Dr. Michael Rodgers | SKYCTC

    Dr. Michael Rodgers

    Dr Michael RodgersA native of South Carolina, Dr. Mike Rodgers currently serves as President at Wilkes Community College (WCC) in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. He leads all WCC operations at the Wilkes Campus and WCC’s Ashe and Alleghany instructional sites. Under his tenure, he has guided the college through the SACSCOC class of 2026 reaffirmation process, 2025-2030 QEP development, and the development of the 2025-2030 Strategic Enrollment Management Plan. Currently serving on the North Carolina Community College President’s Association Professional Development Committee, he assisted with implementation of the inaugural Aspiring President’s Institute. Mike holds an Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership from Maryville University, a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Western Kentucky University, a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry from the University of South Carolina, an Associate’s in Automotive Technology from Piedmont Technical College, and a Leadership Certificate in Higher Education from the University of South Carolina.

    He has proudly served students, faculty, staff, and communities in higher education for 24 years. Mike previously served at Owensboro Community and Technical College (OCTC) in Owensboro, KY for 13 years, most recently as their Chief Institutional Officer and the Executive Director of the Owensboro Community and Technical College Foundation. Mike taught for 10 years and served as the automotive program coordinator for Piedmont Technical College before transitioning to OCTC. Mike served as Director of the OCTC Southeastern Campus from 2011 to 2015. In 2015 he assumed the Chief Academic Officers role at OCTC and simultaneously served as Vice President of Advancement and Executive Director of the OCTC Foundation until being named the Chief Institutional Officer in 2018.

    In 2020, he served as a Chancellor’s Fellow for the Future of Work with the Kentucky Community and Technical College System. Mike is a past recipient of the KCTCS New Horizons Administrative Staff Award and the South Carolina Technical Educator of the Year Award. He has been responsible for technical education programs in STEM related areas such as Automotive, Diesel, Construction, HVAC, Veterinary Technology, Healthcare Facilities Leadership, Agriculture, Tech X Fabrication, and Welding.

    He was the Principal Investigator of the NSF-ATE grant “Preparing Technicians for Advanced Transportation Fuels”. Most recently, his work with the HealthForce Kentucky initiative to bring quality healthcare education to 16 counties in western Kentucky has allowed him to use his skills to research leading, innovative healthcare education technology to assist with the design of a state-of-the-art healthcare simulation lab. He was instrumental in leading the design of a mobile healthcare education lab, HealthForce One; connecting K-12, two-year, and four-year post-secondary pathways to make the healthcare field of study more appealing and grow the healthcare workforce pipeline. His technical education background, paired with advancement and leadership abilities allowed him to work across units as a liaison between resource development, technical and general education programs, maintenance and operations, and workforce development to facilitate projects in support of education and initiatives leading to student success. His fundraising skills led to the growth of endowments and additional scholarships to support student success at OCTC.

    Mike is a current board member with the Wilkes County Chamber of Commerce and serves on the Wilkes Economic Development Corporation. He represents Wilkes Community College on the Wilkes Education Foundation, the Blue Ridge Electric Community Leaders Council, the Wilkes Medical Center Advisory Board, and is a member of the North Wilkesboro Rotary.

    Mike lives in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina.

    Education

    • Maryville University, St. Louis, Missouri
      Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership,
    • McCall Leadership Academy, Kentucky Community and Technical College System,
    • Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, Kentucky
      Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership
    • The University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina
      Graduate Certificate in Higher Education Leadership with emphasis on two-year colleges,
    • Piedmont Technical College, Greenwood, South CarolinaAssociate of Applied Science with emphasis in Automotive Technology
    • The University of South Carolina-Aiken, Aiken, South Carolina
      Bachelor of Science in Chemistry,

    Professional Experience

    Wilkesboro Community College (WCC), Wilkesboro, North Carolina

    • President, June 1, 2024 - present
      Leading all WCC Operations at Wilkes Campus and Ashe and Alleghany sites.
    • Leading the WCC class of 2026 SACSCOC Reaffirmation process and guiding the 2025-2030 WCC QEP design process.
    • Leading WCC as the host of Merlefest, a four-day, multi-generational music festival established in 1988 and currently bringing over 70,000 participants to campus every April in support of student success initiatives.
    • Developing and managing internal and external relationships, including but not limited to community and legislative relationships and outreach.
    • Managing the operational affairs of the WCC Board of Trustees, including being its professional advisor by analyzing actions, implications of actions and making recommendations, handling agendas, minutes, policies, and other pertinent records.
    • Serving on the NCCCP Professional Development Committee and assisting with implementation of the inaugural Aspiring President's Institute.
    • Established the first Emergency Operations Center at WCC.
    • Supported the expansion of Construction, Electrical, and Welding Technology with funding from the Lowes Foundation ($500,000) and the Golden Leaf Foundation ($200,000).
    • Supported and established the Dental Hygiene Program at WCC's Herring Hall.
    • Facilitated the creation of a WCC Enrollment Management Plan, increasing focus on all learners. Achieved a Fall to Spring persistence rate of 80.4% and a transfer success rate of 90.6%.
    • Led WCC as recipient of the NCCCS Pinnacle Award for Innovative Workforce Leadership in partnership with GE Aerospace.
    • Led WCC as recipient of the Best of the Best of Ashe County Awards, 2024.
    • Added fifteen (15) transfer agreements for associate in applied science degree programming with East Tennessee State University (ETSU) and East Carolina University (ECU).
    • Established the Billie and Larry P. Watson Command Center at WCC's Wilkesboro Campus.
    • Launched the WCC High Country CDL Training Academy in partnership with Caldwell Community College and Training Institute.
    • Launched a Competency Based Education program development initiative around Information Technology and Advanced manufacturing in partnership with Fayetteville Technical Community College and the North Carolina Community College System.
    • Graduate faculty member, serving under Dr. William Nabb for doctoral defense reviews at Morehead State University, 2024-2025.

    Owensboro Community and Technical College (OCTC), Owensboro, Kentucky

    • Chief Institutional Officer and Executive Director of the Foundation, July 16, 2018 - May 30, 2024
      Served on the President's Executive Leadership Team and as a Presidential Designee for times when the President is off campus for extended periods.
    • Served as a liaison between Academic Affairs, Maintenance and Operations, and Workforce Solutions for the launch of special projects focused on adult based Work and Learn Initiatives including but not limited to apprenticeships and internships.
    • Represented OCTC on the Commonwealth West Healthcare Workforce Innovation Center Development Team, successfully securing $38M to establish a healthcare innovation center in western Kentucky. Research and select equipment and architects for project completion.
    • Lead researcher for healthcare innovation including mobile labs and AR/VR technology.
    • Launched the short-term Tech X Competency Based Fabrication Program for Adult Learners, awarding 545 credentials since 2018 with an 83% retention and 92% placement rate.
    • Scaled the Tech X Competency Based Education Model into Automotive, Construction, and Welding Technology Programs.
    • Led OCTC's resource development office in working with Alumni Relations and Outreach Platforms.
    • Served as liaison to Business and Industry to address workforce development needs related to training, program development, and curriculum alignment. Includes but not limited to Work and Learn model programming, Mentorship, Internship, and Apprenticeship development.
    • Participated in Green River Workforce Development Board Strategic Planning Sessions and in Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation (GOEDC) Industry Site Visits.
    • Served as Director of the OCTC Emergency Operations Center (EOC) when activated and as a member of the Prevention Assessment Response Team (PART) for strategic safety and emergency operations planning.
    • Served as Co-Chair for the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) Institutional Advancement Peer Team 2020-2021.
    • Served as the OCTC Representative on the Ohio County Economic Development Authority (OCEDA) Board and on the Hancock County Industrial Foundation Board.
    • Served on the Owensboro Non-profit Collaborative Planning Board, 2021-present.
    • Served as the Chief Advancement and Resource Development Officer for the institution including managing grants and fundraising campaigns.
      • Managed donor relations, both internal and external.
      • Managed community and legislative relationships and outreach.
      • Managed Scholarship and Endowment activities while establishing new funding streams to support the mission of OCTC. Secured funding for 25 new Scholarships and 10 new Endowments since 2015.

    Chancellor Fellow for ALIGN, July 1, 2020 - December 2021.

    • Served on the ALIGN Facilitation Team. The ALIGN Project is exploring and creating an educational model aligned to the knowledge and skills most relevant to state, regional, and local workforce needs and proposing a feasible plan for potential implementation which identifies the financial and human resources needed for system-wide adoption and sustainability of the model in its General Education, Technical Education, and Workforce Solutions.
    • Facilitated the Curriculum Learning and Transformation Technical Education Sub-strand, reviewing current state through a Competency Based Educational lens and identifying gaps for a new potential systemwide educational plan.
    •  Provided Technical Input toward the development of the KCTCS Field Guide for Exploring Competency-Based Education.

    Vice President of Advancement and Executive Director of the Foundation, April 1, 2016 - July 15, 2018

    • Served as the Chief Advancement and Resource Development Officer for the institution including managing grants and fundraising campaigns.
    • Co-managed the BuildSmart Campaign along with the College President to secure $3.5 Million in funding to build an Industry Innovation Center on campus.
    • Facilitated the 30 on 30 scholarship campaign raising 30 scholarships to award in 30 days.
    • Managed donor relations, both internal and external. Including but not limited to community and legislative relationships and outreach and launched the Power of OCTC in 2017-18, the first Annual Campaign since 2014-15.
    • Managed Scholarship and Endowment activities. Established the $100,000 KYCORN Growers endowment with the sale of the first OCTC built Cobra to fund scholarships for students interested in Ethanol related automotive education.
    • Served on the President's Executive Leadership Team and liaised between Academic Affairs Technical Programs and Workforce for launching special projects such as Tech X and AMTEC.
    • Directed special projects as assigned such as the Hollison Industry move to OCTC and construction of the Industry Innovation Center to house Welding Technology, Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology and Robotics Training programs.
    • Led OCTC's resource development office in working with KCTCS to investigate Alumni Relations and Outreach Platforms such as GiveCampus, iModules, and Blackbaud, 2017-18.

    Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs, July 1, 2015 - August 2017

    • Served as the Chief Academic Officer (CAO) of the Institution with over 200 faculty and staff and served on the Academic Affairs Council at the KCTCS level.
    • Guided the SACS-COC reaffirmation focusing on Academic Affairs Program and Student Learning Outcomes, achieving a successful site visit with zero recommendations.
    • Served as final reviewer of all Program and Student Learning Outcomes, college-wide.
    • Assisted with the development and management of the college Academic Affairs budget including, but not limited to, personnel budgets, grants, and departmental allocations.
    • Managed all personnel related issues related to Academic Affairs including hiring procedures, terminations, complaints/grievances, and reorganization.
    • Managed all student related issues at the CAO level including but not limited to grievances and grade appeals.
    • Managed the college's Perkins grant.
    • Managed the Academic Affairs scheduling process.
    • Supervised the Student Support Services TRiO grant personnel.
    • Assisted in the development and implementation of the college-wide Strategic Enrollment Management plan with a heavy focus on recruitment, retention, and persistence.
    • Assisted in the development of the College's Strategic Plan.

    Director of Academic Affairs - OCTC Southeastern Campus, June 2011 - June 30, 2015


    Associate Dean of the Skilled Trades Division - June 2011 - June 30, 2015

    • Principal Investigator of the National Science Foundation, $785,000, Training Technicians for Advanced Transportation Fuels grant. Successfully organized grant partners including Cummins Engines, KY Propane Gas Association, KY Propane Education Research Council, KY Corn Growers Association, KY Soybean Board, KY Clean Fuels Coalition, Owensboro Grain, ATECH, Consulab, and KY Department of Energy and Independence for Alternative Fuel Education.
    • Managed a $475,000 Kentucky Coal Severance grant for automotive, diesel, and collision-repair transportation program renovations, 2011; and managed a $475,000 Kentucky Coal Severance grant for development of a state-of-the-art veterinary technology teaching hospital, 2013.
    • Responsible for successful operation, oversight, facilities, and grounds of the Southeastern Campus of OCTC. Managed renovations of the Southeastern Campus facilities, OCTC Hancock County Center Annex, and Kentucky's only under roof Compressed Natural Gas training lab.
    • Developed and administered budgets for the Southeastern Campus.
    • Managed all disciplinary and safety issues of the OCTC Southeastern Campus.
    • Co-managed the Hancock County Center Welding Annex.
    • Managed the successful OCTC Cobra Recruiting project.
    • Responsible for the administration, successful operation, and oversight of the ten programs of the Skilled Trades Division including developing and administering program budgets and schedules.
    • Managed SACS-COC reporting for the Skilled Trades Division.
    • Supervised and evaluated Skilled Trades Division full time and adjunct faculty members and staff.
    • Led the transportation programs to achieve the Tomorrow's Technician National School of the Year Award, 2014 and regained NATEF program accreditation for Automotive Technology (2012) and Diesel Technology (2014) programs with zero recommendations from the evaluation teams.
    • Facilitated the development of new Automotive (2013), Diesel (2013), and Agriculture Studies (2014) Associate Degree programs.
    • Facilitated the development of Kentucky's only Veterinary Technology Associate degree program and the only nationwide two-year Healthcare Facilities Leadership Program.
    • Facilitated the Veterinary Technology Program's CVTEA accreditation submission and successful site-visit.
    • Facilitated the Paramedic Technology Program reaccreditation and achieved a successful site visit for Fire Science Technology Programs International Fire School Accreditation Committee, 2014.
    • Managed the Collision Repair accreditation self-study.
    • Managed the Discover College welding programs for Hancock and Daviess Counties.
    • Co-Chair of the Foundations of Excellence First Year Committee responsible for successful implementation of the FoE First Year Experience Program.
    • Co-Chair of the OCTC Student Engagement Committee and member of the OCTC Honors Committee, Administrative Council, SACS-COC Internal Evaluation Committee, and Institutional Effectiveness Committee.

    Piedmont Technical College, Greenwood, South Carolina

    Program Coordinator and Faculty Member, Automotive Technology, August 2000 - May 2011

    • Rebuilt and managed the Automotive Technology department of Piedmont Technical College.
    • Responsible for the Automotive Technology Program Budget development and management.
    • Responsible for NATEF program accreditation and successful re-accreditation.
    • Responsible for schedule development and advising for all automotive technology courses.
    • Responsible for teaching all second-year automotive technology courses.
    • Supervised all automotive faculty, full time and adjunct.
    • Managed the successful Piedmont Technical College Cobra Recruiting project, 2006-2011.
    • Created and facilitated the Piedmont Technical College Summer Automotive Academies enrolling and completing 280 students, 2003-2010.
    • Implemented Lean Principles and Concepts into the Automotive Department.
    • Co-Principal Investigator of the National Science Foundation, $125,000 Hi-Tech Scholars Grant, 2010.
    • Led the Program to Chicago Pneumatic Southeast Region School of the Year, 2009; Top 4 schools in the T2 / Chicago Pneumatic School of the Year Contest, 2008; the Automotive Industry Planning Council School of the Year National Runner - Up, 2008; and State of SC AIPC Automotive Award of Excellence Winner, 2007.

    Professional Training and Affiliations

    • CASE District III Annual Conference - 20 hours of Professional
    • Development in Institutional Advancement and Resource Development; 2018, 2020, and 2022.
    • Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT Fundamentals Certified, 2021.
    • Member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), 2019 - present.
    • Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Trained, 2019.
    • Strategic Relationship Management Training, Slater Group, 2018.
    • FEMA ICS Training - 100.c, 100.HE, 200.b, 200.c, 546.a, 547.a, 700.a, 775, and 800.d. Including Stop the Bleed and Active Shooter.
    • NSF ATE Grants Reviewer, 2017 - 2018.
    • Past-President, South Carolina Chapter of the North American Council of Automotive Teachers Association, 2010-2011.
    • Member of the North American Council of Automotive Teachers, 2005 - present.
    • Member of the Mobile Air Conditioning Society, 2012 - present.

    Awards and Recognitions

    • Owensboro Kentucky Mayor's Award of Distinction, 202 حکم.
    • New Horizons Staff Award of Excellence, KCTCS, 2013.
    • Presidential Medallion for Excellence and Educational Contributions, PTC, 2006.
    • South Carolina Technical Educator's Association Educator of the Year, 2006.
    • Saluda County, South Carolina Academic Achievement Award, 1999.
    • Boy Scouts of America, Eagle Scout, 1988.

    Community Involvement

    • Wilkes Community College Foundation Board, 2024-present.
    • Wilkes Education Foundation, 2024 - present.
    • Blue Ridge Electric Community Leaders Council, 2024 - present.
    • Wilkes Medical Center Advisory Board, 2024 - present.
    • North Wilkesboro Rotary Member, 2024 - present.
    • Wilkes Economic Development Corporation, 2024 - present.
    • Wilkes County Chamber of Commerce Board Member, 2024 - present.
    • Board of Directors, Hancock County Industrial Foundation, 2021-2024.
    • Board of Directors, Ohio County Economic Development Alliance, 2019-2024.
    • Board of Directors, Ohio County Industrial Development Authority, 2019-2020.
    • Board of Directors, Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition, 2014-2024.
    • Owensboro Empowerment Academy Council, 2012-13.
    • Owensboro Lions Club, 2015-16.
    • BMW - ADP Advisory Committee, Central Piedmont Community College, NC, 2006-11.