Patrena Benton Elliott is the new president of Halifax Community College in Weldon, North Carolina. The college enrolls just under 1,000 students, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education. African Americans make up 45 percent of the student body.
Dr. Elliott had been serving as vice president of instruction and student support services at Robeson Community College in Lumberton, North Carolina. Previously, she was dean of the Graduate College at Hampton University in Virginia. Earlier, Dr. Elliott was the assistant vice president for academic affairs and director of the Edwin P. McCabe Honors Program at Langston University in Oklahoma.
“I feel honored to be chosen as Halifax Community College’s next president.” Dr. Elliott said. “I count it a blessing to have the opportunity to be a part of such a wonderful institution. I am also so excited to have the chance to work with all stakeholders in advancing the work of the college and the greater community.”
Dr. Elliott holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She earned a Ph.D. in leadership studies at North Carolina A&T State University.