Celebrating Community College Leaders | College of Education News

NC State Football will celebrate educators during its annual Educator Appreciation game on Sept. 27, 2025. All College of Education alumni, students, faculty and staff, as well as all individuals who work in the field of education—including as teachers, counselors, administrators, higher education officials, scholars and other professionals—will be recognized for the difference they make every day. 

This year, in addition to recognizing all educators, a spotlight will shine on a particular group of educators: community college leaders. The College of Education is the state’s largest producer of community college leaders through its Community College Leadership doctoral program, and the college supports all 58 community colleges in North Carolina each year through the Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research, which collaborates with community college leaders to meet the needs of their colleges and advance student success. 

In recognition of the impact of community colleges and their leaders, six alumni, faculty and partners will join NC State Chancellor Kevin Howell and College of Education Dean Paola Sztajn on the field for special recognitions during a break in the second quarter of the Educator Appreciation game:

Jeff Cox, President of the North Carolina Community College System 

Abe Dones ’23EDD, Vice President of Durham Technical Community College

Ken Ingle ’23EDD, President of Alamance Community College

Audrey J. Jaeger, W. Dallas Herring Professor of Community College Education and Executive Director of the Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research

Lawrence L. Rouse ’98EDD, College of Education’s 2025 Distinguished Alum and Retired President of Pitt Community College

Yolanda Wilson ’18 EDD, President of the College of Southern Maryland

Meet these six alumni, faculty and partners below. Responses have been edited for length and clarity. 

Jeff Cox

Jeff Cox is the 11th president of the North Carolina Community College System. Prior to leading the system, he served as the president of Wilkes Community College from 2014 to 2023 and as the superintendent of Alleghany County Schools from 2005 to 2014. He has also previously served as assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction for Lee County Schools and as an elementary principal and assistant principal in Union County Schools. He began his career as a high school teacher and coach. In 2017, Cox was one of 30 college leaders in the country to be awarded an Aspen Institute Presidential Fellowship for Community College Excellence. 

On why he chose a career in education: Educators touch the future every day, changing people’s lives for the better.

“Community colleges are the front door to higher education for most North Carolinians”

On why he chose to work with community colleges: Community colleges are the front door to higher education for most North Carolinians. Whether you are an adult looking to reskill or upskill to get a better job and earn more money or a high school student taking a dual enrollment course, we have programs to meet your needs. 

On what others should know about the work and impact of community colleges: We meet the needs of business and industry, serving as a bridge between them and our students who are looking to earn credentials and degrees that will give them access to a good life.

On why educators matter: Educators are the key to providing the starting place for every other occupation, providing the hope and inspiration for students to do more and be more than they ever thought possible. We can all remember those teachers who inspired us along our life’s journey.

On an educator who made an impact on his life: One of my favorite teachers was my first-grade teacher, Carol Griffin.  She was a wonderful teacher who gave me a puppy that I kept for over 17 years, my whole childhood.  She also wrote in my annual that if she ever had a little boy herself, she hoped he would be just like me.  I still have that annual and have reread that comment probably 20 times over the years; I never forgot how special it made me feel.

Related

Abraham “Abe” Luis Dones ’23EDD

Abraham “Abe” Luis Dones is the vice president and chief student services officer at Durham Technical Community College. With more than two decades of experience in higher education, Dones also serves as a coach for Achieving the Dream and on the boards of several community organizations focused on community empowerment beyond the college campus. 

On why he chose to work in education: My decision to work in education is deeply rooted in the legacy of my mother, Miriam Olivo Dones. As an adult learner, she began her academic journey at the Community College of Philadelphia. Witnessing her determination ignited my passion for the transformational work of community colleges. Community colleges open doors for those pursuing transfer degrees, technical careers, high school credentials and short-term workforce certifications—meeting people wherever they are and helping them build the futures they envision. On the hard days, I reflect on my mother and the countless others who see community colleges as their beacon of hope.

“As open-door institutions, community colleges are designed to welcome every student”

On why he chose to work in community colleges: As open-door institutions, community colleges are designed to welcome every student—regardless of their past experiences or educational background—and provide them with the access and opportunity to set ambitious academic goals, elevate their economic mobility and contribute meaningfully to their families and communities. What I enjoy most is the unique and powerful position community colleges hold within higher education. We are not only colleges—we are community hubs that respond to the evolving needs of the regions we serve.

On what others should know about the work and impact of community colleges: Community colleges are among the most powerful engines of economic and social mobility in our nation. They serve as the front door to higher education for millions. What makes their impact so profound is their ability to meet students where they are and provide multiple pathways forward. The work of community colleges is transformational and deeply tied to the well-being of the regions they serve. When done well, this work is not just about access—it is about building systems that ensure students succeed once they arrive.

On why educators matter:  When we pause to reflect on what it truly means to be an educator, it becomes clear just how vital educators are to our world. Educators are more than teachers of content—they are the conduit through which learners access knowledge, discover new passions and begin to see what is possible for their lives. They spark curiosity, nurture potential and light the path toward opportunity. Educators are future workforce makers. Their impact reaches far beyond the classroom—shaping minds, transforming lives and fueling the progress and innovation that keep our country vibrant.

On educators who made an impact on him: My mother was, without question, the most influential educator in my life. Her resilience shaped my understanding of what is possible. Ms. Lewis, my first-grade teacher, instilled in me the belief that I could accomplish anything. Ms. Barbara Boatwright, a teaching assistant in my high school, taught me lessons that reached beyond academics; she helped me understand that being a good student is important, but being a good person and community member matters just as much. Dr. Donna McNelis, a former supervisor, planted the seed that ultimately led me into higher education. Finally, Dr. Audrey Jaeger, Dr. Carol Warren, and Dr. Kenneth Ender were instrumental during my doctoral journey.

Related

Ken Ingle ’23EDD

Ken Ingle ’23EDD is the president of Alamance Community College. With nearly two decades in higher education, he previously served as chief officer of information services at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, where his leadership helped earn recognition as a Top 10 digital community college for four consecutive years. He was selected for the prestigious 2022 Aspen Rising President’s Fellowship and currently serves as a board member for the Alamance Chamber of Commerce, along with various other committees and boards advocating for community colleges.

On why he chose to work in education: I chose to work in education because I’ve seen firsthand how it can transform lives—my own and my family’s. My father was the first in his family to graduate from college; his parents recognized that while (the family legacy of) coal mining demanded skill, determination and sacrifice, education could open even more doors to new and lasting opportunities. That belief reshaped the future for our family and continues to inspire me every day to help students create brighter futures for themselves and their communities.

“Community colleges are a vital bridge between education, the workforce and the community”

On why he chose to work with community colleges: I love working in community colleges because we are a vital bridge between education, the workforce and the community. Our mission is to create greater economic mobility and opportunity for every individual we serve. I’ve seen the power of this firsthand—both in my own life, as a student who attended community college while in high school, and through my wife, who earned her respiratory therapy degree at a community college and has built an incredibly successful career. 

On what others should know about the work and impact of community colleges: Community colleges are uniquely positioned to directly connect the community to the workforce. We do this through programs that lead straight to meaningful careers as well as transfer pathways that prepare students to thrive at outstanding four-year institutions. Community colleges create greater economic mobility for individuals, open doors to opportunity, and in turn, strengthen the entire community we serve.

On why educators matter: With passion, knowledge and guidance, they empower students to discover their strengths, cultivate their skills and transform aspirations into achievement. In a rapidly changing world, educators do more than teach—they open doors, ignite possibility and equip students to succeed with confidence and purpose.

On educators who made a difference in his life: My mother, a lifelong teacher, instilled in me a deep love of learning, alongside my amazing father who nurtured and encouraged that passion. Second, my younger brother, an exceptional high school math teacher, inspires me with his dedication to helping students see the beauty of mathematics. Finally, my mentor, Dr. Darrin Hartness, opened doors for me early on through a dual enrollment community college program that launched my career in technology. He later encouraged me to pursue both my doctorate and the possibility of a presidency, forever changing the trajectory of my professional journey.

Audrey J. Jaeger

Audrey J. Jaeger joined the NC State College of Education faculty in 2001 and is currently the W. Dallas Herring Professor of Community College Education and the founding executive director of the Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research. In 2022, NC State awarded her its Holladay Medal—the highest honor given by NC State and the Board of Trustees, recognizing outstanding and sustained contributions to the university through achievements in research, teaching, or extension and engagement. She also has been inducted into NC State’s Academy of Outstanding Teachers, the Academy of Outstanding Faculty Engaged in Extension and the Research Leadership Academy at NC State. In 2020, she was awarded the Alumni Association Outstanding Research Award.

On why she chose to work in education: Education is highly valued in my family, but neither of my parents had the opportunity to go to college. College offers individuals the greatest economic mobility for the greatest number of people. Witnessing this firsthand instilled in me a commitment to be a part of that change, so I chose to work in education to help create those opportunities for others, ensuring that no person’s potential is ever limited.

“Community colleges are the hubs of opportunity in their communities”

 Even on the most challenging days, the work is worth it because you get to witness the tangible impact of education. The reward isn’t always a big, public success; it’s often a quiet victory. It’s seeing a student finally grasp a difficult concept, watching an adult learner balance work and family to complete a degree, or seeing a first-generation student walk across the graduation stage. Knowing that you played a small role in helping someone change their own story and build a better life for themselves and their family is what makes every hard day meaningful. 

On why she chose to work with community colleges: I chose community colleges as they are the hubs of opportunity in their communities. Growing up in a rural community I understand the critical resource education provides. A local community college could open doors that were otherwise locked. 

On what she wants others to know about community colleges: The impact of a community college is directly tied to the health of its local community. They are an economic engine providing training for the workforce as well as the door to opportunities to a bachelor’s degree that otherwise would not be possible for many students. For other students, the impact isn’t about getting a degree; it’s about getting a career, a livable wage, and a new start. Working at the Belk Center, I have the privilege of supporting leaders who dedicate their careers to this mission, ensuring students succeed and entire communities thrive.

On why educators matter: For me, working in education wasn’t just about a job; it was about being part of a system that serves society. There is no other institution that provides such a clear and accessible pathway to economic mobility for every member of a community, regardless of their background or past. My choice was rooted in that mission—the chance to help people find their own unique path forward.

On the educators who made a difference in her life: Many college educators, inside and outside of the classroom, encouraged me to use my talents as an education leader to have multi-generational impacts. That advice has connected me with students and alumni who will forever be part of my life. The influence of my role magnified exponentially when I chose education, and am grateful to those that saw my potential very early in my career.

Related

Lawrence L. Rouse ’98EDD

Lawrence L. Rouse, the College of Education’s 2025 Distinguished Alum, served as the fifth president of Pitt Community College, retiring in 2024.  During his 42 years in high education, he also served as president of James Sprunt Community College, dean of student services for Johnston Community College and associate vice-president for enrollment management at Central Carolina Technical College, as well as a number of other professional positions. 

On why he chose to work in education: I chose education because of the power it has to positively transform individuals and their families. I endured the hard days because of my belief in making life better for those who participate.

“Community colleges are the true pathway to success”

On what others should know about the work and impact of community colleges: Community colleges, as stated by Dr. Dallas Herring, “take individuals from where they are to as far as their abilities can take them.” Community colleges are the true pathway to success.

On why educators matter: Educators matter because they empower people to achieve their hopes, dreams and desires, whatever those aspirations may be.

On educators who made a difference in his life: Dr. Edgar Boone, Dr. George Baker, Dr. Rosemary Gillette-Karam, Dr. Donald Reichard, Dr. Junious Dowell, Dr. George Vaughn and Coach Bernard Cummings each influenced me to be the best that I can be with encouragement, mentorship, tough love and compassion.

Related

Yolanda Wilson ’18EDD

Yolanda Wilson ’18 EDD, the president of the College of Southern Maryland, has spent 25 years in higher education and continues to serve as a community college leader because she believes that “education is the single most powerful gateway to expanding opportunity and increasing mobility.” Acknowledging that students are at the center of community college work, Wilson feels energized by engaging in transformative work and believes in the goal of creating an environment where all students thrive and can achieve their educational goals. 

On why she chose to work with community colleges: Going back to school changed (my husband’s) life, and being at a community college helped him retool and rebuild his career path. I knew then that I wanted to spend my career working at community colleges because I witnessed firsthand the positive impact it made on adult learners.  And today, I still see the tremendous impact community colleges have on learners from all backgrounds who are seeking better lives for themselves and their families.

“Community colleges are the economic engines of our communities”

On what others should know about the work and impact of community colleges: Community colleges are the economic engines of our communities. They are workforce accelerants, anticipating or responding to the needs of business and industry by preparing students for transfer or employment. Community colleges, through their open-access mission, also pay homage to the belief that a higher education is a fundamental right for everyone. It makes good on the promise that all students have a pathway to college and that there is a viable way forward for everyone. 

On why educators matter: They teach. They inspire. They transform. 

On educators who made a difference in her life: Dr. Rey Garcia taught me the importance of receiving feedback from a posture of openness and clarity. He is an awesome faculty member who sees your potential and challenges you to be better.

Related