UNC Press Welcomes Andrew Kinney as W. Hodding Carter III Executive Editor 

The University of North Carolina Press is pleased to announce that Andrew Kinney will join the Press on December 1, 2025, as the new W. Hodding Carter III Executive Editor, leading acquisitions for the Press’s trade imprint dedicated to publishing books about America and the world. 

Kinney comes to UNC Press from MIT Press, where he served as Senior Editor acquiring in the science, mathematics, and engineering. Before that, he was General Editor at Harvard University Press, acquiring in American history, American studies, education, and related fields. He was also a doctoral candidate in history at Harvard University, focusing on modern American history. 

Throughout his career, Kinney has acquired and edited numerous acclaimed and award-winning titles, including Nicole Fleetwood’s Marking Time, winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award, and Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Nothing Ever Dies, a finalist for the National Book Award.  

“We couldn’t be happier that Andrew is bringing his vast experience, passion for collaborating with authors, and spirit of mentorship to UNC Press,” said Dawn Durante, Wyndham Robertson Editorial Director. “His past editorial work and author-centered approach go hand-in-hand with the spirit of the Hodding Carter endowed position as well as the Press’s continued commitments to supporting excellent books that cover new historical and intellectual terrains.” 

“UNC Press has always led the way in the publication of American history, and the W. Hodding Carter III trade imprint and endowed editorship represent just the latest chapter in that story,” said Andrew Kinney. “This position offers UNC Press an unparalleled opportunity to publish ambitious and pathbreaking books that will help shape our understanding of America’s past for the next generation of readers. I’m so excited to be joining such a remarkable team.”  

“I am confident Andrew will dramatically expand the Press’s footprint in trade publishing. The benefactors who supported this endowed imprint wanted to see the Press acquire and successfully publish books that represented Hodding’s broad vision for a better world,” said John Sherer, UNC Press Spangler Family Director. 

Launched in early 2025, the W. Hodding Carter III imprint honors journalist, diplomat, and civil rights advocate Hodding Carter III (1935–2023)—a fierce advocate for justice and accountability throughout his life. The imprint builds on Carter’s legacy of courage and conviction by publishing books that illuminate America’s past and present and explore its role in the world. 

The imprint’s inaugural title, White Power: Policing American Slavery by Gautham Rao will publish in Spring 2026.  

Kinney will work remotely from Massachusetts and will visit the Press’s Chapel Hill offices on a quarterly basis.