Dr. Torry Reynolds named AVP of Student Services at NC Community College System

The North Carolina Community College System named Dr. Torry Reynolds the new Associate Vice President of Student Services. She comes to the System with 18 years of experience in higher education, including her current role as AVP of Student Success Services at Forsyth Technical Community College in Winston-Salem.  

Reynolds will be responsible for leading efforts to ensure statewide opportunities exist for students to enter and succeed in the high growth, evolving employment pipelines. She will also lead the Student Services unit to promote a smooth experience for learners across the community college system as they navigate the process of lifelong upskilling and reskilling. 

“I knew this position was a perfect match between my passion for service and my desire for larger impact,” Reynolds said. “I wholeheartedly believe in the NCCCS vision, and I commit myself to promoting transformational generational change by working towards being a leader in higher education and workforce development innovation.” 
 
Reynolds has a proven track record of driving student success through visionary leadership, innovative program development, guided pathways, transformative change, and strategic management of resources. 

Dr. Brian Merritt, Senior Vice President and Chief Academic Officer at the North Carolina Community College System, said Reynolds’ experience in project management, uniting teams, budgeting, and data analysis will contribute to her success as AVP. 

“Dr. Reynolds has a reputation across our System for being mission-driven, student-centered, and having a true servant’s heart.  When you meet Torry, you feel like you’ve known her for a lifetime,” Merritt said. “Her approach will help us carefully consider how we support colleges to align pathways and the appropriate student supports with industry needs and employment trends to drive workforce growth and economic mobility. She is a dedicated leader who fosters collaborative environments and drives continuous improvement efforts in her work.” 

Prior to her current role, Reynolds was the Dean of Arts and Sciences at Forsyth Tech. She has also helped lead Title III Grant projects from the U.S. Department of Education at both Forsyth Tech and Central Carolina Community College. She earned a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Education at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. In 2015, she earned her Doctorate in Educational Studies from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. 

“I chose a career and higher education because I wanted to equip and empower people to fulfill their dreams,” Reynolds said. “My goal as AVP of Student Services is for me and my team to facilitate access to the information, resources, and support NCCCS institutions need to fulfill their local missions and empower their students for extraordinary success.” 

Reynolds said her top priority in the first year is getting to know the gifts and talents of her team, and the needs and desires of the community colleges across the state. 

“It is of the utmost importance for me to understand before I act. From there, I hope to collaborate with others to develop a comprehensive action plan to advance the NCCSS mission and vision,” Reynolds said. “Ultimately, we are going to do everything we can to make sure every student is served with excellence and we’re going to have fun while doing it.” 

Reynolds will join the System Office on July 1.