Elizabeth City – College of The Albemarle (COA) Board of Trustees held a swearing-in ceremony for new and reappointed members on August 8, 2024. Those unable to participate that evening were sworn in prior to the Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees on August 13, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. at COA – Elizabeth City. During the Regular Meeting, Tommy Fulcher, vice-chair, was approved as chair of the Board. Selina Jarvis was approved as the new vice-chair. Also, during the meeting, David Harris, the immediate past chair of the Board, was honored for his service as chair and as an outgoing member, serving on the COA Board of Trustees since 2016.
The COA Board of Trustees experienced significant growth this year due to legislative changes affecting the local governing bodies of community colleges in North Carolina. The board grew from 19 to 25 members, including the COA Student Government President (SGA) as a non-voting, ex officio member. The board membership now includes House and Senate appointments and the county commissioners’ appointments. Local boards of education no longer appoint trustees to community college boards.
Lola Nowell-Rountree signs her oath of office during the Board of Trustees ceremony on August 8, 2024.
David Harris, immediate past chair and trustee, was recognized for his many years of service to the COA Board of Trustees
The following are new appointees to the Board of Trustees:
- Gerry Anderson – Pasquotank County
- Ellis Lawrence – Chowan County
- Will Norrell – Senate Appointment – Pasquotank
- Lola Nowell-Rountree – Gates County
- Tanya Turner – Perquimans County
- Tom White – Camden County
- Da’Shanalynn Miller – SGA President
The following are reappointments to the Board of Trustees:
- Travis Burke – House Appointment – Pasquotank – Serving since 2011
- Selina Jarvis – Currituck County – Serving since 2020
- Denauvo Robinson – Pasquotank County – Serving since 2021
- Graham Twine – Gates County – Serving since 2012
- Emily Walker – Currituck County – Serving since 2021
- Robert “Bob” Woodard – Dare County – Serving since 2017
“We are incredibly grateful for the commitment and dedication of our Board of Trustees,” shared Dr. Jack Bagwell, COA President. “This year, we are especially excited to welcome a broader representation of our service area, bringing even more diverse expertise, backgrounds, and perspectives to our board. College of The Albemarle is steadfast in its mission to transform lives across the communities we serve, and our Board of Trustees plays a pivotal role in helping us achieve our strategic goals and vision for the future.”