Paula Dibley

Dr. Paula Dibley is the Chief Student Success Officer and Chief of Staff at Forsyth Technical Community College in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where she leads strategy and operations across student success, enrollment, K–12 partnerships, and institutional effectiveness.

Paula is passionate about reimagining the community college experience to better serve today’s learners, especially those who are first-generation, low-income, or balancing school with work and family. Her work focuses on designing more personalized, proactive systems of support that help students persist, graduate, and secure family-sustaining careers.

Paula began her career in Washington, D.C. working in media relations and communications with nonprofit clients, including the Save Darfur Coalition and The Pew Charitable Trusts. After relocating to North Carolina, she transitioned into higher education, serving in leadership roles at both Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and Forsyth Tech.

She holds degrees from American University, the University of North Carolina, and New York University, where her doctoral research focused on expanding equitable access to dual enrollment.

Paula has been married to her partner, Troy, for more than fifteen years, and they have two children, Brielle (12) and Cole (9). Paula is passionate about her community, an advocate for social justice, and a believer that education can be the great equalizer. When she’s not working or volunteering on local nonprofit boards in the community, she loves to read, drink copious amounts of tea and water, exercise, and spend time relaxing with family and friends.