CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A North Carolina college said "goodbye" to its former president credited with the campus's years-long enrollment success. 

What You Need To Know

  • South Piedmont Community College is one of many colleges in the state experiencing enrollment growth 

  • The college is saying farewell to its president, Dr. Maria Pharr, who's credited with helping boost the college's growth

  • Pharr has accepted a new position in eastern North Carolina, close to her hometown 

  •  The former SPCC leader shares a message to the successor stepping into her shoes

Dr. Maria Pharr has been serving as South Piedmont Community College president since 2017. 

Under her leadership, from 2019-2023, SPCC says the college has seen a boost in enrollment.

"We've grown in enrollment almost 19%," Pharr said. "Where that really matters is where we have made a difference for our student success rates. We've implemented support systems, new ways of educating students, where we are narrowing the achievement gap between different groups of students, by 35% in one year. I think that speaks volumes."

SPCC also expanded partnerships with universities like Mars Hill and Wingate, giving more affordable and seamless pathways to higher education.

"It has really transformed the way students can experience education," Pharr said. 

But this chapter with Pharr as president is closing for the South Piedmont community. 

Pharr is relocating to eastern North Carolina to be closer to her loved ones. 

"Going back to eastern North Carolina is truly like going home," Pharr said. "I grew up in Havelock and moved to Greenville in 2011. I stayed there until I came here to be president at [SPCC]. So a lot of my family are close to [Pitt Community College] and the community is one I'm familiar with."

Although Pharr is relocating miles from the counties of Union and Anson, she'll continue being a leader in the higher education sector. 

Pharr has accepted the role as president for Pitt Community College, a campus known for being a partner for economic and workforce development in their community.

Like many colleges, Pharr says one of her priorities is to continue focusing on ways to support student enrollment. 

Data from N.C. Community Colleges System shows their highest one-year enrollment jump in 15 years. The system credits much of the statewide growth to marketing, more students feeling comfortable after the pandemic and spikes in dual enrollment programs.

Pharr says keeping up with enrollment increases can be tough for college leaders. She says enrollment funding for the state's 58 community colleges comes from the North Carolina General Assembly.

"We're funded based on what we did in the prior year. So, at this point, we're really looking for enrollment growth funding from the general assembly," Pharr said. 

A bill filed in the state house this year would have established an enrollment increase reserve to provide community colleges funds that account for enrollment boosts.

However, that bill never made it out of committee.

A number of reports show the N.C. Community Colleges System has been calling on state leaders to take necessary funding actions that account for the growth. 

"I think for all community colleges, especially those that are growing quickly, that enrollment growth funding is critical," Pharr said. "That's going to allow us to have the programming for the influx of students [we get in this current year]."

In the meantime, Pharr leaves behind advice for her SPCC successor, as they tackle these and other campus needs head on. 

"Believe in the people here," Pharr said. "All the accomplishments at SPCC are not do to one person, it's everybody."

Currently, SPCC has not selected a new official president. Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services/CFO Michelle Brock is currently serving as interim president. 

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