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. If you were forwarded this email, you can sign up for the Awake58 newsletter here, and you can find last week’s edition on our website.
This week’s edition is by Hannah Vinueza McClellan, director of news and content at EdNC.
Catch up on Community College Day at the General Assembly… The State Board of Community Colleges and the Governor’s Council on Workforce & Apprenticeships meet this week… NC Works Commission to vote on Workforce Pell requirements and application process… Plus, an inside look at Catawba Valley Community College’s Furniture Academy for students who are incarcerated…
Good morning and welcome to Awake58 — Hannah here.
Raleigh continues to be busy, as education leaders and advocates across the state work to see their policy goals and funding requests reflected in a new (and long-awaited) state budget. Last week, my colleague Ben Humphries attended the annual Community College Day on Halifax Mall, where representatives from more than 40 community colleges demonstrated their program offerings and shared stories of their impact with lawmakers.
Throughout the day, community college leaders, students, and instructors met with lawmakers to advocate for the N.C. Community College System’s (NCCCS) legislative priorities — namely $102 million for enrollment growth and $93 million to implement Propel NC, the system’s proposed funding model. First launched in January 2024, Propel NC would prioritize funding for programs that prepare students to work in high-wage, high-demand sectors.
During Community College Day, NCCCS President Jeff Cox told EdNC he was confident lawmakers would at least partially fulfill the system’s funding request for Propel NC. Last long session, the House and Senate’s proposed budgets each included partial funding for Propel NC. However, due to a budget impasse between the chambers, a budget was not passed last fiscal year.
“We’ve had a lot of conversations for three years with the General Assembly about Propel NC,” Cox said. “We really feel like to continue to be competitive in the labor market and prepare students for all the great opportunities that are out there, we have to reexamine our funding model — and I think the General Assembly gets it.”
You can read EdNC’s full recap of Community College Day on our website.
In other news, quite a lot is happening this week in the postsecondary world. The Governor’s Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships will meet Wednesday, where members will hear about Boost, along with updates from the council’s four committees as they work toward achieving 11 goals related to workforce development.
Also on Wednesday, the NCWorks Commission will meet to vote on the state’s Workforce Pell eligibility requirements and application process, and the Senate’s education and higher education committee will meet to discuss the Community College Workforce Readiness Act, among other things.
Finally, on Thursday and Friday, the State Board of Community Colleges will hold its monthly meeting. Agenda items include an update on a systemwide CRM procurement process, a look at 2026 performance measures, and an update on the presidential search.
Stay tuned for EdNC’s coverage of those meetings, and let us know about any other important happenings on your radar.
Until next time,
Hannah Vinueza McClellan
Director of news and content, EdNC
EdNC reads
Dozens of community colleges gather at the General Assembly to advocate for Propel NC, enrollment growth funding
Representatives from more than 40 community colleges set up tables on Halifax Mall last week to demonstrate their programs to lawmakers and share stories about their impact as part of the annual Community College Day at the legislature.
Catawba Valley Furniture Academy’s incarcerated students have 'no doubt' they will find work
Students travel to Catawba Valley Furniture Academy from local prisons, 30 hours a week for a year, to learn every step in the production of furniture.
Perspective | What North Carolina gets right about workforce: Progress beyond politics
Cecilia Holden, president and CEO of myFutureNC, writes: “Across the country, workforce development is often framed as a policy challenge. In North Carolina, we’ve come to understand it as something more fundamental: a shared responsibility between educators and employers that works best when it rises above politics.”
Around NC
Update on UNC System three-year degrees | Per reporting from Carolina Public Press, seven UNC System institutions have submitted proposals for 18 three-year degree programs. Additionally, Winston-Salem State pitched a partnership with Forsyth Tech and the Education Design Lab to create accelerated degree programs after a “joint research process.” Appalachian State pitched 11 programs that would only be available for associate degree holders transferring from North Carolina community colleges; East Carolina also pitched programs for those with associate degrees. Learn more.
Community college and legislative leaders discuss Propel NC | NCCCS President Jeff Cox, Wake Tech President Scott Ralls, Sen. Kevin Corbin, R-Cherokee, and Rep. David Willis, R-Union, spoke with Spectrum News about the importance of community colleges, enrollment growth, Propel NC, and more. Watch the segment here.
NC selected for Apprenticeship America cohort | The cohort, funded by the U.S. Department of Labor with support from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, includes 10 states that will gain access to specialized consulting to build “sustainable, employer led registered apprenticeship systems for youth.” Learn more.
Bill would make community college free for children of public safety workers | The N.C. bill would provide tuition-free community college for the children of active firefighters, law enforcement officers, and correctional officers who have served at least 10 years.
NC Reconnect Cohort 6 colleges launch campaigns to reach adult learners | Five community colleges — Alamance, Cleveland, Sandhills, Roanoke-Chowan, and Western Piedmont — have joined NC Reconnect, launching campaigns to engage and reenroll adult learners. These colleges join 24 other community colleges that participated in previous cohorts of NC Reconnect.
Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt visits Central Carolina Community College | Her visit included a tour of the Moore Center, the veterinary medical technology program, dental programs, and the early childhood education program.
Entrepreneurs selected for first Small Business Center Network Startup Showdown | The inaugural cohort includes 18 entrepreneurs representing community colleges across the state. They will now prepare for the statewide awards event, scheduled for Sept. 17.
UNC Charlotte launches NC Economic Impact Center | The initiative will provide “timely, data-driven analysis on the issues shaping the state and region’s economy, workforce and communities.”
Profile on Central Piedmont President Kandi Deitemeyer | As her 10-year anniversary as president of Central Piedmont Community College approaches, Deitemeyer is one of Charlotte’s longest-serving leaders and has “turned the college into an engine of opportunity.” Read more.
Wilkes Community College receives award from state auditor | The NC Cardinal Award honors organizations that demonstrate commitment to accountability, transparency, and stewardship of public resources.
Construction begins on affordable housing for Durham Tech students | The college is developing 124 units of affordable housing on land it owns, with a quarter of those reserved for Durham Tech students.
Tri-County grad on American Idol | Braden Rumfelt, a top-five contestant on season 24 of America Idol, is a graduate and former employee of Tri-County Community College.
Graduation roundup | Community college graduation season is underway! Read about a special graduation ceremony for adult learners at Wake Tech, a graduation surprise 22 years in the making at Brunswick Community College, and an Asheville-Buncombe Tech student who found his dream career as a geomatics technician.
Tools to pay for college | Enlace Latino NC published this roundup of resources, scholarships, and aid that can help students pay for higher education.
Survey for community college trustees and presidents | New America and the Association of Community College Trustees have launched a survey of community college trustees and presidents to to better understand their work in regional economic development. Trustees and presidents are invited to respond to the survey by Friday, June 12, 2026.
Stomp and shake cheerleading at Winston-Salem State | This EdNC article takes a closer look at the legacy of stomp and shake cheerleading, where mentorship and collaboration are key.
Other higher education reads
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