The Central Carolina Community College Board of Trustees has selected five finalists in the search for the college's next president. The search began earlier this year, when Dr. T. Eston Marchant announced he would retire April 1, 2019.

The five finalists and their current positions are:

Lisa M. Chapman, Ed.D., is Senior Vice President/Chief Academic Officer at the North Carolina Community College System Office in Raleigh, N.C. She previously served as Executive Vice President of Instruction/Chief Academic Officer and Vice President of Academic Affairs/Chief Academic Officer at Central Carolina Community College in Sanford, N.C. Dr. Chapman earned a Doctor of Curriculum and Instruction from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a Master of Science in Physiology from East Tennessee State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

John A. Crumpton is the County Manager for Lee County, N.C. Mr. Crumpton also is an adjunct professor for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is working to complete his Doctor of Education in Community College Education/Leadership at Wingate University. He has earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, a Bachelor of Business/Marketing from Georgia State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration/Finance from Indiana University.

Shannon Kennedy, Ed.D., is Executive Vice President at Cleveland Community College in Shelby, N.C. She previously served as the Executive Vice President of Instruction & Student Development at Cleveland Community College. Dr. Kennedy earned a Doctor of Education in Adult and Community College Education from North Carolina State University, a Master of Arts in English Education from Gardner-Webb University, and a Bachelor of Science in Communications/Broadcasting from Millersville University.

Brian S. Merritt, Ph.D., is Vice President, Learning & Workforce Development and Chief Academic Officer at Central Carolina Community College in Sanford, N.C. He previously served as Dean of Student Learning and Director of Grants, Sponsored Programs & Alumni Relations at Central Carolina Community College. Dr. Merritt earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education Administration from Walden University, a Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration from Appalachian State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Social Sciences Education from Appalachian State University.

Lisa B. Rhine, Ph.D., is Provost at Tidewater Community College in Chesapeake, Va. She previously worked for Northern Kentucky University as a Special Consultant, Interim Vice President and Assistant Vice President. Dr. Rhine earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Administration from Capella University, a Master of Science in Special Education from the University of Dayton, and a Bachelor of Rehabilitation Counseling from Wright State University.

The finalists will visit CCCC for a meet and greet with faculty, staff, students, and the public at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic & Conference Center in Sanford. Following the meet and greet, formal interviews with each of the candidates will be conducted. The meet and greets will be held from 2:30 to 4 p.m. on the following dates: Dec. 18 - John Crumpton (moved from Dec 10 due to impending inclement weather), Dec. 19 - Lisa Rhine, Jan. 3 - Shannon Kennedy, Jan. 7 - Brian Merritt, Jan. 14 - Lisa Chapman.

Once the Trustees select a final candidate, the Board will submit that finalist to the North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges for approval.