College Announces New Dean

Bruce Panneton, a community college instructor and program chair who began his academic career as a community college student, has been named dean of Health Sciences and Public Safety at Edgecombe Community College.

Bruce Panneton has been named dean of the Division of Health Sciences and Public Safety at Edgecombe Community College.

Panneton previously taught biology at the college and also chaired the Science, Health, and Physical Education department at ECC.

In his new position, Panneton will oversee programs in Basic Law Enforcement Training, CT/MRI, EMS and Rescue, Fire and Emergency Services, Health Occupations, Health Information Technology, Medical Assisting, Nursing, Radiography, Respiratory Therapy, and Surgical Technology.

“I am excited and honored to take on this new role at Edgecombe Community College,” Panneton says. “Health Sciences is a flagship division at the college, and Public Safety trains a majority of new and current law enforcement, fire, and emergency personnel in Edgecombe County.

“Both of these areas are critical to the health and safety of our community. I look forward to working with extremely talented and committed instructors and staff to move the college forward to best serve our health sciences and public safety students and employers.”

Panneton joined ECC in 2005. During his tenure as Science, Health, and PE department chair and biology instructor, he served as coordinator of the Quality Enhancement Plan, adjunct faculty liaison, and member of the college’s Service Learning Committee, Recruiting Committee, and Employee Wellness Committee.

He also received the 2009-2010 Keihin Endowed Faculty Chair, the most prestigious faculty award at the college, which rewards excellence in teaching.

Panneton holds both a B.S. degree in biology and a master’s degree in biology from East Carolina University. A native of Jacksonville, he attended Coastal Carolina Community College before transferring to ECU.