DOBSON — The president of Surry Community College has been named the 2017 President of the Year by the N.C. State Board of Community Colleges.
Dr. David Shockley became SCC president five years ago.
“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,” the college said of the recognition.
The award was established by the State Board of Community Colleges in 2001.
“It is wonderful that the NC State Board of Community Colleges recognizes Dr. Shockley’s exemplary leadership and service to Surry Community College, our community, the State and the NC Community College System,” said Alice Connolly, chair of the SCC Board of Trustees.
She added, “This award represents not only a personal recognition for Dr. Shockley, but also, another exciting honor for Surry Community College.”
“I am very honored to be recognized amongst my 58 peers by the NC State Board of Community Colleges, the most successful community college system in the nation,” Shockley said.
“I am so appreciative of all the encouragement from my family and colleagues over the years. Without the support of the Surry Community College Board of Trustees, our community partners, students, faculty and staff, this honor wouldn’t have been possible. This award represents a team effort, an entire body of work, at Surry Community College. I truly feel blessed to be president.”
“During Shockley’s presidency, which began in 2012, the college has constantly been changing and improving to meet the needs of Surry and Yadkin counties’ businesses and citizenry,” the college said in a written statement.
“Shockley led the effort to increase the number of high school students being served by the College & Career Promise dual-enrollment program, which yielded a 400-percent increase. Due to his guidance, the Surry Community College Foundation assets have increased by 60 percent to $8.4 million, which will benefit students in the form of scholarships, curriculum advancements and new educational facilities.
“The college has acquired 58 additional acres, which currently is the site of the college’s vineyard and will be the site of future expansion including a science building and wine-tasting area. This land acquisition increased the college’s property by 56 percent.”
Other accomplishments the school has achieved during Shockley’s tenure include:
• Being ranked No. 4 in the state for the number of customized training projects among community colleges in 2013, 2014 and 2015 as part of the NCWorks Customized Training program.
• Expansion into Yadkin County with the introduction of two degree programs – Associate in Arts and Mechatronics – at the Yadkin Center back in the fall semester.
• Expansion of the Yadkin Center campus with additional classroom space in the Yadkin County Agricultural & Educational Building and continued growth with the construction of the G. Allen Mebane IV Industrial Training Center and a Professional Truck Driver Institute certified truck driving range.
• Construction of an Industrial Training Center on the Dobson campus in 2014 to feature a Computer-Integrated Machining program.
“Under Shockley’s headship, Surry Community College is now a top-tier community college due to its integration of information technologies,” the school said.
Connolly nominated Shockley in a competitive selection process whereby an eight-page narrative is submitted and candidates are interviewed by an awards committee.
“The awards process emphasizes accomplishments that recipients have led in the past three years at their institutions: demonstrating broad partnerships, technology advancements, workforce education, economic development, advocacy at the local and state level, long-range planning, innovation in program development, and supporting employee development among other criteria,” the college said.
Shockley will be presented with a certificate and plaque at a formal ceremony with details forthcoming from the NC State Board of Community Colleges.
