(Pictured l-r) Dr. Greg McLeod, ECC president; Trey Lewis, US Senate staffer for Senator Thom Tillis; Rev. Jerry Spruell, ECC Board of Trustees chair and Rev. Kenny Parker, ECC Board of Trustees member

Members of the 91ӣ����Ƶ Board of Trustees and ECC President Dr. Greg McLeod recently attended the National Legislative Summit in Washington, D.C. Held Feb. 8–11, the event brought more than 1,000 community college leaders to the U.S. Capitol to discuss federal policy issues affecting institutions nationwide. Attendees also took part in Advocacy Leadership and New Trustee academies to strengthen their effectiveness in their roles.

ECC President Dr. Greg McLeod

“This was a very eye-opening experience that not only allowed us to gain greater insight on national and local issues, but to build rapport with our elected officials in Washington, D.C.,” said Rev. Jerry Spruell, chair of the ECC Board of Trustees. “We had some informative conversations with Senators Thom Tillis and Ted Budd, as well as Congressman Don Davis. Community colleges are the cornerstone of workforce development, and it’s always important that we learn and can properly advocate for support.”

ECC Trustees Trey Lewis and Rev. William “Kenny” Parker also attended the summit. A U.S. Senate staffer for Tillis, Lewis led his fellow trustees and McLeod on a tour of the Capitol.

The National Legislative Summit is held annually and is presented by the Association of Community College Trustees. According to the organization, ACCT brings community college leaders together to address real-world challenges and advance student success through advocacy and education.

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(l-r) Leo Taylor, Dr. Patrick Heins and Jerry Spruell are being sworn in by the Honorable Carol Allen White, clerk of Edgecombe County Superior Court.

Leo Taylor, Patrick Heins and Joy Chafin were recently appointed to the 91ӣ����Ƶ Board of Trustees. Jerry Spruell, board chairman, was reappointed during the board’s quarterly meeting.

Appointed to a four-year term by the N.C. House, Taylor is currently serving on the Tarboro Town Council with previous experience as acting mayor for the Town of Tarboro in 2016. He has served twice as mayor pro-tem, twice for two-year terms on the Upper Coastal Plain Council of Government, and is a board member of the Tarboro Development Corporation.

The Rocky Mount native’s career spanned over 30 years as a human resource professional. Taylor worked as a regional human resources manager, sr. field human resources manager and director of human resources for Hardees Food Systems, Inc. in Rocky Mount and Raleigh. Before retiring from the field, Taylor provided support to eight distribution centers in the MBM Corporation as a divisional human resources manager.

Taylor is a graduate of Rocky Mount Senior High School. Taylor and his wife, Crystal, have been married 47 years. They have three children and three grandchildren.

Dr. Patrick Heins, president of ECU Health Edgecombe Hospital, was appointed to the board by Edgecombe County Commissioners. He was also voted by the board to serve as vice chair. Heins previously served as a member of the ECC Board of Trustees from 2020 to 2023.

The 24-year United States Army veteran has a wealth of healthcare experience. Heins began his career as a nursing assistant, later advancing to ICU staff nurse and then manager. He also served as vice president of Patient Care Services at ECU Health Edgecombe Hospital. Prior to his current role, Heins was president at ECU Health Roanoke-Chowan Hospital.

A fellow of the Healthcare Advisory Board, Heins holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Maryland and a Master of Business Administration from East Carolina University. He also received his Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from East Carolina University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Maryland College Park.

In addition to being a member of the Rotary Club of Tarboro, Heins serves on the boards of Area L AHEC, Tarboro Edgecombe Chamber of Commerce and Strategic Twin-Counties Education Partnership. Before advancing in his healthcare career, Heins was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart following multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Joy Chafin is being sworn in by White.

Appointed by the N.C. Senate, Joy Chafin will serve a four-year term on the board. She is a board member for the Edgecombe County Memorial Library, the Edgecombe Chapter of the NC Symphony and the Edgecombe Charitable Foundation-a local affiliate of the North Carolina Community Foundation. Chafin also works as an administrative coordinator at Eastern Carolina Interventional Pain & Anesthesia, PC. A 12-year resident of Edgecombe County, Chafin is also the owner of Cabin Branch Properties, LLC.

With a background in chemistry, Chafin previously worked as a research specialist at the Medical University of South Carolina. She received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Meredith College, and completed her post-graduate studies at East Carolina University.

Chafin and her husband, Brent, have been married for almost 24 years. They have five daughters ranging in age from 12 to 20.

Spruell, a trustee since 1994 and board chair since 2021, is director of the Edgecombe County Board of Elections. He was reappointed by Edgecombe County Commissioners for a four-year term.

“I am elated to see three community leaders with strong professional backgrounds join the ECC Board of Trustees,” said Spruell. “I am also enthusiastic about the unique perspectives and commitment I know they will bring to continue improving this college and community.”

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Trey Lewis

The 91ӣ����Ƶ Foundation will host a Scholarship Convocation Friday, Sept. 19 on the Tarboro campus. During the invitation-only event, 140 scholarships will be awarded to students for the 2025-2026 academic year. The donors who have contributed to further the education of these students will also be recognized.

Presented by Astemo, this year’s Scholarship Convocation will include a message of tenacity, hope, achievement and giving back to this community by Trey Lewis. Lewis was appointed to the ECC Board of Trustees August 2024. He is currently a US Senate staffer for Senator Thom Tillis. The 33-year-old graduated from ECC with an Associate of Arts degree, and later obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in political science and a Master of Public Administration degree from East Carolina University. Lewis also served as the mayor of Macclesfield from December 2015 to May 2018.

A special thanks to all of the donors and to the 2025 Scholarship Convocation table sponsors. The companies who have donated at a corporate level include Astemo, Bojangles/Tands, Inc., Scoops on Main St. and WHIG-TV.

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(l-r) Photo 1: Dr. Greg McLeod, Senator Kandie Smith, and Rev. Jerry Spruell. Photo 2: Dr. Greg McLeod, Rep. Shelly Willingham, and Rev. Jerry Spruell.

91ӣ����Ƶ President, Dr. Greg McLeod, and Rev. Jerry Spruell, chair of the ECC Board of Trustees, attended Community College Day at the NC General Assembly. During the annual event, college leaders meet with legislators. Community College Day is an effort for ECC, and all community colleges across the state, to gain additional visibility in Raleigh. McLeod and Spruell met with Senator Kandie Smith and Rep. Shelly Willingham to advocate for ECC by sharing information about the positive things happening in our region and at the college.

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2024-2025 ECC Student Ambassadors (from left): Aubrey Ward, Tristan Revis, Sasha Williams, Biancha Webb, Eddie Batchelor, and (advisor) Shaquana Deans-Thorne

Tristan Revis is a super senior at the Edgecombe Early College High School on the campus of ECC. After graduation, he plans to attend East Carolina University to major in biology and become a trauma surgeon. Sasha Williams has a different path. The ECC student currently works for Aetna Healthcare.

“After graduation, I plan to focus on my nonprofit for maternal health and to educate my community on maternal health,” said Williams.

Revis and Williams were among the 2024-2025 student ambassadors and SGA Officers who introduced themselves to board members during a Board of Trustees meeting on Oct. 10. Other student ambassadors include Eddie Batchelor, Aubrey Ward and Biancha Webb.

“We choose a select group of students every year to represent ECC,” said Shaquana Deans-Thorne, admissions counselor and advisor to the Student Ambassadors. “They participate in different activities, assist in touring students around campus, and participate in community events. At the end of the semester, they are awarded a scholarship for being an ambassador.”

(From left) ECC SGA President Tiffiny Wolf and ECC Board of Trustees Chair Rev. Jerry W. Spruell

Board members were delighted to hear from student ambassadors and this year’s Student Government Association officers. All of the students shared their lofty aspirations, from becoming a dentist, a teacher and an occupational therapist, to careers in social work, public policy, education and more.

SGA President Tiffiny Wolf introduced the 2024-2025 officers, including Vice President Frances Snipes, Secretary Kadijah Jenkins, Treasurer Zakya Parker, Public Information Officer Breyonnia Branch, Parliamentarian Lyra Lindsay, Curriculum Representatives Timothy Suggs and Aleeya Herring, and Early College Representative Avery Wittig.

Wolf also announced the many accomplishments of SGA, like joining with Pizza to the Polls to host a voter registration drive Sept. 17. “Make Voter Registration SWEET” encouraged 15 people to register to vote for the first time, with 84 students, faculty and staff pledging to vote. On Oct. 2, SGA held a Virtual Voter Registration Drive, showing attendees how to update their registration, find their sample ballot and more.

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Carole White, Edgecombe County clerk of court, delivers the oath of office to
(l-r) Trey Lewis, Carl Warren and William “Kenny” Parker.

91ӣ����Ƶ pride runs deep for Trey Lewis and his family. On Thursday, Aug. 29, the Macclesfield resident was appointed to a four-year term on the 91ӣ����Ƶ Board of Trustees. Lewis obtained an associate in arts degree from ECC. His wife, Danielle, also received an associate in arts from ECC. Paula, Trey’s mom, is a proud graduate of the college, where she gained an associate’s degree in applied science.

“I am thrilled to join the 91ӣ����Ƶ Board of Trustees,” said Lewis. “As a graduate of ECC, I know how important the college is to both the county and region.”

Lewis is currently a Northeast regional representative for U.S. Senator Thom Tillis, but he is no stranger to attaining prominent positions.

ECC board member, Trey Lewis

After graduating from SouthWest Edgecombe High School in Pinetops and ECC, the 32-year-old graduated from East Carolina University with a bachelor of science in political science and a master of public administration degree. He worked as a veterinary assistant at Riverside Veterinary Hospital while attending college. In 2015, he interned in the Washington, DC office of U.S. Senator Richard Burr and was later hired as a staff assistant.

Most notably, Lewis served as the mayor of Macclesfield from December 2015 to May 2018. A 23-year-old first-time candidate at the time, he was recognized as one of the youngest officials ever elected in North Carolina, and one of the youngest mayors in the country.

“Time and time again, Mr. Lewis has demonstrated his capabilities and his love for Edgecombe County,” said Rev. Jerry W. Spruell, chair of the ECC Board of Trustees. “His strong work ethic, ties to the community and to the state, as well as his varied experiences, will be extremely beneficial to our board and to the college.”

Lewis is also an elder at Macclesfield Presbyterian Church.

In addition to the appointment of Lewis, William “Kenny” Parker and Carl Warren were reappointed to the ECC Board of Trustees for four-year terms. Warren is a retired senior manager with Superior Essex. He currently works with Warren Accounting Group in Pinetops. Parker is pastor of St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church in Oak City. Parker retired from Consolidated Diesel in 2008 as operational business manager.

“I appreciate Mr. Gus Tulloss and former ECC trustee and staffer for Senator Burr, Mrs. Betty Jo Shepheard, for encouraging me to pursue this opportunity. I would also like to thank Speaker Tim Moore for appointing me to the position,” said Lewis.

The ECC Board of Trustees has 12 voting members, each serving a four-year term. The Student Government Association President also serves on the board as an ex-officio member, along with the college president.

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The Rev. Jerry Spruell, chair of the 91ӣ����Ƶ Board of Trustees, threw the first pitch to kick off ECC Night at a recent Tarboro River Bandits baseball game. He was among the college’s students, employees, alumni, and friends who cheered on the home team during ECC Night held in June at Tarboro Municipal Stadium. Shown with Rev. Spruell are college mascot Eddie the Eagle and ECC President Dr. Greg McLeod.

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Dr. Greg McLeod, president of 91ӣ����Ƶ, and the Rev. Jerry Spruell, chair of the ECC Board of Trustees, were among the state’s community college leaders, staff, and students who met with North Carolina Congressional leaders recently in Washington. From left, shown top are Rev. Spruell, Sen. Thom Tillis, and Dr. McLeod. Shown bottom are Rev. Spruell, Rep. Don Davis, and Dr. McLeod.

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91ӣ����Ƶ Board of Trustees Chair Jerry Spruell (left) and ECC President Dr. Greg McLeod (right) attended the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) National Legislative Summit in February. The ACCT is a non-profit educational organization of governing boards, representing more than 6,500 trustees who serve on over 500 governing boards of community, technical, and junior colleges in the United States and beyond. The summit shines a spotlight on the importance of community colleges.

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Amy Dixon was recently appointed to the 91ӣ����Ƶ Board of Trustees. She is manager of marketing and volunteer services at ECU Health Edgecombe Hospital. Shown with Dixon (right) is Carol White, Edgecombe County Clerk of Court, who delivered the oath of office.

Amy Dixon, manager of marketing and volunteer services at ECU Health Edgecombe Hospital, has been named to the 91ӣ����Ƶ Board of Trustees.

Appointed to the ECC board by the Edgecombe County Board of Education, she fills the position formerly held by Kim Wittig, who served on the board from 2021 until her untimely passing in August of this year.

Dixon has served ECU Health Edgecombe for ten years, the last four in her current position. Born and raised in Edgecombe County, “I have been an active member of our beloved Edgecombe community for more than 20 years,” she says.

A local leader, she is a member of the United Way Health Impact Team and the Twin Counties Heart Walk Leadership Team for the American Heart Association. She leads the hospital’s Volunteer Auxiliary and the Volunteen Program, which enables local teens to gain experience in healthcare.

She also leads the hospital’s Community Benefits Grants program. “This year we provided $95,000 to 15 local non-profit organizations including Conetoe Family Life Center, VOICE, United Way, and the Boys and Girls Club of the Tar River Region, among others,” she says.

“We are delighted by the addition of Ms. Dixon to our Board,” says the Rev. Jerry Spruell, chair of the ECC Board of Trustees. “Her work in healthcare will strengthen the Board’s understanding of issues in healthcare fields. The fact that she is deeply committed to improving the health and well-being of Edgecombe residents is an additional benefit to the Board, since a goal of ECC is to educate and train students to work and serve locally.”

Dixon coordinates community blood drives and health screenings, such as prostate cancer screenings, skin cancer screenings, and breast exams. She leads the ECU Health Development Council and its annual fundraiser, and co-leads the Springfest event with Tina Parker from the Town of Tarboro.

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