Thomas Stith III the next president of the NC Community College System

A native of Durham, Thomas A. Stith III was named by the State Board of Community Colleges as a new system president. The State Board of Community Colleges voted in a 10:00 am board meeting.

The unanimous vote to approve Stith was held without discussion during the meeting, and no one else was nominated at that time.

Stith said he is excited about the job and that his first priority will be ensuring the state's 58 community colleges have financial sustainability. 

State Board of Community Colleges Chairman Breeden Blackwell called Stith "a proven leader with a broad network of relationships."

He was named the District Director of the Small Business Association in September of 2019 and prior to that co-founded The Michael Thomas Group, a consulting firm that advises clients seeking business development opportunities in the public and private sectors. Stith is a graduate of North Carolina Central University with a master’s and a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

“Best of luck and good wishes to Thomas Stith III in leading the best Community College system in USA,” said NC Senator Deanna Ballard.

He succeeds interim President William Carver and former President Peter Hans, who became president of the University of North Carolina System in August. 

Thomas served as Chief of Staff to Governor Pat McCrory from 2013 to 2017 and was a councilman for the City of Durham from 1999 to 2007.