North Carolina Community College System President Thomas Stith, III visits HCC
On Monday, August 9th, NC Community College System President Thomas Stith, III visited Haywood Community College as part of the all-employee meeting to kick-off the fall semester and welcome all employees back to campus.
President Stith provided a brief system update to all the employees. According to Stith, education translates into opportunity. Community colleges have the opportunity to lead growth and prepare the workforce. From 2009-2019, 33% of community college graduates remained in North Carolina. The legislative agenda and enrollment are the current focus areas.
President Stith indicated, “North Carolina community colleges are the job engine for
our state. Haywood Community College is a leader, and with the start of a new school
year, faculty and staff are hard at work to create student success that responds to
the state’s critical workforce needs.”
Haywood Community College employees were excited to have Stith come to campus. He and faculty members from Early Childhood Education and Medical Assisting discussed the excitement and challenges of the upcoming academic year. It demonstrates his interest level in supporting the success of all community colleges and his commitment to visit each community college throughout the state personally.
HCC President, Dr. Shelley White, expressed her appreciation to President Stith for his visit. “We are fortunate to have President Stith with us today, sharing words of encouragement as we come together as a campus community.”
Following a tour, President Stith completed his visit to HCC and plans to visit other community colleges in Western North Carolina.