Southeastern Community College recently added three new members to the board of trustees.
Long time educator, finance enthusiast joins board
Brett Burroughs, a Williams Township native, was sworn in as one of three new Board of Trustee members at Southeastern Community College during the board’s regular July meeting. With more than 30 years of education experience, Burroughs is ready to help guide the college in its expansion efforts in campus size and programming.
“My whole life has been dedicated to education,” Burroughs said. “I think I’m one of those people who can relate to the students but also relate to the administration. I’m a ‘go-between’ those two groups, and I have extensive knowledge of finance.”
With a solid foundation in the running of the stock market and making smart financial decisions, Burroughs said his experience with money and education will help guide his decisions as a board member.
“I just want to express my voice, listen to concerns and go back and share those concerns to help this college grow even more than where it is today,” Burroughs said. “I’m looking forward to sharing my input with the board and the president.”
Burrough earned his high school diploma from the former Williams Township High School in 1989. He graduated from SCC in 1991 with an associate of arts degree, and he transferred to East Carolina University to earn his bachelor’s degree in exercise sports science with a concentration in social studies in 1994. He earned his master’s degree in exercise sports science in 2002 from UNC Pembroke, and he went back for another master’s degree in school administration.
Burroughs’ education career began in 1995 at Williams Township School as the In-School Suspension Coordinator. From there, he went on to teach civics and economics classes at South Columbus High School for 29 years.
Throughout his time at SCHS, Burroughs coached football, girls’ varsity basketball and girls’ varsity softball in addition to men’s and women’s tennis. After retiring in June 2022, Burroughs went back to teaching at SCHS in the science and math departments.
“I’m able to talk directly to students who are getting ready to go to Southeastern,” Burroughs said. “Southeastern is a great transition for students wanting to go to these bigger schools, because I needed that buffer going from Williams Township to East Carolina.”
First stepping onto campus in the fall of 1989 as a college freshman versus coming to campus now, Burroughs said he senses a “newness and freshness” to SCC. The facilities built since his graduation look “modern and inviting,” and Burroughs is looking forward to contributing to future growth.
After his initial shock of getting nominated to the SCC Board of Trustees by N.C. Sen. Bill Rabon, Burroughs realized his desire to make education better. Knowing that he had time to dedicate to the college, Burroughs “graciously accepted” the nomination.
“Since I’m retired or semi-retired and after getting over the initial shock, I finally just said to myself, ‘Brett, you can probably do a good job at this and represent Southeastern well,’” Burroughs said.
Commending the expansion of automotive and truck driver training facilities, Burroughs said that providing skilled workers for in-demand jobs will move Columbus County in the right direction. He said that growing, hands-on programs such as nursing, cosmetology, HVAC and engineering are putting students in jobs as soon as they graduate.
To better serve the college, Burroughs said that talking with students and knowing their stories, their struggles and their goals is one of his goals as a trustee. He wants to know how today’s students think and what they are doing to prepare for their future career.
“The students today, the ones between 20 and 35, will rule the world one day,” Burroughs said. “So, I think we need to educate them about finance and AI. That will be the next big step for Southeastern.”
Burroughs said he has always had a desire to serve his community. When he retired from SCHS, Burroughs had intentions of working at Green Sea Floyds High School. When he ruptured his bicep tendon in an accident and could not take the job, Burroughs realized that he should be serving the people of his community instead of one in another state.
“Family and God are number one priority in my life,” Burroughs said. “I’m a deacon at my church at Cherry Grove Baptist Church.”
Burroughs and his wife, Shawn, have three daughters Piper, Indiana and Trinity ages 12, 10 and 3 respectively. Shawn is a teacher at Williams Township School. In his spare time, Burroughs likes to work out, collect vintage baseball cards and “watch hours and hours of CNBC” as a self-described “finance nerd.” He enjoys going to movies with his children and walking on the beach.
Retired educator and coach nominated hails from Hallsboro
Michael Powell, a Hallsboro native and retired educator, is one of Southeastern Community College’s newest Board of Trustee members.
Coming from a family of educators and those who worked in the service industry, Powell said that his more than 45 years of experience in working with the community, teachers, colleagues and students has prepared him for his service to the SCC Board of Trustees.
Columbus County Commissioner Barbara Featherson nominated Powell to the SCC Board of Trustees, and he was sworn in at the trustees’ regular meeting on Sept. 22. Powell is looking forward to working with like-minded people with various backgrounds in a collaborative effort. He wants to improve his listening skills, and he wants SCC to move forward in its goals and objectives.
“Southeastern is providing that vision for students in seeing what they can be and where they can go in terms of their skill set,” Powell said. “Jobs will come here when employers see a skilled workforce put in place by Southeastern.”
Powell said is serving on the board to make a difference in the lives of students. Retiring from education in December 2022, Powell said he wants to feel relevant in his own life goals. After finishing his “honey-do” list at home, Powell said that being on the SCC Board of Trustees allows him to do what he does best: serve.
“I want to give students the best experience that the college has to offer with them realizing that we live in a society that is constantly changing,” Powell said. “We have to be able to adapt to those changes, and SCC has a wide variety of programs.”
In terms of moving Columbus County forward, Powell said that SCC is a “great asset” for the people of Columbus County, especially those not ready for a four-year university. With the variety of programs offered, Powell said that students are “afforded the opportunity to find their passion.”
“We would be surprised at the talent we have in this county, and Southeastern is a vehicle to bring forth that talent,” Powell said. “The objective is to produce those who are productive givers and not takers.”
Powell’s vision for SCC goes in two directions. Realizing the technical programs and their ability to produce skilled workers for in-demand trade careers on one side and preserving the cost-saving benefits for university-bound students on the other, Powell said that SCC can provide the best of both worlds.
“We still need engineers, and we still need professors,” Powell said. “SCC can exist in that duality.”
In the fall of 1976, Powell started his 36-year teaching career at West Columbus High School. He taught courses in U.S. history, philosophy, sociology and civics and economics. In addition to teaching, Powell coached for 40 years in sports such as football, basketball, softball, tennis and boys and girls track and field.
After leaving the classroom, Powell stepped into an assistant principal role at WCHS for three years. He became principal of Chadbourn Middle School in 2016 and stayed there until the school’s closure in 2018. Later that year, he served as principal of Columbus Career and College Academy until 2020. Powell moved to Chadbourn Elementary School and served until 2022. Powell said that high school was his favorite grade level to work in.
Powell earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from North Carolina A & T State University. His BS, earned in 1976, is in history education, and his graduate degree, earned in 1992, is in social studies. He later earned a second master’s degree from UNC Pembroke in school administration in 2014.
In his spare time, Powell enjoys playing tennis. He serves on the deacon board and as Sunday School Superintendent at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church. He and his wife, Loneese Powell, have two children, Quinzel McMillian and LaShonda George. They have four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Local attorney to bring ‘fresh perspective’ to SCC Board of Trustees
Chris Russell, a Chadbourn native, is one of Southeastern Community College’s newest and youngest Board of Trustee members. As an attorney of 11 years born and raised in Columbus County, Russell hopes his sense of humility and service will serve the best interest of the college.
“I look at problems and situations in a different manner than someone who is not an attorney,” Russell said. “I’m just your average small town, country lawyer, but I hope to have open dialogue with the other board members so we can figure out what’s best for the college.”
Nominated to the SCC Board of Trustees by N.C. House Rep. Brenden Jones, Russell’s initial reaction was of shock that later turned into excitement. His excitement evolved into gratefulness because he has a chance to help cultivate the next generation of skilled workers in Columbus County and beyond.
In a full circle direction, Russell wants to help SCC’s investment in the students, so the students will return their investments to Columbus County. As a trustee, Russell acknowledged the gravity of his decisions that will impact the students and their families, the employees and their families and the community overall.
“I want to give Dr. English and the students what they need to succeed,” Russell said. “This is what a Trustee should do, and I might get my feelings hurt in the process. At least that’s what I think our job should be – how to equip the college, the students and the employees with the tools for success.”
Russell graduated from West Columbus High School in 2005, and he obtained his bachelor’s degree in history from Pfeiffer University in 2009. Russell earned his juris doctorate from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and was sworn in to the state bar in 2014.
In hindsight, Russell said he wished he attended SCC right out of high school to save money, but he took the four-year university route on a baseball scholarship. Serving on the Board of Trustees will be his first interaction with SCC, and he hopes his fresh perspective will bring new ideas to the board.
“Over the years, I have witnessed the immense growth of the college just as an outsider with no direct dealings,” Russell said. “What I really want to do is help this college continue to grow because it is vital to this community. It employs so many people, and I want my contribution to this board to reflect growth.”
Russell is a partner at Wright, Worley, Pope, Ekster and Moss law firm and works out of the Tabor City office. He is responsible for transactional law such as buying and selling land, estate planning and business organizations in cases of death. He does not handle criminal or domestic cases.
“Richard Wright and Dennis Worley set an impossible standard for young attorneys in terms of work ethic and service to their community,” Russell said. “Serving on the SCC Board of Trustees will only be a sliver of what they did in comparison, but they instilled that sense of service in me.”
In his dealings with real estate, Russell said he noticed a shortage in HVAC technicians and people working in technical trades in general. He wants SCC to continue growing its HVAC program in addition to the college’s other technical programs such as welding, automotive, electrical engineering and construction.
“We’re offering more trade programs here that are going to be more vital to Columbus County in the next several years,” Russell said. “That diversity in skilled labor will be key to economic success in this community.”
Serving on the Columbus County Community Foundation and as president of the Lewis A. Sykes Foundation, Russell brings years of experience of serving on boards that help people. Serving on the SCC Board of Trustees is another way for him to give back to his community, Russell explained.
Outside of work, Russell enjoys spending time with his fiancé, Adrian Tharpe. When not with her, you can find Russell outdoors hunting, fishing or golfing.
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