Postsecondary institutions are responding to the industry growth by creating new degrees and programs to prepare students for careers in AI. North Carolina A&T State University is leading the way as the first university in the state to offer a bachelor’s degree in artificial intelligence. North Carolina Central University recently received a $1 million grant from Google to fund the first HBCU AI Institute nationwide.

The 2024 NC Chamber Education and Workforce Conference focused heavily on “the future of work” and how our schools can prepare students for the realities of AI. Dr. Bill Daggett, founder of the International Center of Leadership in Education, opened the conference. He broke down the different types of AI and reminded listeners that students, technology, and the workforce are vastly different than they were 50 years ago

North Carolina’s 58 community colleges are working to respond to these changes, creating programs, pathways, and degrees. Below is a list of these offerings compiled by reaching out to representatives at all 58 community colleges. Please email [email protected] if we are missing anything.

The full list of community colleges offering AI programming can be found on EdNC’s website.

North Carolina’s 121st Speaker of the House Destin Hall, R-Caldwell, is committed to lower taxes, limited government, and conservative values and principles, according to his campaign website. He represents the 87th district, which includes Caldwell and Watauga counties. This is his fifth term in the House, serving since the 2017-18 session of the legislature. He was first elected in 2016 at the age of 29.

He knows public schools, public school policy, and public school law, having attended public schools in Caldwell County and serving as the attorney to the Caldwell County Schools Board of Education.

When EdNC meets people as we travel across North Carolina, we ask “Who are you?” over and over again as a way to get to know the person better.  As we researched this article, we came up with our own “Who are you?” for Hall.

Hall is from Caldwell County. He was raised by his grandparents. He is a Christian. He attended public schools. He is a first-generation college graduate. He is a Mountaineer. He is a lawyer. He is a school board attorney. He is married. He is expecting his first child. He is a conservative, Republican politician.

He is the Speaker of the N.C. House.

Read more about the new Speaker of the House.

CFNC has a new look and a new name. After 25 years, the College Foundation of North Carolina will now be called College for North Carolina. The organization is rebranding to reflect its commitment to freely serve all North Carolinians. The name change also includes a new logo featuring a lighthouse, the ocean, and mountains.

“North Carolina goes to great lengths to put a life-changing education within reach of every student, and CFNC works hard to fulfill that promise,” said UNC System President Peter Hans. “We all benefit when more North Carolinians get encouragement, advice and support on the path to college.”

Since beginning in 2000, CFNC has helped students in the state submit 7.7 million college applications in addition to providing help to millions as they seek out college education, according to a press release.

“CFNC has brought education partners together for 25 years to ensure students know the opportunities that are available to them to continue their education and have the support they need to succeed,” said Andrea Poole, executive director of the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority.“This long-standing collaboration speaks to North Carolina’s commitment to all students, so that they can build a brighter future for themselves, their family and their community.”

Read this perspective on the Aspiring Presidents Institute from the Belk Center’s executive director Dr. AJ Jaeger:

As the new year begins, I have a renewed sense of hope and possibility for the future. For myself – and for many – it’s a time for reflection and for embracing the new opportunities that lie ahead. In North Carolina, that sense of renewal is personified in the rising leaders who are preparing to shape the future of community colleges across our state. The Aspiring Presidents Institute, a new program focused on developing the next generation of educational leaders, offers a powerful reminder that our collective future is bright when we invest in the talent and dedication of those committed to serving their communities and transforming students’ lives.

Developed in collaboration with the Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research and the North Carolina Association of Community College Presidents, the program is designed to identify and develop a diverse cadre of qualified professionals for community college presidency in North Carolina. And after meeting with the 17 members of the program’s first cohort in the fall and hearing more about their expertise and commitment for community college education, it seems that the future of North Carolina is very bright indeed.

We have an abundance of immensely qualified, courageous, compassionate leaders among us who recognize that community college presidency is a commitment to service – and not only to the students, faculty and staff that belong to them, but to entire communities. They recognize that community colleges serve as hubs of their communities – and they are ready and eager to step up to the plate and give themselves to the work of transforming lives and strengthening regions across our great state.

Read the entire perspective on EdNC’s website.

Perspectives | Sen. Berger noted in his 2025 opening remarks that “education continues to be the key that unlocks the door to a brighter future.” Read more of Berger’s remarks on our website.

Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt also presented her vision for North Carolina on opening day of legislature. “We must also be willing to listen to those in our state who feel as if government is no longer working for them,” she said. “That will be a priority for me in this office.” You can read Hunt’s remarks on EdNC.org.

Student stories | Fetihya Ahmed is a student at Coastal Carolina Community College. In this news segment, Fetihya discusses her nonprofit, Rise Above Abuse Now, and talks about her journey at Coastal Carolina and how the college has made a difference in her life. 

Robeson Community College recently spotlighted Cody Brigman’s journey from machining to working as an x-ray technician.

Enrollment increases | Johnston Community College celebrated its fourth consecutive semester of enrollment increases, with a record-breaking total of 5,246 degree-seeking students enrolled, the college said, a 10% increase from last spring.

Wake Tech Community College welcomed 25,000 degree-seeking students, including 3,900 new students for the first day of spring semester. Enrollment at Wake Tech is up 6% from last year.

Programs | Bladen Community College hosted a Master Educator Academy thanks to a mini grant from the BCC Foundation. Teachers in the area learned advanced pedagogical techniques to incorporate innovative, student-centered teaching methods into their classrooms.

Elevate, which provides an inclusive postsecondary education program for students with intellectual disabilities, welcomed its first cohort of seven students from North Carolina. EdNC will have more information about the community colleges’ IDD programming soon.

Continuing Education & Workforce | A local news article recently highlighted Brunswick Community College’s Continuing Education & Workforce Development programs, which help teach important trades needed for the area’s workforce and economy.

Grants | Beaufort County Community College received an $800,000 Digital Equity Grant from the N.C. Department of Information Technology through the American Rescue Plan to support the Beaufort Digital Bridge and BCCC Mobile programs. The program will be used to improve digital literacy and access.

System president | Carolina Business Review recently interviewed NCCCS President Dr. Jeff Cox.

Hiring | The Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research is hiring an executive assistant.

Scholarship information | Nearly 140 college scholarships administered by the North Carolina Community College Foundation are now open.

Applications for Golden LEAF Colleges and Universities Scholarship are also open. A total of 215 awards will be offered to first-time recipients from qualifying counties.