SCC president earns ‘Best Foot Forward’ Award from N.C. Community College System office

At the Nov. 24 Southeastern Community College Board of Trustees meeting, board chair Joe Hooks presented the “Best Foot Forward” Award to SCC President Dr. Chris English. English’s contributions to the North Carolina Community College System’s Workforce Development Leadership Committee earned him top honors from the state system office. 

The award certificate reads “The following award is given to Christopher English for demonstrating exceptional effort, perseverance and commitment while inspiring others with your dedication, positive attitude and excellence.” It was signed by the NCCCS’s Senior Vice President and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Brian Merritt and the Assistant Vice President of Workforce Strategies Dr. Andrew Gardner.  

English explained that the Workforce Development Leadership Committee is made up of nine community college vice presidents within the North Carolina Community College System: three from western N.C., three from central N.C. and three from eastern N.C. This committee approves workforce programing, new credentials, certificates and policy. 

“They provide the implementation and oversight of all continuing education workforce programming,” English said. “I served as the president liaison for all 58 presidents on that committee.” 

Working with the nine vice presidents and two representatives from the NCCCS office, English reviewed all courses submitted for approval and provided feedback to North Carolina’s 58 community colleges. The “Best Foot Forward” Award recognized English’s knowledge of workforce development and his overall impact on workforce curriculum across North Carolina.  

“I was shocked that I got it, and I didn’t see it coming,” English said. “I did not expect to be recognized by the system office, but workforce development is a big part of my background.” 

Before taking on the presidency at SCC in 2020, English worked as the vice president of workforce development at Blueridge Community College. He said that role led him into helping build a workforce for Columbus County as SCC’s 10th president.  

Working with the students and the college’s employees is English’s favorite part about his role as SCC president. He said the student and employee engagement creates a family atmosphere that brings the surrounding community to campus. 

“Whether it’s our adult learners to our high school students through the Career and College Promise program or our personal enrichment classes for older adults who want to learn how to run a computer, SCC impacts so many.” English said. “All the way from a two-year-old in our Child Development Center to a retiree who is 75 years old, we collectively touch every life in this community. That’s what makes this job so great in knowing the impact we have on people every day.” 

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