Our top community college stories of 2025

Looking for stocking stuffers or last minute gifts for the holidays? From the practical to the spicy, here are some of our CEO and editor-in-chief’s favorites in 2025 from North Carolina and beyond.

The North Carolina Community College System has released a toolkit to support colleges’ efforts to prepare for the launch of Workforce Pell Grants, which are set to become available on July 1, 2026.

The toolkit includes a list of workforce and continuing education course and credential combinations that may be eligible for Workforce Pell Grants according to existing eligibility criteria. Before being approved, programs will have to go through three levels of review. First, the NCWorks Commission will confirm the program’s labor market relevance and recognized credentials. Then, accreditors will determine if the program meets Title IV standards, including for continuing education. Final approval is then needed from the U.S. Department of Education, which must decide if a program is eligible within 120 days of submission.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) will partner with 16 higher education institutions to launch free, intensive, short-term training and certification programs to prepare participants for child care careers, according to a Dec. 3 press release from the department.

Traditional programs for lead teacher roles in early childhood education can last several weeks or months. These new training programs, called “child care academies,” will be shorter, while still offering curriculum that “meets or exceeds” minimum training standards, the announcement says. The length of programs will vary depending on the college or university in which the participant enrolls.

The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) has launched a new earnings indicator for students as part of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) process, according to a press release. Using existing federal data, the indicator provides students and their families with information about a school’s post-graduation earnings, says the release.

Of 162 North Carolina institutions in the database, 27 are flagged as having “lower earnings” and 13 do not have available data. Most of the flagged institutions are trade schools, but a few private colleges and one community college make the list.

New federal tax credit | The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service have issued this 21-page Notice 2025-70, requesting comments on the implementation of a “tax credit for contributions of individuals to scholarship granting organizations,” included in Sec. 70411 of the federal budget reconciliation bill. The bill was signed into law by President Donald Trump on July 4, 2025. “Beginning Jan. 1, 2027, individual taxpayers may claim a nonrefundable federal tax credit for cash contributions to Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs) providing scholarships for elementary and secondary education expenses. The credit allowed to any taxpayer is limited to $1,700,” says a press release. “This new credit applies to contributions to SGOs that serve elementary and secondary school students from low- and middle-income families.” You can read more about the new federal tax credit and how to submit comments here.

MacKenzie Scott donates to N.C. community colleges | Philanthropist and Amazon co-founder MacKenzie Scott recently donated $24 million to Robeson Community College. It is one of the largest gifts ever received by a North Carolina community college. Scott also gave $12 million to Bladen Community College.

Student stories | Eight months after being released from prison, Brandy Smiley is enrolled in A-B Tech’s social and human services program and is a paid apprentice at Transformation Village, a local women’s shelter, where she helps to connect women with resources. According to the college’s press release, Smiley’s behavioral health apprenticeship is the first of its kind in North Carolina. The new behavioral health apprenticeship was made possible by a legislative rule change passed by the North Carolina General Assembly. Individuals with an associate degree in human services and have at least two least two years of experience will be able to qualify as Quality Professionals (QP) in mental health care fields.

Access to Achievement | James Sprunt celebrated its first cohort of Access to Achievement students, a state-funded intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) workforce training helping individuals with IDD to pursue their education and career goals. “The A2A Internship Program serves as an incredible opportunity for students and employers alike. The experience gained empowers students with invaluable work skills while paving the way for their future careers,” a recent college press release says. 

Rural dual enrollment | Infographics from the National Rural Higher Education Research Center, supported by the federal Institute of Education Sciences and led by MDRC, “explore the role of dual enrollment in expanding college access in rural settings across three Southern states — Alabama, North Carolina, and Tennessee,” according to a recent MDRC brief.

AI programs | A number of North Carolina’s community colleges have added AI programs to their list of degrees and certificates. Blue Ridge Community College is one of those institutions and has experienced growth across the program. Check out how the state’s community colleges are adding programs to meet the growing AI demand. Reach out if we are missing a program on our list.

Awards | Southeastern Community College President Dr. Chris English was recently presented the “Best Food Forward” Award for his contributions to the N.C. Community College System’s Workforce Development Leadership Committee. The award was given to English for “demonstrating exceptional effort, perseverance, and commitment” while inspiring others with his dedication, positive attitude, and excellence.

Dogwood Health Trust | On Oct. 16, Dogwood Health Trust, a private foundation dedicated to improving the lives of western North Carolina (WNC) residents, held its annual meeting in Asheville. The convening brought together more than 400 attendees representing 270 organizations, with an additional 300-plus community members participating virtually. This year’s theme, “cultivating active hope,” was particularly timely given recent challenges, including shifts in public funding and ongoing recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene. You can read more about the convening here.