The new president of the North Carolina Community College System visited Wayne Community College Wednesday to share his vision and learn about the local college.

“Although there are 58 unique campuses across the state, we’re united, “President Thomas Stith III, who has served as the system’s chief since January of this year, told members of the WCC President’s Council.

The colleges are “a family,” Stith said, due to “the passion I see when I am in rooms like this, the commitment to education, commitment that students have a pathway to success.”

Stith briefed the college officials on the “three pillars” of his goals for the system. Under his leadership, the colleges will:

• be the first choice for affordable/accessible education;
• “be the leading entity in North Carolina’s economic recovery and going forward” with sustained growth – “Wayne Community College in particular;” and
• “establish ourselves as a national model for diversity and inclusion.”

Stith heard from WCC officials about the college’s numerous recent accolades and how it is meeting the area’s workforce and economic development challenges, particularly highlighting apprenticeships and the future Center for Industrial Technology and Engineering.

The group also toured two of the college’s Nursing Simulation Lab and the Ash Building which houses automotive and collision repair and refinishing programs.

Such innovative facilities and the programs that operate in them illustrate how community colleges are rising to meet the needs of business, industry, and residents, Stith said. “We’re doing great work and we’re going to tell folks about it,” he said.