Here’s why more NC community colleges are moving to 8-week terms

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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, and you can find last week’s edition on our website.

This week’s edition is by Analisa Archer, senior director of policy at EdNC.

Dr. Monty Sullivan delivered his first address to community college trustees, sharing his personal story and a call to action… As eight-week terms gain momentum across North Carolina, read advice and insights from Isothermal Community College, Johnston Community College, and the Belk Center… Plus, accelerated early childhood workforce academies are expanding across the state…

Good morning, and welcome to Awake58 — Analisa here.

Last week, I joined many community college presidents and trustees in Greensboro for a seminar hosted by the N.C. Association of Community College Trustees. There, we heard from Dr. Monty Sullivan, the new interim president of the N.C. Community College System, just five days into his tenure.

During the nationwide search process that culminated in Sullivan’s selection, the role of system president and CEO was dubbed “the most important job in North Carolina” by the State Board of Community Colleges.

Sullivan began his remarks by shifting the focus squarely to North Carolina’s community college students:

“Let me be real clear: I’m not the most important person in North Carolina. You know who is? The folks you serve, and I serve, every day — the students,” Sullivan said. “I didn’t come to North Carolina for a job. I came here to do the good work that you and I know needs to be done.”

Read other highlights from Sullivan’s speech and the seminar here.

I’ve also recently been learning more about eight-week terms — or accelerated terms — as more community colleges implement them across the state.

Often dubbed “Great in 8,” eight-week terms can provide students with greater flexibility and increase their academic momentum as they focus on fewer courses at a time, complete courses more quickly, and have more frequent on-ramps to take the courses they need. That can be particularly valuable for students balancing work, childcare, and other responsibilities outside of the classroom.

I spoke with researchers from the Belk Center and leaders from Isothermal Community College and Johnston Community College about what it takes to implement eight-week terms at scale. You can read their advice here.

This week, the EdNC team is visiting five community college across the state — we look forward to seeing you on the road.

Until next time,

Analisa Archer

Senior Director of Policy, EdNC