Timeline updates on NC Community College System presidential search

This year, the State Board is overseeing a variety of transitions in the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS), including the hiring of a new system office president to replace Cox, who announced his retirement effective June 30, 2026. Separately, the Board is providing oversight of a major technology transformation and the development of a new 2026-29 strategic plan.

The executive committee is one of six special committees listed on the State Board’s website, which also includes a system advisory council and a transformation committee. Current members of the executive committee include Board Chair Looney, Board Vice Chair John Kane, and the chairs of other State Board committees, including:

• Geoffrey Lang, chair of the accountability and audit committee,
• Lisa Estep, chair of the finance committee,
• Bill McBrayer, chair of the personnel committee,
• Sarah West, chair of the programs and student success committee,
• Hon. Chaz Beasley, chair of the State Board policy and governance committee,
• Dr. Dale McInnis, chair of the strategic planning committee, and
• Scott Ottman, chair of the transformation committee.

Alex Fagg, the system’s vice president of government and external relations, said the system’s legislative agenda for the General Assembly’s upcoming short session will remain consistent with its focus on Propel NC, the proposed overhaul of the system’s funding model.

Fagg said the system is exploring multiple pathways to get its priorities approved despite the ongoing state budget impasse.

“Right now, our mindset is to prepare for anything and everything,” he said.

Fagg also gave leaders their first overview of January’s federal appropriations bill. He said the budget largely maintains existing funding levels and program structures affecting community colleges. Several grants that the system had been monitoring remain intact as well, he said.

Attendees, including Cox, met with U.S. Sens. Thom Tillis and Ted Budd on Tuesday, Feb. 10, as part of the trip.

North Carolina was also represented on stage at the summit by Dr. John Enamait, president of Stanly Community College and chair-elect of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) board of directors. He interviewed Under Secretary of Education Nicholas Kent, who serves as the nation’s top federal official for higher education.

During her visit, Hunt toured a makerspace, classrooms, a hanger, and even jumped into a flight stimulator. She met Aviation System Technology students who came from CCC’s Early College EAST High School as well as veterans who were using their GI Bill benefits to pursue a degree. Students talked about their aspirations after school and how they landed at CCC.

This is Hunt’s 11th official tour stop, and her stated policy priorities are championing the state’s 58 community colleges, expanding career pathways, and addressing the child care crisis. Click here to see the full Future-Ready North Carolina plan.

Hunt also visited Alamance Community College on Feb. 19. Check out the college’s press release about her visit.

Educators are aiming to connect students not just with high-quality instruction, but with in-demand jobs.

School and program leaders shared how they are aligning their work with employers’ needs with the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee (JLEOC) on Tuesday, Feb. 10.

The committee consists of legislators from both chambers and typically meets in between legislative sessions to consider education issues. You can find a summary of each of the presentations in the EdNC article, including information on Rockingham’s CTE Innovative High School, which leaders said is driving textile innovation in Gaston County, and helping “last miler” adults earn high school diplomas.

EdNC’s Hurricane Helene Playbook | In our most recent playbook chapter, EdNC’s Hannah Vinueza McClellan outlines the role of faith and faith institutions after disaster.

FAFSA perspective | In this EdNC perspective, NCSEAA’s Alex Granados shares updates on FAFSA’s streamlined form, state aid, and FAFSA completions in North Carolina.

National initiative to expand electrical training | The NCCCS is helping lead Careers Electric, a national initiative by the Siemens Foundation to expand access to high-quality electrical training. This is a $9.25 million investment that will allow N.C. community colleges to train students for essential roles in the energy and infrastructure sectors.

New health care program | Catawba Valley Community College (CVCC) launched the first Limited Practice Radiographer (LPR) program in North Caroline. The three-semester diploma program is designed to be short-term, affordable, and workforce focused, according to the college. CVCC plans to enroll its first cohort in fall 2026.

Apprenticeships | Wake Technical Community College’s tenfold increase in employers participating in registered apprenticeships is featured in this in-depth article on the national surge in apprenticeship interest. The piece also discusses barriers to scaling apprenticeships in the U.S. compared to other nations such as the United Kingdom, Germany, and Australia.

Sandhills Community College and Pennsylvania Transformer Technology (PTT) have partnered to establish new registered pre-apprenticeships and apprenticeships in welding and industrial electrician occupations, according to a recent college press release.

NC Edge initiative | McDowell Technical Community College launched two major workforce development initiatives through the NC Edge Customized Training Program. The Baxter Healthcare project is the largest and most extensive NC Edge initiative developed by the college to date. “The project will provide training for approximately 125 employees at Baxter’s Marion facility, focusing on advanced technical and operational skills,” according to a college press release.

The second project supports Greenheck Group’s Marion manufacturing facility, which produces customized air terminal units and HVAC air distribution components critical to the company’s national operation, the college said.