Martin Community College (MCC) recently announced Happy Gingras is the newest member of the Martin Mustang team.
Gingras will assume the role of Vice President of Academic Affairs/Chief Academic Officer beginning July 1. Gingras brings with her extensive experience within the North Carolina Community College System, as well as federal grant budgeting and oversight.
Gingras began her higher education career at the University of Mount Olive and later moved on to Pitt Community College where she began as the Testing Director.
Her zeal and passion for student success led her to pursue her Masters in Adult Education. She transitioned to the classroom and began teaching Sociology full-time.
Gingras collaborated with other faculty who were globalizing their classes, which led her to co-direct the development of the Belize Service-Learning Study Abroad project and training other faculty on how to lead study abroad programs.
Seven years ago, Gingras moved to the staff position of Senior Director of Teaching and Learning. In this role, she provided professional development opportunities for faculty and staff in a variety of subjects, including OER usage in the classroom, instruction in online courses and the use of AI in education.
She provided supervision of the Distance Learning team and coordination of the Carl D. Perkins grant, all while remaining active in the classroom, teaching Sociology and ACA.
Throughout her career, Gingras has garnered recognition for her outstanding contributions, earning accolades such as the Excellence Award from the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) and the prestigious Innovation Award from the League of Innovation. Her dedication and impact were further celebrated when she received the Staff of the Year award at Pitt Community College in 2023.
Beyond her administrative role, Gingras is a distinguished Elite Trainer with True Colors International and a facilitator for Mental Health First Aid, reflecting her commitment to holistic student support. Continuously seeking to expand her expertise, she is currently pursuing a credential in emotional intelligence and strengths-based coaching.
Active in professional circles, Gingras is a valued member of the North Carolina Community College Sociology and Psychology Association, holding the seat of president of the association at one time.
As an engaged educator, she collaborates to enhance the field of education, providing insights and expertise through conference presentations across the nation on a variety of topics.
Gingras has a passion for sharing knowledge which extends to the realm of publishing, as she has authored books on flipped and online learning, cementing her reputation as a thought leader in educational innovation.
Gingras welcomes everyone to stop by and introduce themselves. Her door is always open.
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