Longtime news producer and editor joins Audio and Video Production instructional staff at SCC

Chris Ruffin, a Bladenboro native, is the new Audio and Video Production Technology instructor at Southeastern Community College. With a deep background in the TV news industry, Ruffin is ready to pour his knowledge of all things cameras, media and storytelling into his students.  

Ruffin graduated from Bladenboro High School in 1988, and he earned his bachelor’s degree in communication studies in 2003 from UNC Wilmington. He landed his first news job in 1997 at WWAY NewsChannel 3 in Wilmington as a senior producer. Through the years, Ruffin worked as an executive producer and most recently as the managing editor at WWAY. From 2011 to 2020, he worked as a producer for CP24 Toronto’s Breaking News in Toronto, Canada.  

“My first interest in news and media came when I was in high school with the campus newspaper,” Ruffin said. “I always knew I loved writing, and I needed pictures to go along with the articles. My mom wanted me to be a doctor or lawyer, but I knew that wasn’t for me.” 

Ruffin started his education at UNCW as a biology major, but he switched to communication studies after a career-altering encounter with TV station representatives at a career fair on campus. The more he took news writing and videography classes, the more he knew that TV news was the right pathway.  

Fast-forward 30 years later and Ruffin has stepped back into the classroom to prepare the next generation of audio and video producers. He said his experience in the news industry, in combination with knowledge of the latest video editing, camera angles and subject exposure techniques, are great assets for his students.  

“I love it so far,” Ruffin said. “It’s still one of those things where I’m learning. The teacher is a student if you want to put it like that because I’m learning, too, just like my students.” 

Ruffin explained that he is constantly learning about the best methods of teaching and how to keep his students’ interest going in class. He researches the current equipment and technology that students should know to succeed in the audio and video production field. Ruffin values the knowledge gained from a textbook, but he said the hands-on approach will serve his students better in setting up cameras, microphones, lights and tripods.  

Interacting with the staff and students is Ruffin’s favorite part of his job at SCC. He was impressed with the welcoming atmosphere and feedback on his arrival. Freedom to teach what he thinks is most important in media is what he loves most.  

“That’s all you can ask for,” Ruffin said. “The textbook is good, but I’m going to show you what you have to do in real life. They’re learning skills they can use.” 

This semester, Ruffin teaches courses in Media Evolution, Media Speech Techniques, Intro to Media Production, Multimedia Journalism 1 and Media Writing. Ruffin said he appreciates the variety of coursework the students must complete because it exposes them to a variety of careers. From news, photography, videography, podcasting and audio design, Ruffin said that exposure will help students choose a career.  

Outside of work, Ruffin describes himself as a gearhead with a love for cars. Growing up with a grandfather who was a mechanic by trade, Ruffin grew to love cars and figuring out how they work. Ruffin is a musician and plays the guitar. He enjoys nature, cooking, fishing and camping. More recently, Ruffin has taken an interest in physical fitness and weight training and plans to train for a 5k. Ruffin has one son, Nate, and three grandchildren.  

Interested in taking one of Chris Ruffin’s classes? Click here to find out more information!