Faculty Friday: Robert Rogan, Chair, Languages & Communication

Almost 22 years ago, Robert Rogan came to Brunswick Community College (BCC) planning to teach English. What he found was a true community. He has been here ever since.

Robert moved to the area in 2000 and initially taught part-time at UNCW while searching for a full-time role. In 2004, he interviewed at BCC, was hired as an English instructor, and never looked back. By 2010, he stepped into the role of Department Chair for Languages & Communication. Today, he reflects on more than two decades of growth, both his own and the college’s.

“BCC has gone through what feels like a complete transformation over the last four years or so, and I’m excited to be part of it,” he said. “It’s incredible seeing the number of students we serve almost double.”

That growth, he says, has brought new energy to campus. He credits BCC’s leadership and his colleagues for creating a cohesive, supportive environment where instructors feel valued and motivated. And when faculty are energized, students have the best possible experience.

While much of his role as Department Chair involves administrative work, Robert is clear about what fuels him: teaching. “The time I spend in the classroom is what gets me excited to come to work every day,” he says. “I learn so much from my students. They never cease to surprise and amaze me.”

Curiosity is something Robert models and encourages. Growing up in Roanoke, Virginia, he was fortunate to have great teachers who laid a foundation that more than prepared him for college, making it more enjoyable than stressful. Although he did not initially love writing essays, he discovered he had a talent for it. Combined with a deep appreciation for literature, English became his field of choice at James Madison University, where he earned both his undergraduate and graduate degrees.

His message to students is simple but powerful. “Embrace education as a journey,” said Robert. “Do not see it as just earning a grade or a degree, because it’s the everyday moments, the conversations, the questions, and the challenges that truly shape a life. Above all, stay curious and always be willing to learn something new.”

Outside the classroom, Robert trades literature for lyrics and spends a lot of his time playing guitar and bass. He also has a soft spot for animals, especially the rescue dogs he regularly fosters, sometimes caring for as many as four at once. He currently has a 13-year-old pup named Olive and considers her family.

For more than two decades, Robert Rogan has helped BCC students discover the love of learning, sharpen their thinking, and embrace curiosity. For that, we are incredibly grateful.

You can see more Faculty Friday and Staff Spotlight profiles here.

February 2026