New director named at Sandhills Community College to oversee Access to Achievement program

By Stephanie Meador, posted Apr 8, 2026 on BizFayetteville.com

Emily Waldrop has been named director of the Access to Achievement (A2A) program, where she will lead efforts to connect students with disabilities to meaningful education and career pathways.

She will oversee student engagement and success strategies, coordinate closely with faculty and student services, and build strong partnerships with local employers to expand inclusive workforce opportunities. Waldrop will also guide program growth through data-informed decision-making, tracking student progress, outcomes, and skills development while ensuring each student’s plan aligns with their individual strengths and career goals.

“Her leadership will be instrumental in strengthening A2A’s impact across the college and the broader community,” said Senior Director of Workforce Development & Corporate Partnerships Taylor McCaskill in a press release. “We are thrilled to have her on board and offer support to our students and employers.”

Waldrop, born and raised in Monroe, Michigan, earned a Bachelor of Science from Eastern Michigan University, where she majored in Elementary Education. Her career as an educator brought her to North Carolina, where she began teaching in Robeson County before accepting a position with Moore County Schools.

With 10 years of experience as an educator, Waldrop joined Sandhills Community College in January of 2022, where she accepted the role of student advocate. Since then, she has remained with Student Services, serving in the roles of college navigator and The Purpose Center coordinator.

She serves as an executive board member and the judges’ chair for the Miss Moore County and Miss Sandhills Scholarship Program.

To learn more about the Access to Achievement program, visit: https://www.sandhills.edu/student-resources/careercenter/idd.html

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