SANFORD - Lisa M. Chapman, Ed.D., has returned home.

The former Senior Vice President/Chief Academic Officer at the North Carolina Community College System Office in Raleigh, Dr. Chapman began her presidency of Central Carolina Community College on April 1, 2019. She succeeds the retiring Dr. T. Eston Marchant, who served as CCCC President from Aug. 15, 2008 to April 1, 2019.

Before going to the state level in 2014, Dr. Chapman had been with CCCC for 27 years. At the college, she held the positions of instructor, chair of the Math and Science Department, academic dean, vice president of Academic Affairs/chief academic officer, and executive vice president of instruction/chief academic officer.

"There are no words to describe how honored I am to have this opportunity -- I do not take the responsibility lightly," said Dr. Chapman, who becomes the sixth president of the college. "I am overjoyed to be home where I learned what community colleges are and what our college means to our community.

"I am so proud of CCCC! We are a great college and I look forward to working together to continue the successful support of our students and the communities we serve."

Julian Philpott, CCCC Board of Trustees Chairperson, said of Dr. Chapman: "Dr. Chapman has a strong educational background at CCCC as an instructor and as an administrator prior to her leaving CCCC to serve as a vice president with the North Carolina Community College System office. Dr. Chapman brings a wealth of knowledge and educational and administrative experience with her as she returns to CCCC in her role as CCCC's next president. We know she will continue CCCC's dedication to educational excellence and will effectively lead the institution as it offers the best educational experience possible for its students."

"I'm so pleased for Dr. Chapman and Central Carolina Community College," said Peter Hans, president of the N.C. Community College System. "Dr. Marchant's very successful tenure has established a great foundation for her to build upon. Lisa's leadership skills and passion for the students will help lead CCCC to the next level."

While at the college, Dr. Chapman was instrumental in the establishment of Lee Early College, a partnership between Lee County Schools and CCCC. She was a leader in developing the college's bioprocess technology program, the first in North Carolina, and the barbering program, the first at a community college. She developed the college's Division of Student Learning, whose purpose is to increase student success.

Dr. Chapman has worked to promote excellence in higher education through organizations such as the NCCCS Curriculum Review Committee and the North Carolina Community College and University of North Carolina Comprehensive Articulation Agreement Joint Review Steering Committee.

In 1995, her peers at the college named her CCCC's Instructor of the Year. In 2012, the North Carolina College Personnel Association recognized her for Outstanding Service in Support of the Profession for her continuing efforts to improve instruction at the college level.

Dr. Chapman holds a Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill; Master of Science in Physiology from East Tennessee State University; and Bachelor of Science in Zoology from UNC-Chapel Hill.

She worked as a biologist with the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in Research Triangle Park before coming to CCCC in 1987.

"I worked my last day at NIEHS on Friday, began at the college on Monday and taught my first class on Wednesday ... and fell in love with teaching and working with adult students," said Dr. Chapman.

Dr. Chapman is married to Jeff Chapman, a 1987 CCCC Automotive Technology graduate. Their son, Brandon, earned his Associate in Arts degree at the college. Their daughter, Katie, and daughter-in-law, Lindsay Chapman, have also taken classes at the college toward degrees they received at other institutions.

What does she think makes CCCC such a special place? "Our college has always placed our students and their learning as the top priority," said Dr. Chapman. "In addition, we value and respect all our college family and embrace the importance of our service to our communities.

"I love our college and I am happy to be home!"

To learn more about Central Carolina Community College, visit the website www.cccc.edu.