The Western Piedmont Community College Board of Trustees named Joel D. Welch, Ph.D., PE as the next president of the college. Welch has over 21 years of experience in various roles at community colleges. He will replace the retiring president Michael S. Helmick on July 1, 2020. Welch was selected after an extensive nationwide search and is said to have the experience needed to further the college's mission of providing accessible education and promoting growth in the community.

1. For release: March 19, 2020
Joel D. Welch, Ph.D., PE Selected as Next President of Western Piedmont Community College
On March 19, 2020, the Western Piedmont Community College Board of Trustees named Joel D. Welch, Ph.D., PE, the
seventh president of the college, succeeding Michael S. Helmick, Ed.D. who announced he would retire on June 30,
2020, following a ten-year career with the college.
Dr. Welch has extensive community college experience having spent the past
twenty-one years in roles at Greenville Technical College and most recently
at Forsyth Technical Community College. Dr. Welch has served as an
Instructor and Department Chair in hazardous materials technology, Dean
for Engineering Technology, Associate Vice President for Administration,
Dean for Business & Technology, Vice President for Instructional Services,
Vice President for Transformative Learning, and Provost.
Welch stated “I am excited and deeply honored to have the opportunity to
serve as the next president of Western Piedmont Community College. WPCC
is an exemplary institution recognized for its commitment to student success
and support for economic development. I am grateful to the Board of
Trustees and the faculty and staff for the trust that they have placed in me to
lead WPCC into the future. I look forward to building upon the great work
that has already been accomplished and working with the faculty, staff and
the community to cultivate a shared vision that supports student success,
economic development and economic mobility. Together we are going to
accomplish great things at our college and in our community.”
Dr. Welch grew up in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina and received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from
The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, Master of Engineering in Civil Engineering from The University of
South Carolina, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership from Clemson University.
Dr. Welch was selected by the WPCC Board of Trustees to lead the college after an extensive nationwide search that
attracted a strong and diverse pool of 79 applicants. The Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) assisted
WPCC with the search and selection process.
“Welch’s previous experience aligns with the goals of the Board to continue collaborative efforts with regional
educational and workforce partners initiated by President Helmick” said Board of Trustees Chair and Co-Chair of the
Search Committee Scott Mulwee. “His broad community college experience and dedication to student success position
him well to further the mission of Western Piedmont Community College to provide accessible, high-quality education
that improves lives and promotes growth in our community.”
Dr. Welch will begin full-time on July 1, 2020. At that time, the college will host community forums to introduce Dr.
Welch to the community.