A note from us
Welcome to Awake58 — a weekly newsletter where you’ll find the latest updates on community college related news and events around the state. Plus, a look at what’s trending nationally in higher education.
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Gov. Josh Stein’s first budget proposal includes raises for community college employees… NC State Health Plan Board recently discussed three options for salary-based premiums… A recap from Community College Day… ApprenticeshipNC hosted its annual conference… Lt. Gov. Hunt to visit child care programs statewide… North Carolina FAFSA completions reach 38%… Plus, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education…
Hi all — Emily Thomas with this week’s Awake58.
I want to start off by acknowledging those impacted by the wildfires in western North Carolina. Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for parts of Polk County, where nearly 5,000 acres are burning from three separate wildfires. These areas were hit hard by Helene, leaving behind storm debris and damaged roads, further complicating matters as crews battle the fires. We continue to lift up the people and places of western North Carolina.
Hurricane Helene relief remains a top priority among the legislature. Last week, the legislature passed its fourth Helene relief bill, which includes $524 million of aid. Gov. Josh Stein signed the bill into law on March 19.
Hurricane Helene relief was also mentioned in Stein’s first budget proposal, though Stein said he would release more relief recommendations later this spring. Stein’s budget proposal includes various budget requests across the education continuum. For community colleges, Stein proposed a 2% raise for community college faculty and staff along with a $1,000 bonus. Stein’s proposal also includes $94 million for enrollment growth and several workforce development investments. You can read the full budget proposal breakdown here.
Earlier this year, the NC State Health Plan Board of Trustees voted to allow salary-based premiums and Board members recently began discussing what possible changes to the plan could look like. There are currently three options on the table, all of which include premium increases and some deductible increases. The Board plans to vote on an updated plan design in May, and premiums will be voted on in August. You can view the three options here.
In other news, the N.C. Community College System (NCCCS) celebrated Community College Day on March 19 by inviting colleges across the state to meet with their legislators and exhibit some of their programs outside of the General Assembly in Raleigh. Some of the programs showcased included electrical linemen work, biotechnology, and other pivotal workforce development programs.
Earlier this month, ApprenticeshipNC also hosted its annual conference. Stakeholders and leaders discussed the need for workforce development and growing the number of apprentices and apprenticeship programs this year. Stein delivered the conference’s keynote address, announcing the goal to set the national base for growing more skilled workers for businesses and more career career opportunities for young people.
“No state will outwork North Carolina in workforce development while I am your governor,” Stein said during the event.
We have a lot more for you below. Be sure to check out EdNC Reads to find some of our national higher education coverage, an update on North Carolina’s FAFSA completions, and more.
Until next week,
Emily Thomas
Director of Postsecondary Attainment – EdNC.org
EdNC reads
Gov. Stein’s first budget proposal includes average 10.6% teacher raises, restores master’s pay
Community college faculty and staff would receive the same 2% raise for state employees in 2025-26 along with a $1,000 bonus that is included in his proposal for K-12 education. There is also a one-time 2% cost-of-living supplement in FY 2025-26 for state retirees.
There is about $40.3 million in each year of the biennium to implement Propel NC, the N.C. Community College System’s (NCCCS) new funding formula proposal. Stein also proposed free community college tuition for students seeking non-credit credentials in high-demand industries.
State Health Plan Board of Trustees considers options to raise premiums, make other changes
According to the Board, the State Health Plan is facing a $507 million deficit that could grow to an estimated $1.4 billion by 2027.
At the Board’s March meeting, State Treasurer Brad Briner recognized that stakeholders don’t want to see increases in prices under the plan, and said staff are working to gather input on all possible solutions to address the deficit. The State Health Plan has held off on premium increases for seven years, he said.
Community colleges exhibit workforce development programs at the General Assembly
System leadership said the exhibits were a way to remind lawmakers and stakeholders of the role they play in the workforce and economy.
“By connecting with elected officials, business leaders, and students, we reinforced the message that investing in community colleges is investing in North Carolina’s future,” said Alex Fagg, the system’s vice president of government and external relations. “Our colleges are driving innovation, workforce solutions, and economic growth — and today’s event highlighted just how critical that mission is.”
North Carolina FAFSA completion reaches 38%, and nominations for financial aid champions open
As of March 7, 2025, more than 41,000 high school seniors in North Carolina have completed the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), representing a 38.6% completion rate for the state.
CFNC is launching “Financial Aid Champions” to recognize school counselors and college advisors who follow financial aid best practices. The designation honors educators for their work and for using the best methods for helping students access financial aid. Educators can apply now through April 30 to be recognized as one of CFNC’s “Financial Aid Champions.”
Lt. Gov. Hunt will visit child care programs statewide, also will serve as co-chair of Gov. Stein’s child care task force
It was recently announced that Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt will co-chair Stein’s bipartisan child care task force. “Tackling the child care crisis” is one of Hunt’s three policy priorities listed on her website. One of her strategies include expanding on-site child care programs at community colleges. Hunt also announced recently that she will be touring all 58 community
ApprenticeshipNC explores ways to expand the state’s labor market
ApprenticeshipNC Director Chris Harrington shared a similar vision to Stein’s during this year’s conference, announcing that his team is dedicated to increasing the number of registered apprentices to 10 per 1,000 workers by 2034.
ApprenticeshipNC currently serves 10,617 active apprentices and pre-apprentices, in addition to 2,225 national programs located in the state, the press release says.
As Trump moves to close the federal department of education, is North Carolina prepared to assume more responsibility?
On March 20, 2025 — two months after he took office — President Donald Trump signed a presidential action, also called an executive order, titled “Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents, States, and Communities.”
In part, the order says, “The Secretary of Education shall, to the maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law, take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education and return authority over education to the States and local communities while ensuring the effective and uninterrupted delivery of services, programs, and benefits on which Americans rely.”
Around NC
Grant recipients | Piedmont Community College received a grant from Duke Energy to expand its workforce programs. The grant will be used to help build programs to educate “the next generation of skilled energy workers,” the college press release says.
Forsyth Technical Community College received a grant from Duke Energy Foundation and Goodwill to purchase new welding equipment.
A total of 19 North Carolina community colleges will receive $500,000 in grants for workforce training, according to Duke Energy.
NCCCS wins award | The NCCCS has been named a 2025 Governor’s Export Award winner, according to a system press release. The annual program recognizes businesses and partners for their contributions to expanding North Carolina’s products and services into international markets, reaching a record $42.8 billion export total in 2024. The Export Awards program is a joint effort between with the Governor’s Office and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC).
Fellowship opportunity | LatinxEd is offering a fellowship opportunity. Fellows “undergo a new membership process to develop the relationships, knowledge, and skills necessary to participate in education advocacy and expand educational equity and opportunity for Latinx immigrant families.” You can find more about the fellowship and how to apply here. The deadline is March 31.
Bill to follow | A new bill in the North Carolina General Assembly would require community colleges to provide the parents of minors with automatic access to their children’s educational records. These records, which include information such as grades, attendance, and disciplinary records, are currently not automatically shared with parents, according to a report by NC Newsline.
Upcoming events | InsideTrack will host a webinar discussing NC Reconnect, the scaled initiative to reenroll adult learners at North Carolina’s community colleges on March 26. NC community college staff will join the panel to talk about their college’s experience. Find more details and how to register here.
Fayetteville Technical Community College and the North Carolina Military Business Center will host a Federal Food Symposium April 1-2. More information about the event can be found here.
MerleFest, a music festival fundraiser for Wilkes Community College, is scheduled for April 24-27. You can find the full lineup and more information on MerleFest’s website.
Multi-platinum country music icon Wynonna Judd will perform on Sunday, June 15 at Cape Fear Community College’s Wilson Center. You can find more information about the event here.
Other higher education reads
