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N.C. A&T Alumnus Appointed to a Senior Role at Virginia Tech

Dwayne Pinkney ’85 has spent most of his career in higher education playing an integral role in the various facets of university administration. For more than 14 years, he has worked at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his current title is the chief financial officer and senior associate vice chancellor for finance and operations.

On August 1, Pinkney will take on a new role as senior vice president for operations and administration at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

“Starting this new role at Virginia Tech feels like I’m starting over, and with this wonderful opportunity I am ready to embrace a new culture and build relationships with my colleagues,” said Pinkney.

Prior to working at UNC-Chapel Hill in 2004, Pinkney was an associate vice president for finance at the University of North Carolina General Administration. He also has six years of experience as a fiscal analyst with the North Carolina General Assembly and served as a deputy secretary for administration with the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State.

“When I was an undergraduate at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, I was very clear about committing myself to being a deep learner. I could never imagine the roadmap of my career as a young alumnus at the time, but I knew I was passionate and that my work ethic would take me far,” said Pinkney.

In his new role at Virginia Tech, he will oversee all aspects of the financial and operational enterprises of the university, including financial affairs, human resources, policy and governance and planning and facilities management. He brings to the role 23 years of financial administrative management in higher education and state legislative experience.

“Much of my success, I owe to the loving support of my parents, wife and mentors who have always pushed me and encouraged me along the way,” said Pinkney. “My support circle has always seen something in me and I’m grateful for them for believing in me.”

Pinkney is a native of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He received his bachelor’s degree in professional English (now known as journalism and mass communications) from North Carolina A&T. He received a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Pittsburgh, and his Ph.D. in political science from UNC-Chapel Hill.