For Demaris Lance, Brunswick Community College (BCC) has been more than a workplace. It has been part of his life story. In April, Demaris will celebrate 20 years as a BCC employee, not counting the year he spent here as a student. Having first experienced the college as a student and later as a professional, he says BCC is a place where he truly grew up.
A Brunswick County native from the Calabash area, Demaris first attended UNC Pembroke, where he initially majored in Computer Science before switching to accounting. But home was never far from his mind. A self-described homebody, he found himself making the drive back nearly every weekend while also working part-time as a cook at a local restaurant. With a baby on the way, Demaris made the decision to return home, continue his education at BCC, and later earn his bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in Accounting from UNC Wilmington.
As luck would have it, BCC had an opening in its Business Office at just the right time. “I was really fortunate,” Demaris said. “BCC came into my life when I was going through a lot of change. I was starting a family and trying to finish my degree, and the support I found here made all the difference. It gave me the stability I needed and helped me keep moving forward.”
He began his career as a Financial Aid Accountant, which he calls the “front of the house,” working directly with students and Student Services. “In that role, I was the connection point between departments and students,” he said. “I was close in age to many of them, and I think that helped. I understood what they were going through because I had just been there myself.”
Over the years, Demaris transitioned from Financial Aid to a Purchasing role and now serves as Accounts Payable/County Funds Accountant. Through all those changes, his appreciation for BCC has only deepened. “I’ve had the opportunity to watch this college grow in so many ways,” he said. “There’s so much here now that didn’t exist when I first started, but one thing that hasn’t changed is the level of support. That’s what really stands out, and I think it’s a big reason why students connect with BCC. It’s a place where people genuinely want to see you succeed.”
Even though he no longer works directly with students every day, Demaris still makes a point to engage with them whenever he can. “Even in my current role, I try to take time to speak with students when the opportunity comes up,” he said. “Those conversations matter. It’s important to stay connected to the people we’re here to serve.”
When he is not at BCC crunching numbers, Demaris spends time with family, staying active in his church, and enjoying time in the kitchen, especially when he is cooking something fun with his granddaughter. He also lights up when talking about one of his longtime favorite pastimes: bowling. “Bowling has always been something I really enjoyed,” he said. “I spent years in a league and even managed to bowl a 300 game, which is something I’ll always be proud of.” Although he has taken a break from the sport, his enthusiasm has not faded. “I definitely miss it,” he added with a smile. “It might be time to get back out there.”