News

Community colleges scramble to graduate more working-age students

As state community colleges struggle to raise enrollment, they are looking to recruit  more non-traditional students — those older than 25. The push could help lift those students out of poverty and boost North Carolina’s workforce — but only if colleges get it right, advocates say. Just getting them in the classroom isn’t enough. Fewer...

Julie Havlak
News

Students in neighboring states could get break at N.C. community colleges

Lawmakers may give students from neighboring Georgia and Tennessee in-state tuition rates at one of North Carolina’s two-year institutions. House Bill 519, “Neighbor State In-State Tuition,” would allow the Cherokee County-based Tri County Community College to give people in border states a break on costs. The bill could accelerate a new statewide tuition policy at...

Kari Travis
News

Cooper makes appeal for common ground to skeptical General Assembly

RALEIGH ­— Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper sought common ground during his first State of the State address to the Republican-controlled General Assembly on Monday night. While the governor’s 37-and-a-half-minute speech asked lawmakers for cooperation with his plans to improve education, recruit jobs, fight the opioid crisis, and help those still affected by Hurricane Matthew, Republicans used their...

Barry Smith

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New community college system president will hit the road

The North Carolina Community College System’s new president, James C. “Jimmie” Williamson, says that his first 90 days in office will be filled with homework and field trips as he learns about interests and needs of the NCCCS. Williamson, who took office on July 1, plans to visit all 58 NCCCS schools, “listening, learning and...

Kari Travis
News

Official: ‘Inaccurate’ Study May Harm Transfer Program Between Community Colleges, UNC

A report commissioned by the University of North Carolina and the North Carolina Community College System on the potential impact of the North Carolina Guaranteed Admission Program contains inaccurate information that should be acknowledged during legislative discussions about any changes in NCGAP, says George Fouts, interim president of the NCCCS. Passed into law last year by...

Kari Travis
News

Community Colleges Prepare For Lean Budget Cycle

RALEIGH — The North Carolina Community College System proposes to reach its 10-percent goal with a combination of a tuition increase, spending reductions, management flexibility, special category programs, and a “fundamental rethinking” of how to provide funds to the colleges.

Amanda Vuke
News

University Transition From CCs Not Seamless

RALEIGH — Achieving the much-vaunted “seamless” transition between North Carolina’s community colleges and its universities might require more than superficial fixes. That is the impression given by a report prepared last year for the North Carolina State University history department.

Jane S. Shaw
Opinion

Call. 55: Community Colleges Need More Funds, Consultant Says

N.C. Community Colleges will need upward of $1.2 billion for capital expansion if they are to meet projected enrollment growth for 2000-2005, according to Kent Caruthers, a consultant with MGT of America, Inc. in Tallahassee, FL. The recommendation is part of a preliminary report on the North Carolina Community College System's (NCCCS) funding needs that was presented to Board members last week. Since 1996, MGT has worked with Community College officials to assess the needs of NCCCS and consider ways to approach the General Assembly in asking for more funds.