POLKTON (May 19, 2025) – Dr. Stacy Waters-Bailey, a senior administrator at Forsyth Tech, has been named the next president of South Piedmont Community College, which serves Union and Anson counties.

Don’t read that as the announcement of just another community college president.

You might recall that we interviewed Waters-Bailey three years ago at Forsyth Tech, where she serves as Vice President for Transfer Excellence & Success.

She described the lengths to which college staff went to help students during the pandemic, as well as the college’s four food pantries and other efforts to meet students’ needs – not just in the classroom but at home.

Even car transmissions, legal services and pet food!

Waters-Bailey has been at Forsyth Tech for seven years. The college says she was “instrumental in improving student outcomes, notably increasing transfer success rates, boosting enrollment numbers, and enhancing student retention.”

South Piedmont is getting a winner.

Waters-Bailey has held positions at Davidson-Davie Community College, The University of Alabama, and Tidewater Community College in Norfolk, Virginia.

“I am deeply honored and thrilled to lead South Piedmont Community College into its next chapter,” she said. “This institution has a proud legacy of transforming lives through education, and I am committed to building upon that foundation to create even greater opportunities for our students and community.”

Waters-Bailey holds a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies, a Graduate Certificate in Environmental Studies, and a Master of Public Administration from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. She earned a doctorate in Community College Leadership from Old Dominion University.

Looking ahead, Waters-Bailey says she’s excited about engaging with communities in Anson and Union counties and furthering the college’s service to students.

Waters-Bailey succeeds Dr. Maria Pharr, who led the college from 2017 to 2024 before stepping down to become president of Pitt Community College. She will begin as president in July.