William J. (Bill) McCoy is the retired Director of the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute, Professor Emeritus of Political Science, and former Associate Vice Chancellor for Extended Academic Programs. He came to UNC Charlotte in 1970 as an Assistant Professor in the Political Science Department.  In 1979, Dr. McCoy joined the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute on a part-time basis and was named its Director in 1985.  He retired from that position in 2001.

Among community activities, he has served on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Commission, on the Citizens Advisory Committee for the 2005 Transportation Plan, on the Planning Board of the Town of Davidson, and served as the Executive Director of Leadership Charlotte.  He is  currently serving or has served on the following Boards of Directors:  Leadership Charlotte, the Carolinas Land Conservation Network, Central Carolinas Choices, the Charlotte Chamber, WFAE, the University City Area Council, the University City YMCA, Child Care Resources, Inc., Grier Heights Economic Foundation, and the Mecklenburg Council on Aging.