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January 26 2023
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By NEWS-TOPIC STAF
Jan 25, 2023
RALEIGH — Dr. Mark Poarch, president of Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute (CCC&TI) has been selected as President of the Year from the North Carolina Community College System and State Board of Community Colleges.
“I am deeply honored and humbled by this award,” Poarch said. “There are 58 community colleges with great leaders doing amazing work to serve students and communities across North Carolina. This award is a reflection of the great work happening in Caldwell and Watauga counties through strong collaboration with many community partners. Our faculty and staff, Board of Trustees, elected officials, public school and university partners, business and industry representatives, economic and workforce development partners, donors, and many others are all working together to make life better for the students and communities we have the privilege of serving.”
The State Board Awards recognize the top-performing individuals and partners that best represent the North Carolina Community College System and its mission to provide accessible, high-quality education and service.
For 2022-23, the following were awarded:
President of the Year — Dr. Mark Poarch, Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute.
The President of the Year Award, sponsored by Wells Fargo, was established by the State Board of Community Colleges in 2001. This award encourages, identifies, and rewards outstanding leadership and commitment to the community college mission among the presidents of the 58 institutions of the North Carolina Community College System.
Excellence in Teaching — Dr. Kara Finch, Stanly Community College.
The Excellence in Teaching Award, sponsored by R.J. Reynolds, was established by the State Board of Community Colleges in 1985. This award provides statewide recognition of faculty members who exemplify the highest quality and standards of instruction throughout the NC Community College System.
Staff Person of the Year — Sara Newcombe, Central Carolina Community College.
The Staff of the Year Award, sponsored by BB&T, was established in 2001. This award recognizes excellent performance and commitment to the community college mission by the non-teaching staff of the 58 institutions of the North Carolina Community College System and the System Office.
Two Distinguished Partners were also awarded:
CaroMont Health with Gaston Community College;
Centro Unido Latino Americano (CULA) with McDowell Technical Community College and Isothermal Community College.
The Distinguished Partner in Excellence Award was established by the State Board of Community Colleges in 2006. This award recognizes an exemplary employer, business or industry group that has demonstrated decisive involvement and firm commitment to the professional development of its employees and/or to the development of North Carolina’s workforce through its partnership efforts with one or more of the 58 community colleges in the North Carolina Community College System.
In addition, the I.E. Ready Award for significant statewide contribution to the North Carolina Community College System was awarded to Julian Philpott of Central Carolina Community College.
The I.E. Ready Award was established by the State Board on October 10, 1985 and was re-named for the first System President on April 9, 1987. This award is an honorary award given to those that have made a significant statewide contribution to the Community College System. A “significant statewide contribution” is defined as a contribution that benefits more than one service area in the North Carolina Community College System. The I.E. Ready Award honors individuals only.
“Congratulations to our award winners across the state and I thank you for your tremendous effort and impact in making North Carolina community colleges successful,” said Dr. Bill Carver, interim president of the North Carolina Community College System. “We had very strong nominations this year, which are indicative of the incredible work and success at our 58 community colleges.”
The North Carolina Community College System is a network created to improve the quality of life across North Carolina by opening the door to opportunities that minimize barriers to post-secondary education, maximize student success and develop a globally and multi-culturally competent workforce. The 58 institutions located throughout the state work to provide easy access to low-cost, high-quality educational opportunities and academic support that focuses on increasing employability.
For more information, please visit www.nccommunitycolleges.edu.