A College on the Rise
Southeastern Community College — Whiteville, NC
It’s truly an honor to serve as the 10th president of Southeastern Community College. Serving in this role for the past four years has allowed me to witness firsthand the remarkable legacy this institution has built over the past 60 years — and the bright future ahead. Together, we will continue to create opportunities, shape futures, and make an even greater impact in Columbus County.
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Since its founding in 1964, SCC has been a source of opportunity for so many in Columbus County. Everywhere I go, I meet someone who shares how their life was changed because of the education they received at SCC — whether it was earning a degree, acquiring a skill, or simply finding a path forward.
The incredible impact of SCC would not be possible without the tireless dedication of our faculty and staff, both past and present. Their unwavering commitment to student success has been at the heart of what we do.
Looking forward, I am confident that SCC will continue to be a vital part of Columbus County that citizens can count on for the next 60 years and beyond.
Thank you for trusting Southeastern Community College to be your community’s college. Together, we will continue to create opportunities, shape futures, and make an even greater impact in the years to come.
With gratitude and pride,
Dr. Chris English
President, Southeastern Community College
SCC in the Spotlight
- Named to the Aspen Institute’s Top 150 Community Colleges in the nation — recognized for excellence in student success, equity, and career outcomes among more than 1,000 community colleges nationwide.
- Celebrating 60 Years of opening doors to opportunity in Columbus County — marked with a new 60th anniversary logo, a redesigned mascot Rocco, and the Raise the Bell Campaign.
- North Carolina ranked the #1 state for business for the past two consecutive years, driving unprecedented demand for SCC’s workforce training programs.
- Launched the SCC IM3PACT program — named in honor of Coach Clarence Ganus — to support minority male students through mentoring, career exploration, and a pipeline to employment.
- New Fire Tower completed for the Fire Rescue Training Program, and a new 60×72’ greenhouse opened through North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund support, expanding agricultural and agribusiness training.
- Secured a $361,000 pre-apprenticeship program budget funded by the Golden Leaf Foundation, Columbus County Commissioners, SCC Foundation, and NCWorks.
- Broke ground on the STEM Automotive Center — SCC’s first facility on its newly acquired northeast campus land along U.S. 74/76.
Total Student Enrollment: 4,000
Go Rams! A Look Back at SCC’s Legacy
Southeastern Community College has proudly maintained a consistent identity through our logo and mascot, evolving over the years while staying true to our roots. To mark our 60th anniversary, we unveiled updated versions of both, symbolizing our growth and continued commitment to the community.
Our mascot Rocco the Ram debuted in 2008 and received a bold redesign in 2025 — sporting new gear that reflects energy, athleticism, and our ongoing efforts to engage with younger audiences. Our new 60th anniversary logo features the iconic Chadbourn Bell, representing the college’s origins and legacy in the region.
“This logo tells the story of how the college has shaped our community over the past 60 years,” said President Dr. Chris English. “It’s a symbol of pride, legacy, and the impact we’ve made in Columbus County.”
Aspen Institute Names SCC a Top 150 Community College
Southeastern Community College was recognized by the Aspen Institute as one of the top 150 community colleges in the nation — a testament to our commitment to delivering high-quality education and equitable outcomes for all students.
SCC stands out among more than 1,000 community colleges nationwide for student success and support of Black, Hispanic, and lower-income students. This recognition reinforces SCC’s role as a leader in creating opportunities and transforming lives.
“We are thrilled to be recognized as one of the top 150 community colleges in the nation,” said President Dr. Chris English. “This recognition is a testament to the steadfast dedication of our faculty and staff, who are passionate about equipping our students with the skills they need to succeed.”
Pathways to Economic and Workforce Growth
North Carolina’s economy is booming, currently recognized as the top state for business for the past two years. SCC is at the forefront of addressing the growing need for a skilled workforce through seven key career pathways aligned with Columbus County’s economic priorities.
- Agriculture
- Automotive Systems
- Construction
- Healthcare
- Information Technology
- Manufacturing
- Teacher Preparation
In partnership with Columbus County Schools and Whiteville City Schools, SCC’s career pathway initiative provides students a clear roadmap from high school through post-secondary education and into the workforce — including articulated college credit, job shadowing, and federally registered apprenticeship programs.
$361,000 Invested in Student Workforce Readiness
SCC secured a $361,000 two-year budget to fund its pre-apprenticeship program, providing students with stipends for travel, books, credentials, and certifications. The program requires a 12-hour weekly commitment and pairs coursework with real-world employer experience.
Funding partners: Golden Leaf Foundation ($199,100), Columbus County Board of Commissioners ($150,000), SCC Foundation ($5,000), and NCWorks ($7,500).
SCC IM3PACT: Honoring a Legacy, Building a Future
Southeastern Community College’s Minority Male Success Initiative was renamed SCC IM3PACT in honor of the late Coach and Reverend Clarence Ganus, who dedicated his career to students at SCC from 1987 to 2013.
IM3PACT — Inspiring Minority Males through Mentoring to Produce in Academics, Careers, and Triumphs — works to jumpstart success by improving the pipeline from college to employment for underserved and underprepared minority males in Columbus County through intentional recruiting, career exploration activities, and mentoring.
“SCC IM3PACT was inspired by what Clarence Ganus did for the students and the community,” said Colene Faulk, SCC’s Dean of Student Services. “That great man — we honor him today at Southeastern.”
Greetings from the SCC Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees has witnessed remarkable growth throughout the last couple of years. This is a result of the work of our outstanding faculty, staff, and administration.
The college has planned for growth and will expand to additional land on the northeast side next to U.S. 74/76. Our first project there will be the STEM Automotive Center. With campus expansion, our possibilities for continued growth are unlimited.
There are great things happening at SCC with plans to continue the growth of the college. SCC will provide the skills needed for our students to obtain jobs and better serve our community now and in the future.
Mr. Joe Hooks
Chairman, Board of Trustees
Faculty, Staff & Student Awards
Each year, Southeastern Community College honors one faculty member and one staff member for outstanding contributions, nominated and voted on by their peers.
Paul Starnes
Welding Technology Instructor
Nominated for his exceptional leadership in developing programs under the “One College” model. His students perform well across all situations due to his dedicated commitment to rigorous industry standards and student self-belief.
Denise Young
Director of Apprenticeships — 26 Years of Service
An invaluable part of the SCC team for 26 years, Denise has created some of the first federally registered apprenticeship programs in Columbus County, shaping the economic development of our community.
Briana Edwards
Medical Laboratory Technology
Recognized for exemplifying the transformative power of community college education, Briana’s achievement reflects SCC’s commitment to student success in healthcare and applied sciences.
Investing in Students and Community
This year marks the 56th anniversary of the SCC Foundation and the 60th anniversary of Southeastern Community College. Through the unwavering support of donors, the foundation continues to open doors for students who need it most.
The third annual President’s Ball raised money for the unrestricted fund, which meets the most urgent needs of our students. The Raise the Bell Campaign — encouraging engraved brick donations for the Chadbourn Bell pathway — continued to grow community investment in SCC’s future.
“Your continued support will have meaningful and long-lasting impacts on our
community and benefit our citizens for years to come.”
— Brett Gore, SCC Foundation Board Chairman
314 Students Supported
Leadership Team & Board of Trustees
Guiding Southeastern Community College into its next chapter.
Dr. Chris English
President
Dr. Sylvia Cox
Executive VP & Chief Academic Officer
Mrs. Ibreta Jackson
VP of Administrative Services & COO
Mrs. Terrie Priest
SCC Foundation Executive Director
Mr. Joe Hooks
Board of Trustees — Chairman
Ms. Theresa Blanks
Board of Trustees — Vice Chair
Brett Gore
SCC Foundation Board — Chair
Nathan Moore
SCC Foundation Board — Vice Chair
Financial Stewardship for Our Community
Southeastern Community College’s total budget of $38,227,070 reflects our commitment to responsible stewardship of public and private funding in service of Columbus County.
- State: $26,549,138 (69%)
- Federal: $7,378,787 (19%)
- County: $2,553,238 (7%)
- Proprietary & Other: $1,241,601 (3%)
- Student Fees: $504,306 (1%)