This is part of a series of profiles about faculty who joined the NC State College of Education in 2019-20.
Mary Rittling, Ed.D.
Title: Professor of the Practice
Education: Ed.D. in Higher and Adult Education, Columbia University; M.A., Columbia University; M.S. in Nursing, Binghamton University; B.S. in Nursing, D’Youville College
Experience: Senior Fellow, Aspen Institute; President, Davidson County Community College; President, Potomac State College of West Virginia University; Regional Vice President, West Virginia University; Senior Administrator, State University of New York at Delhi.
Why did you choose the NC State College of Education?
I chose the NC State College of Education because of the Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research*, and the teaching and research being conducted by the center associated with community colleges.
What is your teaching philosophy?
Having 45 years of teaching and leadership experience in two-year college programs, my educational philosophy is to provide a student-centered learning environment that provides educational opportunity, access and success to all students.
What are you working on?
Through the Belk Center, I am working with North Carolina community college presidents on the Presidents’ Academy. I am also a senior fellow with the Aspen Institute.
*The Belk Center is currently in the planning stage. It is in compliance with NC State’s Policy on Centers and Institutes.