Presidential Search

A Legacy of Leadership: JSCC President Jay Carraway to Retire in February 2026

With deep gratitude and admiration, James Sprunt Community College announces the retirement of President Jay Carraway, a leader whose vision, dedication, and heart have profoundly shaped our college and community. After six years of extraordinary service as president and a remarkable 43-year career in education, President Carraway will retire in February 2026, leaving behind a legacy of growth, innovation, and family spirit that will forever define JSCC.

In his message to faculty and staff, Carraway reflected,

“Serving as President of JSCC has been the most meaningful and rewarding period of my 43-year career in education. Since I joined this incredible community on April 29, 2019, we have accomplished so much together.”

In announcing his retirement, Carraway emphasized his commitment to serving with excellence until his final day. His legacy of growth, innovation, and family spirit ensures that James Sprunt Community College is positioned for an even brighter future.

Looking ahead, the Board of Trustees will soon begin the Presidential Search to identify the next leader of JSCC. We invite our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members to join in this critical process by completing the survey below and sharing the qualities and attributes you believe are most vital in our next president. Your voice matters, and together, we will help shape the next chapter of James Sprunt Community College.

Presidential Search Committee

The Presidential Search Committee will review confidential applications, interview semifinalist candidates and identify the final candidates to be forwarded to the Board of Trustees for consideration. We are fortunate to have a broad array of distinguished individuals who are willing to support the College with this important process.

The Board of Trustees wishes to sincerely thank all of you who submitted responses to the Presidential Search Survey. Those responses were used by the search committee to help create the presidential position ad, which is now posted below.

James Sprunt Community College Profile

James Sprunt Community College maintains a tradition of quality education begun in Duplin County over 200 years ago with the founding of Grove Academy, a private academy for boys, in 1784.

James Sprunt Institute was given a permanent home in August 1964 when the County Commissioners appropriated funds to purchase a beautiful 53.18-acre campus site located one mile south of Kenansville, North Carolina. A $265,000 training facility was constructed, opening its doors in the fall of 1966. In 2015, the college opened a multi-campus workforce development site at WestPark in Warsaw, North Carolina. Construction is underway for a $14 million workforce development center, set to open in 2026 on the main campus.

On July 1, 1971, James Sprunt Institute was chartered as a technical institute within the North Carolina Community College System, with a twelve-member Board of Trustees. In 1986, it became a comprehensive community college. The College now enrolls over 1,700 students in at least one curriculum course each year and serves over 7,000 individuals annually through some form of instruction. Students now enroll in one of over 26 different curricula that include degree, diploma and certificate programs in a wide variety of occupational fields and college transfer or enroll in one of the college’s continuing education programs that included literary education, occupational extension and community education. Since 2018 the college’s operating budget has more than doubled to over $22 million dollars.

James Sprunt is one of the 58 institutions that comprise the North Carolina Community College System. It is located in rural eastern North Carolina, one hour and a half from Raleigh, the state capital, and approximately one hour from Wilmington and the North Carolina coast. Kenansville is the county seat for Duplin County, the home of James Sprunt. In addition, Dr. Dallas Herring, recognized as the “father” of the NCCCS served on the JSCC Board of Trustees.

Under the leadership of six capable presidents, the college has developed several innovative programs, many of which have become state or national models. The college is seeking a dynamic, able and visionary leader to continue the tradition of excellence that exists today and possesses a heartfelt dedication to student success.

Presidential Candidate Ad

James Sprunt Community College, one of 58 institutions that comprise the North Carolina Community College System, is seeking a dynamic, capable and visionary president to lead the College into the future. Celebrating over 60 years dedicated to educational excellence and a deep commitment to student success, this person will report to the twelve-member Board of Trustees responsible for the oversight of the policy direction guiding the College.

The President serves as the chief administrative/chief executive officer and is directly responsible to the Board of Trustees, through the Board Chair, for the College’s operation and management. The President serves as the non-voting Secretary to the Board of Trustees.

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and abilities required to satisfactorily perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

An earned Doctorate from an accredited institution is required. Minimum requirements include three years of demonstrated, exemplary educational leadership in a comprehensive community college at the level of dean or vice president or above, including the ability to effectively work with a variety of constituencies – including education, business, industry, workforce development, community and governmental entities; ability to work effectively with a college foundation and to develop alternate sources of funding; record of positive staff leadership and cooperative team building; commitment to creating and maintaining a climate for personal, professional and institutional growth and development and sensitivity to multi-cultural issues and a commitment to diversity with the college community.

It is the Board’s expectation that the President will reside in the service area.

The application period for the James Sprunt Community College Presidential Search is now closed. The Executive Leadership Associates (ELA) and the James Sprunt Community College Board of Trustees have identified four finalists who will take part in interviews and open forums during December.

James Sprunt Community College is an equal opportunity educational institution and employer. The college does not practice nor condone discrimination in any form against students, employees or applicants on the grounds of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age disability or political affiliation consistent with those laws that affect the institution.

James Sprunt Community College Presidential Finalists Announced

James Sprunt Community College’s Board of Trustees has narrowed the search for the college’s next President to four candidates.

Those candidates are:

Dr. Dean Roughton, who is currently serving as Vice President of Institutional Research, Planning, Effectiveness and Technology; SACSCOC Accreditation Liaison at College of The Albemarle in Elizabeth City, NC.

Dr. Robin Ross, who is currently serving as Vice President of K64 and Talent Development at Catawba Valley Community College in Hickory, NC.

Dr. Shannon Hair, who is currently serving as Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Development at Danville Community College in Danville, VA.

Dr. Dustin Walston, who currently serves as Vice President of Curriculum/Chief Academic Officer at James Sprunt Community College in Kenansville, NC.

Click here to learn more about each finalist!

We Invite You to the Public Forums

Following protocol established by the North Carolina Community College System, the Board of Trustees forwarded the names of the finalists to the State Board of Community Colleges and received their approval. The four candidates have been invited to the college for public forums in which community members, students, faculty, and staff will have an opportunity to meet with the candidates.

The forums will be held on December 9, 10, 15, and 16 at 3:30 p.m. in the Monk Auditorium of the Hoffler Building at James Sprunt Community College. A virtual attendance option will also be available, with access details shared prior to the forums. Following each forum, participants will have the opportunity to share their perceptions anonymously of the candidate, which will then be shared with the Board of Trustees.

The schedule of candidates are as follows:

December 9 – Dr. Dean Roughton

December 10 – Dr. Robin Ross

December 15 – Dr. Shannon Hair

December 16 – Dr. Dustin Walston

The board plans to have the new president in place by February 1, 2026.