NCCCS History Project: Main Page - Belk Center for Community College Leadership and ResearchBelk Center for Community College Leadership and Research

The Trailblazer Profiles are a part of the Belk Center’s North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) History Project and will highlight and celebrate the work of Black, Latin*, Asian, and Indigenous leaders in the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS), focusing on current and former community college presidents and system leaders. We hope that through this project, we can re-center the conversations around who we recognize as important in the history of community college leadership in North Carolina, and inspire support for diversifying the presidential leadership pipeline.

Trailblazer Profile: Dr. Ervin Griffin

When Dr. Ervin Griffin was asked to apply for a job as a president at a college in the North Carolina Community College System, he had doubts about the college’s readiness for an African American president. He knew that if the college was uncomfortable, there was nothing he could do to change that – and ultimately, he did not apply for the job. Months later, another college in the system, Halifax Community College, began a presidential search...

Trailblazer Profile: Dr. Stelfanie Williams

When Dr. Stelfanie Williams, 2012-2018 president of Vance-Granville Community College, was in middle school, she learned that a beloved relative did not know how to read. Through this experience, she developed a passion for helping others through the power of education, which ultimately led to a career in the North Carolina Community College System...

Trailblazer Profile: Dr. Algie Gatewood

There is a sign on Alamance Community College President Dr. Algie Gatewood’s office wall that reads, “Why did the Jefferson students cross the road? Because a brighter future was on the other side, thanks to Dr. Gatewood.” The sign, given to Gatewood when...

Trailblazer Profile: Dr. Pamela Senegal

From a young age, Dr. Pamela Senegal, president of Piedmont Community College, knew she was a leader. As a child, she didn’t have the same dream other girls had of having a big fancy wedding. Instead, she dreamed of “running stuff.” Both of her parents modeled leadership...

Trailblazer Profile: Dr. Lawrence Rouse

When eastern North Carolina comes to mind, one may think of East Carolina University, fish stew or the Great Dismal Swamp. People often come to the Greenville area for football and barbeque. But, nestled just south of this bustling college city, lies the quiet town of Winterville, NC...

More Trailblazer Profiles Coming Soon

Stay tuned for more profiles as we recognize important figures in the history of community college leadership in North Carolina and inspire support for diversifying the presidential leadership pipeline.