President of Sandhills Community College Alexander “Sandy” Stewart of Sandhills Community College recently spoke at the State Board Summit for Community Colleges where he was a featured panelist about leading transformational change. The annual summit, held in Raleigh, was themed "Transformation for Student Success." Others on the panel included Dr. Vernon Lindquist of Johnston Community College and Dr. Mark Sorrels of Fayetteville Technical Community College.
“Community Colleges are perfectly positioned as a major component of the high school experience and offer an affordable pathway to both employment and transfer all while being relevant to the community’s needs,” said Stewart. “They serve as an economic engine for individuals and the region and are often the first choice in higher education for students and families, even lifelong learners. At Sandhills, our One College model embodies this vision, through a fully integrated approach to instruction and community engagement.”
Others also weighed in on the transformation for student success.
According to Scott Ottman, Chair of the State Board Transformation Committee,
"Transformation is hard and it takes vision, courage, and collaboration. Transformation doesn’t happen to people – it happens with them. I would add that people are the heart of transformation.”
Direction from the State Board's "Transformation Committee" moving forward includes:
Dr. Laura Dawson Ullrich Director of Economic Research added, "Schools will have to keep up with demand and policy changes will be needed to align institution-student-employer incentives."
To learn more about Sandhills Community College located in Pinehurst and Raeford, serving the community and employers in the Sandhills region with 11,049 current students, visit www.sandhills.edu. Sandhills CC is the 18th largest community college in the 58-member system in North Carolina and the first to offer comprehensive studies and transfer programs. It was founded in 1963.
On Monday, June 1, 2026, Tribe members from District 2 and District 15, the districts surrounding the area currently planned for the casino, met for a community meeting.Amidst the glitz and glamour of the idea of a new casino coming to the Lumbee Tri
This is the fourth year that ETI has hosted the event, and in years past Freeman has seen a host of innovative technology, including various drone types and programming, robotic dogs, 3D printed houses, and airspace scanners. Photo provided by USSOCO
Crystal McLean (left) with Scott Embry (right). Money Box Academy received a $10,000 grant from United Way of Cumberland County’s Youth Growth Stock Trust. Photos provided by Crystal McLean.The Youth Growth Stock Trust Committee, administered by the
