Aron Gabriel is the new president of Mayland Community College, as of Friday.
Gabriel took over from retiring president John Boyd in a small ceremony at the college Friday, with the faculty in attendance.
Gabriel comes to Mitchell County from Newton-Conover City Schools, where he served as superintendent. He has a doctorate in educational leadership from Western Carolina University.
Boyd introduced Gabriel to the Mitchell County Board of Commissioners at the board’s regular meeting last week.
“He’ll become the new president on Friday (Jan. 9),” Boyd said to the county board. “Friday also marks the end of my 15th year here. … I think all of you will enjoy the opportunity to work with him.”
Gabriel said he is excited about his new position, and said that Boyd will be a difficult act to follow.
“I’m tickled to be here; I probably need my head examined for following John after everything he’s done,” Gabriel said.
Gabriel said that the effort that both Boyd and the commissioners have put into economic development will “start a tidal wave” of improvement in Mitchell County.
“This whole area is a sleeping giant,” he said.
Commissioner Steve Pitman, who also serves on the Board of Trustees for Mayland, said that the process of choosing a new president for the college was extremely thorough.
“I’ve interviewed a lot of people in my in my career. I’ve never been to a process like interviewing for the president of college,” Pitman said.
Pitman praised Gabriel for making it through that series of interviews and follow-ups.
“You have been (thoroughly) vetted,” he said.