(CHAPEL HILL) -- The UNC Board of Governors announced their unanimous support for their candidate for the next president of the 17-campus UNC system Friday. Shortly after 11 am, the board went into a closed session. Just before noon, the board announced their support to Margaret Spellings, who served as Secretary of Education under President George W. Bush.

"Having spent most of my career in public service, I know both how challenging it is and how rewarding it is," Spellings said after the announcement. "I have been happily engaged in education and public policy for more than three decades."

Spellings is replacing current President Tom Ross, who is being pushed out of the job early next year by university governing board members who said they wanted a change.

Spellings served in a variety of positions for the second Bush administration in addition to Secretary of Education, including White House Domestic Policy Advisor, during which she led the implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act.