In 1958, the citizens of New Hanover County voted to place the college under the Community College Act of North Carolina (HB 761). This vote gave Wilmington College entry to the state higher education system. Control passed from the local school board to a new board of 12 trustees. North Carolina Governor Luther Hodges appointed four trustees; the New Hanover County Board of Education named four trustees including Hoggard who became chair; the Wilmington City Council appointed two trustees, and the New Hanover County Commission appointed two members. Appointment terms were six years. With the passage of the Community College Act, Wilmington College began to receive an appropriation from the state for operating expenses in addition to the local tax.

The first Wilmington College Board of Trustees meeting was March 24, 1958. Trustees elected Dean William M. Randall president of the college. Hoggard, college president since 1949, became Board chair. Hoggard also remained on the county education board. The Wilmington College Board of Trustees oversaw the college until 1969. At this time, Wilmington College beecame the fifth campus to join the multi-campus Consolidated University of North Carolina. Governance for the re-named and newly elevated University of North Carolina Wilmington went to the 100-member Board of Trustees of the Consolidated University of North Carolina, and the local board was dissolved. In 1972, the University of North Carolina Board of Governors replaced the Consolidated UNC Board of Trustees. Individual boards of Trustees were reestablished at constituent institutions, including UNC Wilmington.

The UNCW Board of Trustees works with the Chancellor and senior administration on planning and policy for the university, in alignment with the University of North Carolina Board of Governors. There are 13 members including the Student Government Association president, ex officio.