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Wake Tech welcomes President Scott Ralls

Dr. Scott Ralls officially took the helm as fourth president of Wake Technical Community College today. He succeeds Dr. Stephen Scott, who served as president for 15 years before retiring last August.

“It’s a real honor to be chosen to lead this great institution,” said Dr. Ralls. “Wake Tech is a truly exciting and innovative learning community. I look forward to getting to know our students – and to working with our dedicated faculty and staff. I don’t plan to miss a beat – I’ll hit the ground running, to continue building on Wake Tech’s long record of success.” 

Prior to being selected as president of North Carolina’s largest community college, Dr. Ralls served as president of Northern Virginia Community College for three and a half years. He has also served as president of the North Carolina Community College System and as president of Craven Community College in New Bern. He has worked for the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Department of Labor.

He comes to Wake Tech at a time of continued enrollment growth for the college. Wake Tech serves the equivalent of one in 10 Wake County adults, and 25% of Wake County high school graduates. Dr. Ralls will oversee multiple college expansion projects as a result of the $349 million county bond initiative that passed decisively last fall. Wake Tech is also deeply involved in crafting a new strategic plan to carry it forward over the next five years.

Dr. Ralls is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Distinguished Public Service award from the North Carolina Chamber, and our state’s highest civilian honor, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. He earned a bachelor’s degree from UNC-Chapel Hill and holds master’s and doctorate degrees in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from the University of Maryland.

About Wake Technical Community College: Wake Tech is North Carolina’s largest community college, serving more than 74,000 adults annually, with six campuses, three training centers, multiple community sites, and a comprehensive array of online learning options. Wake Tech is accredited and offers more than 240 associate’s degrees, diplomas, and certificates that prepare students for university transfer or immediate employment. The college offers non-credit continuing education programs that include customized workforce training, small business support, public safety officer training, basic skills courses such as English as a Second Language and high school equivalency preparation, and other courses for personal enrichment. Wake Tech also serves high school students at the Wake Early College of Health and Sciences, Vernon Malone College and Career Academy, and North Wake College and Career Academy, in partnership with Wake County Public Schools. For more information, visit www.waketech.edu, www.twitter.com/waketechcc, and www.facebook.com/waketechcc.

Staff

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