Wilson named Director of Admissions at BCCC | Eastern NC Now

   Press Release:

    As a student at Northside High School, Daniel O. Wilson wasn't very interested in his school work. Wilson was an outstanding basketball player and he assumed that athletics would hold the ticket to a bright future. After graduating with a 1.4 grade point average from Northside, Wilson headed to Louisburg College where he discovered that his basketball career would end with college. So Wilson changed his focus and decided to concentrate on his studies.

    "It was at Louisburg College that I discovered a passion for education," Wilson said.

    Today that education has led him to return to his roots as Director of Admissions and Recruitment at Beaufort County Community College.

    In his new post, Wilson, 29, will plan and direct new student recruitment and admissions for BCCC and will work with prospective students to generate interest and enrollment at BCCC. He will also help guide students throughout the admissions process, working in conjunction with BCCC Registrar Camille Richardson, among other admissions and recruitment activities.

    Wilson said his new post at BCCC is "a good opportunity to give back to the community that raised me."

    He succeeds Gary Burbage who retired earlier this year after a career of more than 30 years at BCCC.

    "Gary Burbage was a wonderful individual and the face of the college out there in the community for many years," Wilson said. "I have some big shoes to fill."

    Wilson hopes his personal story will inspire the region's young people, even those who are not good students in high school, to pursue a college education as a step towards a brighter future.

    "It's not where you start. It's where you finish," Wilson said. "I hope to convince students that if I can do it, they can do it too."

    A native of Belhaven, Wilson was one of nine children growing up in the eastern Beaufort County community in a family headed by his father, Amos, a preacher at Mt. Olive Pentecostal Faith Church, and his mother, Doris, a nurse.

    After graduating from Northside, Wilson earned an associate's degree in liberal studies from Louisburg College in 2006. He also holds a bachelor's degree in sociology from Longwood University in Farmville, Va., a master's degree in human services from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. He also did post-graduate studies in general psychology from Northcentral University in Prescott, Ariz. Wilson is currently pursuing a doctorate in organizational leadership from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Chicago, Ill.

    Before joining the staff at BCCC, Wilson served as Assistant Director of Admissions for The Art Institute of Raleigh-Durham in Durham, N.C.

    "We are extremely excited to have Daniel Wilson as part of the BCCC Student Services family," said Crystal Ange, dean of Student Services at BCCC. "He has enthusiastically jumped in and is eager to learn how BCCC works."

    Wilson began his education career at his alma mater, Louisburg College, as an admissions counselor in 2008 and in 2010, joined the staff of The Art Institute. He has also served as a social sciences instructor at Miller-Motte College.

    In addition to his duties at BCCC, Wilson is president of his brother's foundation, the C.J. Wilson Helping Hands Foundation, Inc. He also serves as a volunteer career advisor for Liberty University helping students assess their interests and strengths and choose a career based on those interests and strengths.

    Wilson is an active member of The Society for the Teaching of Psychology.

    He and his wife, Whitney, an administrative assistant for the Baptist Children's Home in Kinston, live in Winterville.

    In his spare time, Wilson enjoys movies and volunteering at his father's church.

    For more information about admission to BCCC, potential students can contact Wilson by telephone at (252)940-6233 or by email at danielw@beaufortccc.edu.