HAMLET — Robert Lee Wallace of Rockingham is one of the newest members to join Richmond Community College’s Board of Trustees, bringing with him a special concern for others and a long work history in the area of human services.
Wallace is currently an Early Intervention Services Supervisor with Sandhills Children’s Development Service Agency in their Rockingham office. Wallace said it is an honor to serve on the College’s governing board and finds it to be a unique opportunity to work with community leaders, dedicated educators and experienced specialists.
“My experience working with human services agencies and non-profit organizations has taught me the vital role that access to education, job training and workforce development play in helping our fellow citizens overcome challenges such as poverty, addiction and mental illness and make positive changes in their lives,” Wallace said.
Wallace has worked as a child and family team coordinator for the Scotland County Partnership for Children in Laurinburg and a clinic coordinator at Southeastern Regional Mental Health Area Program in Laurinburg. While working at Tri-County Community Mental Health Center in Bennettsville, S.C., for seven years, he filled multiple positions including an adult service therapist, outpatient clinic manager and adult services coordinator for the three-county service area. Prior to this, he was an outpatient therapist at Dartmouth Clinic in Rockingham and a coordinator of career planning and job placement at Pfeiffer College in Misenheimer.
Wallace also has a long history in community service. Most currently, he serves as the secretary-treasurer for the Samaritan Colony Addiction Treatment Center in Rockingham, board member of the Scotland County Partnership for Children and choir director and finance committee chair for East Rockingham United Methodist Church.
Wallace’s voice may also be familiar to Richmond County residents as he is a radio announcer for G-104.3 radio station in Rockingham, announcing Richmond Raiders football games and bringing the Saturday scoreboard shows. He has also conducted broadcasts for the radio station at many local community events.
Wallace is a graduate of Western Carolina University with a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Education in Guidance and Counseling. He completed partial doctorate studies in Counseling Psychology at the University of North-Carolina at Chapel Hill.
“Lee’s expertise and long history of serving the people of Richmond and Scotland County make him an ideal Trustee for our College,” said Dr. Dale McInnis, president of Richmond CC. “His support for the College is deeply appreciated.”
Appointed to the Richmond CC Board of Trustees by the governor, Wallace said he wants to help the College grow as it offers “first-class affordable education, unique real-world training, multiple cultural and entertainment experiences, and vital and timely support for business and industry.”
“Success in these areas will lead to economic growth, better jobs and a higher quality of life in Richmond County, Scotland County and neighboring counties,” he said.
Wallace and his wife of over 40 years, Tanya, have a daughter, Chevonne, and a son, Landon, and a 3-year-old granddaughter, Avery Catherine, who is their “pint-sized bundle of daily joy.” Tanya retired from a 39-year legal career that included serving Richmond and surrounding counties as an assistant district attorney, a district court judge and superior court judge.
