WELDON – Dr. Michael Elam, former president of Roanoke-Chowan Community College (RCCC), is among the six finalists seeking to become the next leader of Halifax Community College (HCC).

In a press release sent Oct. 29 from Michael Felt, Chairman of the HCC Board of Trustees, Elam was announced as a possible replacement for current HCC President Dr. Ervin V. Griffin, Sr..

Felt said Griffin announced his retirement earlier this year, effective Feb. 1, 2017. A presidential search committee, appointed by Felt, was formed during the summer months.

That committee received 38 total applications. From those, the committee narrowed the field to six finalists. The finalists have been given to the HCC Board of Trustees for the completion of the interview process.

“The Trustees and I are pleased with the number and experience level of the applicants that have applied to lead our institution,” Felt said.

Each of the six finalists will be brought in for day-long interviews over a time period of Nov. 14-22, Felt said.

Elam served as President of Roanoke-Chowan Community College in Ahoskie from 2013-2016.  He previously served as Interim Chancellor at Central Louisiana Technical Community College in Alexandria, La. (2012-2013), President of College of the Mainland in Texas City, Texas (2009-2011) and Vice President for Student Development at Daytona State College in Daytona Beach, Fla. (1999-2009).  He also served as Interim Chancellor at SOWELA Technical Community College in Lake Charles, La.

Dr. Elam received his Bachelor’s degree in Zoology from Howard University, his Master’s degree in Student Personnel and Administration from Howard University and his Ed.D in Education in Higher Education Leadership from Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

After leaving RCCC earlier this year, Elam was among the finalists interviewing for the Wayne Community College president’s job back in June. He also was a candidate to replace the retiring Elaine White as Superintendent of Bertie County Public Schools.

In both potential employment opportunities, the leadership of those educational venues chose another candidate.

Others interviewing for the HCC job include:

Dr. Mark J. Felsheim has served as Vice President of the Oak Creek Campus of Milwaukee Area Technical College since 2013.  Simultaneously, he has served as a private consultant since 2011.  He has also served as Chief Academic Officer and Interim Director for DeVry University and Keller Graduate School of Management (2012-2013), Vice President of Student Affairs at Hennepin Technical College in Minnesota (2009-2011), Dean of Instructional Support, Services and Technology Lead on new program development and articulation at Century Community and Technical College in Minnesota (2000-2009) and Chief Academic Officer and Director of Continuing Education/Customized Training at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College (1989-1996).  Dr. Felsheim earned his Bachelor’s degree in Broad Field Social Studies, his Master’s degree in Educational Administration and his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Dr. Deryl D. Fulmer has served as Vice President of Academic Affairs/Chief Academic Officer/SACSCOC Liaison at Halifax Community College since 2013.  She previously served as Vice President of Instruction/Chief Academic Officer for Lakeshore Technical College in Cleveland, Wis. (2011-2013), Associate Vice-President for Learner Success at Madison Area Technical College in Madison, Wis. (2008-2011), and Assistant Provost/Interim Dean for Liberal Arts and Sciences at Milwaukee Area Technical College in Milwaukee, Wis. (2006-2008).  Dr. Fulmer earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, her Master’s degree in Cultural Foundations of Education and her Ph.D. in Urban Education—Administrative Leadership/Adult Education, both from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Dr. Joyce Johnson has served as Vice President for Instruction and Student Development/Chief Academic Officer/Accreditation (SACSCOC) Liaison at Piedmont Community College since 2015. She previously served as Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs/Accreditation (SACSCOC) Liaison at Bennett College in Greensboro, N.C. (2012-2014), Vice President for Academic Affairs/Chief Academic Officer at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, S.C. (2009-2012), and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Saint Augustine’s University in Raleigh (2000-2009).  Dr. Johnson earned both her Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree in History and Education from NC Central University.  She earned her Ph.D. in U.S. Women’s and Peace History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Dr. Daryl L. Minus has served as Vice President of Student Services and Enrollment Management at Cape Fear Community College since 2015. In addition, he has served as Executive Vice President for Learning and Student Success at Craven Community College (2012-2015), Vice President for Student Services at Craven Community College (2009–2012), Dean of Student Services at Tidewater Community College at the Virginia Beach Campus (2007–2009), Dean of Counseling at Chabot College in Hayward, California (2006–2007), and Dean of Learning Support Services at Bakersfield College in Bakersfield, California (2004–2005).  Dr. Minus earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from Hampton University, his Master’s Degree in Business Education/Higher Education from New York University and his Ed.D in Educational Leadership from the University of Phoenix.

Dr. Keith Smith has served as Associate Vice President of Community and Governmental Affairs at Nash Community College since 2007.  In addition, he has served as Dean of Continuing Education at Nash Community College (2006-2007), Dean for Student Development at Nash Community College (2000-2006), Director of Admissions and Recruitment for Shaw University (1995-2000) and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at Shaw University (1991-1995).  Dr. Smith earned his Bachelor’s degree in Speech and Theater from North Carolina A&T State University, his Master’s degree in Education/Education Media from North Carolina A&T State University and his Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration from NC State University.

Throughout the process, HCC and the search committee have been aided by the North Carolina Association of Community College Trustees (NCACCT). The organization “was established to provide trustees an organization for furtherance of the aims, goals and development of North Carolina community colleges,” according to their website. Led by Dr. Donny Hunter, HCC’s presidential search is one of many that NCACCT has successfully completed.