Elwood Robinson

Elwood L. Robinson served as chancellor at Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) from 2015 to 2023. Kathleen Kelly, chair of WSSU’s Board of Trustees, referred to Robinson as “an inspirational, thoughtful and dynamic leader.” Under Robinson’s leadership, WSSU’s endowment increased from $30 million to $100 million, the university raised more than $164 million in research grants, WSSU invested more than $145 million in campus infrastructure, and the university landed a $30 million gift from MacKenzie Scott, the largest single gift in WSSU’s history. The Rams also won 16 championships in the storied Central Intercollegiate Athletic Assocation during Robinson’s tenure. Prior to leading WSSU, Robinson served as provost and vice president of Cambridge College where the teacher education program achieved national accreditation and the college forged partnerships with Granite State College to offer online programs, the first private/state partnership of its kind in New England. In addition, the American Council on Education awarded Cambridge a grant to establish an Innovation and Change Lab designed to increase the number of first-generation and nontraditional students earning college degrees.