Meredith College Mourns Loss of Trustee Thomas Conway, Jr.

The Meredith College community is saddened by the passing of Trustee Thomas E.H. Conway, Jr., former chancellor of Elizabeth City State University.

President Jo Allen shared the news with the Meredith community, calling Conway an extraordinary leader, educator, mentor, and friend.

“His knowledge of higher education, in particular, illuminated our board discussions about the roles of shared governance, student engagement, curriculum and assessment, budgets, and more,” Allen said. “My particular appreciation for Thomas, besides our friendship, was for his commitment to seeing higher education as a long-term journey — and adventure.”

Conway is survived by his wife, Mychele, and two adult children, Simon and Zena.

Conway served as chancellor of Elizabeth City State University from 2016-18, having previously served at Fayetteville State University for eight years as vice chancellor and chief of staff. He came to Fayetteville State University after a 32-year tenure at North Carolina State University where he last served as dean of undergraduate academic programs. While at NC State University, he held various other positions including: vice provost for enrollment management and services, associate vice provost for the Division of Undergraduate Affairs, and director of the First Year College. He earlier served as a counselor in NC State’s University Counseling Center, Trio program director, director of the academic support program for student-athletes, and director of recruiting and minority services for the College of Engineering. He also was a visiting lecturer in the NC State College of Education’s department of counselor education.

Conway held an undergraduate degree in agricultural education and a master’s degree in guidance and counseling from NC A&T State University and earned a Ph.D. in counselor education from NC State.