Leadership Team
Welcome! Read about College of The Albemarle’s (COA) leadership team.
Dr. Jack Bagwell, President
Dr. Jack Bagwell began his tenure as the 11th President of College of The Albemarle on December 2, 2019. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology from Winthrop University and his doctorate in educational studies with a specialization in educational leadership and higher education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. In addition to his earned degrees, Dr. Bagwell has participated in the Executive Leadership Institute offered through the League for Innovation in Community Colleges and the South Carolina Technical College System’s Leadership Academy.
Bagwell’s career in community colleges began over 33 years ago at York Technical College in South Carolina, where he served 23 years in various roles, including biology instructor, instructional specialist, dean of learning resources, culminating in associate vice president of academic affairs and interim vice president for development. He transitioned to Piedmont Technical College (PTC) in South Carolina, serving from 2014 until he accepted the position at COA. He served as vice president of academic affairs during his tenure at PTC.
Dr. Bagwell developed expertise in accreditation-related issues during his career by serving on many Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges accreditation committees. He has also worked in his local communities by serving on committees and taskforces, primarily focusing on education, quality of life, and economic development issues. Dr. Bagwell is an ex-officio board member on the Elizabeth City Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Elizabeth City-Pasquotank County Economic Development Commission, and the Edenton-Chowan Partnership. Dr. Bagwell also serves on the College of The Albemarle Foundation Board and is an Elizabeth City Rotary Club member. In addition to his community-based service, Dr. Bagwell is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Coastal Studies Institute, a multi-institutional research partnership located in Wanchese, NC.
President’s Leadership Team
Sara Shepherd
Sara E. Shepherd joined College of The Albemarle in 2025 as the Vice President of Business and Administrative Services.
She is an experienced finance and operations leader with over 20 years of expertise in driving organizational growth, improving efficiency, and ensuring financial accountability. Known for her collaborative leadership style and results-oriented approach, Sara has successfully guided multimillion-dollar projects, led cross-functional teams, and implemented transformative operational systems.
Mrs. Shepherd holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) in Project Management from Fayetteville State University. Additionally, she has earned multiple professional certifications and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Strategic Leadership at Liberty University.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Sara is dedicated to community service, mentoring youth, and supporting educational initiatives. Her career and volunteer work reflect her belief that effective leadership is rooted in both vision and service.
Dr. Dean Roughton
Dr. Dean Roughton joined COA in 2006.
Dr. Roughton has worked in higher education for more than two decades. First hired as an English
instructor, Dr. Roughton has also served as a department chair, division chair, and most recently as Dean, Arts and Sciences for the past six years. In his new role, Dr. Roughton will oversee the College’s research and data division, as well as the information technology department. His duties will include conducting evaluations of the effectiveness of all campus programs and departments and overseeing college-wide strategic planning and assessment. He will also serve as the College’s liaison to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the College’s regional accreditation agency.
Dr. Roughton earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Community College Leadership from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA; a Master of Arts in English from North Carolina State University in Raleigh; and a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill. In addition to degrees earned, Dr. Roughton completed the North Carolina Community College System Leadership Program in 2014 and was named a Fulbright Scholar by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in 2018.
Dr. Jennifer Lopes
Dr. Jennifer M. Lopes joined COA in 2024.
Dr. Lopes currently serves as the Vice President of Learning at College of The Albemarle in Elizabeth City, North Carolina.
In this role, she oversees academic programming and initiatives aimed at enhancing student learning and success.
Before joining COA, Dr. Lopes held the position of Vice President of Academic Affairs at Jackson State Community College in Jackson, Tennessee. There she played a pivotal role in securing a grant as part of the Tennessee Board of Regents’ “Reimagining the Community College Experience” initiative. This initiative aims to enhance student success through comprehensive career exploration, advising, and the integration of workforce-focused certificates within the first semester.
Dr. Lopes is a strong advocate for flexible and accessible educational environments. She promotes educational strategies that engage the learner and prioritizes both academic achievement and employability skills for students.
She holds a Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of South Carolina. She also earned both a Master of Arts and a Bachelor of Arts in Romance Languages from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Her scholarly work includes research on integrating work ethic skills into liberal arts education through work-integrated learning, reflecting her commitment to bridging academic theory and practical application.
Kris Burris
Kris Burris joined COA in 2020.
Ms. Burris joins COA with a significant background in the South Carolina Technical College System. Previously, she served in a number of positions at
Piedmont Technical College in Greenwood, South Carolina including adjunct instructor, Director of Student Support Services programs and Director of Dual Enrollment. In her vice president role at COA, Ms. Burris will provide leadership and oversight for admissions and financial aid, student recruitment and engagement, student life and leadership, enrollment services, advising, career services and secondary education.
Ms. Burris earned an educational specialist degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Converse College, a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Wofford College, and an Associate in Science from Spartanburg Methodist College. She is presently seeking a graduate certificate in Higher Education Leadership from the University of South Carolina.
Timothy Sweeney
Tim Sweeney serves as dean at COA – Dare.
Mr. Sweeney graduated from Old Dominion University with a Bachelor of Health Science and a Master of Administration and Supervision.
He previously served as the Director of College and Career Readiness at COA. He has been with COA since 2011 after a 36-year career as a high school principal in Newport News, Virginia.
He and his wife Claudia have two children and five grandchildren. They reside in Southern Shores, North Carolina.
Tammy Sawyer
Tammy Sawyer joined College of The Albemarle as Director of Communications & Marketing in May 2022. In this role, she leads COA’s strategic communications,
marketing, media relations, brand management, and digital outreach across the college’s multi-county service area.
Before joining COA, Sawyer served 27 years with Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools, where she held leadership roles in communications, public information, community engagement, and human resources. Her career reflects a deep commitment to education, collaboration, and service to northeastern North Carolina.
Sawyer also serves as Eastern Director for PRIMA NC (Public Relations, Information & Marketing Association of North Carolina), a statewide organization connecting communications and marketing professionals from the 58 community colleges to share best practices and advance public higher education.
In addition, she is a board member of GEACC (Government-Education Access Channels Committee) for Dare County, which oversees educational and governmental programming through Current TV to inform and engage the community.
An active community volunteer, Sawyer serves on the boards of the Albemarle Area United Way and ECP Backpacks, a local nonprofit she co-founded to provide weekend meals for children experiencing food insecurity.
With more than 30 years of experience in communications, public relations, and education leadership, Sawyer is passionate about sharing COA’s story, promoting opportunities that transform lives, and strengthening partnerships throughout the region.
Jaime Thomason
Jaime Thomason joined COA in 2022.
Jaime Thomason serves as Executive Assistant to the President of College of The Albemarle. She brings more than two decades of administrative experience across higher education, nonprofit, and military sectors, including ten years of active-duty service in the United States Navy. Jaime holds bachelor’s degrees in Humanities and English Literature from University of Maryland – Global Campus. She is passionate about fostering organizational excellence, supporting leadership development, and strengthening communication across the college. A native of Rochester, New York, Jaime now resides in northeastern North Carolina, where she enjoys reading, traveling, and time with her family.
Valerie Mueller
