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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. 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 Ben Humphries, reporter and policy analyst for EdNC.
Awake58 is taking a short spring break and will be back in your inbox the week of April 13.
Take a closer look at the opportunities and challenges facing prison education… New community college enrollment data shows labor market demand outpaces completion in Propel NC sectors… The State Board of Community Colleges discussed the presidential search timeline, a CRM overhaul, and more… Plus, updates on the State Health Plan…
Good morning and welcome to Awake58 — Ben here.
In January, I started looking into education offerings for people who are incarcerated in North Carolina’s state prisons.
Online, I found a wealth of information about reentry and workforce goals, but not much about prison education and reentry systems themselves. The more I read, the more questions I had — chiefly, what does a prison classroom actually look like?
My questions led me to speak with students, alumni, instructors, advocates, and administrators of prison education programs. All of them conveyed to me how crucial the programs are for people who are incarcerated, and they shared what is needed to enable educational institutions and prisons to expand offerings.
Of the roughly 32,000 people in state prisons, 95% will go on to be released. Their release — and reentry — is a pivotal moment, and preparing them for it can result in more prosperous lives.
Successful reentry is also an opportunity, the people I spoke with said, for improving public safety, cost-savings for the state, and economic growth and workforce development. In-demand fields stand to benefit — the prison education program category with the highest participation in 2024-25 was postsecondary technical.
If you’re starting to think “community colleges,” you’re on the right track. Community colleges play a prominent role in the education of people who are incarcerated. Over two-thirds of the state’s 58 community colleges partner with the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction to teach in prisons.
In this story on prison education, learn more about programs from Asheville-Buncombe Tech, Stanly Community College, and Wake Tech; read stories of hope and success from students; and see what instructors and administrators say they need to reach more students.
Writing this story was a great reminder of not just the systemic impact of education, but also the individual, on-the-ground impact: enlightenment and prosperity for people.
One man I spoke with, Patrick Whitley, was eager to share his experiences during a break in his English Composition II class at Nash Correctional Institution. Facing imprisonment for life, he said something that I believe is more impactful than anything I could write.
“Knowledge is not only power, but freedom,” Whitley said.
So it is. Read about education in North Carolina’s prisons here.
Until next time,
Ben Humphries
Reporter and Policy Analyst, EdNC
EdNC reads
Inside North Carolina’s prison classrooms, where ‘knowledge is not only power, but freedom’
Community colleges play a critical role in providing education programs in North Carolina’s state prisons. Take a closer look the opportunities and challenges facing prison education, including insights from Asheville-Buncombe Tech, Stanly Community College, and Wake Tech.
Enrollment at NC community colleges surpasses pre-pandemic level, but labor market demand outpaces completion in Propel NC sectors
Enrollment at North Carolina’s community colleges has surpassed pre-pandemic enrollment for the first time since 2019, according to new data shared during a presentation to the State Board of Community Colleges.
Yet the number of students completing credentials in high-wage, high-demand sectors falls short of the number of job openings.
State Board of Community Colleges talks presidential search and CRM overhaul, launches student experience council
During its March meeting, the State Board of Community Colleges codified a new executive committee, reviewed the results from a systemwide CRM survey, and discussed a new timeline for the search to replace system office President Jeff Cox.
Board Chair Tom Looney said the new president will go through onboarding in July and August, which may create a gap in leadership during the transition given Cox’s retirement, effective June 30.
State Health Plan moves toward tiered-provider structure, aiming to lower costs
At the State Health Plan (SHP) Board of Trustees meeting last week, the board unanimously voted to approve a declaration of intent to implement a tiered-provider structure that would categorize health care providers based on the price of care they negotiate with the SHP.
ICYMI: Nonprofit connecting first-generation college students to strong first jobs expands to HBCUs in the Carolinas
Basta, a nonprofit organization that aims to close the employment gap for first-generation students, is expanding to HBCUs in North and South Carolina through a $1.2 million investment from The Leon Levine Foundation.
Around NC
Trump administration’s impact on education | In this brief, EducationCounsel breaks down each of the Trump administration’s education goals, including a list of related executive actions and a prediction of how the administration may approach the priority in its second year. In this EdNC perspective, Rick Hess of the American Enterprise Institute discusses the impact of the dismantling of the Department of Education.
Cecilia Holden on the state of attainment | Holden, president and CEO of myFutureNC, spoke with NC Newsline about progress toward the state’s 2030 attainment goal.
Leon Levine Foundation announces finalists for the Carolinas Career-Connected Learning Challenge | The 32 finalists include local, state, and national organizations working to strengthen pathways from education to career.
A-B Tech awarded $1.04 million for Asheville-Buncombe-Madison Works | The new program will connect high school students with internships, pre-apprenticeships, and career-focused training in high-demand industries.
Central Carolina secures $5.8 million for regional fire & EMS training facility | Funding for the project was secured through the federal budget with support from U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis.
Blue Ridge launches free summer program for student parents | The Summer Transition and Engagement Program (STEP) will help new students with children ages 6-11 successfully transition into their first semester.
NC wartime veterans’ children scholarship applications pause | Without a new state budget, applications for the N.C. Scholarship for Children of Wartime Veterans will not open, impacting students at four-year institutions and community colleges.
New research on the role of course modality in dual enrollment | This brief summarizes findings from a study on dual enrollment in NC.
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 | 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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