The Richmond Community College Board of Trustee’s choice of a hometown candidate for the college’s next president was given a thumb’s up by the state community college board Thursday afternoon.

Ellerbe native Dr. William “Dale” McInnis is poised to take over the college’s chief executive position. President Dr. Sharon Morrissey’s resignation will become effective at the end of next month.

“Personally, it makes me feel very proud to receive the support and encouragement from people I’ve known for many years and from those I’ve just met,” McInnis said after the announcement. “I am thankful for a board of trustees who have confidence in me and who will support me. We are fortunate to have such an engaged and committed board.”

He said the cornerstones of his decision-making process have always been, and will continue to be, based on three questions: “What will it mean to the students? How will it impact the students? How will it help the students?”

“We are positioned to meet students’ needs both as individuals and as a group,” he said. “In talking with current students and with graduates, you find their learning goals change while they are here. Our goal is to help them continually visit and revisit their personal goals so they can exceed their own expectations. Their success depends upon their relationships with our outstanding faculty and staff.”

During his seven-plus years with the college, McInnis has served first as vice president for administration, executive vice president for administration and since November 2007 as the college’s executive vice president.

He said that though his experience at the college shorten his learning curve, there is still much to be learned.

“I appreciate the history of this college and want to build upon it and look to the future for opportunities that allow us to expand our partnerships with the county commissioners, the public schools, local businesses and industries, and with other agencies who work with us and with our students,” McInnis said.

Current RCC President Dr. Sharon Morrissey is leaving at the beginning of March to accept a position with the N.C. Community College System Office in Raleigh as Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Services and Chief Academic Officer.

“I congratulate Dale and feel very comfortable with his leadership abilities,” Morrissey said. “It is good for the college that this decision has been made, because it will mean a smooth transition in leadership. Since he knows the college’s inner workings and employees know him, the college can continue to move forward seamlessly in its goals of serving our students and communities.”

McInnis was first hired by an institution of higher learning in 1992 when he became a business instructor for Montgomery Community College. He would later become the college’s vice president for administrative services, then take the same position at South Piedmont Community College in Polkton.

He has also worked as an adjunct professor for the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in business management in 1988.

McInnis holds post-secondary degrees from Campbell University, where he earned a Master of Business Administration degree in 1991, and North Carolina State University, where he earned a Doctorate in Higher Education Administration in 2002.

North Carolina Community College State Board Chairwoman Hilda Pinnix-Ragland said it was satisfying to see McInnis rise through the ranks to the top executive position at a community college.

“In approving Dr. McInnis as the new president of Richmond Community College, the state board is pleased to recognize the achievements and leadership of someone who has ‘grown up’ in our system,” Pinnix-Ragland said. “We look forward to watching how he, his trustees and his faculty and staff shape the future of RCC.”

North Carolina Community College System President Dr. Scott Ralls also offered his reaction to the state board’s approval.

“Dr. Dale McInnis is an excellent choice for president of Richmond Community College,” Ralls said. “His history in the community and his experience at the college has laid a strong foundation for his ability to lead RCC to continued success.”

“This is where I have always wanted to be, and I’m very happy to be here at RCC,” McInnis said in closing.

Staff Writer Philip D. Brown can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 32, or by e-mail at pbrown@yourdailyjournal.com.