"I love Fayetteville State University, and I am honored to have been able to serve as its Chancellor for four years. We have the best students in the world; they are bright, talented, and respectful. We have dedicated faculty and staff who give 100% to the university. And we have the most loyal alumni whom I have met anywhere. I am stepping down as Chancellor so that the university may pursue its core mission of educating students," stated Bryan.

UNC President Erskine Bowles said of Chancellor Bryan's decision, "Chancellor Bryan has done many good things during her tenure at FSU, but given the challenges ahead, I have accepted her resignation." Chancellor Bryan is most proud of the accomplishments that have taken place during her tenure at FSU.

Collaboratively, the university has prepared a strategic plan that will guide its activities through 2011. A facilities master plan and an academic strategic plan have also been developed.

University enrollment has grown from 5,239 students (fall 2003) to 6,301 (fall 2006), a 20% increase. Enrollment in distance-education courses quadrupled (catapulting FSU into third place in distance-education enrollment in the University of North Carolina system). FSU established dual-enrollment agreements with 16 community colleges-thus providing greater access to students who want to pursue bachelor's and graduate degrees.

Ten new academic programs have been created-including three programs offered fully online. The Honors Program was established in 2004. Specialized accreditations have been garnered from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) for the business programs in the School of Business and Economics; Council on Social Work Education for the master's in social work program; Council on Collegiate Nursing Education for the nursing program; and ongoing National Council on the Accreditation of Teacher Education for the education programs.

In international education, the university established a state-of-the-art foreign-language laboratory; signed memoranda of understanding with seven Asian universities; increased study-abroad opportunities for students-nine of whom spent almost a month in China in summer 2007; and hosted Fulbright Language Teaching Assistants.

The percentage of full-time faculty members with doctoral or first-professional degrees has grown from 69% in 2003 to 93% in 2006. Employee satisfaction has increased each year. A recognition program for administrators and staff has been created. Minimum salaries for all employees have been raised to at least $10 per hour. Employee participation in professional-development activities has grown from 38% in 2003 to 75% in 2006.

FSU has increased its fundraising totals and the amount of grants received from external sources. Fundraising has risen from $952,364 in 2003 to $1,725,404 in 2007, an 81% increase. Grants awarded have increased from $4,729,213 (02-03) to $11,335,271 (06-07), an increase of $6,574,457 or 58%.

An array of community-engagement initiatives such as the Chancellor's Distinguished Speakers Series; the annual scholarship gala; "FSU Focus," a weekly radio show on WFSS, the university's NPR station; and the University Community Advisory Council have been implemented.

A number of pre-existing problems have been resolved. University Place Apartments, which had occupancy and rental-delinquency problems, is now a flourishing operation-with a waiting list and good rent-collection rates.

Chancellor Bryan stated she would be remiss if she did not express her appreciation to all that supported her vision, making these accomplishments possible.

"I sincerely thank everyone who has supported me over these past four years, and I am sure that the institution will continue these upward trends."