Deborah T. “Debbie” Harris of Goldsboro has joined the Wayne Community College Board of Trustees.
She was appointed by the Wayne County Board of Commissioners and installed on the college’s board last month.
“I’m really looking forward to serving. I want to improve awareness of what this college has to provide to the people in Wayne County,” said Harris. “I want to promote all that this college has to offer.”
She sees herself “in an observation period now. I want to see where the biggest need is” for her skills.
Harris is no stranger to the college. Her father, Daniel Tillett, was one of the first instructors on the original campus. He taught automotive courses and worked for Director Hal Plonk.
She also worked at WCC, putting in nearly three decades in the WCC Continuing Education Department, dedicated to public safety training. Harris starting her career at the college teaching emergency medical technicians. She was given more responsibility that led to a full-time job coordinating fire, emergency medical, law enforcement, and 9-1-1 telecommunicator training.
“The main things I am proud of are setting up the first firefighter I and II certification academy, which had 56 graduates; the first paramedic program, with 43 graduates; and the first 9-1-1 telecommunicator certification course,” Harris said.
“Having worked with so many students in different walks of life, that knowledge will make me an asset to the board,” Harris said.
Additionally, Harris’ husband Keith was an instructor in the emergency medical and fire fighting programs. Both of her sons, Shawn and Brandon, graduated from WCC’s Basic Law Enforcement Training Academy and are now work in that field. Daughter-in-law Michelle took part of her courses for her bachelor’s degree at WCC and has taught there, also.
Wayne Community College is a public, learning-centered institution with an open-door admission policy located in Goldsboro, N.C. As it works to develop a highly skilled and competitive workforce, the college serves around 12,000 individuals annually as well as businesses, industry, and community organizations with high quality, affordable, accessible learning opportunities, including more than 70 college credit programs. WCC’s mission is to meet the educational, training, and cultural needs of the communities it serves.