Paula Gentius named board secretary and director of the board office

Paula Gentius has been named the University’s board secretary and director of the board office. She was also elected by the Wake Forest University Board of Trustees as an officer of the board to serve as Secretary of the Board, effective July 1. Gentius currently serves as chief of staff and secretary of the University at North Carolina State University.

Gentius has extensive higher education governance experience. Prior to her role at N.C. State, she served as senior executive in the Office of the President at Virginia Commonwealth University and executive policy advisor to the president and board of visitors at Norfolk State University. 

“The board secretary is a critical role for the University,” said President Susan R. Wente. “Gentius brings deep knowledge, passion and experience to this position. During the interview process, she impressed the search committee and all who met her with her commitment to good governance and her extensive background in higher education and public policy.”

As board secretary and director of the board office, Gentius will oversee the operational and administrative work of the University Board of Trustees and its committees. 

Before her career in higher education, Gentius worked for more than 10 years with government agencies in Michigan and Virginia focused on policy and compliance. In the community, she has served on numerous state task forces and committees.

She earned her Ph.D. in educational management from Hampton University, a law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, a master’s degree in higher education administration from Ohio University and a bachelor’s degree from Hampton University.

Gentius will succeed Reid Morgan when he retires on June 30. Morgan served as general counsel with responsibility for the legal offices on the Reynolda Campus and at the Medical School beginning in 2000. He became vice president in 2002, as well as secretary of the Wake Forest Board of Trustees and secretary of Wake Forest Health Sciences. He was named senior vice president in 2011. The University will celebrate Morgan’s retirement from Wake Forest on May 14.