Retired educator and coach nominated for SCC Board of Trustees seat
Michael Powell, a Hallsboro native and retired educator, is one of Southeastern Community College’s newest Board of Trustee members. Coming from a family of educators and those who worked in the service industry, Powell said that his more than 45 years of experience in working with the community, teachers, colleagues and students has prepared him for his service to the SCC Board of Trustees.
Columbus County Commissioner Barbara Featherson nominated Powell to the SCC Board of Trustees, and he will be sworn in at the trustees’ regular meeting on Sept. 22. Once on the board, Powell is looking forward to working with like-minded people with various backgrounds in a collaborative effort. He wants to improve his listening skills, and he wants SCC to move forward in its goals and objectives.
“Southeastern is providing that vision for students in seeing what they can be and where they can go in terms of their skill set,” Powell said. “Jobs will come here when employers see a skilled workforce put in place by Southeastern.”
Powell is serving on the board to make a difference in the lives of students. Retiring from education in December 2022, Powell said he wants to feel relevant in his own life goals. After finishing his “honey-do” list at home, Powell said that being on the SCC Board of Trustees allows him to do what he does best: serve.
“I want to give students the best experience that the college has to offer with them realizing that we live in a society that is constantly changing,” Powell said. “We have to be able to adapt to those changes, and SCC has a wide variety of programs.”
In terms of moving Columbus County forward, Powell said that SCC is a “great asset” for the people of Columbus County, especially those not ready for a four-year university. With the variety of programs offered, Powell said that students are “afforded the opportunity to find their passion.”
“We would be surprised at the talent we have in this county, and Southeastern is a vehicle to bring forth that talent,” Powell said. “The objective is to produce those who are productive givers and not takers.”
Powell’s vision for SCC goes in two directions. Realizing the technical programs and their ability to produce skilled workers for in-demand trade careers on one side and preserving the cost-saving benefits for university-bound students on the other, Powell said that SCC can provide the best of both worlds.
“We still need engineers, and we still need professors,” Powell said. “SCC can exist in that duality.”
In the fall of 1976, Powell started his 36-year teaching career at West Columbus High School. He taught courses in U.S. history, philosophy, sociology and civics and economics. In addition to teaching, Powell coached for 40 years in sports such as football, basketball, softball, tennis and boys and girls track and field.
After leaving the classroom, Powell stepped into an assistant principal role at WCHS for three years. He became principal of Chadbourn Middle School in 2016 and stayed there until the school’s closure in 2018. Later that year, he served as principal of Columbus Career and College Academy until 2020. Powell moved to Chadbourn Elementary School and served until 2022. Powell said that high school was his favorite grade levels to work in.
Powell earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from North Carolina A & T State University. His BS, earned in 1976, is in history education, and his graduate degree, earned in 1992, is in social studies. He later earned a second master’s degree from UNC Pembroke in school administration in 2014.
In his spare time, Powell enjoys playing tennis. He serves on the deacon board and as Sunday School Superintendent at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church. He and his wife, Loneese Powell, have two children, Quinzel McMillian and LaShonda George. They have four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
