Southeastern Community College Selects Three Finalists for Next President
Wednesday, May 20th, 2020
Southeastern Community College’s Presidential Search Committee has selected three finalists to be presented to and interviewed by the Board of Trustees for the next president of SCC. The finalists were selected after an extensive nationwide search that attracted a strong and diverse pool of applicants.
“I would personally like to thank the entire College community for your continued interest and support in the process to identify our next President.” says Henry Edmund, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “I would also like to take this opportunity to thank each member of the Presidential Search Committee for their exceptional work and effort.”
The three finalists (in alphabetical order) and their current positions are:
Michael V. Ayers, D.M.
Dr. Michael V. Ayers is currently Vice President of Academic Affairs at Southeastern Community College in Whiteville, NC. He previously served as Dean of Math, Science, and Technologies at Forsyth Technical Community College in Winston-Salem, NC. Dr. Ayers earned a Doctorate of Management in Community College Policy and Administration from the University of Maryland University College in Adelphi, MD; a Master of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC; and an Associate of Arts and Associate of Science from Surry Community College in Dobson, NC.
Christopher English, Ed.D.
Dr. Christopher English is Vice President of Economic and Workforce Development/Continuing Education of Blue Ridge Community College in Flat Rock, NC. He previously served as Dean of Advanced Technology at Blue Ridge Community College in Flat Rock, NC. Dr. English earned a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC; a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, NM; a Bachelor of Science in Automotive Technology Management from Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, PA; and an Associate of Applied Science in Industrial Technology from Greenville Technical College in Greenville, SC.
Brian Merritt, Ph.D.
Dr. Brian Merritt is Vice President of Learning & Workforce Development of Central Carolina Community College in Sanford, NC. He previously served as the Vice President of Student Learning at Central Carolina Community College in Sanford, NC. Dr. Merritt earned a Doctorate of Philosophy in Higher Education Administration from Walden University in Minneapolis, MN; a Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC; and a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Social Sciences Education from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC.
The three finalists will participate in an open forum broadcast on the college’s YouTube channel May 26-28. A link to the live stream will be posted on the website and on the college Facebook page. Each forum will also be aired on EDU-Cable the following days. The schedule for each candidate follows:
Tuesday, May 26
Dr. Brian Merritt
Wednesday, May 27
Dr. Christopher English
Thursday, May 28
Dr. Michael V. Ayers
All forums are open to faculty, administrators, staff, students, and the general public. Mr. Kennon Briggs, ACCT Search Consultant, will facilitate all forums. There will be a brief introduction of each candidate, followed by a question and answer session. Feedback will be collected via an electronic survey and given to the Board of Trustees for review.
At the start of each forum, you will receive an email with the survey link. You’ll use this link to provide feedback (and the links will also be posted on the College’s webpage at the start of each forum). Please be on the lookout for this link and submit your feedback immediately following each forum. You will only have 24 hours to complete each survey.
Please email questions you would like the committee to ask the final candidates to Mr. Briggs by 4:00pm on Monday, May 25: kennondb@gmail.com.
Following these sessions, formal interviews with each of the candidates will be conducted by the Board of Trustees. The trustees will make a final decision and submit the finalist to the North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges for approval in June. The college anticipates announcing the next president in July.
Pictured from left: Dr. Ayers, Dr. English and Dr. Merritt.
