Sharon Gaber

Sharon Gaber is an American urban planning scholar, currently serving as the 5th chancellor of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte since July 2020.

She served as the 17th president of the University of Toledo in Ohio from July 2015 to July 2020 and as provost of the University of Arkansas from 2009 to 2015.

Early life and education Gaber grew up in Pasadena, California.

She earned an A.B. in economics and urban studies from Occidental College, an M.P.L. in planning from the University of Southern California, and a Ph.D. in city and regional planning from Cornell University. Her research interests are in planning methods and community needs assessment of marginalized populations.

Career Gaber was a faculty member at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. She served as department chair, and held the A. Leicester Hyde endowed professorship.

She served at Auburn University as a professor of sociology and as associate dean of the College of Architecture, Design, and Construction. She was senior associate provost and associate provost for academic administration. She was also the interim provost.

She was the provost at the University of Arkansas from May 1, 2009, to 2015.

Awards

Named by the American Enterprise Institute as one of the best college presidents of the century (#25 out of more than 400) in 2025 Received the World Citizen Award from the Charlotte World Affairs Council in 2025 Named the 2025 Business Person of the Year by the Charlotte Business Journal Named to Business North Carolina Power List (2021-2026)

Works "Qualitative Assessment of Transit Needs: The Nebraska Case" J. Urban Plann. Dev. 125, 59 (1999)