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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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North Carolina leaders share why community colleges are the best decision ever… A look at the North Carolina Community Colleges Foundation and its response to Hurricane Helene… Stories from Wilkes Community College’s annual music festival and fundraiser… A new bill to address mental health workplace shortages passed the House Health Committee… National Apprenticeship Day was last week… North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall visited community colleges… An update on Mayland Community College’s presidential search… Plus, a look at President Trump’s preliminary spending plan and what it means for education…
Hi all — Emily Thomas with this week’s Awake58.
April was Community College Month, and to celebrate, we surfaced stories from around the state about why attending a community college is the “best decision ever.”
Here is what Wayne Community College President Dr. Patty Pfeiffer had to say:
“For me, our local community college provided me hope and opportunity after failure. Having failed out of college my first semester out of high school, I questioned whether I was truly cut out for college. Still searching, I joined the Army because it was the one thing I was successful at in college. The Army provided me structure and confidence, but I still dreamed about a career in health care. When my husband and I were stationed in North Carolina after serving in South Korea, Wayne Community College was there for me. It gave me a second chance and the belief that I was capable of achieving my dream.”
Blue Ridge Community College President Dr. Laura Leatherwood also shares in this perspective how she sees the “Great 58” in a new light after Hurricane Helene. Hurricane Helene caused upwards of $60 billion in damages, affecting businesses, schools, and entire communities. In the early days after the storm, the North Carolina Community College System, the North Carolina Community Colleges Foundation, and the State Board of Community Colleges worked quickly to set up a relief fund to support the state’s 14 community colleges that were impacted by the storm. As of February 2025, the foundation has distributed $560,000 across four rounds of funding to the affected community colleges. You can read more about the relief fund and the foundation’s work moving forward here.
One of Wilkes Community College’s largest fundraisers wrapped at the end of April. The internationally renowned music festival — MerleFest — ended year 37 with headliner performances by Bonnie Raitt, the Avett Brothers, and Watchouse. The festival has morphed into an event with 12 stages and over 100 acts, with more than 70,000 people attending over the festival’s four days. The event has an estimated regional economic impact of over $15 million. Gov. Josh Stein made a surprise appearance at MerleFest on Saturday evening. Stein talked about his family’s experience with the festival and discussed Hurricane Helene and the resilience of western North Carolina before introducing the Avett Brothers.
Last week, the House Health Committee passed a bill to address workplace shortages in mental health and substance abuse spaces. EdNC Reporter and Policy Analyst Ben Humphries writes: “The committee passed House Bill 562, which aims to address workplace shortages in the mental health and substance abuse spaces by amending the definitions of professionals. In addition to existing qualification options, the bill would allow community college graduates with relevant experience to be considered for needed positions. According to Rep. Grant L. Campbell, M.D, R-Cabarrus, the bill has the support of both the community college system and NC Department of Health and Human Services.”
The crossover deadline for bills to make it through at least one of the chambers of the North Carolina General Assembly is May 8. Stay tuned for coverage on which bills survive the crossover and can still be considered this session.
In national news, President Donald Trump recently released his preliminary spending plan. A first look at what’s called a skinny budget shows cuts to multiple line items in education, and the proposed budget continues the process of shutting down the U.S. Department of Education. You can read here how the preliminary spending plan impacts postsecondary education.
Be sure to check out the Around NC section for apprenticeship stories celebrating National Apprenticeship Day, which took place on April 30.
Do you have a story from a student graduating this semester that you’d like to see highlighted in Awake58? Reply to this message or send an email to: [email protected].
Until next week,
Emily Thomas
Director of Postsecondary Attainment – EdNC.org
EdNC reads
We asked North Carolina why community college is the ‘best decision ever.’ Here is what people said
“I was a college drop-out. My local community college was an opportunity to go back to school while raising a family and working a full-time job. The night and weekend programs being offered were a tremendous asset to our community. The adjunct teachers were community partners, K-12 teachers, and business owners. They brought a real-world perspective to their teaching philosophy, and it made you aspire to be just like them. Some things you just can’t get from a book, being taught Marketing by someone who owned a small business right up town, being taught Accounting by someone who worked uptown at the accounting firm, seeing these very individuals out in the public (grocery store, Walmart, etc.) was inspiring.”
— Kimberly Lassiter
Bonnie Raitt, Avett Brothers headline MerleFest 2025
If one song can show the spectrum of humanity, it stands to reason that a music festival can, too. There’s no question that music is the draw for MerleFest fans and artists alike.
American roots legend Bonnie Raitt headlined Friday evening, bringing her soulful sound to the Watson stage. An iconic voice and a career spanning decades make her a fan favorite. Raitt is no doubt a gifted storyteller, both in song and on stage.
How the N.C. Community Colleges Foundation mobilized after Hurricane Helene and what’s next
In the wake of any disaster, cash is crucial, and the ability to move money quickly to get it in the hands of those who need it most is essential.
When Hurricane Helene hit, the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS), the State Board of Community Colleges, and the North Carolina Community Colleges Foundation (NCCCF) quickly mobilized to create the Hurricane Helene Community College Response and Recovery Fund. The idea was to provide a starting point and central hub for companies and individuals to donate to support colleges. The foundation would then distribute the funds to the affected community colleges to help colleges rebuild and provide critical resources to students and staff.
Perspective | Building resilient communities: The crucial role of community colleges in disaster recovery
As we celebrated Community College Month this year, I’ve seen our Great 58 in a new light. I’ve seen firsthand how the everyday work of community colleges lays the foundation for communities to endure and recover during the most challenging of times. Just imagine where Western North Carolina would be today if our region’s community colleges hadn’t been training first responders, healthcare professionals, electrical lineworkers, and heavy equipment operators all along.
What is a ‘skinny budget?’ Trump’s preliminary spending plan would cut education funding by 15%
Plans to close the U.S. Department of Education have come with repeated assurances from President Donald Trump and Education Secretary Linda McMahon that federal dollars will continue to flow and services to students will not be disrupted. But a first look at what’s called a “skinny budget” shows cuts to line item after line item in education — a 15.3% decrease in funding, from $78.7 billion to $66.7 billion, according to Table 2 of the request.
Around NC
Apprenticeships | In this perspective piece, ApprenticeshipNC Communications Assistant Margaret Spainhour writes how one apprentice Jacob Mitchell has laid the foundation for his career at Ascendum Machinery through the apprenticeship program.
Western Governors University North Carolina Chancellor Ben Coulter writes about the importance of apprenticeship programs, zeroing in on their ability to provide crucial work-based learning components and highlighting programs developed in the U.K. and Germany.
Mayland presidential search | Mayland Community College announced three finalists for the college’s next president last week. Public forums also took place last week with each candidate participating in a one-hour forum. You can follow updates in the search on the college’s website.
Student stories | Wayne Community College recently celebrated several men who are incarcerated for their completion of academic programs offered through the college. Six men earned their High School Equivalency (HSE) diplomas and 11 earned Human Resources Development (HRD) certificates. “The ceremony highlighted the transformative power of education, even behind prison walls, and underscored WCC’s commitment to providing meaningful opportunities for all learners,” a recent college press release said.
Guilford Technical Community College students recently created a music album. “More than 50 GTCC students have been involved in the creation of the album, ‘Community,’ the first released by student-led Ti-Tone Records label,” a college press release announced.
Reentry | myFutureNC’s recent newsletter highlights several Champions for Attainment who are “leading the charge to transform outcomes for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated North Carolinians.”
Campus news | In late March, Vance-Granville Community College launched a new initiative: Feeding Hungry Minds. The initiative is dedicated to supporting VGCC students and ensures no one goes hungry on the path to education and growth. You can read more about the program here.
Gaston College recently opened its Fiber Innovation Center. The facility is designed to advance textile technology, sustainability, and workforce development across the region. “The 39,000-square-foot center on the Kimbrell campus will offer training, product development, and research opportunities in fiber solutions for students, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders,” a college press release says.
Campus visits | North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall recently visited Craven and Brunswick community colleges to discuss local economies and businesses in the area and how community colleges are helping grow communities.
Tracking FAFSA Completions | myFutureNC’s Deputy Director Deanne Meadows recently shared updates about FAFSA completions: “According to myFutureNC’s statewide attainment profile, 74% of high school graduates intend to go to college, but only 50.2% of our seniors have completed the FAFSA so far this year. Meanwhile, NCES research shows that 4 out of 5 full time college students rely on federal, state and college-based financial aid to pay for college.” You can view CFNC’s FAFSA tracker here.
Other higher education reads
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