Background

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 N.C. State University.

The interview

Why did you want to apply to be president of HCC?

I think it would be a challenge for me. I’ve been in the community college system going on 17 years. I’ve functioned as a vice president in community governmental affairs. I want to go to the next level, in terms of progression that is were I wanted to go.
I have a connection of sorts with Halifax Community College. My wife is from this area, she’s from Littleton. My mother-in-law, who passed away back in 2003, actually received a certificate from Halifax Community College.
The value of education is at the forefront of why I would want to be president of Halifax Community College.
Education essentially equalizes. If you have a solid education you can do almost anything you want to. Certainly, if you don’t have an education, you won’t go far in this life and when I speak of this life I’m speaking in terms of economy and economic things.

What do you feel you can bring to the table for the college?

I have an array of experience in my educational journey. I currently operate as an associate vice president for community governmental affairs, I’ve worked as dean of student development, I’ve worked as dean of continuing education, I was an intercollegiate athletics director, an upward bound director, sports information director so I’ve seen every facet of this educational arena.
I’ve done so in a two-year setting and a four-year setting.

What would you like to see done at the community college should you get the job?

This area, the Halifax area, Northampton County, we know about some of the issues with respect to the economy, we know the unemployment rate here, but we also know that as far as the college is concerned, there has been a problem with retaining students. It’s not only at Halifax Community College, it’s across the board. If 10 students enrolled in college, five of those are not going to complete that trek. That’s just the way it is and that is the problem. How do fix that? I don’t know. We can certainly try with respect to try to identify what is the obstacle the students have to overcome in order to stay in school.
One that I readily identify is that we have a commuter population and in many instances if a student is not working, getting to school would be a problem, they can’t afford the gas to get to school even though the gas prices have tended to go down over the last few months. But nonetheless that is a big problem for students who commute to school and that creates the accessibility of community college so that would be one thing we can we as a community try to work on.
How can we create a scenario that would allow students to get to the campus of Halifax Community College and not be so draining on their pockets? Can we get sponsorships? Can we get grants? That’s one thing I can readily see that maybe can be used as a strategy to deal with the issue of retention.

Who influenced your decision to get into education?

I was raised by my grandparents. My grandfather had maybe a fourth grade education. My grandmother would actually would be considered as a high school graduate even though she did not graduate, she went to the 10th grade.
One thing that lingered in my head when I would come home from school my grandfather, who thought I was a whiz, would say what did they teach you over at that school today and I said I did this, I did that. It never occurred to me he wanted to share in that experience, in the educational experience and later on it kind of clicked that’s what he was seeking. I was too dumb to realize that and later during the era which I grew up you knew the teachers, you knew the teachers by the last name. Each one of those teachers just poured into me what education is like. I would say the influence of my grandparents and the influences of women in my life propelled me and I would use the term they just kicked my butt to make it through school.

Any favorite book you’ve read or any favorite person you’ve drawn inspiration from the most?

There’s a book I read, it had to do with World War II pilots. I tend to like science fiction, I tend to like books that talk about current issues. One of the most profound books I’ve read is one on the Scottsboro case, which dealt with the Scottsboro Boys. Certainly that book was influential in terms of civil rights of youth at that time.
My stepfather was very much like my grandfather. He had great work ethics. The camaraderie we had, he’s the one who taught to me to drive a car with the column shift. He was an excellent cook, all these things. He was certainly a great influence in my life.

How will the possible change in the state governor’s race change education on the community college level?

The community colleges throughout North Carolina are uniquely positioned to be a favorite of any leadership in our state. They know they have a jewel in the community college system in North Carolina. We’re number three in the country. They can’t argue with that. The proof in is the pudding. The resources across the board have been dwindling so we have to work harder to make some people realize you’re sitting on a gold mine here.