Chapter 2: Overcoming the “You’Re too Young for a Distinguished Professorship and Endowed Chair” Phenomenon: Naysayers Versus Destiny!

This chapter highlights the journey of Dr. Chance W. Lewis, who currently serves as the Carol Grotnes Belk Distinguished Professor and Endowed Chair of Urban Education at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. In this chapter, Dr. Lewis chronicles a snapshot of his journey to his current position by overcoming the odds of many in the academy who felt that he was too young to obtain a distinguished professorship and endowed chair position. Dr. Lewis offers key recommendations for success for junior faculty, graduate students and others who are seeking to reach their full potential in higher education.