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NC State Alumnus, Former Member of Belk Center Advisory Board Named Interim President of North Carolina Community College System

Dean Mary Ann Danowitz presents the I.E. Ready award to William Carver

William Carver, Ph.D., an NC State alumnus and winner of the College of Education’s I.E. Ready Distinguished Leader Award, has been named interim president of the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS).

Carver, who served as the president of Nash Community College and a member of the advisory board for the College of Education’s Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research until he retired in 2019, stepped into the role beginning Aug. 1, as current Community College System President Peter Hans became president of the UNC System.

“I am humbled and honored to have been selected for this interim role and I will work diligently to achieve the goals set forth by the State Board of Community Colleges,” Carver said.

During his time as president, Carver helped Nash Community College to become one of the five original institutions to aid in the development of the Early College Program. Additionally, he implemented Single Stop, a nonprofit aimed at reducing poverty and promoting economic stability by connecting students to available government and nonprofit programs and services.

Carver said that the implementation of new programs as well as collaboration with businesses and other colleges on projects were key to his innovation as a community college leader.

It was that innovation that allowed Carver to receive the I.E. Ready Distinguished Leader Award in December 2019, during the College of Education’s Dallas Herring Lecture.

The award recognizes an NC State graduate for exceptional leadership within the community college system. Carver received an undergraduate degree in economics from NC State.

“Dr. Carver is a leader who is passionate about the work in which we are engaged. His focus is always on what he believes is best for the students,” said Central Carolina Community College President Lisa Chapman, Ed.D. “He has succeeded as a strong leader within the NCCCS because he clearly believes in our mission and during his tenure as a president, he was willing to innovate and take courageous, but necessary risks to improve opportunities for every student. I am pleased to support Dr. Carver as the interim president of the NCCCS. He has a wealth of experience and he knows our colleges, our students, and our system.”

As he moves into a new leadership position as interim president of the Community College System, Carver said he hopes to continue to provide support for students and faculty as institutions across the state continue to face challenges amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

“COVID-19 will continue to present challenges for students, but the system is poised to support these students who will play an integral role in the state’s economy,” Carver said. “I want to be a steady hand, working with a proven group of professionals, continuing the work President Hans has put into action. This will allow Chairman Breeden Blackwell and the State Board of Community Colleges to focus on the selection of the next president.”