Thomas Stith III, president of the North Carolina Community College System, recently visited Bladen Community College’s STEM and Advanced Technology Training Center and met with Dr. Amanda Lee, president of BCC, Board of Trustees Chair, Dennis Troy as well as faculty, staff, and students. Stith, became
NCCCS president in January 2021, and this is his first visit to Bladen Community College.
During the visit, Bladen Community College had the opportunity to update President Stith on the value the college brings to the community, including the successful customized training programs and new course offerings cultivated through partnerships with local businesses and industries.
“Until you put your foot on campus, you don’t have a true understanding of the great work that’s taking place throughout our 58 community colleges,” said Stith. “The passionate commitment of individuals throughout our community college system is unwavering.” He added “We are affordable. We are accessible, “With a significant amount of financial aid support that we have now, we have mitigated the barriers in many respects. We haven’t solved it all, but we have addressed that, and in many cases, students can move forward tuition and fee-free.
Stith toured the STEM and Advanced Manufacturing Training Center and was able to interact with students and Kenneth Oxendine, BCC instructor in the electrical program. The highlight of the tour was when Stith was able to engage in experiences alongside the students. He added “The stories of how community colleges change lives is very powerful. We are the best-kept secret in North Carolina.”
During his visit to Bladen County, President Stith spent a part of the afternoon talking with local college leaders about the challenges of the pandemic, how BCC had responded, and hopes for the future. President Lee discussed BCC’s resilience in the face of hurricanes and the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as, the college’s innovative partnerships with universities, employers, and other community colleges in the region. President Stith concluded his visit by remarking “Leadership matters and I commend Dr. Lee for her commitment to Bladen Community College.”
Since Stith started his role as NCCCS president in January 2021, he has been visiting community colleges across the state in an effort to learn about each institution’s programs and dynamic roles within the community. He has already visited most of North Carolina’s 58 community colleges.
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