Senior Leadership Team

Laura B. Leatherwood, Ed.D. President Dr. Laura B. Leatherwood was named the College’s fourth president in July 2017, and the North Carolina Community College System’s 2022 President of the Year. Prior to being named president at Blue Ridge Community College, she served for 17 years in various roles at Haywood Community College including vice president of student and workforce development, executive director of Haywood Community College Foundation, and director of institutional advancement.Dr. Leatherwood holds a doctorate degree in university and community college leadership, a master’s degree in human resource development, and a bachelor’s degree in business law, all from Western Carolina University.

Dr. David Stegall Chief of Staff Dr. David Stegall was named the College’s chief of staff in May 2022. With 26 years of experience in public and private education, Dr. Stegall previously served as the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s deputy superintendent of innovation and chief academic officer. Since 2019, he has overseen agency divisions that serve over 1.6 million students, 115 school districts, and over 200 state residential and charter schools. In 2020, NC Governor Roy Cooper named Dr. Stegall co-chair of the statewide COVID-19 Education and Nutrition Response Task Force, which led to the development of the statewide school re-opening guidebook and support documents for K-12 public schools. Dr. Stegall also served as superintendent of Newton-Conover City Schools for more than five years, and he was named the Northwest NC Superintendent of the Year in 2017.

Kathy Allen Vice President for Instruction Ms. Allen joined Blue Ridge in 2004 and serves as the College’s chief academic officer. Before being named Vice President in 2018, she served as Dean for Business and Service Careers and Early Childhood Instructor. Ms. Allen holds a bachelor’s degree from Appalachian State University and a master’s degree from Arcadia University.

Scott Queen, Ed.D. Vice President of Economic and Workforce Development Dr. Queen joined Blue Ridge in September 2020. Prior to Blue Ridge, he served as Executive Vice President at Alamance Community College, his alma mater, where he had previously earned his degree in business computer programming. Queen also holds a master’s degree in Information Technology and Management from UNC-Greensboro and a doctorate in Higher Education Executive Leadership from Wingate University. His role at Blue Ridge will include development, organization, administration, and supervision of non-credit and credit programs in Workforce Training, Advanced Technologies, Public Safety, and Corporate and Customized Training that are designed to respond to the needs of students, businesses, and industries in Henderson and Transylvania Counties.

Kirsten Bunch Vice President for Student Services Ms. Bunch joined Blue Ridge in 1998 and has held various roles in Student Services. She was named Vice President in May 2018 and is responsible for counseling, student activities, registrar, financial aid, and enrollment management. She previously served as the Registrar.Bunch holds an associate degree from Blue Ridge Community College, a bachelor’s degree from Mars Hill University, and a master’s degree from Western Carolina University.

Chad Merrill, Ed.D. Vice President for General Administration Dr. Merrill joined Blue Ridge in 1996 and is responsible for facilities and plant operations; police and public safety; information technologies; planning, research, and institutional effectiveness; construction and capital projects; and event management. Prior to his role as a vice president, he served as cooperative education director, dean for Transylvania programs, and chief of staff. Dr. Merrill holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Asheville, and he earned master’s and doctoral degrees in Educational Leadership from Western Carolina University.

Lisa Adkins Vice President for Advancement Ms. Adkins joined Blue Ridge in September 2019. Prior to Blue Ridge, she worked as the Executive Director at the Buncombe County Schools Foundation in Asheville; a role she started in 2010. Prior to this, she worked as the Director of Marketing and Financial Development for the YMCA of Western North Carolina from 2004-2007. She’s also worked as the Corporate and Major Gifts Officer for the Pardee Hospital Foundation in Hendersonville; Director of Development at the Indiana Humanities Council in Indianapolis; and Development Director for Ballet Internationale in Indianapolis. Ms. Adkins received her Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication from Texas A&M University, a Certificate in Fund Raising Management (CFRM) from the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University and a Master’s Degree of Science in Management and Leadership (MSML) from Western Governors University.

Steve Young Associate Vice President for Technology/CIO Mr. Young joined Blue Ridge Community College as the Director of Information Technology in 2010 and assumed the role of Associate Vice President for Technology / CIO in October 2016. Currently, he is a full-time Information Technology instructor and continues to serve as CIO. Prior to serving at Blue Ridge Community College, Mr. Young worked in the federal government and in various technical roles at a software company for six years. Mr. Young has a bachelor’s degree in computer science from SUNY at Buffalo and a master’s degree in information systems management from Carnegie Mellon University. He has also completed the Vision Henderson County and North Carolina Community College Leadership programs.

Carolyn W. Alley Associate Vice President for Finance/CFO Ms. Alley joined Blue Ridge Community College in 2004 and currently serves as Associate Vice President for Finance/CFO primarily responsible for the financial resources of the College and oversees business and auxiliary services.Before being named Associate Vice President for Finance/CFO, she served as Purchasing Technician and Director of Administrative Services at Blue Ridge Community College. Ms. Alley also worked in local government and the private sector in various accounting, emergency services, and computer programming roles.Ms. Alley holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science with a minor in financial accounting from the University of North Carolina at Asheville and a master’s degree in business administration from Western Carolina University. She is a graduate of the North Carolina Community College Leadership Program.

Glenda H. McCarson Associate Vice President for Transylvania County Campus Ms. McCarson was named Associate Vice President in July 2015. She manages all functions pertaining to the Transylvania County Campus including development and coordination of instructional programs and personnel, student and administrative services, business and administrative services, and facility management.McCarson earned her bachelor’s degree from Montreat College and a master’s degree in Educational Administration of Community Colleges from Western Carolina University. She is a graduate of the North Carolina Community College Leadership Program.

Lorri Allison Human Resources Director Lorri is a human resources professional with more than 25 years of experience successfully administering, organizing and planning in diverse, public environments. She holds a Master of Science in Human Resource Development from Western Carolina University and a Bachelor of Arts in English/Communication Arts from Appalachian State University.

Office of the President
TEDC 203
(828) 694-1705
president@blueridge.edu

Executive Assistant
Tammy Pryor
t_pryor@blueridge.edu