From the small community of Rocky Run to leadership roles across Eastern North Carolina, Dr. Ervin Patrick’s journey reflects the lasting impact of Craven Community College (Craven CC) on both personal growth and public service.
A proud native of Craven County, Patrick’s path to Craven began during a pivotal moment in his life. After starting at East Carolina University (ECU) as a Music Education major, he returned home following the loss of his grandmother and enrolled at Craven CC to complete general education courses while preparing for mortuary school.
“It was an absolutely phenomenal experience,” Patrick said. “I feel like I was a different student from even high school and from the year at East Carolina, just coming here to Craven. The faculty was so nurturing and caring. They took so much time in their instruction.”
That environment helped Patrick rediscover his confidence as a learner. Smaller class sizes and personal attention from instructors made a lasting impression, one that stood in contrast to the anonymity he later experienced at a large university.
“Coming here on the campus of Craven Community College, your professors knew you,” he said. “They made you feel like you were the only students that they had.”
After completing his coursework at Craven in 1999, Patrick attended mortuary school, completing the program at an accelerated pace and graduating with honors. Upon returning home, he realized he wanted to continue his education—and once again, Craven was the obvious choice. He earned a general education degree in 2000 and an associate degree in Business Administration in 2002 before returning to ECU to complete his bachelor’s degree.
Patrick credits Craven CC with giving him a strong academic foundation that prepared him for success beyond the community college level. He recalls instructors who emphasized true understanding, not shortcuts.
“I’ll never forget Mr. Lassiter in his statistics class,” Patrick said. “He said, ‘I’m going to teach you to do all of these things by hand.’ Statistics was one of the easiest classes I’ve ever taken because he made sure we truly understood it.”
Patrick went on to earn a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from The George Washington University and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from ECU. Today, he serves as Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and School Operations for Pamlico County Schools.
In 2019, Patrick returned to Craven Community College in a new role—this time as a member of the Board of Trustees. He later served as board chair from 2023 to 2025, a responsibility he describes as both humbling and meaningful.
“As a former student, to go from the classroom to the boardroom is almost surreal,” Patrick said. “I really feel like I’m giving back to the student body and to the community. We’re doing important work.”
He speaks highly of the collaborative nature of the board and the college’s leadership, noting that the experience has influenced his own approach to governance and teamwork.
“This is really how a board should operate,” he said. “We come from varying backgrounds, but we work together, have discussions, and make decisions that we believe best impact the college and the students.”
Patrick is especially proud of Craven’s continued growth and innovation, pointing to the Volt Center and the future Public Safety Training Center as transformational initiatives for the region.
“The jewel in our crown right now is the Volt Center,” he said. “We’re being talked about across the country. I really think we are changing people’s lives every single day.”
In recognition of his deep connection to the institution, Patrick became the first official member of Craven CC’s Alumni Association, reinforcing his lifelong commitment to the college and its mission.
Looking back, Patrick encourages current students to fully embrace their time at Craven and take advantage of every opportunity available.
“Enjoy the experience of being a student at Craven Community College,” he said. “Take more classes. Get involved. Take it all in.”
Despite earning multiple advanced degrees, Patrick and his wife both place immense value on their time at Craven.
“We’re proud to say that we are alumni of Craven Community College,” he said. “It’s such an impactful and meaningful part of our lives, and we’re grateful for the opportunity of having been students here.”
From classroom to boardroom, Patrick’s story illustrates how Craven CC meets students where they are—and helps carry them forward for a lifetime.
