Lisa Fields Named Inaugural Dean of Public Safety at Brunswick Community College

Brunswick Community College (BCC) is proud to announce the appointment of Lisa Fields as the College’s first Dean of Public Safety. In this newly created leadership role, Fields will oversee all public safety-related programs housed in and operated in conjunction with the Alan Holden Public Safety Center, currently under construction on BCC’s main campus in Bolivia.

“Lisa Fields is a proven leader whose dedication to public service, student empowerment, and strategic innovation will be instrumental in shaping the future of public safety training at BCC and beyond,” said Dr. Gene Smith, President of BCC. “Her appointment represents a bold step forward in our mission to deliver exceptional, real-world training for the public safety professionals in our region.”

Fields brings more than 25 years of law enforcement experience and 18 years in higher education, including her current role as Department Chair for BCC’s Professional & Technical Division. During her time at BCC, she has led key initiatives in curriculum development, student success, and community engagement—particularly in high-demand sectors like Criminal Justice and Public Safety Administration.

“It is an honor to lead Public Safety programs at Brunswick Community College, particularly at a time when the need is greater than ever,” Fields said. “The Alan Holden Public Safety Center will be a game changer as we lead the future of public service in Brunswick County. Together with our dedicated faculty and community partners, we are preparing the next generation of public safety professionals to serve with integrity, resilience, and excellence.”

In addition to her public safety credentials, Fields has contributed significantly to institutional innovation. She played a key role in modernizing the College’s Cosmetology program, oversaw the rollout of Watermark Faculty Success for academic reporting, and has consistently built strong community partnerships to support BCC’s mission.

Fields holds a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Indiana State University and a Graduate Certificate in Community College Leadership from UNC Wilmington. She is currently completing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership at the University of the Cumberlands, with a research focus on student achievement and community impact.

She is also a certified Mental Health First Aid instructor, Title IX coordinator, and the 2024 recipient of the Dr. Susanne H. Adams Excellence in Leadership Award.

The Alan Holden Public Safety Center, now under construction, will be a 28,278-square-foot facility equipped with cutting-edge technology and simulation labs, including a VirTra Simulator, tactical firearms room, self-defense training space, EMS scenario labs, driving simulators, and an apparatus bay. The Center will serve as a central hub for preparing tomorrow’s first responders and emergency professionals throughout southeastern North Carolina.

August 2025