The NCCCS hosted its biennial system conference Oct. 13-15 in Raleigh with a theme of “The Extraordinary 58: Paving the Way for Economic Mobility and Successful Futures.”

The three-day event featured over 170 sessions and nearly 60 roundtable discussions, highlighting innovative practices across the state. More than 1,600 people were registered this year.

NCCCS President Dr. Jeff Cox gave the keynote address during the opening session.

In his keynote, Cox underscored the value community colleges bring to the state.

The NCCCS is the third largest community college system in the country based on the number of colleges. The 58 colleges serve over 600,000 students, and their total economic impact for the state is $19.3 billion. This is equivalent to about 320,000 jobs that are supported across the state, according to a 2021 economic impact report.

“For every $1 of state investment in our community colleges, North Carolina added tax revenue and public sector savings of $1.90,” Cox said.

You can read the full article here.

Six years ago, on Sept. 14, 2018, another storm — Hurricane Florence — hit North Carolina as a Category 1 hurricane. Florence hit the other side of the state, leaving central and southeastern North Carolina with significant property and infrastructure damage.

Before Hurricane Helene, Florence was the last major hurricane to hit North Carolina. However, some state leaders have said the scope of destruction following Helene can more accurately be likened to the damage Hurricane Katrina had on Louisiana in 2005.

“This is unlike anything that we’ve seen in this state,” Republican U.S. Senator Thom Tillis recently told CBS News. “We need increased attention. We need to continue to increase the surge of federal resources.”

As North Carolina continues rescue efforts and surveying damage from Helene, Hurricane Florence can still offer some insight when it comes to recovering from widespread destruction after a storm.

Read more on our website.

The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) announced on Tuesday, Oct. 15, the launch of the second stage of testing (Beta 2) for the 2025–26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — which is set to launch for all students and families by Dec. 1.

The announcement follows two weeks of the first round of testing (Beta 1), during which “the Department did not uncover any critical bugs,” according to a press release.

During Beta 1, which started Oct. 1, more than 650 students successfully submitted applications, the DOE said, and dozens of student corrections were successfully completed. Nearly 600 higher education institutions also received 6,266 Institutional Student Information Records (ISIRs) generated by those applications.

FAFSA Executive Advisor Jeremy Singer said the department’s original goal was to submit and process forms for 100 students during Beta 1.

“Instead, we had more than six times that number of students and we were able to see the forms move from submission to processing — and even corrections — without any major issues,” Singer said. “We learned a tremendous amount from being able to observe students, families, and community-based organizations interacting with the FAFSA form in real time, and we are on track for a full launch on or before Dec. 1.”

Read more on our website.

From JMBE’s Belk Pilon:

We have a deep faith these communities will come back better than ever, and also believe that the hub for this recovery will come from a place some wouldn’t predict: North Carolina’s Community Colleges.

About 10 years ago, our team began working with the community colleges in our state to think through how we can create the workforce that North Carolina needs.

It became immediately evident that the community colleges in our states are truly unsung heroes. These colleges train police officers, nurses, electricians, and an array of health professions — essentially all the critical occupations that are at the foundation of a safe and prosperous community.

This core mission is well known, and we have come to rely on these colleges to serve as an elevator to the middle class, quickly training someone to obtain better skills that can lead to a better job. But I never anticipated the ways in which our North Carolina community colleges would be called upon to serve as hubs for rescue, relief, and disaster assistance.

Read Belk Pilon’s full perspective here.

And from NCCCS President Cox:

Our community colleges are the lifelines for holding communities together. From the moment the storm made landfall, our colleges sprang into action. Facilities transformed into emergency response centers, sheltering first responders and residents, while meals and supplies were distributed to those in need. Staff and students worked tirelessly, organizing food and supply drives, volunteering on the front lines, and collaborating with local agencies to respond swiftly to immediate needs.

Fourteen community colleges serving 26 counties across western North Carolina have been working around the clock to support their students and neighbors. In some areas, community college employees have driven through remote communities to track down students, ensuring they are safe and have access to the resources they need.

Community colleges are stakes in the ground — anchors of opportunity, workforce training, small business support, and mental health care. Even amid uncertainty, they provide hope, guidance, and trusted information that helps people stay connected and focused on a brighter future.

Cox’s perspective can be found at EdNC.org.

Free college applications this week | ICYMI, North Carolina students can apply to many colleges free this week, Oct. 21-27, including all 58 community colleges. Please share the word, and this article, with your networks!

New president announcement | Richmond Community College’s Board of Trustees announced Brent Barbee as the new president. Barbee will be the 8th president following Dr. Dale McInnis’ retirement on Oct. 31. Barbee currently serves as the college’s executive vice president and chief financial officer.

ApprenticeshipNC | ApprenticeshipNC, in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, will host the annual North Carolina State Fair Apprentice Contests on Oct. 21, 23-25, 2024 in Raleigh. “These events showcase the value of Registered Apprenticeship as a workforce development tool and the impact it has on the Skilled Trades Industry,” according to a recent press release. Here’s more about the contests and schedule.

Apprenticeship Ambassador | Alamance Community College was recently selected as an apprenticeship ambassador by the U.S. Department of Labor. The college is one of five two-year schools in North Carolina selected.

Hiring | LatinxEd is hiring an assistant director of communications. You can view the full job announcement and how to apply here.

National Transfer Week | To kick off national transfer week, the Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research is highlighting the vital role of transfer pathways in higher education. View more here.

Small businesses after Helene | The NCCCS Office issued a press release about ways community colleges can support western North Carolina small businesses.

Haywood Strong | Haywood Community College’s “Haywood Strong Scholarship” was featured in WNC Business last week. The college’s foundation expanded the scholarship to current HCC students impacted by Hurricane Helene.