A note from us
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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A final look at election polling and early voting in North Carolina… How one community college graduate is aiding Hurricane Helene recovery… Highlighting the three North Carolina community college presidents who were selected for the Aspen Institute’s fellowship… Another look at EdNC’s latest case study on health care partnerships… Nonprofit El Futuro is offering mental health resources after Helene…
Hi all — Hannah Vinueza McClellan here, filling in for Emily Thomas, who is in Burke County and visiting Western Piedmont Community College this week.
Today is Election Day! If you haven’t voted yet, you can find EdNC’s Voter Guide on our website, which includes a look at several races that will impact education in North Carolina. You can also find information on where your polling place is on the North Carolina State Board of Elections’ website.
Ahead of Election Day, more than 4.4 million people, or nearly 57% of registered voters, cast their ballots in North Carolina during early voting. The state has outpaced the country in early voter turnout and is expected to play a big role in the presidential election. In North Carolina, the government’s response to Hurricane Helene has influenced voting intentions, according to a poll from Elon University.
There were sharp partisan differences on this: 68% of Democrats said federal and state agencies are doing a “very good” or “good” job, while only 24% of Republicans said they felt that way. Some 57% of Republicans said government agencies are doing a “very poor” or “poor” job, while only 12% of Democrats felt that way.
“The hurricane has influenced voting intentions – 20% said they are more likely to vote because of Helene and only 2% said they are less likely to cast a ballot,” the Elon analysis says.
You can read more about the latest on polling and early voting at EdNC.org.
We will take a break from sending Awake58 next week in honor of Veterans Day. Thank you to all of veterans in the community college world — we are grateful for you and your service.
Until next time,
Hannah Vinueza McClellan
EdNC’s senior reporter
EdNC reads
A final look at polling and early voting in NC on Election Day
Across the country, many pundits are now looking to North Carolina as a key swing state in the presidential election between Republican Former President Donald Trump and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump won the state over President Joe Biden in 2020 by 1.3%.
Project FiveThirtyEight, which aggregates polling data, shows Trump slightly ahead in the state, with a 48.4% polling average, and Harris at 47.1%.
“Of the seven swing states this year, North Carolina is the most puzzling,” a Brookings commentary says. “Because Trump is much more competitive in the national popular vote and in the swing states this year, he would be expected to be well out in front in North Carolina. But he isn’t. All the poll aggregates show him with a lead of at most one point, not much better than he is performing nationally.”
EdNC’s article also includes a look at polling for the presidential, governor, state superintendent, lieutenant governor, and attorney general races.
The full circle story of fighting natural disasters, losing everything, and teaching the next generation
Last week, EdNC published a feature on Briton Wertz, EMT and Public Safety teacher at Southern Guilford High School. Wertz, who is a Guilford Technical Community College alum, has helped local recovery efforts after Hurricane Helene.
Wertz has spent her career as a firefighter and paramedic. Since 2022, she’s been an EMT and public safety teacher at Southern Guilford.
Wertz has seen her fair share of natural disasters throughout her time as a firefighter and paramedic, some of which amounted to life-altering personal loss. The passion she has for service coupled with her personal experience living through a natural disaster led Wertz to take action after seeing the devastation from Helene.
“I had to do something,” she said.
Wertz organized a donation drive for her class and encouraged them to bring in nonperishable food, cleaning supplies, and hygiene products. They set up collection boxes at Southern Guilford, and in mid-October, Wertz loaded them in her car and took them to western North Carolina.
We ended up going to Brevard, dropped it off at a donation site, and helped them organize a little bit. While we were there, a family of six showed up, and I was able to literally put some of Southern’s donations into their hands and come back and show my kids and say, ‘Look, this is the family that took these things.’ It was really neat,” said Wertz.
Three N.C. community college leaders named to Aspen Institute’s Presidents Fellowship
Three North Carolina community college presidents were recently selected for the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program’s second cohort of the Aspen Presidents Fellowship: Isothermal Community College’s Dr. Margaret Annunziata, Piedmont Community College’s Dr. Pamela Senegal, and Forsyth Technical Community College’s Dr. Janet Spriggs.
Twenty-five leaders from across the country were selected for the fellowship, which includes year-long professional development designed to support each president’s development of their college’s student success efforts.
“Community colleges educate millions of diverse students every year who are relying on them to deliver the education and credentials they need for a fulfilling life and career,” said Josh Wyner, executive director of the College Excellence Program. “I am delighted that these 25 accomplished presidents have committed to strengthening their institutions’ strategies to ensure that more students achieve those aims.”
ICYMI: Case study | A partnership between a health system and community college to grow their local health care workforce
Last week, Emily Thomas published EdNC’s latest case study. This study explores the partnership between Craven Community College and CarolinaEast Health System to address their community’s health care workforce challenges.
In 2018, leaders from CarolinaEast Health System approached Craven Community College about the system’s need for a robust talent pipeline of nurses.
CarolinaEast awarded the college two separate grants to hire four nursing faculty over the course of several years. The grants allowed the college to expand their nursing program twice. The health system’s initial investment led to the creation of additional partnerships and expanded health care programs.
Around NC
Mental health resources | In North Carolina, El Futuro is working with the N.C. Office of Rural Health to offer telehealth support after Hurricane Helene, helping ensure that mental health services remain accessible. You can read more on EdNC’s website.
Update on IDD programs | Richmond Community College was selected by the N.C. Community College System to be part of a pilot program in a state effort to provide inclusive postsecondary education leading to employment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The college created Next Steps in response and recently held a recognition ceremony to present students with certificates of achievement.
New transfer agreement | Leaders from Nash Community College and Western Governors University recently participated in a signing ceremony to formalize a new transfer agreement between the two institutions. This agreement will give NCC graduates and employees access to flexible, personalized learning pathways to higher education and professional development through WGU.
Disaster relief volunteers | The small business center at Pitt Community College is looking for volunteers to help with disaster relief for businesses in western North Carolina, according to a WNCT news article. They are looking for people with experience in insurance, accounting, finance, legal, real estate, and other areas.
Cape Fear career fairs | In celebration of National Apprenticeship Week, Nov. 17-23, Cape Fear Community College is offering a weeklong series of industry-focused career fairs, with each day focused on a different industry. All career fairs are open to the public. For more information, visit cfcc.edu/career-development/
Native American Heritage Celebration | Robeson Community College’s Dr. Melissa Oxendine recently talked about the college’s Native American Heritage Celebration on a local radio station. The cultural exhibition will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Robeson Community College in the Center Lawn. The event will feature special entertainment, a powwow, food trucks, craft vendors, and a special guest speaker — Zach Oxendine who works with Microsoft.
Business NC award | Shelby McClain, an apprenticeship consultant with the N.C Community College System, has been named a 2024 Trailblazer by Business North Carolina magazine. McClain, who serves an eight-county region, was recognized for her leadership in establishing nearly 100 apprenticeship programs and fostering skilled workforce development throughout the state, according to a release from the system.
Womenpreneur Empowerment Summit | Brunswick Community College is set to host their third annual “Womenpreneur Empowerment Summit” on Nov. 13-14. The summit will include teaching essential information to current and prospective entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Higher ed related events and webinars:
- Dallas Herring Lecture | This year’s Dallas Herring Lecture is less than one month away. The lecture is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 19 and features Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart, chancellor of the Austin Community College District, as the keynote speaker. You can register for the event here.
- Adult Learning Conference | The Adult Learning Conference hosted by the NCCCS will take place Nov. 21-22 in Raleigh. Click here to register and see the agenda.
Other higher education reads
