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Three North Carolina community college presidents were recently selected for the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program’s second cohort of the Aspen Presidents Fellowship: Isothermal Community College’s Dr. Margaret Annunziata, Piedmont Community College’s Dr. Pamela Senegal, and Forsyth Technical Community College’s Dr. Janet Spriggs.
Twenty-five leaders from across the country were selected for the fellowship, which includes year-long professional development designed to support each president’s development of their college’s student success efforts.
“Community colleges educate millions of diverse students every year who are relying on them to deliver the education and credentials they need for a fulfilling life and career,” said Josh Wyner, executive director of the College Excellence Program. “I am delighted that these 25 accomplished presidents have committed to strengthening their institutions’ strategies to ensure that more students achieve those aims.”
Spriggs and Senegal were both selected for Aspen’s New Presidents Fellowship in 2020, along with Central Carolina Community College’s Dr. Lisa Chapman and Pitt Community College’s Dr. Maria Pharr, who was president of South Piedmont Community College at the time.
The three North Carolina leaders join Dr. John Enamait, president of Stanly Community College, who was selected for the 2023-24 Presidents Fellowship.
Throughout the program, which is sponsored by JPMorgan Chase, fellows will analyze their college’s outcomes and develop evidence-based plans for achieving “high and equitable levels of student success,” according to an Aspen release.
Of this year’s cohort, 52% of fellows are women and 44% are people of color, according to the release. The 25 presidents join a network of 375 fellowship alumni, including 176 current community college presidents.
The program aims to strengthen community college leadership, particularly as leadership transitions increase. In 2020, Aspen said that nearly 80% of community college presidents nationwide aim to retire in the next decade.
“Aspen connects and supports this growing network of community college reform leaders with opportunities for targeted professional development, research briefings, and convenings at national conferences.”
Aspen press release
The three North Carolina presidents selected each embody the program’s aim to increase access, completion, and post-graduation success for more students.
Serving Rutherford and Polk counties, Isothermal’s Annunziata said she is excited to share her learnings over the next year with her community. She became president of the college in 2021, after working at Davidson-Davie Community College for over 23 years.
“I am honored to have been selected for this program,” Annunziata said. “This is a group with a wealth of experience and knowledge. I believe this opportunity will allow me to better support the college and the people we serve.”
Piedmont’s Senegal echoed similar sentiments for her community in Caswell and Person counties.
“This is an incredible opportunity for not only myself, but for PCC as I will learn from other leaders in higher education on best practices to help our students achieve their goals,” said Senegal, who has served as Piedmont’s president since 2017.
Spriggs, who was recently recognized as “a Power Player” for the fourth time by the Triad Business Journal, also said in a college press release that she is honored to be a part of this year’s fellowship. Spriggs has served as president at Forsyth Tech since 2019.
“This opportunity allows me to collaborate with some of the most innovative leaders in higher education as we work to address the challenges facing community colleges today,” she said. “I am excited to bring new insights and strategies back to Forsyth Tech to continue our mission of empowering students and transforming lives.”
You can view bios and photos of the Aspen Presidents Fellows on the institute’s website.
Editor’s note: Dr. Pamela Senegal serves on EdNC’s board of directors.
