shuford Program in Entrepreneurship, part of UNC’s College of Arts and Sciences. Prior to his arrival at UNC Bell led a successful career as an executive in the internet and television industry, and brings an exciting entrepreneurial perspective to the IOP’s social ventures and campus collaborations.
Chris Clemens
Member, Board of Trustees
As Senior Associate Dean for Research and Innovation, Chris Clemens drives strategic planning and provides guidance across the College’s academic divisions and research programs, fostering new models of innovation, new initiatives and new collaborations. At Carolina for over 20 years, Clemens is a distinguished academic in the fields of physics and astronomy, and brings a unique analytical perspective to the IOP’s leadership
Emmanuel Girma
Member ex officio, Board of Trustees
As President of the Institute’s Student Leadership Team, Emmanuel also serves as a member ex officio of the Board of Trustees. He is excited to be able to work closely with these distinguished members of the North Carolina and University communities to continue to advance the work of the IOP and to provide exceptional opportunities for students here on campus.
Julia Grumbles
Member, Board of Trustees
Formerly a member of the UNC Board of Trustees, Julia Grumbles brings a deep familiarity with University operations and development to the IOP’s leadership. Throughout her career as a broadcast media executive, she has maintained a strong commitment to civic life and philanthropy, including as an early supporter of the important work of the IOP.
Tom Lambeth
Member, Board of Trustees
Tom Lambeth serves as Director Emeritus of the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, capping a long life of service to the state of North Carolina. Long active in politics and philanthropy, his devotion to the education of young people from grade school all the way through college is a valuable asset to the IOP’s efforts to encourage a new generation of civic leadership.
Roger Perry
Member, Board of Trustees
As Chair of the UNC Board of Trustees, Roger Perry has committed years of service to Carolina in a wide variety of different fields and capacities. The IOP is the latest in a distinguished series of University ventures that has benefited from Perry’s involvement, even as he continues an active career in real estate development in Chapel Hill and the greater Triangle area.
Sarah Treul
Member, Board of Trustees
Sarah Treul has supported the IOP as its Faculty Advisor since the Institute’s founding, and continues to be an integral part of the day-to-day operation of our on-campus programming. An Associate Professor of Political Science specializing in the study of the US Congress, Treul is a much sought-after event moderator and thesis and research advisor.
Richard Vinroot
Member, Board of Trustees
A former City Council member and Mayor of Charlotte, Vinroot has also won the Republican nomination for Governor of North Carolina in a career of exceptional and principled public service. With a record of service to the University dating back to his time on campus as a Morehead Scholar, he continues to practice law in Charlotte, as he has for over 50 years.