AHOSKIE – If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.

Dr. Stanley J. Elliott used old adage to land the president’s job here at Roanoke-Chowan Community College.

The RCCC Board of Trustees announced last Friday that Elliott will become the ninth president of the local community college. The State Board of Community Colleges approved Dr. Elliott’s position at their meeting held on Sept. 15.

Dr. Elliott is expected to assume the role as President of R-CCC on Oct. 2.

He replaces Dr. Jimmy Tate, who resigned in early August after spending less than one year on the job.

Ironically, Tate was the choice of the R-CCC Trustees last year over Elliott, who had also interviewed for the position and was one of three finalists for the job.

“Dr. Elliott comes to us with a wealth of knowledge and experience that he has gained throughout his educational career,” said R-CCC Board Trustees Chairman Andre Lassiter. “The Board is excited about the opportunity to work with him as he assumes this important leadership role.

“Dr. Elliott has a strong passion in making student-focused decisions that support academic success,” Lassiter added. “We believe that Dr. Elliott will be a visionary leader and a good fit for our staff, students and community. We the members of the R-CCC Board of Trustees along with the faculty and staff welcome Dr. Elliott to our campus.”

A native of Edenton and a graduate of John A. Holmes High School, Dr. Elliott earned a B.S. in Political Science from Elizabeth City State University, a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from North Carolina Central University, and a Ph.D. in Educational Research and Policy Analysis from North Carolina State University. In 2010, he completed the year-long Leadership North Carolina Program.

Dr. Elliott has worked in higher education for over 20 years. Currently, he serves as the Vice President of Student Affairs at Shaw University in Raleigh.

Prior to this appointment, he has held several senior administrative positions, to include Director of the College of Adult and Professional Education, Vice President of Student Affairs, Dean of Students, Assistant Professor, Director of First Year Experience, and ADA Coordinator.

He is a member of various national organizations and is the Founder and President of the Educational Global Group (The EGG); an organization that helps youth in rural areas realize their dream of attaining a college degree. He is active in his church where he works with the Youth and Men’s Ministry and he also serves as a mentor in the public school system.

He is married to the former Dr. Patrena Benton, a seasoned higher education administrator and a native of Northampton County. They have a daughter, Jordan Alexandria, and a son, Sterling Jamison.

In his spare time, Dr. Elliott enjoys outdoor activities and coaching youth sports.