Fayetteville Today

Dr. Summer McGee sees herself as a program builder who likes to refine the idea of what education will look like in the future.

That picture has undergone significant changes in today’s technology age, but it’s what drew McGee to accept the offer to become president of Salem Academy and College.

"I really see this point in Salem's history as being the precipice of something truly transformational and new,” McGee told NBC 12 News. “We want to become one of the most distinctive academic institutions in the country. Making sure that everyone around the nation knows that Salem Academy and College is the place to be if you're a young woman looking to develop yourself as a leader.” 

Dr. Summer McGee | LinkedIn

McGee was inaugurated in April, though she has served in her role since July of 2021. She joined Salem, a 250-year-old college, at a time when it was looking to develop a model for education that will allow the school to continue thriving. Her resume includes a stint at the University of New Haven, where she was the founding dean of the School of Health Sciences.

With her focus on building programs, McGee told NBC 12 News that the post at Salem was "too good to pass up.”

To keep the women-only school ahead of the curve in terms of predicted enrollment declines, McGee said she’s looking at curriculum changes and a marketing strategy.

The big picture is “to prepare that next generation of students who will go on to make change, to transform communities and organizations,” she said, according to NBC 12 News.

Her long-term plan includes four pillars to build on: Health Leadership, STEAM, Brand Recognition and Distinctive Campus Culture. With those focal points, McGee said the goal is not only to prepare the students for their careers, but to encourage them to pursue leadership positions.

“What it means to be a health leader is you've got the ability to lead teams, to work to make change and to solve problems and make solutions to make our world a healthier, better, more equitable place,” she told NBC 12 News.

To help the college realize this vision, McGee said she wants to call on alumni and establish a broader support network.

"It really takes the entire community to make it happen, so I feel very fortunate that we have such dedicated faculty and staff that are here to support us as we transform and rebuild our institution,” she said, according to NBC 12 News. “What has surprised me the most since coming to Salem is how invested our community is in Salem's success. So many generations of women leaders are here in this region and have really been the foundation of building it.”