A class act: Greater Fayetteville Business Journal's third quarterly Power Breakfast brings together education leaders

By Staff Report, posted Sep 11, 2025 on BizFayetteville.com

Fayetteville’s leaders, innovators and educators are invited to join the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal as we return to the Ralph and Linda Huff Orangery at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden on Tuesday, Sept. 16, for our third Power Breakfast in 2025.

At the next Power Breakfast titled “Higher Ed Impact: Bridging the Education & Business Gap,” we will be speaking with local education leaders on the impacts of higher education when meeting the needs of the regional workforce.

“In the past few years, higher education has been scrutinized more heavily. More and more focus has been placed on its relevance in relation to job placement for graduates and how that intersects with a tightening workforce,” shared Marty Cayton, publisher of the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal. “In this Power Breakfast, we’ll hear from the higher education leaders from our area on how their institutions are handling these changes and making a significant difference in our local economy and business community.”

PANELISTS INCLUDE:

DARRELL T. ALLISON - Chancellor, Fayetteville State University

Darrell T. Allison is the 12th chancellor and CEO of Fayetteville State University, the second-oldest public institution in the University of North Carolina System. Allison has led Fayetteville State University as chancellor since March 2021, driving record enrollment of 7,100+ students, securing $210+ million for capital improvements and recently acquiring a four-year commitment from Lenovo for free laptops for all incoming freshmen (2024-2027). He doubled research funding to $33 million and expanded military programs, making FSU the nation’s largest HBCU for military-affiliated enrollment.

DR. MARK SORRELLS President, Fayetteville Technical Community College

Dr. Mark A. Sorrells serves as the president of Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC). Previously, he was the senior vice president of Academic and Student Services. Prior to coming to FTCC, Sorrells was the senior vice president at the Golden LEAF Foundation (GLF) where he led statewide workforce and education grant initiatives for the $1.2 billion foundation and assisted in developing statewide workforce strategies for the life science and aerospace manufacturing sectors. earned his MBA from the University of Tennessee and EdD at East Carolina University. He is a recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.

DR. ALEXANDER “SANDY” STEWART President, Sandhills Community College

Dr. Alexander “Sandy” Stewart, a Moore County native with a Ph.D. in crop science from NC State, became the third president of Sandhills Community College in 2023. Previously, he served as assistant commissioner of Agricultural Services at NCDA&CS, overseeing 18 research stations in partnership with NC State and NC A&T. As SCC president, he has prioritized access and regional engagement—launching the Access Advocates initiative and forming workforce partnerships with companies like Spiritus Systems. A farm-raised leader with strong local ties, Stewart is dedicated to student opportunity, equity and advancing Sandhills as a hub for education and economic growth. and sponsors.

DR. STANLEY T. WEARDEN President, Methodist University

Stanley T. Wearden, Ph.D., became the fifth president of Methodist University in 2019. With nearly 40 years in higher education, he previously held leadership roles at Columbia College Chicago and Kent State University and taught journalism for two decades. He holds degrees from Wheeling Jesuit, West Virginia University and UNC Chapel Hill. At MU he has worked to boost student success, expand online learning, support military students, build community college partnerships and grow the endowment. In 2023 he was named one of Higher Education Digest’s “Most Visionary Education Leaders” for his bold and forward-thinking leadership.

Secure your spot at the table to hear directly from college and university presidents as they share how their institutions are preparing students to meet the evolving needs of our workforce.

Tickets are on sale now at fayettevillepowerbreakfast.com.

Don’t miss this opportunity to network, enjoy breakfast and be part of an important discussion shaping the future of our region.

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