James W. May Jr. is Senior Associate
Dean
for Program Development in the College of Arts and Sciences and
Executive Director of the Arts and Sciences Foundation.
He oversaw the College's $350 million fundraising drive – its most ambitious ever – as part of the Carolina First Campaign to help make UNC the leading public university in the nation. Under his leadership, nearly $390 million in private gifts was raised in the campaign, dramatically expanding support for faculty, students, facilities and programs across the arts and sciences.
May has 25 years of experience in university relations and fundraising. He began his career in 1982 at Davidson College, his alma mater, where he served as vice president for college relations from 1997 through 2000. He oversaw development, alumni relations and communications, including the college’s radio station, WDAV.
An Atlanta native, he taught history and coached in Georgia public schools for eight years. From 1970 to 1972, he served as an officer in the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps and completed a tour in Vietnam.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in history at Davidson in 1970. In 1976, he earned his master’s degree in history from Georgia State University.
