There is a lot happening at Sampson Community College, and members of the college Foundation board wanted to bring college trustees and county commissioners up to speed on the local educational institute’s projects.
Tuesday, members of the three boards joined in a collaborative effort, giving those who are a pivotal part of the process a chance to speak and share progress that is being made.
“We are working to provide options for a more robust student life,” Lisa Turlington, Foundation director, said.
Turlington, who has been instrumental in securing funding to help with the cost of the new welding facility and truck driving training facility, shared the progress of the east campus expansion and multipurpose field.
“By pulling together, we are making our campus more accessible to the people in Sampson County,” Turlington added.
Sampson County Board of Commissioners chairman Clark Wooten, who said he was excited about the progress being made at the college, also shared he was excited about the relationship between the commissioners and the college.
“We are working to forge a relationship with the Foundation board and be on one team together,” Wooten explained. “Down the road, I am looking forward to us moving from good to great.”
Challenging other commissioners and board members, Wooten said personal agendas should be set aside, allowing the boards to see what can lead the college and the county down the road to greatness.
“The future of this county are the very people that are walking through these doors,” Wooten said in reference to the programs and educational opportunities offered through the college.
Board of Trustees chairwoman Erika Starling shared that the search for the next president of the college has been narrowed down to three candidates. Right now, the Presidential Search Committee is in the process of gathering information about each candidate and preparing to set up interviews before the end of the year. Plans are to make the announcement in January, allowing current president Dr. Paul Hutchins time to work with the new president before his retirement in May.
“The work being done here is only going to carry us forward,” Starling said.
As part of the college’s master plan, the East Campus project will provide a multipurpose field that the students and community can utilize. While some concern regarding maintenance of the field was shared during Tuesday’s meeting, Dr. Bill Starling, vice president for academic affairs, said the field has been mowed and maintained for the better part of a decade and he doesn’t see the cost for maintenance exploding once the multipurpose field is complete.
“There is no need to have a community college if we don’t serve the needs of the community,” Erika Starling added.