Dr. Mark A. Sorrells
Dr. Mark A. Sorrells began his service as the fifth president of Fayetteville Technical Community College on Jan. 1, 2023.
Dr. Sorrells previously served as the College’s Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Services for four years and has worked in education for nearly four decades. As President, Dr. Sorrells plans to continue to enhance and build FTCC’s status as a leader in economic and workforce development for Cumberland County, the region and the state. He also plans to continue to hone the College’s commitment to providing educational and workforce-training solutions for the diverse community of students served by FTCC. A key goal is to partner with community leaders to improve the higher education and economic opportunities that are available to citizens of Cumberland County and to enhance their social mobility.
At FTCC, Sorrells has worked with administration, faculty, and staff to grow programs that align with the workforce needs of the employers in the county and the region. Sorrells has also been a key catalyst in the creation of FTCC’s H.O.P.E. Re-connect initiative, which provides on-the-job training in high-demand skills and the prospect of an accelerated path to employment. H.O.P.E. Re-connect is aimed at adult learners who lack college or high school credentials and may face career barriers as a result.
Under his leadership, FTCC has worked with private and public partners to identify critical needs in economic and workforce development and created innovative solutions to address those issues. A key initiative is the Carolina Cyber Network (CCN), a partnership of 2- and 4-year colleges and universities working together, with the support of the North Carolina General Assembly to address the significant skills gap and talent needed to respond to cyber threats faced by public and private entities across North Carolina and the nation.
Prior to joining FTCC, Sorrells spent 17 years at the Golden LEAF Foundation Inc., including fourteen years as its Senior Vice President. Earlier in his career, he served as Executive Director of North Carolina REAL Enterprises, a statewide organization implementing entrepreneurial education in participating schools and community colleges as an economic development strategy for rural communities. Sorrells’ career in higher education began at Haywood Community College as a Business Administration Instructor in 1985.
Sorrells earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee. He also holds a Doctor of Education in Education Leadership from East Carolina University. He completed Executive Programs for Philanthropic and Nonprofit Leaders through Stanford University and was a Fellow with the William C. Friday Fellowship for Human Relations’ Wildacres Leadership Initiative. Sorrells has been married to his wife, Leslie, for 37 years. The couple have two children and four grandchildren.
Flexibility in Delivery of Instruction and a Wide Range of Program Offerings.
FTCC offers over 86 programs of study leading to the award of an associate degree, certificate or diploma. For flexibility, many programs are available 100 percent online. With so much variety to offer, FTCC truly offers something for everyone.
High-Quality Programs and Support Services.
Our faculty members care about your success and are highly skilled in their areas of expertise. Beyond the classroom, FTCC offers extensive support services, such as the Student Learning Center, the Paul H. Thompson Library, counseling services, services specifically in support of our military and veteran students, and social activities through student clubs and organizations. I encourage you to stay focused on your goals, work hard, and take advantage of these free services designed to make your journey at Fayetteville Tech both enjoyable and successful.
Environment Which Rewards Prior Military Training and Experience through Academic Credits.
Fayetteville Tech is honored to serve the men and women who protect our country and the freedoms we enjoy as Americans. FTCC recognizes the value of military training and experience and provides programs of study which convert prior military training and experience into earned academic credits toward your degree. FTCC’s Fort Bragg Center provides a full array of services for our military students, and the All American Veterans Center (located inside the General Classroom Building on the Fayetteville campus) serves veterans with not only educational counseling and services but also a beautiful facility designed in response to the needs of veterans.
Affordability and Transferability.
FTCC’s tuition is extremely affordable when compared to other educational opportunities. FTCC has articulation agreements in place with several North Carolina colleges and universities to provide students who wish to pursue a four year degree a seamless transfer process. Completing the first two years of college at FTCC saves money on tuition expense. Plus, FTCC transfer students perform exceptionally well in the four-year college environment.
These are just a few of the reasons why FTCC is “The Smart Choice” for education. Congratulations on making the smart choice! You are now on your way to achieving your goals through meaningful educational experiences that can be obtained conveniently, expeditiously, and affordably. Do your best to make the most of your learning journey, and FTCC will be there to support your needs along the way.
Sincerely,