On March 1st, Sampson Community College will welcome Dr. Bill Starling as its sixth President and he has already replaced his former seat at the college.

Starling’s former role of Vice President of Academic Affairs and Administration will transition to the Vice President of Academic Affairs, focusing on curriculum programs and academic support.

Wanda Capps, currently Division Chair for Health Programs, will be promoted to the position of Vice President of Academic Affairs. Capps brings three decades of experience from Sampson Community College to her new role.

“I am extremely humbled and excited to move into the VP of Academic Affairs position,” Capps said. “It provides me with the opportunity to give back to an institution which does so much good for students, faculty, staff and our community in a different role.”

Capps received her Bachelor’s degree in Nursing in 1985 and followed that up with her Master’s degree in Nursing Education at East Carolina University and her Graduate Certificate in Community College Teaching from NC State. She has also earned several teaching awards over the years at SCC and won the college’s Excel Award in 2006.

Capps initiated and directed the achievement of National Accreditation for the Practical Nursing and Associate Degree Nursing Programs at SCC by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.

Only six Practical Nursing Programs out of the 37 offered in the North Carolina Community College System have achieved this designation. Out of 55 Associate Degree Programs in the state, only 19 are nationally accredited.

Says Capps, “My hope is to continue to move the college forward in meeting the needs of our students, our community as well as the needs of the faculty and staff.  As part of the SCC team, I hope to bring enthusiasm which fosters and focuses on building what has already been established while initiating new programs.”

Capps also established the Emergency Medical Science and Medical Assisting programs at the college, as well as the first online option for the nursing department. She begins her new role on March 1^st.

PHOTO: Wanda Capps, SCC Vice President of Academic Affairs, and Dr. Bill Starling, SCC President.