GTCC names David Pittman new associate vice president for student retention and completion

“As a first-generation college student, I relied on a variety of resources to support me along the way to graduation,” said David Pittman. “I know the critical difference that our programs, services, and staff members play in helping students retain and complete their degrees."

JAMESTOWN, N.C. (Feb. 1, 2024) – David Pittman, Ed.D., who has served as a dean at Guilford Technical Community College for the past 18 months, has been named the college’s associate vice president for student retention and completion.

As the college’s associate vice president for student retention and completion, Pittman will provide leadership for student retention and completion functions across all five GTCC campuses. He will also supervise and support Titan Link, student conduct and community standards, assessment, student life, counseling and disability services, and campus operations.

“As a first-generation college student, I relied on a variety of resources to support me along the way to graduation,” said Pittman. “I know the critical difference that our programs, services, and staff members play in helping students retain and complete their degrees. I’m excited to partner with faculty and staff to ensure our programs and services exceed student expectations, improve our retention efforts via new programmatic efforts, and to serve as a constant reminder to students that we are here to help them every step of the way.”

Before coming to GTCC, Pittman worked at Duke University where he collaborated with the school of engineering in designing the curriculum and instructing a pre-orientation program, as well as the first-year seminar, Thrive, for 50 first-year students. He also served as senior director of student life at Duke University.

“Dr. Pittman brings a wide range of experience and expertise to his new AVP role including 29 years of experience working in higher education in roles supporting student retention and success along with his direct experiences here at GTCC,” said Ann Proudfit, Ph.D., vice president for student services at GTCC. “Most notable among Dr. Pittman’s professional accomplishments are his efforts to improve the student experience collegewide through just-in-time outreach, services, and support.”

Pittman, a native of Halifax, has worked in multiple functional areas of college administration, including university housing, college union, campus activities, student involvement and leadership, and fraternity and sorority life.

He has worked in university housing at the University of Tennessee, the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, and the University of South Carolina before serving as the director of student activities at Florida State University.

Pittman has also devoted more than 20 years of service as a national facilitator for LeaderShape, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping transform the world by increasing the number of people who lead with integrity.