By: The News Reporter
A community college graduate who rose through the education ranks from automotive instructor to senior administrator will serve as the next president of Southeastern Community College. The State Board of Community Colleges on Friday approved the appointment of Christopher English to the president’s position.
English has 20 years of experience in community colleges and currently serves as vice president of economic and workforce development/continuing education at Blue Ridge Community College in Flat Rock. Earlier in his career, English worked at the N.C. Community College System Office.
He will become SCC’s tenth president, succeeding Anthony Clarke who led the college for five years before becoming the president of Guilford Technical Community College on Nov. 1. William Aiken has been serving as interim president of SCC.
CHRISTOPHER ENGLISH PARTICIPATES IN A FORUM MAY 27 ON THE CAMPUS OF SOUTHEASTERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE. PHOTO TAKEN FROM VIDEO BY SCC EDU-CABLE.
“We are excited about this appointment,” said Henry Edmund, chair of the SCC Board of Trustees. “Dr. English brings a high level of expertise from his background within the North Carolina Community College System. We are confident that he is a dynamic leader for the future of SCC, and we look forward to introducing him to our community. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I want to thank the search committee for their outstanding effort and to the college community for your interest and support in the process to identify our next president.”
English earned a doctorate of education in educational leadership from Western Carolina University; a master of arts in educational administration from New Mexico State University; a bachelor of science in automotive technology management from Pennsylvania College of Technology; and an associate of applied science in industrial technology from Greenville Technical College.
During a public forum at SCC on May 27, English said that early in his career as an instructor, he realized the impact that education has on the lives of students.
“Education is a true equalizer. It is a way to bring people up out of desperation,” English said.
“I am honored to be selected as the next president of Southeastern Community College where I will have the opportunity to work with an innovative team of trustees, leadership, faculty, and staff that will lead the College into the future,” English said in a press release Friday. “I’ve been fortunate to experience the impact education and training can have on the lives of students and the community. I look forward to sharing those same experiences at Southeastern. My wife, Teresa, and I are excited to become actively involved in the community, and to know we have a wonderful new place to call home.”
The SCC Board of Trustees selected English to lead the college after “an extensive nationwide search that attracted a strong and diverse pool of applicants,” the college said in a press release. SCC said that English will take office no later than Aug 3.
The other finalists for the position were Brian Merritt, vice president of learning and workforce development at Central Carolina Community College in Sanford, and Michael Ayers, SCC’s vice president of academic affairs.