More adult learners are seeking short-term training instead of degrees

“Local data is what’s important to our community colleges, in particular, because we serve such a relatively small area compared to colleges across the United States,” said Rusty Hunt, president of Lenoir Community College. “We’re much more in tune to what our business and industry needs and what we need to prepare our students for in the workforce.”

The adaptability and speed of continuing education courses must be preserved as attention, funding, and accountability increases. “You can’t look at it from the traditional higher education landscape,” Hunt said. “You’ve got to run con-ed like a business.”

Despite the benefits of the financial aid FAFSA can unlock, many students don’t submit a form. In 2024-25, fewer than two-thirds of North Carolina high school seniors submitted the FAFSA, according to the CFNC FAFSA tracker. Some North Carolina counties have completion rates under 50%.

(Note: Due to delays in opening a new FAFSA form during the 2024-25 cycle, there were three fewer months for students to submit the form. The tracker says the 2023-24 statewide completion rate was 55.3%, and the 2024-25 statewide completion rate stands at 60.9%.)

Perspective from Melany Clark with myFutureNC: “The ripple effects are clear: Parental education is one of the strongest predictors of a child’s long-term educational and economic outcomes. Reaching adults isn’t just about changing one life. We’re reshaping the future for their children, and for generations to come. That’s why champions matter. They see learners not as statistics, but as parents, veterans, workers, and neighbors — with talents, potential, and dreams worth investing in.

As we look toward 2030, every adult learner reached is another story of resilience, another step closer to our statewide goal. If you know of an organization making a difference for adult learners, I encourage you to nominate them as a 2026 Champion for Attainment.”

North Carolina Central University unveiled its new Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Research (IAIER) at the top of this school year. The institute aims to educate the NCCU community and beyond on how to use AI in their courses, careers, and communities. During a summit hosted by the institute for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), students, faculty, and state leaders gave their perspectives on how they would like to move forward with integrating the technology.

Early child care | In this perspective, Erin Thomas Trant shares what happens when a community loses its only licensed child care program. “Suddenly losing child care is an emergency for any working parent, anywhere in North Carolina. But for families on Hatteras Island, this situation is especially dire because my children’s program is the only licensed child care center on the island,” writes Thomas Trant.

Student stories from around the state | “Seventeen-year-old South Piedmont students Pari Patel and Sophie Vasic have launched a nonprofit organization called LoveEverybody, dedicated to supporting individuals living with eating disorders as well as their loved ones,” a recent college press release says. Since launching, their organization has reached peers through online campaigns and informal support sessions. In the future, they hope to establish support groups and anonymous tip boxes.

Thomas Smith was diagnosed with autism at a young age. He spoke very little and struggled with social anxiety, leaving his family worried that he may never finish high school or find the right environment to grow. Now, a recent graduate of McDowell Tech, Smith credits his education champions for helping him navigate challenges. Smith is currently enrolled at Western Carolina University.

Wagram local Hanna Chavis was accepted to seven four-year universities and Richmond Community College. “But the opportunity that mattered most was Richmond Community College, a place that aligned with both my goals and my values,” Chavis said. “With the help of my college liaison in the SEARCH program, I recognized that Richmond Community College would give me not just a strong academic foundation, but also an affordable and accessible start to my nursing career.”

Durham Tech students Archer Fralix, a fine arts student, and Stu Beavers, in the welding program, recently competed and won in the Uproar Festival of Public Art contest.

Three years ago, the City of Greensboro’s Water Resources Department recruited two apprentices through Guilford Apprenticeship Partners. Now, Gisselle Gonzalez-Ventura and Yahir Briones-Miranda have graduated from Guilford Tech and “blend perfectly” with the department’s work force, a recent college press release says. 

529 plan | In this write-up, CFNC answers common questions regarding 529 plans — a tax-advantaged saving and investment program that allows loved ones to prepare for education expenses, including college costs and K-12 tuition.

Campus news | Beaufort County Community College is combining its division of academic affairs and its division of continuing education to form a unified division of instruction and workforce. College leaders said the “collaborative structure will allow the college to better serve students, employers, and the region through seamless pathways, innovative programs, and shared resources.”

Upcoming events | The NCCCS Office is hosting a webinar for the higher education and military-affiliated community in North Carolina. The American Council on Education (ACE) Learning Evaluators will lead the webinar. The session will cover various items, including information about military credit for prior learning (CPL) and Official Military Transcript. The webinar is Thursday, Oct. 9 from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. EST. Please RSVP directly to ACE.

The Latine Education Summit is scheduled for Oct. 15-17 in Greensboro. Additional details and information about registering can be found here.