MCC Welcomes McAlister to Continuing Education Role

Published on Thursday, June 20th, 2024

Montgomery Community College is pleased to announce the arrival of Sylvia McAlister as its new Dean of Continuing Education. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Language Arts and Literature from North Carolina State University, and from Western Carolina University both a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Chemistry and Master of Science in Synthesis of Organometallic Polymers.

Prior to accepting her role at MCC, Sylvia served as the Quality/Continuous Improvement Manager at PaperWorks Packaging, Incorporated in Mount Gilead. She has also worked in various scientific capacities for Hospira, Pfizer and Baxter Healthcare. She also taught chemistry, biochemistry and biology for McDowell Community College in Marion, North Carolina.

In addition to her strengths in science, Sylvia’s more recent contributions focus on quality control, process improvement and lean manufacturing protocols. She holds a Black Belt in Lean Manufacturing/Continuous Improvement and is a Certified Six Sigma Quality Engineer.

“We are so proud to welcome Sylvia back to this part of North Carolina,” says MCC President, Chad Bledsoe. “It is always so gratifying when someone of Sylvia’s caliber returns to her homeplace with intentions of serving the community with her considerable skills and talent.”

Sylvia inherits a vibrant team in the Department of Continuing Education. Business & Industry Services, Career & College Readiness, Health & Public Safety, Heritage Crafts and the Small Business Center are housed there, in addition to many outreach programs for leisure, workforce development and training.

“I am from Biscoe originally, and I am so glad to be back so close to home,” explains Sylvia. “I know people here, and I care deeply for the area and appreciate the family legacies which have made Montgomery County great for so many years.”

Sylvia believes her process-oriented background will serve the College and its future plans, but also the plans belonging to the students and organizations that interact with the Department of Continuing Education. “I am all about reducing costs, improving efficiency and helping teams work smarter,” explains Sylvia. “Hopefully what I have to offer will be appealing to the various customers of the College as we all work together to grow and improve Montgomery County.”