Wilkes Community College Announces Finalists in Search for Next President

Wilkes Community College Announces Finalists in

Search for Next President

Wilkesboro, N.C. – The Wilkes Community College (WCC) Board of Trustees has announced the selection of three (3) finalists for the presidency of WCC. The search has been underway since Dr. Jeff Cox took the position of NC Community College System President in June 2023.

Board of Trustees Chair, Jay Vannoy, expressed his gratitude to the entire College community for their consistent interest and support during the process of selecting the next President. He also took the opportunity to extend his heartfelt thanks to each member of the Presidential Search Committee for their exceptional insight, unwavering dedication, and tireless effort.

The WCC presidential finalists are:

Ken Ingle, Ed.D., is the Chief Officer of Information Services at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College in Salisbury, NC. He previously served as the Executive Director of Emerging Technology at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, NC. Dr. Ingle earned a Doctor of Education in Community College Leadership from North Carolina State University; a Master of Science in Management Information Systems from Bellevue University; and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Management Information Systems from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Michael Rodgers, Ed.D., is the Chief Institutional Officer and Director of the Foundation of Owensboro Community and Technical College in Owensboro, KY. He previously served as the Vice President of Advancement and Executive Director of the Foundation at Owensboro Community and Technical College in Owensboro, KY. Dr. Rodgers earned a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership from Maryville University; A Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Western Kentucky University; A Bachelor in Chemistry from the University of South Carolina-Aiken; and an Associate Degree of Applied Science in Automotive Technology from Piedmont Technical College in Greenwood South Carolina.

Carolyn Strickland, Ph.D., was most recently Vice President of Enrollment Management and Associate Provost at Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. She previously served as Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs at Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, PA. Dr. Strickland earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Psychology from The Pennsylvania State University in State College, Pennsylvania; a Master of Education in Student Personnel Services from the University of South Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina; and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Urban Studies from the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Public forums will take place the week of January 8, 2024, and each candidate will participate in a one-hour forum. We invite and encourage everyone to participate in the open forums. Forums will be made accessible to all faculty, administrators, staff, students, and the general public. Attendees will be asked to complete a feedback form to be given to the Board of Trustees for review.

Wilkes Community College, a member of the North Carolina Community College System, is a public, two-year, open-door institution serving the people of Wilkes, Ashe, and Alleghany counties and beyond. Established in 1965, WCC continues to build on a strong history of meeting the educational needs and cultural interests of our students, community, and workforce. WCC prepares learners for success in a dynamic world.