Stith Named To Lead North Carolina Community College System

The head of the U.S. Small Business Administration in North Carolina is the next president of the state community college system. The State Board of Community Colleges voted unanimously Monday in an online meeting to choose Thomas Stith III to lead the 58-campus system. Stith succeeds Peter Hans, who was at the post for two years before being named president of the University of North Carolina system. Stith was previously Republican Gov. Pat McCrory’s chief of staff and a Durham City Council member. COVID-19 is expected to be an early top priority for Stith. A majority of campus-based instruction occurred online during the fall.