Long time educator, finance enthusiast joins SCC Board of Trustees

Brett Burroughs, a Williams Township native, was sworn in as one of three new Board of Trustee members at Southeastern Community College during the board’s regular July meeting. With more than 30 years of education experience, Burroughs is ready to help guide the college in its expansion efforts in campus size and programming.  

“My whole life has been dedicated to education,” Burroughs said. “I think I’m one of those people who can relate to the students but also relate to the administration. I’m a ‘go-between’ those two groups, and I have extensive knowledge of finance.” 

With a solid foundation in the running of the stock market and making smart financial decisions, Burroughs said his experience with money and education will help guide his decisions as a board member.  

“I just want to express my voice, listen to concerns and go back and share those concerns to help this college grow even more than where it is today,” Burroughs said. “I’m looking forward to sharing my input with the board and the president.” 

Burrough earned his high school diploma from the former Williams Township High School in 1989. He graduated from SCC in 1991 with an associate of arts degree, and he transferred to East Carolina University to earn his bachelor’s degree in exercise sports science with a concentration in social studies in 1994. He earned his master’s degree in exercise sports science in 2002 from UNC Pembroke, and he went back for another master’s degree in school administration.  

Burroughs’ education career began in 1995 at Williams Township School as the In-School Suspension Coordinator. From there, he went on to teach civics and economics classes at South Columbus High School for 29 years. Throughout his time at SCHS, Burroughs coached football, girls’ varsity basketball and girls’ varsity softball in addition to men’s and women’s tennis. After retiring in June 2022, Burroughs went back to teaching at SCHS in the science and math departments.    

“I’m able to talk directly to students who are getting ready to go to Southeastern,” Burroughs said. “Southeastern is a great transition for students wanting to go to these bigger schools, because I needed that buffer going from Williams Township to East Carolina.” 

First stepping onto campus in the fall of 1989 as a college freshman versus coming to campus now, Burroughs said he senses a “newness and freshness” to SCC. The facilities built since his graduation look “modern and inviting,” and Burroughs is looking forward to contributing to future growth.   

After his initial shock of getting nominated to the SCC Board of Trustees by N.C. Sen. Bill Rabon, Burroughs realized his want to make education better. Knowing that he had time to dedicate to the college, Burroughs “graciously accepted” the nomination. 

“Since I’m retired or semi-retired and after getting over the initial shock, I finally just said to myself, ‘Brett, you can probably do a good job at this and represent Southeastern well,’” Burroughs said.  

Commending the expansion of automotive and truck driver training facilities, Burroughs said that providing skilled workers for in-demand jobs will move Columbus County in the right direction. He said that growing, hands-on programs such as nursing, cosmetology, HVAC and engineering are putting students in jobs as soon as they graduate.  

To better serve the college, Burroughs said that talking with students and knowing their stories, their struggles and their goals is one of his goals as a trustee. He wants to know how today’s students think and what they are doing to prepare for their future career. 

“The students today, the ones between 20 and 35, will rule the world one day,” Burroughs said. “So, I think we need to educate them about finance and AI. That will be the next big step for Southeastern.” 

Burroughs said he has always had a desire to serve his community. When he retired from SCHS, Burroughs had intentions of working at Green Sea Floyds High School. When he ruptured his bicep tendon in an accident and could not take the job, Burroughs realized that he should be serving the people of his community instead of one in another state.  

“Family and God are number one priority in my life,” Burroughs said. “I’m a deacon at my church at Cherry Grove Baptist Church.” 

Burroughs and his wife, Shawn, have three daughters Piper, Indiana and Trinity ages 12, 10 and 3 respectively. Shawn is a teacher at Williams Township School. In his spare time, Burroughs likes to work out, collect vintage baseball cards and “watch hours and hours of CNBC” as a self-described “finance nerd.” He enjoys going to the movie theater with his children and walking on the beach.