The State Board of Community Colleges named Maria Pharr to serve as president of Pitt Community College.
Pharr has been president of South Piedmont Community College in Monroe since January 2017, but was assistant vice president for academic affairs at Pitt Community College from July 2011 to January 2014.
Starting Aug. 13, she will become only the sixth president of Pitt Community College in its 63-year history and the first woman in the post. She replaces Lawrence Rouse, who retired in June after six years.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as next president of Pitt Community College and look forward to contributing to the college’s legacy of leadership excellence,” Pharr said in a release. “As one of the top institutions in the North Carolina Community College System, PCC has been a catalyst for workforce development in eastern North Carolina and a place where individuals can cultivate the skills and talents needed to realize their dreams and enhance their lives. I believe our best days are ahead, and I’m excited about leading the college to its highest potential.”
South Piedmont, which serves students in Union and Anson counties, had 6,324 students in the spring semester this year. Pitt Community College had 11,344 students in the same time period.
Pharr earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from St. Andrews University in Laurinburg in 1987 and a master’s degree in science education from East Carolina University in 2000. She received a doctorate in higher education administration from ECU in 2014.
Pharr says becoming president at Pitt Community College is a chance “to weave together the elements” of her “experience, passion and values to enhance the lives” of Pitt County residents. Pharr was a field chemist for the N.C. Department of Agriculture for 14 years before joining the biology faculty at Lenoir Community College in 2001.
Pharr’s 14 years of experience as a community college administrator set her apart from a strong pool of candidates for the Pitt Community College job, says PCC trustees Chair Charles Ellis.
Pharr grew up in the Craven County town of Havelock, about 60 miles southeast of Greenville. While Pitt Community College’s assistant vice president, she helped it meet accreditation standards, improve distance learning programming and strengthen collaboration with Pitt County Schools.
She was also instrumental in developing a partnership with N.C. Wesleyan University that gave PCC students a chance to earn associate and bachelor’s degrees on the Pitt campus within three years.
“I had the pleasure of working with Dr. Pharr when she first came to PCC and found her to be a dedicated, creative and thoughtful leader,” PCC Interim President Ricky Brown said in a press release. “The college will be in excellent hands with Dr. Pharr leading the way, and I look forward to welcoming her back to Winterville.”
Pharr left Pitt Community College to become the N.C. Community College System’s executive director of BioNetwork and Life Science Initiatives, a position she held for three years. While at South Piedmont Community College, ienrollment increased 18.6% while systemwide community college enrollment declined 4% within the same timeframe.
Pharr also worked at Craven Community College from 2004 to 2011, the last two years as dean of arts and sciences.