SANFORD -Dr. Pamela Gibson Senegal, Central Carolina Community College's new vice president of Economic and Community Development, brings almost 20 years of higher education leadership, business experience, and community service to her new position.

Senegal assumed her duties at the college as of July 2. Prior to coming to CCCC, she served as dean of Career and Technical Programs and Tech Prep coordinator at Durham Technical Community College.

"I could not be more pleased to be the newest member of an amazing college and a division with a stellar reputation in the community and around the state," Senegal said.

"I look forward to building on the ECD's excellent record of serving the community's economic, workforce, and enrichment needs in creative and exciting ways."

CCCC's Economic and Community Development Division was established in 2009 to coordinate the college's economic, workforce, enrichment, and continuing education programs. Working together, these strengthen the college's role as a catalyst and leader in educational opportunities and economic progress in its service area of Chatham, Harnett and Lee counties.

Senegal's experience and vision as a leader has established her with the North Carolina Community College System and the state as an expert and valuable resource. They also make her the perfect match for the college's ECD, according to CCCC President Bud Marchant.

"Dr. Senegal's ability to lead a team and partner with the community is exactly the type of leadership that has made CCCC an institution of excellence for the past 50 years," he said. "Dr. Senegal is a welcome addition to continue this tradition."

Senegal's academic career includes serving as dean of Corporate Education at Durham Tech, and Services Corporation executive director and associate dean/computer training director at Central Piedmont Community College. Prior to that, she worked as the Information Technology training manager at Glenayre and Change Management analyst at Anderson Consulting.

She also brings extensive community involvement to her new position, including service on the boards of Ronald McDonald House of Durham and Dispute Settlement Center of Carrboro, PWN chair of the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce, and the Association for Career and Technical Education. She is a contributing writer to Diversity, Inc.

Senegal holds undergraduate degrees in political science and Spanish, a Master of Public Administration, and a doctorate in Adult and Community College Education from North Carolina State University.

"We are very excited about the experience that Dr. Senegal brings to CCCC," said Dr. Lisa Chapman, the college's executive vice president of Instruction and chief academic officer. "Her education, her industry and community college experience and her extensive community involvement will all be instrumental in leading the ECD as it supports the college as an economic catalyst for the communities we serve. She has a proven record of leadership and brings an enthusiasm and vision that we can only expect to strengthen our college in its service to all of our stakeholders."

Senegal is married to John Senegal, an IBM software architect. They reside in Durham with three sons.