ECC Announces New VP of Instruction

Bruce Panneton has been named vice president of instruction at Edgecombe Community College.

Bruce Panneton, who began his career in higher education as a community college instructor, has been named vice president of instruction at Edgecombe Community College.

Panneton joined ECC in 2005 as a biology instructor. He has served as interim vice president of instruction since November 2020. Since then, he has continued to serve as dean of Health Sciences and Public Safety, a position he has held since 2017. Before becoming a dean, he was chair of the Science, Health, and Physical Education department.

In his new position, which was effective December 1, Panneton oversees all degree, diploma, certificate, and continuing education programs at the college. Through these programs, the college serves about 5,500 individuals each year. He also leads about 130 full-time and part-time instructors.

“We are delighted that Mr. Panneton has agreed to take on a new role at Edgecombe Community College,” says ECC President Dr. Greg McLeod. “He brings an ideal blend of experience as an instructor, department chair, dean, and interim vice president here at ECC. He has contributed significantly to the successes of the college over the last sixteen years, and his clear commitment to this institution and its students will help move us forward.”

“I am excited and honored to take on this new role at Edgecombe Community College,” Panneton says. “My priority is to provide ECC faculty, staff, and programs the tools and support they need to cultivate an atmosphere of continuous improvement and growth.

“Continuous improvement and growth ensure that ECC is positioned to help as many students as possible achieve their academic and career goals.”

Among his many contributions to ECC, Panneton currently chairs the Curriculum Review Committee and Licensure Pass Rate Performance Measures Committee, co-chairs the Safety and Security Committee, and serves on a number of other committees.

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. He is a doctor of education candidate at ECU.

A native of Richlands, NC, he attended Coastal Carolina Community College before transferring to ECU.