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Collaboration, community, and the challenge of a pandemic: John Gossett reflects on his tenure at MTCC

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On a warm summer morning, John Gossett, president of McDowell Technical Community College, bounded out of his administrative building to welcome us to the college. 

Gossett has served McDowell Tech in a variety of roles since 2012. On July 1, his 32-year career in the North Carolina Community College system will take him to Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, where he will serve as its seventh president. 

We visited McDowell Tech to see nursing students who are receiving face-to-face instruction this summer as they work to finish their coursework so they can join the front lines in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. 

We also had a chance to sit down with Gossett to reflect on his tenure as president of McDowell Tech, the challenges of COVID-19 for his college and others, and his journey as he prepares to take over A-B Tech.

As he looked back on his tenure as president, Gossett told us, “When you asked what I was proud of at MTCC, I’m proud of the relationships we built with our community partners — economic development, Chamber of Commerce, K-12, county commission, city leaders. I think our standing in the community has improved, which is so important for community colleges in rural North Carolina. “

Listen to the full interview below.

Awake58

There are 58 community colleges in the state of North Carolina. This podcast, by EdNC.org, dives deep into top news and commentary on postsecondary education and community colleges by talking to leaders, educators, and students.

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