PAMLICO COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) - A community college in the East has officially appointed a new president.
Pamlico Community College says Zac Schnell, who has served as the college’s chief administrator since November, has been appointed to the college’s top job permanently.
The State Board of Community Colleges made Schnell’s appointment official Friday at its meeting in Raleigh.
Schnell, who hails from Wilmington, led the college’s Environmental Science Technology program since 2016. He was named acting president following the unexpected death of Interim President Michelle Willis Krauss on November 7th.
Schnell, who lives in Arapahoe, said he looks forward to his new role with the college.
“I am excited to work with our team here to build on our accomplishments and to help lead the college forward,” Schnell said. “Pamlico County is a wonderful place, and all of us at the college are dedicated to providing new opportunities for our community to grow together and thrive. I am eager to strengthen partnerships and to create new ones. I’m ready to hit the ground running.”
Schnell turned 36 earlier this month, becoming one of the youngest people ever appointed to lead a community college in the United States.
Bob Lyon, chairman of the college’s Board of Trustees, said he views Schnell’s age as a positive, adding Schnell had worked at Pamlico for nearly a decade and knew a great deal about the area and its residents.
“He is young, energetic, and extremely smart,” said Lyon. “He is going to lead the college in new directions and add to its program offerings. It’s an exciting time at Pamlico Community College.”
Schnell earned a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Technology and Management from N.C. State and went on to earn a master’s degree in Natural Resources from NCSU.
He spent two years in the Peace Corps, working on coastal resource management projects in the Philippines. He also worked at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Institute at Tremont.
Schnell joined the PCC faculty in 2016. During his tenure, the college says he has been recognized for his work in the classroom and has been active on campus.
Schnell was voted Pamlico’s instructor of the year in 2020, and the college says he has helped to lead multiple summer day camps for middle schoolers.
Schnell said he wants to be accessible to the community, even if they only know him as “Magic Zac,” a nickname from being an amateur magician.
“Students know me from doing magic tricks and other engaging activities in the classroom,” Schnell said. “I want to bring that spirit and a touch of magic to this new role.”