Catch up on the presidential transition, budget, and more
A note from us
Welcome to Awake58 — a weekly newsletter with the latest updates on community college news and events. If you were forwarded this email, you can sign up for the Awake58 newsletter here.
This week’s edition is by Analisa Archer, senior director of policy at EdNC.
Catch up on three key articles from July… Community colleges and funders convene to discuss work-based learning… Learn more about STEP-NC, the first health care apprenticeship program within state government… Plus, take a look inside a Careers Electric Summer Academy and get to know Advise NC…
Welcome back to Awake58! Analisa here.
July was quite a busy month in the world of community college news. While this is our first regular edition since late June, we were back in your inbox throughout July with key updates on everything from the new state budget to the nomination of Dr. Monty Sullivan to serve as the next president of the N.C. Community College System (NCCCS).
As community colleges across the state prepare to kick off the fall semester, here are three EdNC articles from July to catch up on:
- Meet Dr. Monty Sullivan: I spoke with Sullivan about what draws him to community colleges, his experiences advocating for Workforce Pell, and what he would most want to achieve in the first year of his potential tenure. Sullivan’s nomination now goes to the General Assembly for confirmation. The NCCCS anticipates that he will serve as acting president while legislators consider the nomination. Read more.
- Dig into state budget investments in community colleges: The NCCCS saw much of its legislative request met in the 2026-27 state budget. Among other things, the budget includes funding for Propel NC, ApprenticeshipNC, and pay raises for employees. The budget also invests in the Workforce Act of 2026, supported by myFutureNC. Read our in-depth coverage of budget investments in community colleges here.
- Catch up on July’s State Board of Community Colleges meeting: The meeting included a discussion of the state’s investment in Propel NC, efforts to increase student success, and the status of Workforce Pell. The Board will next meet Aug. 13-14.
As we look ahead to the start of a new school year, I’d love to hear from you. What are the most important issues or trends impacting your students, your community, or your college this school year? Feel free to respond directly to this email.
Thank you for reading.
Until next time,
Analisa Archer
Senior Director of Policy, EdNC
EdNC reads
Around NC
ICYMI | Here are three more EdNC articles from the summer you may have missed: Workforce Pell applications are open, with reviews happening quarterly; state lawmakers banned DEI in public schools, community colleges, and universities; and the State Health Plan board voted to return to Blue Cross NC, replacing Aetna as its third-party administrator starting in 2028.
Perspective roundup | Catch up on recent EdNC perspectives, including a look at what early colleges can teach us about expanding dual enrollment; why community colleges may be rural North Carolina’s best retention strategy; and an Alamance Community College student’s experience in the student leadership development program.
NC leads the country in FAFSA completion growth | As of late June, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Federal Student Aid said North Carolina was up 11.1% in FAFSA completions compared to the same time last year.
Job listing: Workforce Policy Advisor | The North Carolina Governor’s Office is hiring a Workforce Policy Advisor. Proposals are due by Aug. 9.
Register now for the NCWorks Partnership Conference | The conference will be held Oct. 14-16 in Greensboro. Each year, the conference draws hundreds of workforce development professionals from across North Carolina, representing workforce agencies, education, labor, state and federal government, community-based organizations, community colleges, and the private sector. This year’s conference theme is “Opportunity Is Built Here – Skills, Careers, Success.” Register online at train.ncworks.gov. The early bird registration deadline is Sept. 11.
A-B Tech awarded $29 million grant for WNC Futures Factory | The WNC Futures Factory is a proposed 70,000-square-foot education, workforce training, and research hub. The funding targets Hurricane Helene recovery and manufacturing innovation.
How Guilford County is aligning K-12 and community college | Guilford Tech and Guilford County Schools “operate as a unified PK-14 talent engine,” featured in this EDU Ledger article.
Fayetteville Tech opens SparkNC Lab | The new high-tech learning space, the only SparkLab in North Carolina located on a community college campus, is designed to prepare Cumberland County youth for careers in emerging technology fields.
Central Piedmont Community College has $1 billion annual economic impact on region | A new study found the college’s economic impact is driven by added income from alumni, college operations spending, and student spending. Learn more.
Central Carolina Community College’s Meghan Brown named to Triangle Business Journal 40 Under 40 | Brown is vice president of advancement and operations at CCCC, where she attended dual enrollment classes more than two decades ago.
Other higher education reads
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