About the President

Dr. Zeiss holds a doctorate in community college administration from Nova University, a master’s degree in speech (radio and television) and a bachelor’s degree in speech education from Indiana State University. In 1992, Dr. Zeiss became the third president of Central Piedmont Community College, the largest community college in North Carolina, serving approximately 70,000 students per year. During his tenure, the college has grown from one campus to six and has become recognized as a national leader in Workforce Development. Dr. Zeiss has authored or co-authored several books on economic development, adult literacy, national workforce development and the Civil War. His most recent publications include four books on creating high performance employees, a book on community college leadership, a tribute to John Montgomery Belk, and a novel on the Revolutionary War.

Dr. Zeiss is a professional speaker and a frequent keynoter for companies and colleges on recruiting, developing, and retaining peak performers at the workplace, and on fundraising.  He regularly consults on workforce development and resource development.

Dr. Zeiss is past chair of the Board of the American Association of Community Colleges and past Board Chair for the League for Innovation.  He was the Association of Community College Trustees' National CEO of the year for 2004-2005.  CPCC was selected as the 2002 Community College of the Year by the National Alliance of Business in 2002-2003.

Dr. Zeiss serves on several local, regional and national boards, including Leadership N.C., the Institute for Emerging Issues, and the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE).  He frequently serves as a workgroup member for the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Labor. 

Dr. Zeiss and his wife, Beth, have two sons and two grandchildren.