Former Gov. Jim Martin is leading a newly created panel to address issues stemming from an internal investigation that found course irregularities in the African and Afro-American studies department at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

UNC Chancellor Holden Thorp said in a statement Thursday that Martin will lead an independent review of additional academic irregularities that may have occurred before 2007. Assisting Martin will be Virchow, Krause & Company, LLP, a national management consulting firm with experience in academic performance procedures and controls.

Thorp also appointed Hunter Rawlings, president of the Association of American Universities, to help UNC-Chapel Hill examine the future relationship between academics and athletics on campus.

The ongoing investigation of the AFAM department is the result of the NCAA investigation into UNC's football program.