News

BRCC announces finalists for president

By Bill Moss, Published: March 30, 2017

Blue Ridge Community College Board of Trustees announced the six finalists it has selected to be the next president of the community college.

The six finalists are Wendy Frye, director of high schools at Henderson County Public Schools; Laura B. Leatherwood, vice president of student services at Haywood Community College in North Carolina; Jeff McCord, vice president of economic and workforce development at Northeast State Community College in Tennessee; R. Chad Merrill, vice president for general administration at BRCC; Matthew R. Meyer, associate vice president of educational innovations at North Carolina Community College System; and Rebekah S. Woods, provost at Jackson College in Michigan.

Wendy Frye is currently director of high schools for Henderson County Public Schools. She has also served as director of career and technical education, career development coordinator, and classroom teacher with Henderson County Public Schools. Additionally, she was regional coordinator for career and technical education for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Dr. Frye holds a bachelor's degree in business education from David Lipscomb University, a master of arts in business education from Western Carolina University, and a doctorate in educational leadership, also from Western Carolina University.

Laura B. Leatherwood is currently vice president of student services at Haywood Community College in Clyde, NC. She has also served as vice president of student and workforce development, executive director of Haywood Community College Foundation, and director of institutional advancement at Haywood Community College. Dr. Leatherwood holds a bachelor’s degree in business law, master’s degree in human resource development, and a doctorate in university and community college leadership, all from Western Carolina University.

Jeff McCord is currently vice president for economic and workforce development at Northeast State Community College in Kingsport, Tennessee. Before joining Northeast State, he held various management positions such as manager of learning and performance improvement, manager of project management, and supervisor of enterprise-wide systems training with Eastman Chemical Company. Mr. McCord holds a bachelor’s degree in management from Georgia Institute of Technology, a master’s degree in business administration from Kennesaw State University, and is a doctoral candidate in learning and leadership at University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

R. Chad Merrill is currently vice president of general administration at Blue Ridge Community College. He has also served as vice president of technology and development, chief of staff, chief institutional advancement officer, dean for transylvania programs, and cooperative education director at Blue Ridge Community College. Dr. Merrill holds a bachelor’s degree in literature/language from University of North Carolina at Asheville, a master’s degree in two-year college administration from Western Carolina University, and a doctorate in educational leadership, also from Western Carolina University.

Matthew R. Meyer is currently associate vice president for educational initiatives for North Carolina Community College System and vice president and co-founder of Workforce Credentials Coalition. He also served as associate vice president of STEM education initiatives and strategic planning, director of BioNetwork at North Carolina Community College System. Additionally, he was dean for workforce and economic development for Community College Workforce Alliance and dean for corporate and economic development at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. Dr. Meyer holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from University of Dayton, a master’s degree in bioengineering from Clemson University, and a doctorate in community college leadership from Old Dominion University.

Rebekah S. Woods is currently provost at Jackson College in Jackson, Michigan. She also served as executive dean of instruction, dean of instruction for arts and sciences, special assistant to the president, and adjunct faculty at Jackson College. Additionally, she served as dean for student and academic support and director of student success at Lansing Community College and assistant dean for school of law/dean of student and director of career and alumni services at Regent University School of Law. Dr. Woods holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Albion College, a doctor of jurisprudence from Regent University, and a doctorate in organizational leadership, also from Regent University.

The finalists will visit the BRCC campuses in April and interview with the trustees. Each will also participate in a community forum on the day they visit and will be given an opportunity to discuss their preparation for the position, their education and leadership philosophy, and respond to questions from community members. Attendees will be given the opportunity to provide feedback that will be given to the Board of Trustees. The community forums will be open to the public.

The community forums will be held at the Health Sciences Center located at 805 Sixth Avenue West in Room 3003 from 1 to 2:15 p.m. on the following dates:

Monday, April 10: Dr. Matthew R. Meyer
Tuesday, April 11: Dr. Laura B. Leatherwood
Tuesday, April 25: Mr. Jeff McCord
Wednesday, April 26: Dr. R. Chad Merrill
Thursday, April 27: Dr. Rebekah S. Woods
Friday, April 28: Dr. Wendy Frye

"Our goal is to find the best possible leader for Blue Ridge Community College," said BRCC Chair John C. McCormick Jr., who is leading the presidential search process. "These finalists are experienced and knowledgeable. We're looking forward to their participation in the next level of review."

The Board of Trustees plans to name the successful candidate in late May. Current President Dr. Molly A. Parkhill is retiring on June 30 after more than 30 years of service to Blue Ridge Community College, 10 as college president.