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At its August 2025 meeting held in Foundation Hall, Sandhills Community College swore in two new members, reappointed two others and honored two for their service. In addition, it was the first meeting for the new student trustee to attend at participate. New members included Michael Freidel, Trustee, West End, NC, appointed by Moore County Commissioners, July 2025 and William Richard Maness, Trustee, West End, NC, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, July 2025.

 

Freidel has been a resident of Seven Lakes for over five years, with his wife Bianca and their granddaughter Kayla Feliciano. During that time, he has served on numerous civic groups including the Seven Lakes Facilities Committee. He is currently an Elder at Sandhills Alliance Church in Pinehurst. He and Bianca have five children and six grandchildren. Prior to retiring, Freidel spent most of his career in Project Management and Fleet Management. Some of the projects he managed include creating insurance companies in New York State, Fleet Telematics, Spend Analytics, Y2K and Fleet Management. One of the fleets he managed had over 45,000 units spread across North America. He holds a degree in Accounting from Rutgers University and an MBA degree from Rowan University. He also obtained several professional certifications such Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Quality Assurance (CQA), and Data Security. Additionally, Freidel served on the WAWA Credit Union Board of Directors, Chairman of the Philadelphia Chapter of Fleet Managers, GE Fleet Services Technical Advisory Board, and the Lions Flight for Sight Foundation Board.

 

Maness is a native of Moore County and grew up in the Robbins community. He graduated from North Moore High School and Appalachian State University. A lifelong public servant, Richard retired from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol at the rank of Captain in 2014. From 2018 until 2024, he served as the Chief Deputy for the Moore County Sheriff’s Office. Maness and his wife Roberta have two sons, Will and Matthew, two beautiful daughters-in-law, Whitney and Pooja, a granddaughter Kensley, a grandson William, and anxiously await the arrival of granddaughter Nora in November.

 

In addition, board members re-appointed were  Trustee, Raeford, NC, appointed by Hoke County Commissioners, July 2025. In addition, Nick Watts, SCC Student Government Association (SGA) President, took over the reins at his first meeting, representing the student body. Nick is also serving on the state-wide group of SGA presidents with the North Carolina Community College system.

 

Recognition of Outgoing Trustees included a brick presentation by President Alexander “Sandy” Stewart to Helen Probst Mills, Appointed by the Governor’s Office, 2017–2025, Pinehurst, NC. in recognition of her dedicated service, leadership, and commitment to advancing the mission of Sandhills Community College as a valued member of the Board of Trustees; and to Gary W. Evans Appointed by the Moore County Board of Education, 2013– 2025, Pinehurst, NC. in recognition of his twelve years of dedicated service, thoughtful leadership, and steadfast commitment to the mission and values of Sandhills Community College as valued member of the Board of Trustees.

 

 

During its June Board of Trustees meeting held in the Tutoring Center in Logan Hall at Sandhills Community College Nicholas (Nick) Watts was sworn into his new role as President of the Student Government Association (SGA) by Teresa Sheets, SCC Board of Trustees Liaison. Members of the Board thanked graduate Hayden Barnett for his service to the association and the professionalism displayed during his appointment for 2024-2025 academic year.

 

Watts is a North Carolina native who has spent most of his life in Hoke County. He is currently pursuing an Associate in Arts in Teacher Preparation, aspiring to become a public school teacher and eventually teach at the college level. Passionate about education, service and community, Watts volunteers through his church, serves as a volunteer firefighter and is preparing for a mission trip this summer.

 

A dedicated student leader, Watts will serve as the student voice on campus and as an ex-officio member of the college's Board of Trustees.

 

Additionally, he was selected to serve as the Assistant for the North Carolina Comprehensive Community College Student Government Association (N4CSGA), a statewide role supporting the Executive Board. In this position, he will contribute by assisting with agendas, presentations, data analysis and providing support during high-pressure moments—demonstrating his adaptability, strong work ethic and collaborative spirit.

 

“This is an amazing opportunity for Nick to serve statewide,” said President Alexander “Sandy” Stewart. “He will not only build on his leadership abilities but learn of new initiatives that may benefit the Sandhills community as well as make an impact to the other 57 colleges in our statewide system.”

 

The mission of the statewide N4CSGA organization is to provide for the common welfare and represent all student government organizations within the North Carolina Community College System. Their purpose is to represent the needs and concerns in issue format of the students of the North Carolina Community College System to the appropriate administrative and governing bodies; to serve as the common bond for the participating local institutions, whereby the represented students and member institutions collectively present their common needs and cooperatively join to accomplish common goals; and to provide opportunities for the development and education of the individual student through communication, the exchange of ideas, resource development, leadership training, cultural awareness, fellowship and the establishment of excellence in all aspects of student government and student life.

Watts’ role will entail being the liaison between the students, administrators and board members for both the Pinehurst and Hoke Center campuses and its constituents. He will run meetings for the students and report as needed to ensure the two campus locations are meeting the diverse needs of its students.

 

"At a community college, the SGA is more than a leadership opportunity—it’s a powerful platform for student voices to be heard, valued and acted upon. Nick is a passionate leader who hopes to use his platform to make positive change, empower students, and help shape the future of our campus," said Dana Cuellar, Director of Student Life.

 

Nick joined SGA as the SGA Hoke Liaison in February of 2025.