Perspective | Putting the community into community college

As president of Cape Fear Community College (CFCC), I am often asked what makes community college unique. The answer is right there in our name. While the word “college” naturally brings to mind classrooms, degrees, and career training, the real strength of our mission lies in the other word, “community.”

Being a community college is more than being an academic institution. It means being a partner, a neighbor, and a resource. It means that our classrooms extend beyond four walls, and our lessons touch lives well outside the boundaries of our campus. 

Haircuts and dental cleanings

This idea comes to life daily at CFCC, where the education we provide does more than prepare students for future careers; it meets the immediate needs of the people around us. Two perfect examples are our newly expanded dental clinic and barber shop. These facilities are modern, hands-on training spaces designed to prepare students for success in their fields, but they also function as vital community resources.

When parents bring a child in for an affordable haircut, or a community member schedules a low-cost dental cleaning, they aren’t just receiving quality care; they’re helping train and shape the next generation of professionals. It’s a partnership built on trust.

Our students grow their skills by working with real people who have real needs, and in return, community members receive care that might otherwise be out of reach. This simple exchange creates a cycle of support — students build confidence and hands-on experience, while neighbors leave feeling valued and cared for.

In these simple, everyday interactions, the true spirit of a community college shines. The classroom becomes the community, and the community becomes the classroom. We are not teaching in isolation, we are teaching in partnership.

Performing arts for everyone

Another space where this partnership thrives is at CFCC’s Wilson Center, the largest performing arts center and learning laboratory in eastern North Carolina. The Wilson Center is more than just a stage, it is a gathering place where culture, education, and opportunity converge. Hosting Broadway tours, nationally renowned concerts, and community events, the Center brings world-class programming to Wilmington and the surrounding areas. Its remarkable feature, however, is its accessibility. 

Through the Hello Arts! Program, student-centered programming, and community engagement, the Wilson Center ensures that the arts remain within reach for everyone. At CFCC, exposure to the arts should not be a luxury but a part of everyday life. Our students gain valuable experience working behind the scenes, learning art management, technical theater, and hospitality, all while the community simultaneously enjoys affordable cultural experiences.

The Wilson Center truly reflects the dual mission of a community college. 

New metrics of success

Community colleges are often measured by graduation rates, transfer numbers, and job placements, which are important metrics, but they don’t tell the whole story.

Success also looks like healthier smiles, families who can afford care, and communities strengthened by culture and connection. It looks like a veteran who discovers a passion for theater while volunteering at the Wilson Center, or a parent who returns to work confidently because they have a healthier smile. These stories are harder to quantify but are equally important in measuring our impact. 

At Cape Fear Community College, we see ourselves as part of this region’s daily rhythm. Our mission is to educate, respond, and be there for our neighbors in ways that matter most.

The calling of a community college is not only to prepare students for the future, but also to transform the present. We are here to serve, to open doors, and to build bridges between education and community life. Every program, every service, and every performance is an opportunity to strengthen the bond between our students and the people of the Cape Fear. 

This is what it truly means to be a community college.