A note from us
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. 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.
With the start of spring, we’re trying something new — rotating who writes Awake58 each week, giving you the opportunity to know more of our team. This week’s edition is by Analisa Sorrells Archer, EdNC’s senior director of policy.
The State Board of Community Colleges meets this week… Proposed Workforce Pell rules are open for public comment… EdNC recaps an annual meeting of community college presidents and school superintendents… Plus, new research from Gallup and the Lumina Foundation, and new student success data from the Richmond Fed…
Good morning and welcome to Awake58 — Analisa here.
The Department of Education has opened a public comment period for proposed Workforce Pell rules. Community college leaders across the country are keeping a close eye on these rules, which will shape how federal student aid flows to students in short-term workforce training programs — a historic expansion of the Pell Grant program.
On Friday, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) released its analysis of the proposed regulations. AACC will also submit formal comments and “urges AACC-member institutions to engage in the process,” according to this article.
Meanwhile, states are working to identify potentially eligible programs ahead of the grant program’s anticipated launch on July 1. N.C. Community College System President Jeff Cox said last month that fewer programs may ultimately qualify for Workforce Pell in the state than previously thought due to the program’s federally established eligibility criteria.
You can view the proposed rules and submit a public comment via this portal — comments are due by April 8 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
Catch up on all of EdNC’s reporting on Workforce Pell here. If you’re looking for more, I’ve particularly enjoyed this newsletter — Workforce Pell Watch — written by Wesley Whistle from New America.
Separately, in late February, more than 150 community college presidents and school superintendents convened in Greensboro to address North Carolina’s most pressing education and workforce opportunities. This was the sixth year of the annual convening, hosted by the N.C. Association of Community College Presidents and the N.C. School Superintendents’ Association.
This year’s convening had a particular focus on dual enrollment, opportunity youth, and understanding the different generations that make up the students and staff of the state’s K-12 schools and community colleges. You can read EdNC’s full recap of the convening, and see all presentation slides, in this article.
Later this week, the State Board of Community Colleges will meet. On Thursday morning, the newly created Executive Committee will hold its second meeting, available for public viewing in-person at the N.C. Community College System office. Here, you can view the full meeting agenda and packet. Stay tuned for EdNC’s coverage.
Until next time,
Analisa Sorrells Archer
Senior Director of Policy, EdNC.org
EdNC reads
Department of Education opens 30-day public comment period for proposed Workforce Pell rules
Established by the federal budget reconciliation bill in 2025, Workforce Pell Grants expand traditional Pell Grant eligibility to short-term workforce training programs that are aligned with local workforce needs.
The proposed rules will shape how eligible programs are identified. Learn more about how to submit a comment in this article.
NC education leaders gather to collaborate on shared vision and goals for students
This annual joint convening of community college presidents and school superintendents brings leaders together to discuss promising practices and shared goals, including improving student outcomes, increasing economic mobility, and producing a diverse talent pipeline to meet North Carolina’s growing workforce needs.
New Richmond Fed survey redefines success for community college students
Are community college students doing better than traditional measures suggest?
A 2025 survey by the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, which collected data on 189 community and technical colleges — including North Carolina’s 58 community colleges — offers a new measure of student success. Learn more about the results in this article.
College students believe in the value of their degree, 2026 Lumina-Gallup research shows
Gallup and the Lumina Foundation recently released new research — the 2026 State of Higher Education Study — finding that most students who are actively enrolled in college believe they will benefit from their degree in the future. Dig into all of the study’s findings in this article.
Around NC
Remembering Wilkes Superintendent Mark Byrd | Read more about the life and legacy of Mark Byrd, who served as Wilkes County superintendent for 10 years and was known affectionally as Coach Byrd, in this article.
Perspective | Kaitlyn Parker with the Golden LEAF Foundation explores how a new covered riding arena at Isothermal Community College is expanding hands-on training opportunities that connect students to high-demand careers in this EdNC perspective.
Davidson-Davie president discusses child care center with legislators | President Jenny Varner presented on the benefits and challenges of operating an on-campus licensed child care center during a meeting of the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services.
Isothermal prepares to launch Boost | Seven additional community colleges are joining the Boost program in fall 2026. Isothermal will join as part of a western consortium along with McDowell Tech and Western Piedmont — learn more here.
UNC System news roundup | Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott gifted $42 million to Elizabeth City State University; Winston-Salem State joined Project Kitty Hawk; the UNC System joined the U.S. Census Bureau’s Postsecondary Employment Outcomes initiative; and UNC Charlotte received $2 million from the National Science Foundation to expand STEM pathways for community college students, adding Cleveland Community College and South Piedmont Community College to the existing partnership with Gaston College and Rowan‑Cabarrus Community College.
Belk Center receives award for NC Reconnect | The 2026 Opal Mann Green Engagement and Scholarship Award recognizes the Belk Center’s work to support adult learners through the statewide NC Reconnect initiative.
NCDIT interns from community colleges help mitigate cyber threats | This press release from the N.C. Department of Information Technology highlights the work of a Wake Tech graduate and a Fayetteville Tech student.
U.S. Rep. Greg Murphy visits Wayne Community College | Murphy attended a groundbreaking for the college’s new agriculture building and toured college facilities.
ApprenticeshipNC nominations | The 2026 ApprenticeshipNC Awards nomination period is now open. Nominations for outstanding apprentices and employers can be submitted online by 12:00 p.m. on March 27.
NCCCS Conference | The 2026 N.C. Community College System Conference is currently accepting program proposals through March 31. You can find out more about conference speakers, proposals, and registration here.
Fellowship opportunities | As a final reminder, applications for the John M. Belk Impact Fellowship are open through this Friday, March 20. The 10-month paid fellowship is a “training ground for future generations of social impact leaders” who will have the chance to deepen their experience across a wide array of focus area and gain marketable skills toward future employment. Full-time community college, undergraduate, or graduate students at an accredited North Carolina college or university interested in fields of education, public policy, political science, data analytics, psychology, or related fields can apply. Find more details about the fellowship and how to apply here.
Separately, applications for the LatinxEd fellowship are open until April 5. The fellowship is centered around equipping Latine youth and education professionals with the skills, community, and resources to create change in education across North Carolina. Read more about the fellowship and application process here.
Other higher education reads
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