Page 30 - Harnett Life Winter 2020

Dr. Brian S. Merritt leaves his

mark at CCCC

Dr. Brian S. Merritt, Central Carolina Community College
Vice President of Student Learning and Chief Academic
Officer, is moving on to serve as the sixth President of
McDowell Technical Community College. His appointment
becomes effective Jan. 1, 2021.

Community College.”

Dr. Merritt notes that CCCC has taught him the true value
of what it means to be student-centered. “Over the years, as
leadership has transitioned, there has always been a common
thread. We are here to serve our students and to serve our com-
munities well,” said Dr. Merritt.

“My CCCC colleagues are like my family. We have fun togeth-
er, we laugh, sometimes we cry together. But, ultimately, we
all have a genuine passion for serving students and our com-
munities. And, did I mention we have fun?” said Dr. Merritt.
Dr. Brian S. Merritt has served in various positions at Central
Carolina Community College. He’s been Distance Education Dr. Merritt points out that he had two beginnings at CCCC.
Counselor; Director of Grants, Sponsored Programs, & Alum- “I originally joined in 2007 as an admissions counselor. I was
ni Relations; Dean of Student Learning, and most recently as raised in Chatham County, and most of my family still lives
Vice President of Student Learning and Chief Academic Of- there today. The opportunity to serve my home meant a lot to
ficer. me personally. I left the College for another opportunity and
returned in 2011,” said Dr. Merritt. “CCCC took a chance on
To say that he has left his mark at CCCC would be an under- hiring me back in 2011 as the grants and alumni director with
statement. “Dr. Brian Merritt has been one of CCCC’s rock limited experience. But, I could tell the administration had a
stars for many years. His ability to think outside of the box, vision to be the best, and I was a young professional who was
recognize great talent, establish strong networks and relation- eager to produce results.”
ships and get things done is unparalleled,” said CCCC Presi-
dent Dr. Lisa M. Chapman. Dr. Merritt is proud of CCCC’s accomplishments.

Dr. Merritt is moving on to serve as the sixth President of Mc- “CCCC is a national leader among community colleges. We
Dowell Technical Community College. His appointment be- have built great teams that find new, innovative ways to meet
comes effective Jan. 1, 2021. students where they are. Since 2012, CCCC has increased its
graduation rate by 19%,” said Dr. Merritt.
“I know the CCCC Trustees join me in congratulating Dr. Mer-
ritt on his being named the new president of McDowell Techni- “Since 2012, retention has increased by an average of 9% for
cal Community College,” said Mr. H. Julian Philpott Jr., Chair- full-time students. Retention for part-time students has in-
man of the CCCC Board of Trustees. “Dr. Merritt has done an creased by 18%. Those increases represent thousands of stu-
outstanding job at Central Carolina Community College. His dents meeting their goals and finding success in their chosen
work as Vice President of Student Learning and as the Chief pathways and beyond,” added Dr. Merritt.
Academic Officer for the College has helped the academic pro-
grams offered at CCCC achieve unparalleled success and has “In the community college world, we are usually doing a lot
resulted in excellent educational opportunities for CCCC’s stu- more with less. State funding is limited, and we have to find
dents. We will miss his leadership at CCCC, but we wish him ways to fill in the gaps. Over the last eight years, our grants
the best of luck in his new position at McDowell Technical team has partnered with faculty and staff to raise and man-

Page 30 Harnett Life ~ Winter 2020