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Achievers ..........................................8
From ACHIEVERS, page 8
Fayetteville State University announces new hires, promotions
In May, FSU announced the promotions and hiring of several administrative staff.
WESLEY FOUNTAIN has been promoted to the role of vice chancellor for External Affairs and Military Relations.
“Mr. Fountain has served at FSU since 2010 in a variety of capacities from government relations assistant to director of constituent relations to his current role as AVC for Community Relations and Economic Partnerships. At every level, Mr. Fountain has excelled, whether at the community level, state government affairs and when forming and leveraging economic partnerships around development. Through his expertise and diligence, Wesley has been a tremendous asset in supporting the university’s priorities in every way,” says Chancellor Darrell T. Allison. “In light of recent and historic fortunes for this university, this new division’s responsibilities have grown exponentially and has caused me to refocus and provide the necessary resources needed to invest in additional personnel toward FSU’s overall expansion.”
WENDELL PHILLIPS previously served in Fountain’s new role; now, Phillips will lead FSU’s state and federal relations department. “The administration has made this new position a priority. Growing our governmental capital will assist with providing additional support for legislation, funding sources, enrollment, and student success. I am confident that in this capacity Wendell will help FSU expand its footprint on Capitol Hill and the Department of Defense given FSU’s strong national position with military-connected students and the broader military community. Given Mr. Phillips unique legislative experience in the greater D.C. area, FSU could not have a more experienced leader in helping us at the federal level” says Chancellor Darrell T. Allison.
Serving as the new associate vice chancellor for police and public safety/chief of police starting on June 7 will be ROBERTO E. BRYAN JR., a veteran law enforcement officer with three decades of experience, including service in the U.S. Army as a military police officer. “Roberto Bryan brings a rare combination of local, national, global and military law enforcement service and experience to our university police department that make him an exceptional leader who can step into this role immediately,” said Fayetteville State University Chancellor Darrell T. Allison. “His robust relationships in our communities will help us strengthen and elevate the work we are able to accomplish on and off campus. When I look into the faces of parents and guardians of many of the students at FSU, my first commitment that I express to them is that we will do all we can to keep our students safe and protected. With today’s announcement in naming Mr. Roberto Bryan as our next Chief of Police, I am even the more confident in making that promise to our families.”
PAMELA BALDWIN is also a new addition to the FSU administration and will serve as associate dean of Academic Partnerships. "I am happy to welcome Dr. Baldwin to our FSU team. Her years of experience in the K-12 arena will help FSU grow its footprint among public, private and charter schools across our state," says Dr. Leach, Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.
Fountain Phillips Bryan Jr Baldwin
UNCP appoints Djerdjouri, Skuka as deans
DR. MOHAMED DJERDJOURI will transition into his role as dean of the Thomas School of Business at UNC Pembroke on July 18. An academic leader with three decades of experience in higher education, Djerdjouri serves as dean of the Johnson College of Business and Economics at the University of South Carolina-Upstate.
After searching the country for the person that would best fill the roll, the Board of Trustees unanimously voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of Djerdjouri for the position. "As provost, I look forward to working with Dr. Djerdjouri on developing academic programs, external partnerships and additional funding streams to support community and economic development in the region that we are so proud to serve,” said Provost Marsha Pollard. "I look forward to joining an already outstanding school and wish to build on the success achieved by my predecessors, Dean Barry O'Brien and interim Dean Susan Peters," Djerdjouri said. "This is a great university and Chancellor Cummings has an inspiring vision for it. UNCP is on the move, and I am delighted to be joining such a dynamic academic community and the opportunity to collaborate with Provost Pollard and my fellow deans." Renowned scholar and medical doctor EVA SKUKA was tapped as the dean of the College of Health Sciences for the university. Currently, Skuka serves as the associate provost and dean of the School of Health Studies. She worked as a medical doctor for seven years before focusing in higher education, which she has done for the past 17 years.
The Board of Trustees unanimously voted to accept the recommendation of Skuka by the search committee.
“Dr. Skuka is joining UNCP at a pivotal time for the College of Health Sciences. With the workforce needs identified through a legislatively mandated health study in 2018, planning for new programs and offerings is already underway that will strongly impact and advance the health outcomes of this county and region. I am confident she will bring the experience and knowledge needed to lead the college as we further develop programs in the coming years,” said Chancellor Robin Gary Cummings.
Physicians Foundation CEO Robert Seligson sees Skuka’s appointment as especially important as the school can help students graduate and move into the healthcare sector. “The growth of UNCP’s College of Health Sciences is a key response to this labor shortage, especially in southeastern North Carolina. The college is recognized for educating professionals who are highly likely to remain and practice in this area of North Carolina. Dr. Skuka’s record speaks to action and accomplishment, and I look forward to seeing the innovative opportunities and programs she will bring to the college,” Seligson said.
“My vision for the College of Health Sciences at UNCP is to work collaboratively with the faculty and program administrators to strengthen the programs currently offered and look for opportunities for new programs that will align with the student’s needs, community needs, workforce trends and industries within the university’s service area. I’m highly committed to instilling in the students through the curricula that as health and human services professionals we all have a professional obligation to help improve the lives of the people and communities you’ve pledged to serve,” Skuka said.
Like Djerdjouri, Skuka will also assume her new role on July 18. Djerdjouri
Skuka
FTCC librarian accepted into NCLA Leadership Institute
FTCC librarian KRIS OBELE BELE was recently accepted into the North Carolina Library Association (NCLA) 2022 Leadership Institute.
Obele Bele Out of 24 participants chosen through a competitive application process, Bele has been working as a librarian at FTCC for the past eight years.
Prior to that, she worked at Cumberland County Public Library, High Point University’s Smith Library, Wake Forest’s Z. Smith Reynold’s Library, UNC-Greensboro’s Jackson Library and Peace College’s Finch Library.
The NCLA Leadership Institute aims to provide “opportunities for learning and skill-building in leadership and mentoring within the library profession,” a press release from FTCC said. “All participants are asked to develop a response to a community and/or organizational need within librarianship. During her time within the institute, Obele Bele plans to focus on Information Literacy in Community College Libraries.”
Cumberland County budget
CANNON PRESENTS RECOMMENDED BUDGET FOR FY 2023
Cumberland County Manager Amy Cannon presented a recommended budget for the 2023 fiscal year to the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners.
The budget would maintain the County’s property tax rate of 79.9 cents per $100 valuation.
Slightly under $553M in expenditures are included in the recommended budget. $362 million of those would be general fund expenses.
Keeping in mind the pandemic and other challenges to the economy such as inflation, rising fuel prices, the conflict in Ukraine and supply chain issues, Cannon believes that the budget would continue “the County’s focus on resilience, recovery, and restructuring,” a press release said.
The budget would include increases in projected property and sales tax collections. “On the expenditure side, the budget addresses projected increase in health insurance costs, employer contributions to the retirement system, and property and cybersecurity insurance,” the press release said.
Among the areas addressed in the budget are several ongoing priorities of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners.
BELOW IS A LIST OF THE PRIORITIES FROM THE COUNTY’S PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE:
• “Continuing to move forward with the replacement of the
Crown Theatre and Arena with anticipated site review and selection, land procurement, updating and refining project cost estimates, and procurement of a design/construction team.” • “Allocating $258,600 to move forward with Phase 1 of the
Gray’s Creek Water Project to serve two elementary schools and residential customers located along the route.” • “Moving forward with addressing homelessness including identifying potential sites for a homeless shelter.” • “Maintaining local funding for mental health services and recommending utilizing existing
MCO fund balance to increase
levels of mental health and substance abuse services in the county.” • “Providing $390,254 for a pilot project to provide in-home case management and care coordination to help address the social determinants of health and reduce barriers and gaps in services to those most in need.” • “Including $50,000 for a pilot transportation program to address transportation access issues for citizens receiving services from the Public Health
Department.”
SNOWING/FREEPIK.COM The Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the proposed budget on Monday, June 6 at 7 p.m. in Room 118 of the courthouse.
ADDITIONALLY, THE BUDGET INCLUDES:
INITIATIVES TO ADDRESS RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION ISSUES IN THE WORKFORCE INCLUDE:
• “$755,657 for 15 new positions (not including the new positions related to the in-home case management and care coordination program).” • “$84.3 million in current expense funding for Cumberland
County Schools, representing 43.47% of the property tax rate and an increase of $1.3 million from FY2022.” • “An additional $3.9 million in funding to Cumberland County Schools for School Health
Nurses, School Resource
Officers, and School Crossing
Guards.” • “$14.2 million in current expense funding for Fayetteville Technical Community
College, which is an increase of $935,000.” • “$2 million to replace 32 vehicles (21 from the Sheriff’s
Office and Detention Center).”
• “Funding for a 4% cost-ofliving adjustment for County employees.” • “Additional market adjustments to increase the entry level salary rates for sheriff’s deputies and detention officers.” • “$95,000 to conduct an organization-wide classification and market study to address salary
compression, inequity, and competitive pay within ranges.” • “Funding for a pilot project to transition social workers in DSS to permanent remote work, which could be expanded to other County departments in future years.”
The recommended budget is available on the county’s website at cumberlandcountync.gov. The Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the proposed budget on Monday, June 6 at 7 p.m. in Room 118 of the courthouse. Citizens who would like to comment on the proposed budget during the public hearing may, but are not required to, sign up prior to the start of the meeting. A sign-up sheet will be available in the room. Individuals may also call the Clerk to the Board at 910-6787771 or email cwhite@co.cumberland. nc.us.
According to North Carolina law, the Board may adopt the budget no earlier than 10 days after it is presented.
FUTURE BUDGET MEETING SCHEDULE
Public Hearing JUNE 6 AT 7 P.M.
Room 118, Courthouse
Budget Work Session JUNE 8 AT 5:30 P.M.
Room 564, Courthouse
Budget Work Session JUNE 13 AT 5:30 P.M.
Room 564, Courthouse
