Sandhills Community College recently hosted North Carolina Community College System President Dr. Monty Sullivan as part of his regional introduction to North Carolina and its community colleges. Sullivan and Dr. Alexander “Sandy” Stewart, president of Sandhills Community College, were joined by other college presidents and leaders from Fayetteville Technical Community College, Robeson Community College, Richmond Community College, Montgomery Community College and South Piedmont Community College for a morning discussion at the Dempsey Student Center. A facilitated conversation took place later in the afternoon with area community leaders to discuss workforce, economic development and education needs in Moore County. They met at the USGA Golf House in Pinehurst.
“The visit gave us an important opportunity to showcase our people, programs, campuses, and the distinctive ways we serve Moore and Hoke Counties,” said Stewart. “It was nice to hear from the other college presidents too regarding their initiatives with skilled trades and accessible education to citizens in their districts too.”
A facilitated discussion of regional workforce needs, economic opportunities, challenges facing community colleges and priorities for the future of North Carolina's community college system allowed Sullivan to hear directly from presidents and trustees and strengthen relationships across the region. Together, they gathered perspectives that can inform system strategic planning and the future of North Carolina's community college system.
Invited guests to the afternoon session included Sullivan; interested community college presidents and trustees; North Carolina Community College System leadership; USGA leadership; Mickey Foster, CEO of FirstHealth; JR Mullis, CEO of Watchtower; David O’Donahue, COO of Pinehurst Resort; Natalie Hawkins, president of Moore County Economic Development Partnership; Linda Parsons, president of Moore County Chamber of Commerce; Rep. Neal Jackson; Sandhills Community College leadership; and additional regional business and industry representatives.
Community and industry leaders shared opportunities and challenges facing their organizations, discussed current and future talent needs and identified ways community college partnerships can support continued economic growth and regional prosperity in Moore County.
“Overall, we want to glean what opportunities are driving growth and success in Moore County and the Sandhills region, what workforce or talent challenges pose the greatest threat to sustained growth and economic competitiveness and how Sandhills Community College and the North Carolina Community College System help address those challenges and better support employers, industries, and communities,” said Stewart. “It was a productive day and we were pleased to welcome Dr. Sullivan to our beautiful Sandhills region and I would say, one of the most beautiful community college campuses in North Carolina of the fifty-eight.”
To learn more about workforce development at Sandhills Community College, visit the
Workforce Development webpage.
Photo Identification
Regional community college leaders gathered at Sandhills Community College's Dempsey Student Center for a morning discussion with North Carolina Community College System President Dr. Monty Sullivan.
Front row, from left: Claudia Robinette, Richmond Community College board chair; Dr. Stacy Waters-Bailey, South Piedmont Community College president; Dr. Julie Voigt, Sandhills Community College chief of staff; Pat Kahle, South Piedmont Community College board chair; and Dr. Alexander “Sandy” Stewart, Sandhills Community College president.
Back row, from left: Dr. Chad Bledsoe, Montgomery Community College president; Gordon Knowles, Montgomery Community College board chair; Alex Fagg, North Carolina Community College System vice president of governmental and external relations; Dr. Monty Sullivan, North Carolina Community College System president; and Larry Caddell, Sandhills Community College board chair.