Christopher Gonyar’s Peerless Emergency Management Expertise Lands Him A Charlotte Associate Vice Chancellor Post
Christopher Gonyar ’05, ’07 MPA, has been named the associate vice chancellor for safety and security at UNC Charlotte, effective Jan. 15. He has served in an interim capacity in the role since July 1, 2024. He will continue to report directly to Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs Rich Amon.
“Chris has consistently proven himself as a trusted leader with unmatched expertise in emergency management, guiding the University through some of its most pivotal moments over the past several years,” said Amon. “His collaboration, strategic thinking and calm presence have earned the trust and respect of senior leadership, staff and external partners alike. During his interim role, Chris has further demonstrated his ability to foster a safe, collaborative campus environment through the transition of the Demonstration Activity Resource Team to his area, making him the ideal choice to lead the department into the future.”
As the associate vice chancellor, Gonyar is responsible for the coordination and oversight of the plans and programs that promote a safe, healthy learning environment and protect the business operations of the University. This includes DART, Police and Public Safety, Environmental Health and Safety, Threat Assessment and Management, and Emergency Management.
“UNC Charlotte has meant so much in my life since I arrived as a freshman on campus nearly 25 years ago,” said Gonyar. “I know how transformative the education we offer our students is, because I experienced it firsthand. There is nothing more important to me than protecting the safety and well-being of our campus community to ensure that our students and colleagues have every opportunity for success.”
Gonyar joined UNC Charlotte in 2014 as the director of emergency management. During that time, he built a fully developed Office of Emergency Management, led the development of the University’s NinerAlerts program and crisis response protocols, and worked across campus to develop critical partnerships, including the cross-divisional Incident Management Team. Gonyar was awarded the Certified Emergency Manager designation from the International Association of Emergency Managers in 2019, and he was recognized as UNC Charlotte’s Employee of the Year for Safety and Heroism in 2021.
Prior to joining his alma mater as a staff member, he served as an emergency management consultant with Tetra Tech (formerly Beck Disaster Recovery, Science Applications International Corporation, Leidos).
Gonyar graduated from UNC Charlotte in 2005 with a double major in history and political science and again in 2007 with a Master of Public Administration, when he was selected as the honorary bell ringer for the spring commencement ceremony.