Holden Thorp is ready to take over as chancellor of the University of North Carolina.

Thorp takes over Tuesday from James Moeser.

The 43-year-old Fayetteville native is a 1986 graduate of the school. He's taught chemistry, directed the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center and most recently led the College of Arts and Sciences.

Thorp plans to meet with the deans of each of the university's 14 schools to learn about the issues they face. He told The News & Observer of Raleigh he won't be ready to talk about university priorities until those meetings are completed.

But Thorp says he knows he must raise money for research, teaching and the hiring of new faculty members as enrollment grows and longtime professors retire.

He says he will also work with students and the town of Chapel Hill.