RCC chooses presidential finalists
Jan 24, 2025Rockingham Community College has chosen two finalists in its search for a new president, as Dr. Mark Kinlaw’s March 1 retirement draws near after 10 years at the helm.
Dr. Sylvia Cox from Southeastern Community College in Whiteville, N.C., and Dr. Stacy Waters-Bailey from Forsyth Technical Community College in Winston-Salem, N.C., were among six candidates who visited campus in the last two weeks. Each candidate was scheduled to spend a day on campus to interview with the RCC Board of Trustees, meet with the President’s Cabinet and Dr. Kinlaw, tour campus, and participate in a forum with employees, students and the community.
When the presidential search began in September, the Board of Trustees opted to handle the search internally, rather than bear the large expense of hiring an outside firm. The Trustees appointed a committee to lead the process, whittling down more than 50 applications. The top six hailed from North Carolina, South Carolina, and Kentucky. The two finalists have been forwarded to the North Carolina Community College System Office for further vetting – a new step in the presidential hiring process that allows the State Board of Community Colleges to consider and assess candidates. The RCC Board of Trustees is expected to make its final recommendation to the State in February.
Dr. Sylvia Cox
Dr. Cox has 25 years of experience advancing education and workforce development in the North Carolina Community College System. Since 2021, she has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer at Southeastern Community College (SCC), where she leads academic affairs, workforce development, and student services. Her leadership focuses on strategic planning, program innovation, and fostering student success.
Her career highlights include spearheading initiatives that bridge K-12 and higher education through dual-enrollment opportunities and pathways in advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and technical trades.
Under her guidance, SCC achieved the third-highest enrollment increase among North Carolina’s 58 community colleges in 2022-2023.
She has cultivated partnerships with local industries and community organizations, creating innovative apprenticeship programs and strengthening regional economic development.
As a first-generation college graduate, Dr. Cox is committed to innovation, community impact, and ensuring education remains a tool for empowering individuals and advancing regional growth.
Dr. Cox earned a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Executive Leadership from Wingate University; a Master of Education in Educational Reading from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington; and a Bachelor of Arts in History from North Carolina State University.
Dr. Stacy Waters-Bailey
Dr. Waters-Bailey is an accomplished leader in higher education with over 15 years of experience advancing student success and workforce development. Recognized as an Aspen Rising Presidents Fellow and a member of an American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Commission, she is celebrated for her innovative approaches to education and commitment to student success.
As Vice President for Transfer Excellence and Success at Forsyth Technical Community College, Dr. Waters-Bailey oversees the institution’s largest academic division, driving improvements in student engagement, retention, and learning outcomes.
Her leadership has been instrumental in improving student engagement, learning outcomes, and retention rates. She has led the development and implementation of comprehensive academic and student support programs and services, catering to a diverse student body.
Dr. Waters-Bailey brings expertise in managing accreditation processes, designing academic and student support programs, creating workforce pipelines, and building strong community partnerships.
She earned a Ph.D. in Community College Leadership from Old Dominion University, a Master of Public Administration, and a Bachelor’s in Environmental Studies from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.
