State Board of Community Colleges approves new president for Davidson County Community College

RALEIGH – The State Board of Community Colleges today (Sept. 21) approved the selection of Dr. Darrin Hartness as president of Davidson County Community College.

A career educator and administrator, Hartness has spent the past seven years as superintendent of Davie County Schools. He earned his doctoral degree in educational leadership and master’s degree in curriculum and instruction and instructional systems technology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He earned his bachelor’s degree in industrial arts and secondary education from Appalachian State University.

Hartness will begin work at DCCC in January, succeeding Dr. Mary Rittling, who is retiring in December after 15 years as president.

In other action, the board:

• Approved an addition to the State Board of Community Colleges Code that establishes a process local boards of trustees must follow when hiring college presidents. The rule will take effect Oct. 1.
• Approved a new Associate in Applied Science degree in agribusiness technology at Edgecombe Community College, beginning in spring 2019.
• Allocated $199,900 in federal Perkins Act funds to support improvement of career and technical education career pathways linking high schools and community colleges. The funds will go to Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, Cleveland Community College, James Sprunt Community College, Johnston Community College, Randolph Community College, Rockingham Community College and Western Piedmont Community College. They were chosen through a competitive process.
• Allocated $20,000 in federal funds from NC Space Grant to support undergraduate research at Carteret Community College, Davidson County Community College, Edgecombe Community College and Wake Technical Community College.

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