Dr. Jay Gillispie has been named as the new vice president of Academic Affairs at Sampson Community College. Gillispie succeeds Dr. Tim Wright, who had served in that post since 2010.
“I have big shoes to fill,” admits Gillispi, “but, I’m excited about this new endeavor and the opportunity to work closely with SCC president Dr. Paul Hutchins, in moving the college forward.”
A native of Virginia, Gillispie has been a history instructor at SCC for the past 13 years and has served as the Division Chairman of the Arts and Sciences and Department Chairman of College Transfer since 2010. He says working at SCC has afforded him the opportunity to turn his love for history and teaching into a career. “To me, history has always been a passion, not a job. Being able to foster relationships with students and faculty has just been an added bonus for knowledge and growth.”
Gillispie, who truly brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his newly minted position, is not only a seasoned educator, but an accomplished author as well. Having published two books and numerous articles and reviews on Civil War history, Gillispie has even garnered the attention of Pulitzer-Prize winning author James McPherson. Gillispie, who admits he was bitten by the history bug early in life, attended the University of Mississippi because Ole Miss houses the Center for the Study of Southern Culture.
Additionally, Gillispie’s forward-thinking objectives and notable achievements are qualities that led this standout to his new position, says Hutchins. “Jay has many excellent qualities and an extensive record of accomplishments in education, but no attribute stands out more than that he has the heart of a faculty member. This perspective will stand him in good stead at a student-centered college like SCC.”
Gillispie says he is passionate about his new role and plans to bring this same enthusiasm as he ventures into the job of fostering relationships with his counterparts to grow the college’s expanding efforts to help students meet their educational goals. “It’s been a rewarding experience to have worked with great faculty over the past 13 years, and I’m excited to now cultivate relationships with other divisions as well.” He will officially take the helm on Sept. 4, and says he is eager to start this new phase of his career.
Gillispie resides in Roseboro with his wife, Julie and daughter, Lauren. Outside of work, he enjoys participating in Great War living history programs and battle weekends, and sharing his literary publications. Gillispie will be participating in a book signing at the Averasboro Civil War Museum in Dunn on Sept. 22. For more information, contact Dr. Gillispie at 910-592-8081, ext. 2002 or visit www.sampsoncc.edu.
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