Faculty Friday: Meet Robin McCann, Accounting & Finance Instructor

If you’ve ever taken a class with Robin McCann, you know she includes much more than accounting know-how in her lessons. She brings stories, laughter, and living proof that you’re never too old to pursue your dreams.

Originally from Pikeville, Kentucky, Robin didn’t take the traditional route to higher education. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Accounting at the age of 36 from Bluefield State University in Bluefield, West Virginia. Soon after graduating, she relocated with her husband to Tazewell, VA. Robin went on to build an impressive career that included working in banking, owning a Subway sandwich shop, running her own bookkeeping business, and serving as the Finance Director for a YMCA.

Her true passion, though, was sharing her financial knowledge and business experience as an instructor. That goal inspired her to return to school for her master’s degree, all while raising a daughter and working full-time.

Then came movie night with her husband. The movie was Safe Haven, filmed in Southport, NC. “We fell in love with what we saw,” said Robin. “We looked at each other and said, ‘That’s where we want to retire someday.'”

That “someday” came a little earlier than expected and didn’t include retirement, but Robin says it was one of the best decisions they ever made. Once in Brunswick County, she spotted a job opening at BCC for a financial aid counselor. “It wasn’t in the classroom, but it was a foot in the door,” she said. “I got the job, and a few years later, I transitioned to teaching.”

Along the way, Robin completed her master’s degree in forensic accounting, a field that’s now part of the college’s curriculum.

“When people tell me they’re too old to go back to school, I just smile and tell them my story,” she said. “I’m living proof that you’re never too old to get the training and education you need to succeed.”

Robin says her favorite part about BCC is the chance to form meaningful connections with her students. “We’re on a first-name basis,” she said. “We get to know our students as individuals who are finding their way in the classroom and in life. We’re teachers, yes, but we’re also mentors, cheerleaders, and sometimes even sounding boards. That’s what makes BCC such a special place.”

When she’s not in the classroom, Robin’s adventurous spirit takes center stage. To celebrate her 50th birthday, she went skydiving over Oak Island. “I’m an adrenaline junkie,” she joked. “Skydiving was absolutely incredible. It was an experience like no other, and I hope to do it again.”

From Pikeville to the Carolina coast, Robin McCann’s story is a joyful reminder that life doesn’t have a set timeline, and when it comes to chasing your dreams, the sky truly is the limit.

November 2025