Updates from the Good Jobs WNC summit
A note from us
Welcome to Awake58 — a weekly newsletter with the latest updates on community college news and events. 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.
This week’s edition is by Alli Lindenberg Semon, EdNC’s director of engagement.
Read our dispatch from the Good Jobs Western North Carolina summit, including $3.3 million in new philanthropic commitments… Forsyth Tech becomes the first N.C. community college to have Workforce Pell programs receive federal approval… The 2027-28 FAFSA is now open… Plus, take a look inside Bladen Community College…
Good morning everyone,
It’s Alli Lindenberg Semon here with your latest edition of Awake58.
Last week I had the privilege of spending time with several college presidents and staff during the Good Jobs WNC summit. It was inspiring to hear about the new funding for the coalition and sobering to listen to the harrowing stories of Hurricane Helene, especially as we marked the second anniversary of the storm.
My colleague Hannah Vinueza McClellan put it best when she wrote in a special edition of EdDaily:
“In the weeks, months, and years that followed (the storm), destruction has not had the final word. The resilience, generosity, and recovery of North Carolina and its people have testified to the strength of the human spirit, and the power of community for good.”
As we continue to move forward, I have a renewed sense of hope seeing how many people and organizations are still committed to recovery in the region. It also remains clear how critical community colleges are to not only the work of recovery but also the success of strong, connected, and vibrant economies.
“I think that it’s really important that this represents something much bigger than just a meeting at our summit. It actually represents a shared belief that every individual deserves an opportunity to build a better life through meaningful work and a good job. That’s what we’re about,” said Laura Leatherwood, president of Blue Ridge Community College.
The 11 colleges that are part of the Good Jobs WNC effort have made impressive progress with their chosen programs. The colleges worked together with local employers to validate workforce demand and talent needs and co-develop their programs. We heard directly from several colleges on their progress, including:
- Western Piedmont Community College | Strengthened mechatronics, machining, and welding pathways, including opportunities for apprenticeships and internships
- McDowell Technical Community College | M3, or McDowell Manufacturing Momentum, connecting manufacturing training with further education and guaranteed interviews with participating employers
- Blue Ridge Community College | Strengthening Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing (SEAM) pathways, including new introductory academies
- Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College | Expanded electrical, plumbing, and HVAC pathways
The summit also brought good news of new funding: $3.3 million in new philanthropic commitments were announced at the summit. The New York-based Rockefeller Foundation is committing $1 million — the first national philanthropy to invest in the coalition. Rockefeller’s investment will be matched by $2 million from the John M. Belk Endowment.
You can read more updates on Good Jobs WNC here.
With gratitude,
Alli Lindenberg Semon
Director of engagement
EdNC reads
Around NC
Early voting begins Oct. 15 | EdNC has this guide on what you need to know to vote in the 2026 elections.
American Association of Community Colleges submits comments to proposed federal rules on accreditation | Dr. Monty Sullivan represented community colleges during the federal negotiated rulemaking sessions that took place earlier this year. You can read AACC’s comments here. Final rules are expected by Nov. 1, allowing them to take effect July 1, 2027.
James Sprunt president resigns | Dr. Shannon Hair voluntarily resigned following the board’s decision in August to place him on administrative leave. He originally took office in February 2026.
Wake Tech uses AI agents to support enrollment growth without layoffs | The college is using 21 AI assistants, built on the Element451 platform, to address student services questions. Only 1% of conversations handled by assistants are transferred to a staff member.
Two Wilson County grads earn BioWork certificates and land jobs at Johnson & Johnson | Learn more about Wilson Community College’s efforts to raise awareness of opportunities in the life sciences.
Fayetteville Tech named a finalist for NC TECH Awards Public Sector Innovation Award | The college earned recognition in part for its role as a founding partner of the Carolina Cyber Network, which works to strengthen the state’s cybersecurity workforce pipeline.
‘Course. Credential. Career.’ | In his latest column, McDowell Tech President J.W. Kelley reflects on the challenge of choosing educational paths wisely.
DPI receives $4 million federal grant to expand Skills for the Future | The initiative helps students demonstrate durable skills like critical thinking, collaboration, and communication through classroom work.
Project Kitty Hawk sees record enrollment | A record 2,889 adult learners enrolled in online degree programs across six universities. Learn more.
Register now for your virtual seat at the Dallas Herring Lecture | This year’s featured speaker is Dr. Vicki Karolewics, president of Wallace State Community College in Hanceville, Alabama. Her lecture, titled “The Value Agenda: A Systems Approach to Student Success,” calls on institutions to redesign systems around the full student lifecycle, where every structure, every process, and every employee is aligned around helping students complete credentials of value and achieve long-term success. The lecture will take place virtually on Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 10 a.m. EST. Register here.
Other higher education reads
Sign up for Awake58, our newsletter on all things community college.