McDowell Tech President Brian Merritt to join System as new Senior VP, Chief Academic Officer
The North Carolina Community College System announced Dr. Brian Merritt, President at McDowell Technical Community College, as Senior Vice President and Chief Academic Officer of Programs and Student Services, following a vote of the State Board of Community Colleges on Friday.
Merritt, who has led McDowell Tech in Marion since January 2021, will be responsible for providing a strategic vision and senior leadership to the Programs and Student Services division within the System Office in addition to the 58 community colleges across the state. He also will help lead the development of new and innovative programs that address the state’s educational and workforce development needs.
“Dr. Merritt has experience both as a Chief Academic Officer and as a President at our colleges. He has a strong reputation for success and will have an immediate connection with our System Chief Academic Officers, Presidents and System Office team,” said System President Jeff Cox. “Beyond the stellar experience Dr. Merritt brings to this role, he is just an outstanding person. He is a collaborative leader who works well in a team environment. He listens to others and seeks out the wisdom of the group before making key decisions. This kind of thoughtful, collaborative leadership is exactly what I am looking for on our Senior Team.”
Merritt’s is an experienced higher education experience at colleges and universities across the state. Prior to McDowell Tech, Merritt was vice president at Central Carolina Community College. He also served at North Carolina Central University, Louisburg College, and Appalachian State.
“Joining NCCCS under Dr. Cox’s leadership is a tremendous opportunity to serve and help strengthen the Great 58,” Merritt said. “This position directly aligns with my background and experience in academic affairs, workforce development, student services, and institutional advancement. This System has given so much to me, and I am excited about the opportunity to give back to it.”
In 2020, Merritt was chosen as one of 40 leaders for the 2020-2021 class of the Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship, a highly selected, national leadership program that prepares the next generation of community college presidents to transform institutions to achieve higher and more equitable levels of student success.
“I’ve seen first-hand the positive difference that a strong strategic plan can make, especially when it is aligned with the right stakeholders. The new NCCCS strategic plan is aligned with myFutureNC’s attainment goal, among other key partners, and has a set of ambitious objectives that can help our 58 colleges collectively develop a competitive and agile workforce,” Merritt said. “My time as president taught me that intentional alignment of our work with the strategic plan can inspire our faculty and staff to drive new, innovative workforce solutions for our communities.”
Merritt received his bachelor’s degree in Secondary Social Sciences Education and a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from Appalachian State University. He also earned a Doctorate of Higher Education Administration from Walden University.
“We know North Carolina recently repeated as Top State in the U.S. for Business. My top priority will be to leverage the strengths of our team at the System Office and to work closely with our 58 colleges to serve our workforce and help develop talent solutions that serve our state well,” Merritt said. “I am a collaborator at heart, and I look forward to helping our System find the right balance between serving local workforce needs while also collaborating regionally and statewide to boost economic and social mobility for more North Carolinians.”
Merritt will join the System Office September 1.
