Jeanne Whisnant, vice president of information technology at Johnston Community College, is retiring effective Sept. 30.

Whisnant has worked at JCC for the past seven years. Previously, she held various leadership positions at Lenior and Mayland community colleges. She holds two associate's degrees, a bachelor's degree, and two master's degrees.

"JCC is the world's greatest place to work," Whisnant says. "The people here are very welcoming, they embrace you, they are very open to new ideas, and that is wonderful."

During her time at JCC, Whisnant has witnessed the number of distance education students grow from 400 to 5,400. She was also instrumental in the planning of the College's new library, which once constructed will be the first environmentally certified building on campus.

Whisnant said she made her career at community colleges because she believes in the mission of helping others. "What we do is mission work," she explains. "We take people where they are and get them as far as they can go. We have the ability to help people and the community in so many ways."

Outside of JCC, Whisnant has been a tireless supporter of the Johnston County Relay for Life, the Smithfield-Selma Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Smithfield Rotary Club.

Whisnant plans to move back to her home place in western North Carolina. She says she'll likely remain active with Relay for Life and volunteer with Hospice and definitely have a lot of fun.

"I'll miss the people," Whisnant says. "It's really been a lot of fun, but I always have a good time. I think everything you do should be fun."