What to know about salary-based premium increases for State Health Plan

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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.

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Five pillars of the Trump administration’s approach to workforce development… What to expect with the recent approval of salary-based premium increases for state employee health care coverage… Dual enrollment increases at Guilford County Schools… Central Carolina’s annual back-to-school community event… The complexities of the Associate of Applied Science degree transfer and how it affects students… A look at research on why North Carolinians choose to pursue college… Reflections from the president of Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust about recent federal cuts to health programs… Information about Next NC, a statewide scholarship program… Emerging leaders opportunity with the North Carolina Community College Leadership Program (NCCCLP)… Plus, register for upcoming events…

Hi all – Emily Thomas with Awake58.

The Trump administration published a report last week, America’s Talent Strategy: Equipping American Workers for the Golden Age, which details the federal government’s cross-agency approach to workforce development.

The 27-page strategy outlines ways to prepare the workforce and power economic growth. It also describes several challenges the strategy is premised on, including Americans being disconnected from high-wage career paths, and AI transforming work faster than the system can adapt.

With five pillars, the strategy lays out a plan to address the workforce needs of American companies, integrate existing workforce development systems, provide accountability for workforce training programs, and develop alternatives to four-year college degrees. Some of the approaches listed include scaling apprenticeships, growing industry-specific training, using technology to enhance career navigation, eliminating ineffective programs, and developing pilot projects to fuel other AI-era innovations.

You can read the full strategy here.

North Carolina state employees — this news impacts you.

Last week, the State Health Plan Board of Trustees approved increases to health care coverage premiums for members, effective starting January 2026. Premiums will increase for most members, but the new premiums will be salary-based, with lower increases going to members with lower salaries. Members currently pay $25 for the 70/30 standard plan and $50 for the 80/20 plus plan. Under the plan approved last week, premiums would increase to $35 to $80 for the standard plan, increasing by salary bands, and $66 to $160 for the plus plan.

Check out Hannah’s reporting for more information on the approved premiums and other changes discussed during last week’s meeting.

There’s a lot more to read below, including a look at Central Carolina Community College’s community back-to-school event, research on the complexities of the Associate of Applied Science degree transfer in North Carolina, a perspective on transfer issues with the AAS and how it affects students and educators, dual enrollment increases at Guilford County Schools, a new early college in Durham focused on health care, and more.

Lastly, we are thinking of our friends and family in the eastern part of the state who are preparing for Hurricane Erin. As of Monday evening, a mandatory evacuation order was in effect for Ocracoke and Hatteras Islands.

Until next time,

Emily Thomas

Regional Director of Western North Carolina — EdNC.org

EdNC reads

Here are the five pillars of the Trump administration’s cross-agency approach to workforce development

Consisting of five pillars, according to a press release, the strategy’s goal is “to empower more Americans to access good-paying jobs, build pipelines of skilled talent for critical industries, prepare the workforce system for an AI-driven economy, and position the U.S. as the dominant global economic leader.”

State Health Plan Board of Trustees approves salary-based premium increases for state employees

The premium costs for subscribers with children on their plan is actually lower for most members. Starting in 2026, only the highest paid employees will pay more for the subscriber plus children plan.

“Our lowest paid teachers will pay less in premiums than they did last year to cover their children,” state Treasurer Brad Briner said. “That is a policy decision we’ve made to improve our risk pool … You need to get more healthy people on the plan. You need to make it easier for single parents to cover their kids on the plan.”

This community college hosts an annual Back to School celebration that brings the community together, supports students

An estimated 1,000 people gathered on Saturday, Aug. 2, for the Let’s Do It Together Foundation’s fourth-annual Back to School Celebration, according to a press release from Central Carolina Community College (CCCC). Partnering with CCCC, Manna Church, and El Refugio, the foundation put on a celebration at CCCC’s Dennis A. Wicker Civic & Conference Center, featuring food, games, giveaways, and booths to connect attendees with resources and services across Sanford. Over 565 children got backpacks and school supplies during the event, the release said.

Research | Applied Associate of Science degrees: Pathways for workforce and transfer

Historically, students pursuing Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees entered the job market immediately after graduation. But today, a growing number are charting a different course — transferring to four-year institutions in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree. This trend, however, brings new challenges, as many AAS degree holders face barriers such as lost credits and lower completion rates compared to those following more transfer-friendly Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) pathways.

Perspective | Applied Associate of Science degrees: Impacting our students and educators

Across North Carolina, students who enroll in Associate of Applied Science (AAS) programs do so with purpose. Many balance work and family responsibilities while pursuing credentials that offer a clear path to economic mobility. But for those who later decide to pursue a bachelor’s degree, that path is too often blocked by unclear and inconsistent transfer pathways, lost credits and added costs — both financial and emotional.

Research | What motivates people to pursue college?

Fear of student loan debt is a big obstacle to students not only going to college but also to filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

This is one of the findings from research commissioned by the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA) in 2023. NCSEAA, the primary sponsor of College for North Carolina, commissioned the research to better understand how to help students and families know about the Next NC Scholarship, a program that combines the Federal Pell and state grant into one easy to understand need-based award. To qualify, students must complete a FAFSA to access state and federal financial aid available to them.

Around NC

New early college | Durham’s new health care-focused high school welcomed 104 students on Thursday, Aug. 7. Durham Early College of Health Sciences (DECHS) is Durham Public Schools’ fourth Cooperative Innovative High Schools (CIHS).

Statewide scholarship program | Check out this Q&A about Next NC, a statewide scholarship program that is available to families earning $80,000 or less. The scholarship covers full tuition and fees for all community colleges and more than half that cost for public universities. This article explains more about the program, eligibility, and how to apply.

Reflections | In this perspective, Dr. Laura Gerald, president of Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust, discusses recent federal cuts to health programs like Medicaid and SNAP food assistance, and shares how the the Trust is taking action.

Student story | Moriah is the first student to enroll in and graduate from the medical assisting program at Vance-Granville Community College through the Career & College Promise (CCP) pathway. “Her achievement marks a major milestone for the program and opens the door for future CCP students with aspirations in healthcare,” the college press release said.

College and community events | Rising juniors and seniors from Columbus County and surrounding rural and underserved communities explored careers in pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences through the Promoting Innovation and Lifelong Learning in STEM (PILLS), a two-day summer camp hosted by UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy in partnership with Southeastern Community College.

Wayne Community College hosted two apprenticeship academies this summer through their eight-week Southeastern Education and Economic Development (SEED) program. One in advanced manufacturing and the other in agricultural science, the programs combined classroom time with field trips to show the participating 32 students career opportunities in the field area.

Beaufort County Community College helped distribute over 1,000 backpacks with school supplies in their third annual back-to-school event.

President recognition | Forsyth Technical Community College President Dr. Janet Spriggs has been named the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Southern Region Chief Executive Officer of the Year.

North Carolina community colleges in the news | This recent news story highlights North Carolina being ranked #1 in business, with a focus on the state’s community colleges being economic drivers.

Leadership opportunity | The North Carolina Community College Leadership Program (NCCCLP) is currently recruiting emerging leaders for its next cohort. The application window closes on Sept. 22.

Transfer agreements and partnerships | N.C. A&T formalized a new partnership with Project Kitty Hawk to power at least seven degree programs designed for adult learners. Project Kitty Hawk is a nonprofit affiliate of the University of North Carolina System, helping public universities develop and launch online degree programs.

Leaders from the Community Colleges of the Appalachia (CCA) and Western Governors University have “signed a transfer institution agreement that will create opportunities for residents of Appalachia to further their education through WGU’s accredited online degree and certificate programs while remaining in their home communities,” a recent press release says.

Upcoming events | The Latine Education Summit is scheduled for Oct. 15-17 in Greensboro. Additional details and information about registering can be found here.

Registration is open for the 38th annual NCWorks Partnership Conference, which is also scheduled for Oct. 15-17, at the Koury Convention Center/Sheraton Four Seasons in Greensboro. This year’s theme is “Stronger Together. Unlimited Possibilities.” You can read the draft agenda and more information here.

To register, visit www.train.ncworks.gov. If you don’t have a TRAIN account, click on “Create an Account” or contact the NCWorks Training Center at [email protected] for assistance.

Registration for the 2025 N.C. State Fair Apprentice Contest is open. The contest is scheduled for Oct. 20-25, 2025. According to a press release, “these contests are an opportunity for Masonry, Electrical, Plumbing, and HVAC/R Registered Apprentices and Carpentry Pre-Apprentices from across the state to test their skills and knowledge, win prizes, and make lasting connections with fellow tradespeople.” You can find the contest entry form here. The contest form closes on Sept. 5, 2025.

Registration for the 11th annual Dallas Herring Lecture is now open. The virtual event, presented by the Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research, is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 11 a.m. EST. Dr. Jason Wood, president of Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, will deliver the 2025 lecture, titled, “We Don’t Graduate People Into Poverty: Designing the College Experience Around Student Success.”