Dr. Garrett D. Hinshaw, president of Catawba Valley Community College in Hickory, was recently named President of the Year by the State Board of Community Colleges.  

Hinshaw became the college’s third president in 2006. During his tenure, he has strengthened the college’s role in economic development efforts, making it a valuable tool in industry recruitment efforts. Under his leadership, partnerships between CVCC and Local Education Agencies (LEAs) have thrived, particularly through “Education Matters in the Catawba Valley,” a program created by Hinshaw in which career education is provided to public school students to increase graduation and postsecondary enrollment rates.

With the support of the faculty, staff, trustees, CVCC Foundation and community, Hinshaw has led a transformation of the college that has helped redefine the region's economy. 

“This is a tremendous recognition for Dr. Hinshaw and the college,” said CVCC trustee chair Charles Preston. “We are appreciative of all the work he has done as president.” 

Hinshaw helped transform the college’s former hosiery technology center into a research and development service called the Manufacturing Solutions Center in Conover. The MSC helps businesses and start-ups from across the United States design, research or develop products and processes that help them compete in a global market. 

Hinshaw guided the opening of the CVCC ValleySim Hospital in 2011. The first of its kind on any North Carolina college or university campus, the ValleySim Hospital utilizes high-fidelity patient manikins to simulate real-life illnesses and diseases for safe student learning. 
     
Working with faculty and industry leaders, Hinshaw made career enhancement opportunities available to students through participation in SkillsUSA. CVCC students increased their employability by competing in—and winning—numerous state and national technical career skills competitions. 

Dr. Hinshaw’s leadership was instrumental in the college being selected in 2013 as one of three community college partners with Lorain County Community College (Ohio) and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation to spearhead the pilot phase of Innovation Fund America (IFA).