A Q&A with SPCC's new president, Stan Sidor

By Tiffany Jothen, The Enquirer-Journal
July 24, 2011

Stan Sidor took over as president of South Piedmont Community College on July 1. The first few weeks were a flurry of meetings, but he’s finally settled into his office. He reflects on why he was attracted to the school and his plans for the upcoming year.
“I have been impressed by the high regard in which the community holds the college and the continued commitment to this institution,” Sidor said. “Dr. McKay left SPCC in a great position to move forward.”
Former president John McKay retired this summer. Sidor now heads about 12,100 students – in both credit and non-credit programs – in Union and Anson counties.
“I have long admired the North Carolina community college system and jumped at the opportunity to join such a well-run system,” he said. “The strength of the business community was a major attraction. As I progressed through the search process, I also was attracted by the hospitality of the community and the strength and support of the trustees.”
Sidor and his wife, Michele, have two college-age children, Christopher and Michael. Sidor enjoys reading, cycling, volunteering and working on mechanical projects in his free time.

Q: You grew up on a farm in Michigan and previously served Daytona State College as provost of the Advanced Technology Center Campus and associate vice president for the College of Engineering Technology and Occupational Programs. Union County is diverse, with large manufacturers like Turbomecca and ATI Allvac and a strong agricultural presence. How can SPCC address such a variety of needs, including increased reliance on new technology, while facing statewide budget cuts?
A: We will have to very carefully invest in the technologies that will serve the largest number of students moving to high-skill, high-wage professions. Additionally, we will have to seek out partnerships to help us meet these needs.

Q: According to U.S. Census data, Hispanics make up 10.4 percent of Union County’s population, up from 6.2 percent in 2000. What is SPCC doing to accommodate or attract this population?
A: SPCC offers English for Speakers of Other Languages and provides registration services in Spanish for this program. There are four levels of ESOL instruction available: beginning, intermediate, advanced and academic. SPCC offers GED classes and tests in Spanish. Students may prepare for U.S. citizenship through SPCC’s ESOL civics classes. Hispanic students who need to build English skills at home may enroll in Rosetta Stone and English for All. All Basic Skills classes are free. An Español button in the top right-hand corner of www.spcc.edu details this information in Spanish. SPCC does not advertise classes in Spanish unless registration and instruction are delivered in Spanish.

Q: Union County’s unemployment rate was 8.8 percent in March. SPCC offers continuing education and college credit programs, as well as adult basic skills classes to improve reading, writing, math and communication. Besides offering these courses, what is SPCC’s role in preparing young and old students for the workforce?
A: SPCC’s workforce development programs offer one- to two-week HRD (Human Resources Development) programs designed to help students make decisions as to where their interests lie in regard to preparing for the first or next career. These programs generally are free to the unemployed and underemployed. The scope of our mission is to prepare students appropriately for their next career choice. For some, it may be basic skills preparation; for others, it may be transfer to the state university system.

Q: You have experience in raising money for educational institutions. SPCC could use larger facilities to accommodate expanding enrollment, but will receive about $900,000 less than last year. What can you do, as president, to ensure the college has what it needs to offer students the best education possible?
A: Our biggest challenge moving forward will be to improve and increase our facilities in a way that maximizes value to our counties’ residents and prepares an increasing larger highly skilled workforce. We will work with all potential partners to move towards these goals.