Rosa McAllister-McRae, Ed. D., has assumed the new role of senior director of engagement, public relations and community programming for Hoke County and is eager to make connections to benefit the students, families, businesses and citizens in Hoke County.

“This community is remarkable and full of resilience and tenacity,” said McAllister-McRae in a press release. “I look forward to integrating more intentionally with the community at large to ensure that Sandhills is being the best community partner and higher education institution possible for the students in the county. We know there are many students to reach and many businesses that need support from excellent employees and I look forward to being the liaison to support the Sandhills initiatives.”

Her role entails building and maintaining relationships with external stakeholders, including alumni, industry partners, government agencies and the local community, with a focus on fostering connections with Hoke County businesses and leaders. She will serve as a liaison between academic program staff, faculty and external partners. In addition, she will oversee administrative functions in Hoke such as resource allocation, marketing and policy development in alignment with institutional goals, as well as identify opportunities for growth in curriculum and workforce continuing education programs at the Hoke Center.  

McAllister-McRae earned an associate’s degree at Sandhills Community College, where she started in 1994 and served as an Adult Basic Education (ABE), General Education Diploma (GED) Instructor, and supported college efforts in the Hoke County Corrections Facility. Over the years, she has dedicated her career in various roles including counseling, admissions and student services. She recently capped her educational career journey by earning a doctorate degree in Educational Leadership from Liberty University in 2024.
“We look forward to Rosa’s leadership skills and community knowledge to expand the Sandhills Community College footprint in the Hoke market region,” said Vice President for Engagement Germaine Elkins in a press release. “As the college continues to grow, its engagement with Hoke County and its residents and businesses becomes more intentional to ensure a vital workforce for our region.”

McAllister-McRae has a track record as a proven leader and citizen of the region serving as a board member for the First Health Advisory Board; Hoke County Local Re-entry Council; North Carolina School Board Trust; Partners for Hoke County Schools/ Education Foundation Board; and the Raeford Kiwanis Club where she also chairs the scholarship committee and is on the executive board. In addition, she is the Assistant Pastor at the God’s Deliverance for All People Church, a member of the Raeford/Hoke Chamber of Commerce, and North Carolina School Board Association Black Caucus. She is a member of the Hoke County Civic League where she serves as Chair of the Education and Scholarship Committee, and the Sanctuary Deliverance Churches Inc. and is Vice Chair of the Program Committee and Scholarship Chairperson.

She also serves on various committees for the North Carolina State/North Carolina State Community College System; Hoke County Schools Board of Education; NAFSA, NSBA (National School Board Association); North Carolina Counseling Association; and Sandhills Community College.

Honors to McAllister-McRae have included from the Hoke County School system, an award from Gov. Purdue in reference to moving Hoke County forward in the educational system in 2012; in 2013 she won the Advance Achievement Award; and in 2013, she received the School Board of the Year Award. In 2010, she received an Outstanding Community Leadership Award from the Hoke County Public Library.

McAllister-McRae can be reached at 910-878-5804 or mcallisterr@sandhills.edu.

More information about Sandhills Community College can be obtained at www.sandhills.edu