Wake Tech names new president

The Wake Tech Board of Trustees has approved hiring Dr. Scott Ralls to be the school's new top administrator.

“Scott Ralls is the right person at the right time for Wake Tech,” board Chairman Tom Looney said in a written statment. “And I’m thrilled about his selection. With his extensive record of achievement and leadership at one of the nation’s largest community colleges, he will be able to build on Wake Tech’s solid foundation and continue its tradition of excellence."

Ralls is currently working as president of Northern Virginia Community College, described as one of the largest community colleges in the U.S.

According to Wake Tech, Ralls has more than 20 years of experience in community colleges, including seven years as president of the NC Community College System, and has worked for the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the U.S. Department of Commerce, and the U.S. Department of Labor.

The decision to appoint Ralls to the post will mark his return to the Triangle.

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Ralls served as president of the N.C. Community College System from 2008 to 2015, and was the top administrator for the state’s 58 community colleges.

Prior to his work with North Carolina community colleges, he was president of Craven Community College in New Bern.

According to Wake Tech, Ralls received his bachelor’s degree from UNC-Chapel Hill, and master’s and doctorate degrees in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from the University of Maryland.