When Lawrence Rouse ’98EDD was in high school, his guidance counselor discouraged him from pursuing a college education. Ignoring that recommendation, Rouse not only went on to earn his bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees, but had a four-decade career in higher education, serving in multiple roles within the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS). 

“I chose to work in community colleges because of their unique position within the higher education ecosystem as open door, open access institutions,” Rouse said. “I enjoyed working at community colleges because of their impact on the students, families, communities and workforce they serve.”

In honor of his accomplishments throughout his career, Rouse was selected as the NC State College of Education’s 2025 Distinguished Alum and was honored at a gala event at the university on Sept. 11. 

“To be named the College of Education‘s Distinguished Alumni is one of the highest honors that I could ever expect to receive because I have benefited greatly from the stellar education I received through the College of Education and through the lifelong bonds that continue to this day,” Rouse said. 

Over the past 40 years, Rouse held various leadership roles within the NCCCS beginning as the dean for students at Johnston Community College and the associate vice president for enrollment management and dean of students at Central Carolina Technical College. 

He took on his first role as a community college president when he was appointed president of James Sprunt Community College in 2005. There, he launched a viticulture and enology curriculum and established a commercial driver’s license program to broaden workforce training opportunities for rural residents. 

During his time at James Sprunt, Rouse’s work was recognized with the North Carolina Community College President of the Year Award. 

In 2018, he became the fifth president of Pitt Community College, where his work focused on student-centered learning, mentorship-driven support systems and globally-focused educational programs until his retirement in 2024. 

As the leader of Pitt Community College, Rouse’s work also helped to expand campus infrastructure, including the opening of the Eddie & Jo Allison Smith Center for Student Advancement. 

Amid these achievements, however, Rouse says one of his favorite parts of working in community colleges were the commencement ceremonies, where he was able to witness the success of each and every student who graduated and looked toward their new future. 

“I chose education because of the power it has to positively transform individuals and their families. I endured the hard days because of my belief in making life better for those who participate,” he said.