LILLINGTON - Jon Matthews is Central Carolina Community College's new Provost for Harnett County.

Matthews, who has been at the college since August 2001, has served as Associate Provost since July 2014 and Dean of Business and Media Technologies since January 2015. His other duties at the college have included Business Administration Instructor (August 2001-July 2004), Lead Instructor of Business Administration (August 2004-June 2006), Department Chair of Business Technologies (July 2006-August 2009), and Dean of University Transfer and Health Sciences (August 2009-January 2015). He also has served as Director of CCCC's Confucius Classroom since 2010.

"Jon is well suited for the position of Provost," says CCCC President Dr. T. Eston Marchant. "He has demonstrated his drive and leadership abilities through his various roles at the college."

Matthews' duties as Provost include overseeing operations management of CCCC's Harnett County sites; supervising faculty and staff; advancing programs for the college in Harnett County; and fostering partnerships with community organizations, secondary education schools, and county and municipal officials and offices.

"As a native and lifelong resident of Harnett County, I am honored to have this opportunity to serve our students, faculty, staff, and citizens," said Matthews. "Since the College first established its first educational site here in the 1980s, Harnett's population and economic activity have grown significantly and become increasingly diverse. That type of growth offers both opportunities and challenges, and I am eager to help CCCC continue its role as a catalyst for the types of learning and training that help our students enter high-wage/high-demand careers and successfully transfer to universities.

"Following in the footsteps of Provost Emeritus Bill Tyson will not be easy, but I am proud to be working with an incredibly talented faculty and staff who are focused on student learning," said Matthews.

Matthews received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from East Carolina University, a Master of Business Administration from East Carolina University, and Educational Specialist from Wingate University with his anticipated completion of the Doctor of Education in May 2017. He graduated from Leadership Harnett in 2015.

His professional associations include the N.C. Association of Community College Instructional Administrators (member), N.C. Community College Association of Deans and Chairs of Health Science (past member), Harnett County Schools Strategic Planning Advisory Committee (member), Phi Beta Lambda (professional member), and Society for Advancement of Management (past president, ECU Chapter).

Matthews has received the following academic and professional recognitions -- Beta Gamma Sigma (Academic Excellence in Business Administration), Sigma Iota Epsilon (Academic Excellence in Management), Omicron Delta Kappa (Excellence in Student Leadership), Outstanding Scholarship - ECU School of Business, Educator of the Year - Greater Crede et Vince Chapter of NC Jaycees, Society for Advancement of Management - Outstanding Student Member (National), and Thomas R. Greensmith Case Analysis Award - 1st place Open Division.

Matthews served in several positions with Electronic Data Systems Corporation in Raleigh before coming to CCCC. In addition, he has served as a Graduate Assistant with the East Carolina University School of Education.

Matthews and his wife, Kelly, have three children - Lindsey, Luke, and Lily.

For more information on Central Carolina Community College, visit the website www.cccc.edu.